Myoko Highlands: Powder Snow Ski Resort

Myoko Kogen (Myoko Highlands), one of Japan's foremost heavy-snow regions, is a place skiers long for, where superb powder snow piles up. Varied slopes spread at the foot of Mount Myoko, and after skiing, there are plentiful hot springs where you can soothe fatigue in a snow-view open-air bath. With snow quality, scale, and access all in its favor, it enjoys high popularity as one of Niigata's leading winter resorts.

Highlights

Myoko Kogen is a highland resort spreading at the foot of Mount Myoko, elevation 2,454 meters. Mount Myoko is a famous peak counted among the "100 Famous Japanese Mountains." Moist seasonal winds blowing in from the Japan Sea strike the mountain and drop large amounts of snow, so snow depth reaches several meters during the season. This abundant, light snow produces quality powder, and the area has long developed as ski grounds. It is also known as one of the areas where skiing was introduced by foreigners in the Meiji era.

Myoko Kogen gathers ski areas of differing character, including Akakura Kanko Resort, Akakura Onsen, Ikenotaira Onsen, and Myoko Suginohara. From gentle slopes for beginners to long courses that impress advanced skiers, there is something for every level and taste. At the foot, Akakura Onsen is a hot spring resort with over 200 years of history. Warming a body chilled from skiing in a famous spring while viewing snowy scenery is a luxury unique to a snow-country resort. In recent years, it has grown in popularity with skiers from overseas as well.

Seasonal Enjoyment

The ski season centers on late December through March. January and February, when snow quality is stable, are especially recommended. In the green season (summer to autumn), highland trekking, leaf-viewing, and hot spring tours can be enjoyed, letting you take in the magnificent nature around Mount Myoko. As a highland resort that changes expression through the seasons, it is worth visiting outside winter too.

Getting There & Basic Information

• Location: Myoko City, Niigata (Myoko Kogen)
• Access: Myoko-Kogen Station on the Echigo Tokimeki Railway is the base; reach ski areas by bus or car
• Shinkansen: Accessible from Joetsu-Myoko Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen
• By car: Close to the Myoko-Kogen IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway
• Main ski areas: Akakura Kanko Resort, Akakura Onsen, Ikenotaira Onsen, Myoko Suginohara
• Hot springs: Akakura Onsen, Seki Onsen, Tsubame Onsen, and others

Practical Travel Notes

Winter brings frequent snow and ice, so if visiting by car, studless tires or chains are essential. By public transport, buses from Myoko-Kogen Station to the ski areas are convenient, but service is limited, so check timetables in advance. Lift fares, operating status, and snow information for each ski area change daily with the weather, so check the day's information on official sites. Do not forget warm, waterproof wear and gloves, and goggles or sunglasses for sun and snow glare. After skiing, warming a chilled body at Akakura Onsen, Seki Onsen, or Tsubame Onsen is the classic choice. From the Tokyo area, the Hokuriku Shinkansen makes weekend and day-trip ski travel easy.

A Word of Advice

Myoko Kogen is a classic snow-country resort with three strengths, snow quality, varied slopes, and hot springs, to be enjoyed by both skiing and soaking. Choose a ski area to match your skill and taste, and cap the day in a snow-view open-air bath. Be sure to experience the superb powder snow that winter on Mount Myoko produces.

📚 Sources

This article is based on guidance from Myoko City and the Myoko Tourism Bureau, public information from individual ski resorts and facilities, and on-site information boards. Operating periods, fees, and slope conditions may change, so please confirm with each resort or the Myoko Tourism Bureau before setting out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Plan around a full day or an overnight stay for skiing and hot springs.
• What to prepare: Winter gear, and equipment for snow and icy roads if driving.
• When to go: Check the operating season, which depends on snow conditions.
• How to tour: Combine the slopes with the areas hot springs for a relaxing base.
• Before you go: Confirm operating periods, fees, and slope conditions in advance, as they may change.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Operating seasons of the city's ski resorts (2025-26 season): Akakura Onsen Ski Area, Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort and Ikenotaira Onsen Alpen Blick Ski Resort run from 13 December to 29 March; Akakura Kanko Resort Ski Area from 19 December to 6 May; and Arai (Lotte Arai Resort) from 13 December to 10 May
• Ski areas currently suspended: Myoko Ski Park is listed as CLOSE in the Myoko Tourism Bureau's directory
• Lift tickets (Akakura Kanko Resort Ski Area, 2025-26 season): A resort one-day pass costs 7,000 yen for adults, 6,000 yen for junior high school students and seniors and 5,200 yen for children (from opening day to 22 March); a 4-hour pass costs 5,400 yen for adults; and a resort spring one-day pass costs 4,000 yen for adults (23 March to 6 May)
• Combined tickets: A combined one-day pass for Akakura Kanko Resort Ski Area and Akakura Onsen Ski Area costs 8,500 yen for adults and junior high school students, or 6,800 yen for seniors and children
• Lift operating hours (Akakura Kanko Resort Ski Area): 8:30-16:00 (the Myoko Kogen Sky Cable runs 8:30-15:30)
• Parking: Akakura Kanko Resort Ski Area has free parking for 1,000 cars beside the slopes
• Access (by car): About 8 minutes from Myoko-Kogen IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway
• Access (by train): Tokyo Station to Nagano Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, then the Shinano Railway Kita-Shinano Line to Myoko-Kogen Station, taking about 2 hours 30 minutes
• Free shuttle bus: Runs between the Akakura Onsen hot spring town and Akakura Kanko Resort Ski Area from 8:00 to 16:40 (in the 2025-26 season it ran from 19 December 2025 to 22 March 2026, for users of that ski area only; check the Akakura Kanko Resort Ski Area website for the 2026-27 dates)

Note: the seasons and prices above are the published figures for the 2025-26 season. Please check each ski resort's official website for details of the coming season.

(Sources: Myoko Tourism Bureau official website, Ski Resorts in Myoko City page; Akakura Kanko Resort Ski Area official website)