Mount Myoko (Akakura Onsen / Akakura Kanko / Seki Onsen / Suginohara)

Akakura Kanko — the standout, and underrated for it. Steepest pitch on the mountain, 800m vertical, and the best amenities of the four Myoko areas. What doesn't get talked about enough: the tree skiing and sidecountry here are genuinely excellent. The side runs hold quality glades top to bottom, and above the top lift there's gated backcountry/sidecountry access — patrol allows it for properly equipped riders (beacon, shovel, probe), though they can be strict if you cross under a lift line. After a big dump, the zone above the top lift is one of the better powder stashes in Myoko and doesn't get the traffic or reputation of Lotte Arai or Nozawa. Onsen side is connected on the same pass but is low-angle and beginner-oriented by comparison — worth a mention for progression days, but Kanko is the one to build the tour around.

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Seki Onsen — small, no-frills, steep and snow-obsessed. Only four official runs and two lifts (top lift often closed on quiet days), but the real terrain is in the tight trees and open glades off-piste, where powder holds for days. No ban on going off-piste. Advanced/expert only — not a place to build confidence.

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Suginohara — the long-run side of the mountain: 1,124m vertical and one of Japan's longest groomed runs at 8.5km. Mostly beginner/mellow-intermediate groomers (~80% of terrain), with fun, not-too-steep tree skiing off the top lift and a terrain park for freestylers. Two zones: Suginohara and Mitahara.

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Best use: home base — Akakura for progression and easy trees, Suginohara for long cruisers and families, Seki Onsen for experts chasing steep, untouched powder.

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Lotte Arai 

Luxury resort, ~18m annual snowfall, and the steepest, most serious freeride terrain of the six zones. Eight gated freeride zones (Zendana Bowl, Big Bowl, Mamushi, Mamushigaeshi, Happy Place, Be Free, Encore, Bear Valley, plus others like Funaishi and Benzaku) cover 80% of the resort — avalanche-controlled, roped and signed, enter only through the gates, with staged openings after storms. Rare-for-Japan above-treeline, sub-alpine bowls give wide-open, steep powder turns you won't find at the other zones, plus hikeable bowls above the top lift for those chasing untracked lines. This is the marquee steep-and-deep zone. We keep this one quiet.

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Kurohime

Small, quiet resort just over the Nagano border, 430m vertical. Two zones: lower for beginners/learners, upper with intermediate runs and a handful of low-angle advanced lines. Less trafficked, so powder lasts longer in the trees and sidecountry. Top terrain requires skinning (no longer lift-served). Best use: uncrowded powder day, backcountry/touring intro, change of scenery.

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Nozawa Onsen

Large historic onsen town resort — 1,000m vertical, ~50km of runs, 21 lifts. Known for untouched lines, tree runs, and wide alpine bowls across multiple valleys. Strong lift-served sidecountry and hike-to backcountry for advanced riders. Best use: full-day mountain with everything — cruisers, trees, bowls, backcountry access, plus onsen/village culture.

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Shiga Kogen

Japan's largest and highest ski area — 18 interconnected resorts, ~80 runs, peak elevation 2,307m, one pass. Good terrain spread (30% beginner / 40% intermediate / 30% advanced). Okushiga Kogen has a gate system into birch-forest powder; Yokoteyama and Kumanoyu are the remote, uncrowded, high-elevation powder zones. Best use: big-mountain variety day, high-elevation powder reliability, exploring multiple distinct areas on one ticket.

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Charmant Hiuchi

Hidden gem near the Japan Sea side, small (3 lifts, 96 hectares, 510m vertical) but over 65% ungroomed natural terrain with a 5m+ base. Steep fall-line shots, gullies, and powder tree runs; seven unpatrolled powder zones. North/northeast-facing aspect keeps it skiing well into early May. Best use: powder purists, late-season snow, low-crowd expert terrain.

 

 

Mitahara-yama (via Myōkō Suginohara)

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Starting from the upper lifts at Myōkō Suginohara, a short hike brings you to the ridgeline of Mitahara-yama — a volcanic peak that drops into wide-open powder bowls and perfectly spaced trees.
These runs can stretch for 800–1,000 meters of vertical, offering the best combination of big-mountain feel and easy lift access.

Expect: sweeping ridgelines, panoramic views, and deep snow with every turn.
Best for: intermediate to advanced riders who want to experience “earn your turns” terrain without committing to a full ski tour.
Local tip: North-facing slopes hold the lightest powder days after a storm.

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Maeyama & Akakura Sidecountry

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Just above the village of Akakura lies Maeyama, a mountain packed with glades, ridgelines, and hidden powder stashes.
You can drop straight off the lifts into mellow trees or push a little farther to find untouched lines that feed right back into the resort.

Expect: soft powder runs through Japanese birch forests, short hikes between zones, and a quick ride back to the onsen by afternoon.
Best for: riders looking to improve tree technique and flow through natural terrain.
Atmosphere: close to town but quiet — perfect for building confidence early in the week.​

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Kurohime & Trailhead Zones

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Kurohime offers lift access to vast forest terrain and serves as a gateway to nearby trailheads for those ready to tour a little deeper. It’s a natural progression for guests who’ve gained confidence and want longer, wilder runs.

Expect: rolling powder fields, quiet forests, and big open spaces for freeride exploration.
Best for: guests looking to step up from lift-served backcountry to light touring days.
Atmosphere: peaceful, scenic, and raw — a perfect balance of adventure and calm.

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Myōkō-Togakushi-Renzan National Park

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When the conditions align, we head into the Myōkō-Togakushi-Renzan National Park, where long alpine ridges and untouched bowls stretch into the horizon.
It’s a true adventure — big terrain, total quiet, and unforgettable lines through old-growth cedar forests.

Expect: full back-country touring, long runs, and panoramic alpine views.
Best for: strong intermediates and above who want to experience the wild side of Honshū.
Highlight: this is where you put everything you’ve learned together — navigation, snow reading, and flow.