Red Fox Lodge | True Ski-in Ski-out

The Red Fox Lodge is a newly renovated family lodge located directly at the base of the Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort which hosts the longest Ski run in Japan - roughly 8.5km. The drone footage below shows that the Red Fox Lodge is truly a ski-in ski-out location - perfect for that next family adventure!

Our Rooms

Red Fox Lodge offers 20 Lodge-style rooms with predominantly western (ensemble) style beds.

Rooms includes adjoining family rooms, which can accommodate 4 to 6 people, western style room with en suite, bunk room, twin and triple rooms.

The majority of lodge-style rooms are serviced via communal bathroom.

Additional information regarding services available at the lodge can be found here.

Please visit our booking page for photographs, rates and additional information.

Our cancellation policy can be found here.

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About Myoko Kogen

Myoko Kogen is located in Niigata Prefecture on the main island of Honshu, just across the border from Nagano Prefecture. It is the closest part of the greater Myoko City region to Tokyo/Nagano.

Credit: https://joetsu-myoko.com/joetsu-myoko-tokyo/

Suginosawa itself is a quiet little Japanese farming village. Nearby you have Akakura Onsen Ski Resort, which boasts the steepest run in central Japan, referred to as "the wall". As a result of the diversity of its terrain and massive snowfall, Myoko Kogen is one of the up and coming skiing destinations on the South Island of Japan. With the stunning Naena Waterfall located in the Suginosawa area attracting thousands of spring and summer visitors every year, it is a year-round destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

To avoid confusion, please be aware of the following terms:

‘Myoko’ is Myoko City – the large geographic area. Its central area is around Arai which is roughly 30 minutes by car from Myoko Kogen and Akakura Onsen;

‘Myoko Kogen’ is the town/village area at the base of the mountains and where the local train station is located. It is 40 minutes by train from Nagano;

‘Akakura Onsen’ is the hot spring village at the base of the lifts where most foreign visitors stay. It is about 10 minutes by taxi from Myoko Kogen;

Red Fox Lodge is located directly at the base of the Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort. Myoko Suginohara is a long and wide ski area that is spread at the foot of Mt. Myoko. It offers various trails including 8.5km run and also ungroomed powder slopes with 100% natural snow. At the summit on fine days, you can overlook a distant view of Mt. Fuji. There are some guest houses around the ski resort, and many hotels and Japanese inns in Akakura Area which is a 10 min drive from the ski resort.

Details regarding getting to Red Fox Lodge can be found in our FAQ.

Myoko Kogen is a year-round destination, with things to do in every season. Snowboarding and skiing in one of the many resorts in the area, taking in a local onsen, back country hiking, great food, cherry blossoms and one of the oldest temples in Japan are just a small list of things that you can enjoy in the Myoko Kogen area.

If you are interested in organising transport or a tour to any nearby attractions, please speak with one of our friendly staff for more information.

Winter

Winter in Myoko Kogen lasts from about early December to mid-March.

Myoko Kogen is one of Japan’s oldest ski areas and made up of three separate resorts – Myoko Akakura, Myoko Suginohara and Ikenotaira Onsen. The region often receives some of the heaviest snowfalls in Japan & its proximity to the Sea of Japan means Myoko often gets snow before anywhere else. It is renowned for some of the best vertical and longest runs Japan has to offer.

Spring

Spring in Joetsu-Myoko lasts from about mid-March to May, depending on the location.

Spring in Japan is famous for the cherry blossom season. Cherry blossom season is from the 1st of April to the 15th.

The most famous local area for viewing cherry blossoms is at Takada Park in Joetsu City; in particular experiencing the famous Cherry Blossoms at night.

Myoko Range Reflection with Cherry Bloss

Selective focus of Tourist walking sight

Summer

Summer lasts from about early July to early-September, depending on location. and a particularly festive time of year,with colourful matsuri (festivals)

throughout the area.

The forests are popular with hikers , as is climbing Mt Myoko. The area is one of 48 certified 'forest therapy bases' in Japan, where walkers can practise the art of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing).

Many of the ski resorts also offer downhill mountain biking. Visitors can also enjoy the beaches in the Joetsu region - taking a dip or heading out for a surf in the Sea of Japan

Autumn

Autumn lasts from about early late October to early December, depending on location.

Autumn in Joetsu-Myoko brings out the brilliant autumn colours, complemented by the brilliant blue skies.

Some of the ski area gondolas are open for autumn leaf viewing which begin around late October or early November.

