Useful Links
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
Things To Do
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 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/
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/
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
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/
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/
Explore Further
For all things Myoko, please visit the following websites:
https://myokotourism.com/
In particular, their 3 city guide covering things to do and see in Myoko, Joetsu & Itoigawa:
https://myokotourism.com/three-city-guide/
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 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