Explore The Heart of Japan: Myoko Kogen
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Myoko Kogen and Myoko City: About the Area
 Live Myoko Webcam - more available here |
Myoko Kogen Weather Forecast |
Welcome to Myoko Kogen and Myoko City (Myoko-shi) - 'The Heart of Japan'. The city is located on the border of Nagano and Niigata Prefectures within easy reach of Tokyo (See: Access). Dominated by the mountain for which it is named after it lays in beautiful mountain surroundings near Lake Nojiri (Nojiriko) and the historical entrance to the Echigo Plains. Mt. Myoko (Myoko-san 妙高山) is listed as one of the hundred most famous mountains in Japan with it's summit recorded as 2,454 meters above sea level. In 1916, Myoko Kogen became nationally famous when it came first in a vote taken to find the most popular summer resort in Japan. By the 1930's it had become Japan's first international winter resort. It is a traditional winter holiday destination for Japan's imperial family and each year receives an average of 14 metres of snow!
The 'Snow Country' of Niigata is famous throughout Japan and has inspired countless writers, poets and artists. In 2005 the town of Myoko Kogen merged with Arai City and Myoko Village to form the new 'Myoko City'. Unlike many of the modern ski towns in Japan that followed later, Myoko grew up around its mountain, rather than for it - and the quaint and traditional small-town feeling still remains strong today.
Myokokogen in Myoko City, is 'twinned' to Zermatt in Switzerland, and is central to the nearby local mountain villages of Suginosawa, Akakura, Sekigawa, Tsubame Onsen, plus several others. This central location provides an excellent base for visiting the many Myoko attractions in the surrounding countryside (see: Access). The Myoko Kogen area possesses the largest campground in Japan which can take up to 3,000 people! With more than 200 choices there are also plenty of different types of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
Myoko Kogen is truly 'The Heart of Japan' and a place for all four seasons.
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Skiing and Snowboarding in Myoko Kogen
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| Great ski and snowboard tours in Hakuba for Season 2009/10 |
Options in Myoko Kogen's powder snow are almost endless. Founded in the 1930's, Myoko is one of the oldest established ski areas in the world with snow walls sometimes building up to more more than three metres high at the height of the season. With its rich history, you have the ideal holiday place to enjoy a total Japan ski resort experience. The Myoko Ski Area is made up of ten mountains: Myoko Akakura Onsen, Shin-Akakura (a.k.a, Akakura Kanko or Akakan), Ikenotaira Onsen, Myoko Suginohara (which boasts the longest ski run in Japan), Seki Onsen, Kyukamura, Myoko Ski Park, APA Resort Myoko Pine Valley, Madarao Kogen and Tangram Ski Circus, all with their own distinctive and special features. With great quality powder snow, terrain parks, refreshing long runs and kids parks / child care for small children, the Myoko Ski Area has something for all skiers. See our dedicated Myoko skiing site for more details. A number of famous alpine sports people have their origin or received their training in Myoko City. In January 2008 Seki Onsen was Japan's only resort represented in the Travel Channel's "Skiers World" series (Episode Five) whilst in December 2008 Myoko was rated one of the world's best ski resorts by The Telegraph (U.K.)
See the new Myoko Kogen video here (courtesy of the Myoko Tourist Office).
Attractions & Things to Do in Myoko Kogen
Most of Myoko Plateau has been designated as National Park territory and approximately 80% of the town area is covered in forest. Mt. Myoko is the highest peak of the Myoko volcano range and is surrounded by the outer rim of the crater, Mt. Akakura, Mt. Mae, and Mt. Kanna. It's onsen (hot springs) are the place to unwind - Myoko Onsen, Akakura Onsen, Suginosawa Onsen, Ikenotaira Onsen, Tsubame Onsen, Seki Onsen, and more. Jigoku-dani valley between Mt. Myoko and Mt. Mae is the rich source of the local onsen hot springs. The water is taken from Jigoku-dani Valley and provided to the eight spa areas of Myoko-onsen: Akakura, Shin-Akakura, Ikenotaira, Suginosawa, Myoko, Seki, Tsubame and Matsugamine.
Nature abounds here and, whatever the season, there are always plenty of things to do. See the attractions and activities page for some of these. And when the snow melts there are plenty of golf courses to choose from and mountain retreats away from the summer heat. You can also visit historical monuments, the excavation museum or the Ukiyoe museum. Looking for something to eat? There are more than forty restaurants scattered throughout the area serving a selection of Japanese and Western meals. Don’t miss the sasazushi (sushi on bamboo leaves), takenoko jiru (bamboo shoots and miso soup), local soba noodles or native mountain vegetables, as well as the sake (rice wine) and koshihikari rice that Niigata is famous for. See our shopping page for more ideas.
Japan Monkey Onsen Park - Click here
Myoko Farm Experience
A new way to experience traditional Japanese life and stay in a stylish farmhouse lodge in Iiyama, nearby Myokokogen. This farm experience will bring you into contact with many locals who live a traditional lifestyle that is no longer seen in many other parts of Japan.
