Story Winter fun in the snowy mountains of Niigata Prefecture By JNTO on 9 February 2021
The winter scenery in Japan is gorgeous, especially in the snowy mountain areas. Situated within the massive Joshinetsu National Park is the Myoko region of Niigata Prefecture, which comprises the towering peaks of Mt. Myoko, Mt. Huichi, and Yakeyama.
When winter arrives, this entire region receives not only the first sprinklings of snow, but also one of the heaviest snowfalls in Japan. Located within the first mountain range west of the Japan Sea, it receives an average of 15m of powder snow in the winter months which attracts skiers and snowboarders of all levels to this region.
The ski scene
Myoko Kogen is one of Japan’s oldest ski areas, and just 20 minutes away is the recently refurbished Lotte Arai Resort Hotel, which covers 1,020 hectares at the foot of Mt. Ohgenashi. In addition to its picturesque surroundings, Arai is one of the few Japanese ski resorts to provide skiers with a preference for off-piste runs. With nearly 250 rooms, the resort consists of two hotel buildings with spa and onsen facilities, restaurants, and retail stores located at the base of the ski area.
Skiing at Arai offers above-treeline terrain (sub-alpine) in wide open powder bowls, which is rare for a Japanese ski resort. The slopes at Arai are serviced by five ski lifts, with an impressive 951m of vertical descent spread over 11 pistes, with the longest course being 5.2km long. The resort attracts many intermediate skiers and snowboarders, and advanced skiers are also catered to, with four advanced areas left ungroomed for powder hunters. The resort also has avalanche-controlled areas where off-piste skiing and snowboarding is permitted.
For beginners, the resort offers starters terrain and an international snow sports school (Myoko Snowsports) that offers group ski and snowboard lessons in English.
Beyond the slopes
Visitors who do not ski or snowboard can enjoy various winter activities around the area. Board the resort’s gondola to admire the magnificent white landscape that stretches from Myoko’s mountains all the way to the Naoetsu coast.
Winter is a perfect season for enjoying a good soak in an onsen (hot spring). In addition to Arai’s own Hoshizora Onsen, Myoko has seven onsen areas, all from sources deep within Mt Myoko and are open to day guests. Each onsen has its own unique mineral content and colour. The onsen at Arai resort is alkaline-based, which is said to be good for the skin; the popular rotenburo (outdoor bath) at Tsubame, which is free to use, is milky-white in colour.
Cuisine in the Joetsu-Myoko region
The Joetsu-Myoko region has maintained its culinary history with a treasure trove of local dishes, including “sasazushi”, an ancient, fermented cuisine consisting of sushi rice topped with mountain vegetables and fish on bamboo leaves. Since the region is just 24km from the sea, you can enjoy fresh seafood together with local high-quality ingredients like mountain vegetables, soba noodles, ramen, and Tonjiru pork soup which is a winter staple.
Because of the pristine mountain water, the region is also famous for its premium rice and being in the heart of “rice country” makes Joetsu-Myoko a thriving hub for sake breweries. If wine is your preference, the Iwanohara Vineyard, established in 1890, is the oldest winery in Japan. Located just across Lotte Arai resort, the vineyard uses a snow room to control wine temperatures during the fermentation process, a technique unique to this snow country.
Access: Lotte Arai Resort Hotel is 2 hours from Niigata Airport by car or 112 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train to Joetsumyoko Station. Then hop on one of the resort's free shuttle buses or catch a taxi for the 20-minute trip.
Address: 1966 Ryozenji, Myoko, Niigata 944-0062
Website: Official Website
