chubuniigata
Myoko
Myoko is a mountain district in southwestern Niigata, in the Chubu region, beneath the volcanic peak of Mount Myoko, about two hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen, known for some of the deepest snow in Japan.
- Prefecture
- Niigata
- Region
- Chubu
- Journeys
- The Custom Tour of Japan
overview
Snow that falls deep and soft on the slopes of Mount Myoko, and onsen villages at their foot.
Mount Myoko rises to 2,454 metres above the plain of Joetsu, its shape so regular that it is called the Fuji of Echigo, the old name of Niigata. It stands in Myoko Togakushi Renzan National Park, among a ring of peaks that catch the snow off the Sea of Japan, not far to the north, and the snow that falls here is famously deep, soft and plentiful. On its slopes stand onsen villages that have welcomed travellers for generations.
For a ski journey, we recommend Myoko for Lotte Arai Resort, a luxury resort high in its mountains. It runs in English: its mountain guides work comfortably in English, as does the hotel, so a family or a party of friends can ski without any difficulty of language. The resort has wide groomed runs, long tree-lined descents and generous terrain for confident skiers.
Luxury Japan Travel plans private ski journeys to Myoko around Lotte Arai Resort: mountain guides who speak English, transfers from Tokyo or Joetsumyoko station, and days off the snow among the onsen, breweries and castle towns of Niigata. The region is also the home of Koshihikari rice, fine sake and kanzuri, a fermented chilli paste made in Myoko from chillies laid out on the snow.
see and do
What to see in Myoko
Lotte Arai Resort
The luxury resort in the mountains of Myoko, with a hotel at the foot of the slopes, a spa, restaurants and long runs from the summit to the base, all within easy reach of the rooms.
Mount Myoko
The 2,454-metre volcano at the centre of the district, called the Fuji of Echigo for its symmetry, rising over every view.
The onsen villages of Myoko
Old onsen villages on the slopes of Mount Myoko, with springs of several different waters, some milky, some clear, piped down from the mountain.
Naena Falls
A waterfall that drops some fifty-five metres over a cliff of columnar basalt into a gorge, with a roar that gives it its name.
Imori Pond
A small pond on the slopes of Mount Myoko, reached by a short level walk, in which the mountain is reflected on a still day.
Takada Castle Park
The grounds of the old castle of Takada in Joetsu, with its rebuilt turret, moats and thousands of cherry trees, half an hour from the resort.
Kasugayama Castle
The wooded hilltop ruins in Joetsu of the castle of Uesugi Kenshin, the sixteenth-century lord of Echigo, with earthworks and a shrine to him among the cedars and a view to the Sea of Japan.
Iwanohara Winery
A winery in Joetsu founded in 1890 by the man who bred some of Japan's own grape varieties, with old stone cellars where the wine was kept cool with snow.
experiences
The best of Myoko
Your own mountain guide
Days with a private mountain guide at Lotte Arai Resort, on runs chosen for your party, from gentle first turns to long descents through the trees.
Deep snow with a guide
For confident skiers, a day with an English-speaking guide in the resort's wider terrain, following the snow where it has fallen deepest.
An onsen in the snow
The end of the day in an open-air onsen, snow falling into the steam and the mountain dark above.
A day off the snow
A day among the castle park of Takada, the cellars of Iwanohara and a sake brewery of the Joetsu plain, with lunch of Niigata rice and fish from the coast.
Niigata at the table
Evenings of Niigata sake from snow-fed breweries, Koshihikari rice, crab and fish from the Sea of Japan coast, and a little kanzuri on the side.
plan your visit
Myoko on a journey through Japan
- How long to stay
- Five to seven nights is a typical ski stay, with time for a day in the onsen villages or a visit to Joetsu and its castle park.
- Getting there
- From Tokyo by the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Joetsumyoko in about two hours, then about twenty-five minutes by car to Lotte Arai Resort. From Hakuba it is about an hour and a half by car, and from Nagano about an hour.
where to stay
Luxury hotels and ryokan in Myoko
At Lotte Arai Resort the stay is at the foot of the slopes, in a hotel with a spa, several restaurants and rooms turned to the mountain, so the lifts are a short walk and the whole stay runs in English.
For a night of a different kind, the onsen villages on the slopes of Mount Myoko keep traditional ryokan with kaiseki dinners and open-air onsen.
journeys
Myoko on a private journey
We bring guests to Myoko on the Custom Tour of Japan, created around your party alone, on your dates, with your own Tour Director.
questions
Myoko: questions answered
Is Myoko good for skiing?
Yes. Myoko has some of the deepest snow in Japan, and Lotte Arai Resort offers long runs, tree skiing and wide terrain for confident skiers alongside gentle slopes for families.
Do they speak English at Lotte Arai Resort?
Yes. The resort's mountain guides and hotel staff work in English, so every run and every conversation is easy.
How do you get from Tokyo to Myoko?
By the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Joetsumyoko station, about two hours, then about twenty-five minutes by car to Lotte Arai Resort.
Where is Lotte Arai Resort?
In the mountains of Myoko in southwestern Niigata, about twenty-five minutes by car from Joetsumyoko station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Myoko or Hakuba?
Both run in English. Myoko, with Lotte Arai Resort, is quieter and known for very deep snow; Hakuba has a larger valley of ski areas and a livelier village. They are an hour and a half apart, and combine well.
Is Myoko good for families?
Yes. Lotte Arai Resort has gentle runs for children, and the hotel sits at the foot of the slopes, so there are no long transfers to the lifts.
What is there to do in Myoko besides skiing?
Onsen in the villages on the slopes of Mount Myoko, Naena Falls, the castle towns and breweries of Joetsu, and the winery at Iwanohara, all within about half an hour of the resort.
How many days do you need in Myoko?
Five to seven nights for a ski holiday, with a day for the onsen villages or Joetsu.
Can Myoko be part of a private tour of Japan?
Yes. The Custom Tour of Japan is created around your party alone, on your dates, with your own Tour Director, and it can go anywhere in the country, Myoko included. If you would rather travel independently, the Expert Japan Itinerary plans every day for you.
chubu
More in Chubu
Every place in Chubu
Myoko, planned for you.
Tell us when you would like to travel and what draws you to Myoko, and we will answer with a Custom Tour of Japan created around your party alone, or, if you would rather travel independently, an Expert Japan Itinerary that plans every day for you.