Need a place to stay? Check out these establishments below or more on our Myoko-Kogen hotels & accommodation page (click here) |
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Akakura Kanko Hotel Probably Myoko's most famous establishment (see larger photo above). This classic European style hotel is perched high on the slopes of Shin-Akakura (Akakan) ski area where one can ski in and ski out. Map to Akakura Kanko Hotel |
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Canadian House - Western and Japanese style accommodation, English speaking host, along with bike and sports gear hire. Collection from Myoko-kogen Station station can be arranged. Map to Canadian House, Myoko-kogen |
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APA Hotel Resort, Myoko Pine Valley - An all year quality onsen resort with skiing in winter, golf and tennis in summer. Rooms overlook the golf course and nearby ski area. Sports equipment available for hire Map to APA Hotel, Pine Valley |
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Windsor Hotel, Shin-Akakura, Myoko Kogen The Windsor Hotel in Akakura offers superlative views and is only five minutes walk from the nearest ski slopes in Shin-Akakura. Child care is available next to the hotel for children between 6 months and 2 years old. A shuttle bus stops in front of the hotel providing easy access to other ski areas too. A Japanese-style izakaya (pub) is available for food and drinks + internet access Map to Windsor Hotel Read or leave a Hotel Windsor review |
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Hotel Kofukan - Ryokan Kofukan - Opened in 2004 with both Japanese and Western style accommodation available. Three minutes by car from Myokokogen station with wonderful relaxing hotsprings. A free shuttle bus service is available to and from Suginohara ski field during the winter. Discount ski lift tickets are also available for purchase. Map to Hotel Kofukan |
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Pension Mont Cervin - The genial host Shikine-san is also director of the Myoko Kogen Visitor Center as well as a certified mountain and trekking guide. Hence he would able to tell you a lot about this unique natural area as well as showing some of the most breathtaking views and scenery in the area. Map to Pension Mont Cervin |
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Pension Yuuka - Ten minutes by car from Myokokogen station. Relax in comfort - reasonable prices and delicious food. Map to Pension Yuuka |
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Myoko-onsen Ishidakan Myoko Hotel - One km from Myokokogen station. A traditional Japanese style ryokan with a friendly atmosphere as well as excellent hospitality and onsite onsen. Transportation service available to and from hotel, plus free shuttle bus transport is available in winter to local Myoko-Suginohara ski areas. Map to Myoko-onsen Ishidakan Myoko Hotel |
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Pensionmura - Puchi House For You Warm hospitality in a modern pension with traditional service. Map to Pension Mura, Puchi House |
Want to look up a local area within Myoko? Click here for the maps page or check out our interactive map guide.
Myoko Review:
At the foot of Mt Myoko in Niigata Prefecture is one of the world's oldest established ski areas in the world. Apart from its 13-metre annual snowfall and abundant ski areas, it's not hard to spot the appeal. The...area...has a reputation for stunning beauty amid stark natural contrasts. For those skiers seeking adventure. Suginohara slopes have a vertical drop of around 1124m. A signature part of the Mt Myoko scenery is the intimate run through thick beech and aspen forests. Myoko has a children's park and on-slope daycare facilities for those travelling with children to ensure a relaxing holiday. Also available is a guided tour through the forest which introduces participants to a wide range of Japanese flora and fauna, including adorable tanuki (raccoons). At the end of the day, the public or hotel onsen (hot springs) await to relax and revitalise. (1)
More Myoko Kogen reviews here!
History:
In 1916, Myoko Kogen became nationally famous when it came first in a vote taken to find the most popular summer resort in Japan. The beginning of Myoko Kogen's history began when groups such as Tokyo University Red Gate Club and the Keio Mita Club started skiing practice at the foot of Mt. Myoko. The local people welcomed the students and named their practice area "University Slope." In 1922, the Akakura Ski Club was formed and skiing started taking root in the region. It was through this that Myoko Kogen began it's journey as an all-year-round mountain resort.
In 1937, the now famous Akakura Kanko Hotel opened for business. At that time the tourist bureau of the Ministry of Railways had been widely promoting sightseeing in Japan to the outside world and the establishment was planned to be a main means for attracting visiting foreign tourists. During plans for the hotel construction, the owner (Okura Kishichiro) flew to Switzerland to observe similar European mountain hotels. The Akakura Kanko Hotel was born as a modern resort hotel, and at that time it was the only one of its kind in Japan. With this hotel as a nucleus, Akakura became a resort area clearly distinguished from any other at that time.
In 1950, wooden pole lifts were constructed in the Akakura and Ikenotaira areas. The local districts below Mt. Myoko then went into full-scale development and eventually grew to its present-day scale as Myoko Kogen. During that time, numerous national ski championships were successfully held in Akakura. With the inauguration of the Nagano Shinkansen...Myoko Kogen became a 150 minute ride from Tokyo and with the subsequent completion of the Joshinetsu Expressway, it also became possible to easily drive to Myoko directly from the greater Tokyo area.(2)
Interesting Facts: Godzilla goes Myoko!
Myoko Kogen is featured in the 2001 movie - Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (a.k.a. "Gojira, Mosura, Kingu Gidora: Daikaiju sokogeki")
Synopsis: Fifty years after his initial onslaught, Godzilla is all but forgotten by many people. While Yuri Tachibanan is filming a special docu-drama about Mt. Myoko, the head of the local village tells them to stop filming such lies. When Yuri tries to discuss with him about how it will be good for tourism, a tremor hits. Afterwards, Yuri spots an old man on in area and when she looks back, he disappears!
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That night, a biker gang is killed during a tunnel cave-in, and the truck driver witnessing the event sees a giant head looking back at him. While the D-03 missiles (special missiles with drills at the head) are being used to uncover the tunnel, the driver is interrogated about what he saw. He claims he saw Godzilla. Yuri tries to convince her boss to cover the odd occurrence, but he declines. Later her advisor, Teruaki Takeda, brings her a book about a local legend: a group of legendary creatures known as the Guardian Monsters. |
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References:
- Nichigo Press
- Snow Japan
