Myoko Kogen snow Ski Snowboard akakura onsen madarao suginohara

Welcome to Myoko Kogen – the proudly independent Myoko Kogen ski resort, accommodation and tourism guide.The first dedicated English guide to the region since 2003. We unabashedly claim that we are the most comprehensive and popular Myoko Kogen ski resort site. Updates are regular as we gear up for the 2020/21 Japan ski and snowboard season in Myoko.

Visitors to Myoko Kogen ski resort can find even more features and tours for this and next season, as well as numerous hotels – both in the local resort areas and city stopovers.

Click Here for the official Myoko Tourist office site.

Myoko Kogen Ski Resort – Myoko Kogen, Niigata, Japan

Myoko Kogen Ski Resort overview

Winter skiing and snowboarding options in Myoko Kogen’s powder snow and the surrounding regions are almost endless. If you are looking for nightclubs and parties Myoko will not be your scene. Here in Myoko it’s all about the riding.

The area offers some of the most outstanding skiing in all of Asia with an average base of four metres and snow walls sometimes building up to more than three metres high at the height of the season.

Myoko Kogen is just an easy train ride from Tokyo. After a day getting in amongst the white stuff there are plenty of Traditional bars and restaurants to relax with friends and meet locals, plus don’t forget an obligatory dip in the natural onsen which are scattered throughout the village to rest those tired muscles.

Myoko Kogen Ski Resort and Snow Information

The mountains in and around Myoko receive some amazing snowfalls in winter. Around 14 metres on average (or 550 inches for our north American friends) All the moisture is swept in from the Sea of Japan and cooled by the surrounding peaks resulting in “the snowiest place in the world”. The Myoko Kogen Ski Resort Area is made up of nine main mountain resorts:

There are a number of other nearby resorts nearby such as Kurohime, Togakushi and Iizuna, plus numerous other options within an hour or two drive (over 100 last time i counted but I am no mathematician). A couple of our favourite spots are Nozawa Onsen and the Hakuba valley. Ski around here and you are never short of options. Click Here to see a map of all the major resorts. The rest will remain secrets for now. Be nice and the locals will show you the goods!

Myoko Suginohara boasts the longest ski run in Japan (roughly 8.5 km) and Akakura Onsen possesses the steepest ski run in central Japan (38°) – rather nefariously referred to as “Third Wall”. With great quality powder snow, some high level moguls, plus refreshing long runs, the Myoko area has something to offer for all snow enthusiasts. The kids are not forgotten at Myoko Kogen either – check out some of the kids school and childcare options Here.

Myoko Kogen is truly the place to ski ‘The Heart of Japan’.

History of the Myoko Kogen Ski Area

The original meaning of Myoko comes from Buddhist culture – ‘holy mountain standing in the center of the universe’. The Myoko ski resort fields, one of the largest ski areas in Japan, were first used in 1911 and Akakura Onsen was established in the 1930’s as Japan’s first international mountain resort. This makes it one of the oldest established ski areas in the world and is a traditional mountain retreat of Japan’s imperial family. As just one testimony to the history of skiing in the area visitors will find a ski jinja (skiing shrine), which is dedicated to the protection of skiers in Myoko. With this rich history, you have the ideal holiday place to enjoy a total Japan ski resort experience.

This video was kindly provided by our friends at Myoko tourism. ありがとうございます!

(Thank you very much!)

Myoko Kogen Ski resort lift passes and discount coupons

There is no one joint lift pass for the whole Myoko Kogen ski resort area. To find out what options are available you can check out our Lift Pass page. Alternatively you can try the official resort sites that can be found via the resort links in the main drop down menu above.

Myoko Back Country, Nordic & Cross-country skiing

For those wanting to get off the piste and into some unexplored country, we seriously recommend finding qualified guides. No backcountry experience? We can hook you up with some introductory backcountry skills. For cross-country, back-country, nordic and telemark click HERE. Opportunities for snowshoe tours and races can be found on our Myoko Snowshoe page.