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Myoko Kogen

Looking for the best way to get to Myoko Kogen? Our Nagano Snow Shuttle bus to Myoko offers a direct, reliable, and budget-friendly transfer from Tokyo airports and Iiyama Station to the resort. If you’re planning your ski holiday and searching for how to get to Myoko, our daily shuttle service is the easiest and most convenient option—so you can relax and head straight for the slopes. Book your seat today and make your journey to Myoko simple and stress-free!

Myoko Kogen: Info

Myoko Kogen, located in Niigata just north of Nagano. It receives some of the highest snowfall in Japan thanks to moisture-rich Siberian winds from the Sea of Japan.

The ski resort centers around Akakura Onsen, which is the most convenient place to stay. It serves as the main transportation hub and is the only area with shops and restaurants. Meanwhile, other resorts spread out across the greater Myoko area.

To reach Akakura, travelers can take a 15–20 minute drive from Myoko Kogen Station. While it was once a JR station, it’s now operated by Shinano Railway and Echigo Tokimeki Railway (north to Joetsu), with trains running about once per hour between Nagano and Myoko.

Getting there from Narita or Haneda Airports involves at least three train transfers and can take over six hours, followed by a local bus or taxi ride to Akakura.

white shuttle bus driving on a mountain road

Myoko Kogen: Getting Around

With seven resorts across Myoko, winter transportation is mainly via ski resort shuttles or the town-operated bus system.

In central Akakura, a free shuttle runs daily from 8 AM to 10 PM between Akakura Car Park and Kumado Information Center. Another free shuttle operates from Myoko Kogen Station to Kumado Information Center, but reservations must be made online at the Akakura Onsen Ski Resort website at least two days in advance. A valid lift pass is required for the return trip.

A shuttle also connects Akakura Onsen Ski Area, Akakura Kanko Resort, Landmark Myoko Kogen, Ikenotaira Ski Resort, and Suginohara Ski Resort.

For a day trip to Lotte Arai Resort, buses run for 1,000 yen per person. Travel to Madarao Kogen Ski Resort takes 30 minutes to Tangram Ski Circus or 45 minutes to Madarao Kogen Resort.

A daily shuttle is available to and from the Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani.

white shuttle bus driving on a mountain road
Shopping at a convenience store in Japan

Myoko Kogen: Services

Akakura Onsen’s main street offers the best selection of shops, bars, cafés, and restaurants. There is no night shuttle service, so those outside central Akakura must rely on accommodation shuttles or taxis.

A small Yamazaki Y Shop convenience store in Akakura operates from 9 AM to 9 PM, offering basic supplies. For a 24-hour convenience store, head to 7-Eleven on Route 18. The nearest supermarket, Narus, is 10 minutes from Akakura, open 9 AM to 10 PM.

Taxis are available near Myoko Kogen Station or by calling 0255-86-3141, with fares to Akakura around 2,000 yen. Nikoniko Rent-a-Car is the only car rental provider, requiring a valid Japanese or international driver’s license.

Tourist information is available at Myoko Kogen Tourism Office (9 AM – 7 PM) near the station and Akakura Tourism Association (9 AM – 5 PM) next to the post office.

Money Matters

Akakura has one international ATM at the post office near Akakura Bus Stop, operating 9 AM – 5:30 PM on weekdays and 9 AM – 12:30 PM on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays but accepts most major international credit cards.

For cash outside these hours, the 24-hour ATM at 7-Eleven on Route 18 is the only option, though it requires a 15-minute taxi ride from Akakura.

There are no currency exchange facilities in the Myoko Kogen Ski Resort area.

Medical Matters

Medical responses depend on the situation and the weather conditions.

There are both ambulance and helicopter services available.

In almost all cases, patients will be transported to the Niigata Prefectural Hospital.

By ambulance, this is about a 10 minute trip. When calling an ambulance, it will generally be on the scene within 15 minutes.

While there are a number of clinics in Myoko Kogen City, in most cases it is best just to head directly to the Niigata Prefectural Hospital in Myoko Kogen as this is a large general hospital covering all types on injury and sickness.

There is a dentist located close to Myoko Station that is open weekdays and Saturdays, but closed on Sundays and public holidays.

While there is a small pharmacy located in Akakura Onsen, near the Akakura Onsen Hotel, for a larger, general purpose pharmacy, most people head down to the Matsumoto Kiyoshi Sekiyama Store located on route 18, about 10 minutes’ drive from Akakura Onsen.

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