Looking just for ski, snowboard and Myoko Kogen Ski Resort information? Click here for Myoko Kogen: Ski the the Heart of Japan - the ultimate ski and snowboard guide to the Myoko ski area.

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Myoko-Kogen, Jigokudani, Madarao, Lake Nojiri and Togakushi - Overview

The Shinetsu-Kogen region, stretching from Iizuna-kogen and Togakushi near Nagano City to Myoko Kogen and Myoko City in Niigata Prefecture, has always been popular amongst locals and foreign residents but now also increasingly from overseas tourists.

Lake Nojiri has long been regarded as one of Japan's best summer retreats and in October 2007, Explore the Heart of Japan was featured in The News Corporation Travel Section - designating Myokokogen as one of Japan's best ski resorts. We provide the ultimate Myoko Kogen ski resort information guide with weather, snow report emails, videos, live cams, road conditions, discount lift tickets and much more!

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The area is dominated by Hokushingogaku - a spectacular series of five mountains (Madarao, Myoko, Kurohime, Togakushi and Iizuna) that make up the border of Nagano and Niigata prefectures. There are always plenty of things to do - whatever the season and whatever the age. There are accommodations to suit any budget and we have the greatest range of online booking options available in the area.

We hope you find this site useful and ultimately have a most enjoyable stay in the area. Information can be accessed via the links below, in the sidebar or you can join in with our forum discussions. We are the original and best English guide to the Myoko Kogen region - so please recommend this site to your friends and let your hosts know you found their information via the Explore the Heart of Japan site.

Town Guides:Click for information on the individual areas
Myokokogen - Travel Explore the Heart of Japan	Lake Nojiri Japan's Best Summer Retreat
Togakushi Village Soba, Shrines, Skiing and Ninja	Iiyama, Madarao and Tangram Green Tourism in 'Japan's Hometown'
Yudanaka Onsen and Shibu Onsen The famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park	Togura Onsen and Chikuma City Coming soon!
Hotels and accommodation: We have the greatest range of Myoko hotel options in the area available and all booking can be done online in English. A full range of accommodation is catered for from hostels right up to to well known resort hotels.	Myoko Kogen Skiing and Snowboarding: There are more than twenty five ski resorts found within thirty minutes of the Myoko Kogen ski area. Links and information for these can be found in our sister Myoko Kogen ski site.
Access and Directions: See this area for local, access and ski resort maps, train schedules plus airport & station maps, highway bus timetables, taxi bookings, regional bus and shuttle services, ski bus information, and day tour bookings. You might also find our interactive map guide a useful place to start.	Attractions: Outdoor and leisure activities available in the area include hiking, cycling, golf, fishing, shopping, museums, water activities, hot springs (onsen), an amusement park, helicopter rides, wine tasting, walks, traditional ninjitsu training and even sumo wrestling. Links and contacts are provided for many of these
Festivals and Events: There are a multitude of festivals and events that take place in the area right throughout the year in Myoko-Kogen and the surrounding areas. These vary from traditional matsuri to triathalons and jazz.	Road Conditions - Web Cam: This page will display, via live web-cam, current road conditions in the area. Some are seasonal and therefore may not show at other times of the year.
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Local Videos: A selection of local videos, promotional videos and some random You Tube ski videos.	Weather & Snow Conditions: Here you will find predicted ski & snow conditions, predicted snowfall and local resort weather.
Links: Most of the various sites linked on this page are in English. However you will find clicking on links directly in each page probably much easier. There are also banners and text if you want to link to us.	Local Web-Cam and Live Cam: Shown on this page are a variety of feeds from local live & web-cams in Ikenotaira, Togakushi, Madarao, Myoko and Lake Nojiri. Some are seasonal and therefore may not show and/or be out of date.
Email Snow Alerts: Want to know when snow is falling at your favourite resort in the area. Click here to sign up for snow alert notification emails.	Frequently asked questions (FAQ): A list of frequently asked questions received by the site. Please read these before contacting us.
Sightseeing: Check out all of the things to see and do in the local area - Fun Parks, Snow Monkeys, Ninja Village, Waterfalls, Zenko-ji Temple, Historical Sights, plus much much more!	Water Sports: Just about every water activity possible is available including fishing, swimming, pleasure boats, sailing, windsurfing and even an aquarium.
Find the best deal, compare prices and read what other travelers have to say about hotels in Myoko Kogen, Niigata and Nagano
Golf and Golf Courses: Get information on the numerous local courses.	Onsen and Hot Springs: Fancy a nice hot soak? A selection of local onsen are listed here
Maps and Guides We have a wide range of local maps, an area guide, plus ski trail maps & interactive guide	Zenkoji Temple Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano City is Nagano's most poular tourist attraction
Shopping: Discover some of the local specialities - handcrafts, food, sake, beer and much more.	Tourist Centres: Locate a local tourist information center in Myoko, Niigata or Nagano.

Feel free to contact us if you know of other useful contacts/links, have experiences to share (good or bad), would like to contribute other events/information, or have just generally found the information on this page useful.

For optimal viewing of the videos, live cams & other features on this site we recommend: