Myoko Services & Facilities

Each of the main ski resorts of Myoko Kogen – Akakura Onsen, Akakan, Ikenotaira and Suginohara – have well developed services and facilities, many of which are run by private operators, whilst Seki Onsen has more of a no frills approach to facilities.

Myoko Ski Hire, Snowboard Rentals

There are various Myoko ski hire shops if you don’t have your own ski or snowboard gear, or don’t want to take your equipment to Japan because you’re likely to max out on your airline baggage limit (see should I take my own gear to Japan info).

Akakura Onsen has several shops for Myoko ski rentals and other equipment hire that is generally of good quality. Many of the Japanese hotels also rent out ski and snowboard equipment, but the quality may be dodgy and you may end up with rear entry boots or something of similar vintage.

At Suginohara Ski Resort there is a shop as well as various other rental outlets. Seki Onsen has a rental shop with limited gear, whilst there are also ski and snowboard rentals at Ikenotaira.

[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Myoko Kogen" subcategory="Akakura Rentals"]

Myoko Ski School

Each of the major Myoko ski resorts has a ski and snowboard school, although the instruction in English can be limited to private lessons at ski resorts other than Akakura.

Escape Myoko provide private ski and snowboard lessons at any of the Myoko ski areas. The snowsports lessons can be for just an individual or your private group of up to 6 people (ie you can’t join a mixed group lesson), and are for the morning, afternoon or full day. You can make a booking here.

The Yodel Ski School at Akakura Onsen Ski Resort offers group kids ski lessons in English for ages 7-14, with a meeting point at the bottom of the Akakura Onsen village. Snowboard lessons or kids of other ages can have lessons in a private format, and adult lessons are also only private (ie can’t join a group).

Myoko Snowsports is also based in Akakura Onsen and offers group lessons for little kids aged 3-6 (Mini Mountaineers) in the morning or for the full day. They have two dedicated kids’ ski areas as well as an indoor kids’ centre. Myoko Snowsports also provide group lessons for children aged 7-14 (Alpine Explorers) for the full day including lunch, so adults can fully go and rip up the powder by themselves! Prices are a bit cheaper than Australian ski schools and considerably less expensive than upmarket USA resorts. These kids’ lessons should be pre-booked. For adults, Myoko Snowsports offer group lessons for skiing in the morning and snowboarding in the afternoon.

[AdListings collection="Japan" category="Myoko Kogen" subcategory="Private Lessons"]

Myoko Kogen Child Care

Myoko Snowsports in Akakura Onsen also offer day care for toddlers from 6 months old to 4 years, with staff that speak English.

Various hotels can organise babysitting, although there is no guarantee of the sitters being able to speak English.

Eating On Mountain

All of the Myoko ski resorts have on-mountain eateries for lunch.

You won’t go hungry at Suginohara Ski Resort. The base area has a large cafeteria and there are lots of restaurants across all areas of the resort.

The base areas of Akakura Onsen Ski Resort have lots of privately owned ski-in ski-out restaurants and izakayas, many of which are very cute. The largest restaurant is up at Yodel. One advantage of Yodel is that you can sit outside on nice weather days, but a major downside is the hideous yodelling music! If the noise of the music isn’t enough to kill you, the din from the bingo type games may tip you over the edge. Nearby is the BBQ buffet where you can completely pig out!

At Akakura Kanko, the Maple/Meipuru Restaurant is a popular place for lunch considering its proximity to the top lift. Or for a much more refined lunch, stop in at the Akakura Kanko Hotel terrace café. They have pastries, sandwiches and beverages, and even though you may have to pay astronomical prices for crap coffee, the views from the terrace are to die for, and it’s nice to see how the well heeled Japanese people live. Or if you want to really splurge, you can head to the top floor of the hotel for premium dining and a magnificent view.

Banking Facilities

Cash is king in Japan and this applies to parts of Myoko Kogen too. Many of the restaurants, shops and buses don’t accept credit cards, so bring cash with you.

It’s also possible to access the all important yen in Myoko Kogen. The post office in the lower part of the Akakura Onsen main street has an ATM that accepts international cards. The post office is open Monday to Saturday (Sat only in the morning), but not on public holidays. There is another ATM at the 7-Eleven in the town of Myoko near the station.