It’s still great weather for mountain hiking too (although starting to get a little chillier!).

Things To Do

If you are interested in organising transport or a tour to any of the below attractions, please speak with one of our friendly staff for more information.

Takada Park

Takada Park is home to castle ruins and is famous for its gorgeous cherry blossoms.

The park is known as one of the top three cherry blossom night viewing locations in Japan and each spring attracts visitors with its popular views of the three-storied pagoda and cherry blossom trees illuminated by lanterns reflecting on the water of the surrounding moat.

During summer the outer moats are filled with lotus flowers in bloom; the Joetsu Lotus Flower Festival attracting visitors when they are in full bloom.

Inside the restored three-storied pagoda historical goods of the Takada Domain (a local feudal domain) are on display. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Takada Castle Site Park from the top floor. The illuminated Takada castle has been selected as one of Japan’s top three castle night views, along with Osaka and Kochi castles.

Takada Station is approx. 6 min train ride from Joetsu Station. Takada Park is approx.. 20min walk from Takada Station.

Visit: https://myokotourism.com/takada-park-cherry-blossoms

Joetsu Aqurarium

Umigatari Joetsu Aquarium was fully rebuilt and reopened in 2018. It is one of the few places in Japan where you can see beluga whales.

The easiest way to reach the aquarium from Myoko is take a train from Myoko to Naoetsu station and then walk 10min to the aquarium.

Visit: https://myokotourism.com/umigatari-joetsu-aquarium/

Photo credit: https://myokotourism.com/

Naena Falls

Naena Falls is a year-round attraction. With “earthquake waterfall” being its nickname, a gigantic volume of water gushes vertically down the 55-meter-high basalt cliff every second into the Seki River.

Naena Falls is approx. 25 mins by car from Red Fox Lodge & approx. 7 mins from the Suginohara Ski Resort.

Visit: https://myokotourism.com/naena-falls/

Lake Nojiri

Lake Nojiri is an ancient glacial lake, the location of the first pumped-storage hydroelectricity in Japan and the site of a Japanese Paleolithic excavation. Surrounded by mountains, this scenic lake offers seasonal recreation options & museum of prehistory.

https://madaraokogen.com/lake-nojiri-nojiriko/

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan's premier historic castles, and the five storey donjon is one of the oldest castles in Japan. It takes approx. 2&3/4 hours to travel from Joetsu to Matsumoto via train.

Visit: https://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/lang

Photo credit: https://en.japantravel.com/nagano/matsumoto-castle-nagano/9158

Snow Monkey Park

Nagano’s Jigokudani Monkey Park is home to a particularly curious troop of Japanese macaques who have achieve worldwide fame due to a unique, captivating behaviour – they are the only troop of monkeys in the world known to enjoy bathing in natural hot springs

https://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/smr/snowmonkeypark/

Zenkoji Temple

Zenkō-ji is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Nagano, Japan. The temple was built in the 7th century. The modern city of Nagano began as a town built around the temple. Zenkoji Temple in Nagano is over 1,400 years old and is one of the most important temples in Japan.

Nagano is approx. 1&1/2 hour train ride from Joetsu, and Zenkoji Temple is less than 20 minutes walk from Nagano Station.

Visit: https://www.zenkoji.jp/en/

Myoko Onsen

Naena Myoko has seven different Onsen areas which all have their source deep in Mt Myoko. Although the areas are all served from the same mountain the waters in each area are very different. This is what makes Myoko such a great place for experiencing onsens, every area will offer you a different type of bath.

https://myokotourism.com/onsen/

Useful Links

Ski & Snowboard

To discover Japan’s ski areas, visit:
https://www.snowjapan.com/japan-ski-resorts/discover

For a Joetsu-Myoko area map, visit:
https://joetsu-myoko.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Joetsu_Myoko_pamphlet_2015.pdf
https://joetsu-myoko.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/joetsu_map_guide.pdf

For a Myoko Suginohara mountain map, visit:

https://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/myoko_kogen/

Snow Report

For snow and weather forecast for Myoko Suginohara visit:
https://www.snowjapan.com/japan-ski-resorts/niigata/myoko/myoko-suginohara/snow-weather-reports

For snow and weather forecast for the wider region, visit:
https://www.snowjapan.com/japan-daily-snow-weather-reports/Myoko-Now

Explore

For all things Myoko, visit:

https://myokotourism.com/

In particular, their 3 city guide: https://myokotourism.com/three-city-guide/