Chubu, Japan
Akakura Onsen
17 runs, 550m vertical, 14m annual snowfall. Japan's first international resort with daily night skiing and hot spring access.
Season 2025-2026
Opens
5 Dec 2025
Closes
29 Mar 2026
Days open
114
Annual snow
14m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Akakura Onsen operates across 550 vertical metres between 650 and 1,200 metres elevation, delivering 17 runs across three distinct sectors named Yodel, Kumado and Ginrei. The resort opened in 1937 as Japan's first international ski area and receives 14 metres of annual snowfall drawn from Japan Sea storm systems. Terrain distribution favours progression skiers with 50 per cent beginner runs, 30 per cent intermediate and 20 per cent advanced, whilst the longest run extends 4 kilometres from summit to base.
The ski area connects seamlessly with neighbouring Akakura Kanko Resort, creating a combined network of 32 runs accessible on a joint lift pass. Wide groomed slopes dominate the lower mountain whilst steeper tree runs and the region's steepest groomed pitch occupy higher elevations. Natural snow conditions eliminate the need for snowmaking infrastructure, maintaining powder quality through mid-season storms.
Akakura Onsen village spreads across the base area with traditional ryokan, bars and restaurants preserving an established Japanese mountain character. The resort remains the only Myoko Kogen area offering daily night skiing from 5pm to 9pm on the Kumado sector. English-speaking ski schools and rental operators service international visitors without diluting the village's local atmosphere.
The resort forms part of the broader Myoko Kogen cluster alongside Ikenotaira and Suginohara, linked by shuttle buses running throughout the season. Combined lift passes unlock access to all four Myoko mountains plus Lotte Arai, Madarao and Tangram resorts. The ski area suits beginner and intermediate skiers seeking reliable snowfall, accessible terrain and hot spring access without crowds.
550m
Vertical
14
Runs
74 acres
Skiable
14m
Annual snow
The Terrain
14 runs across 74 acres skiable
Akakura Onsen spreads 14 runs across 74 acres skiable of terrain. It leans beginner at 50%, with 7 beginner runs to find your feet and 3 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
14
runs
14 runs across 4 grades
Beginner7 runs · 50%
Intermediate4 runs · 30%
Advanced3 runs · 20%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Akakura Onsen
The 2025-2026 season operates from 13 December 2025 through 29 March 2026, spanning 107 days of lift-served skiing. Operating dates align with Myoko Suginohara and Ikenotaira whilst Akakura Kanko opens six days later on 19 December. Season length matches regional patterns with mid-December openings and late March closures standard across Niigata Prefecture resorts.
Myoko Kogen's location on Mount Myoko's eastern flank intercepts 13 to 15 metres of seasonal snowfall from Japan Sea moisture systems. Week two of January historically delivers peak accumulation with 70 centimetres falling across 5 snowy days. The resort operates without snowmaking relying entirely on natural precipitation, with base depths routinely exceeding 3 metres by February.
January through February provides optimal powder conditions with consecutive multi-day storm cycles depositing 40 to 90 centimetres between weather breaks. March transitions to spring snow with warmer temperatures and longer daylight though accumulation continues through mid-month. The easterly aspect and modest summit elevation mean lower runs soften earlier than higher Myoko resorts during sunny spells.
Daily night skiing distinguishes Akakura Onsen from other Myoko areas, with illuminated runs open every evening throughout the season. Slalom race events run in February and March with open entry. The resort's hot spring village hosts traditional winter festivals including the 15 January Dosojin fire ceremony.
Season 2025-2026
5 Dec 2025
Opens
29 Mar 2026
Closes
114
Days open
14 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Akakura Onsen, and where to stay
Akakura Onsen sits in Myoko City within Niigata Prefecture's southern highlands, 8 minutes by road from Myoko Kogen Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway. The village occupies the base of Mount Myoko's eastern slopes at 650 metres elevation with the 2,454-metre volcanic peak rising above. Lake Nojiri spreads 15 minutes north whilst the Sea of Japan lies visible from upper slopes on clear days.
Myoko-Kogen Station on the Echigo Tokimeki Railway Myoko Haneuma Line provides the nearest rail access 15 minutes from the village by bus or taxi. The traditional hot spring town of Akakura Onsen anchors the Myoko Kogen resort cluster and contains the region's largest concentration of visitor accommodation, bars and restaurants. Myoko City centre sits 20 minutes east whilst Nagano City lies 45 kilometres south.
The Joshinetsu Expressway connects Tokyo 240 kilometres southeast via the Kan-Etsu and Nagano expressways in approximately 3.5 hours. Myoko Kogen Interchange exits directly onto Route 18 with 8 minutes driving to resort base areas. Road access from Kanazawa runs 90 kilometres north taking 90 minutes via the Hokuriku Expressway.
Narita Airport sits 340 kilometres distant with Nagano Snow Shuttle buses running directly to Akakura Onsen in 5.5 hours during winter. Haneda Airport lies 290 kilometres away with similar direct shuttle options. Rail connections require the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano Station then the Kita-Shinano Line to Myoko-Kogen Station totalling 2.5 hours from Tokyo. Niigata Airport operates 160 kilometres northeast serving domestic and limited Asian routes.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Akakura Onsen, powered by Stay22.
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Current conditions
Snow Report
Awaiting live data
1200m
summit
+0cm
new snow · last 24 hours
-°C / -°C · - -
Snowfall
24 hours
0cm
48 hours
0cm
7 days
0cm
Base depth
-
Season total
-
Total lifts14
Live open status isn’t available right now.
5 Dec 2025 - 29 Mar 2026
Hour by Hour
Next 37 hours· Updated Aug 25, 2026 at 5:02 AM
Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
7-Day Outlook
1,200 mUpdated Aug 25, 2026 at 5:02 AMOpen-Meteo
Days 1–7
0.0cm
Days 8–14
0.0cm
Tue, Aug 25
Drizzle
Temp24° / 19°°C
Snow0.0cm(90%)
Wind8 km/h W
Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.
Understanding the Akakura Onsen snow report
Planning a day at Akakura Onsen? Our snow report combines official mountain data with live weather so you know exactly what conditions look like right now, from the 650m base to the 1200m summit.
Snow measurements
Snow depth at Akakura Onsen is tracked at both the base and summit, since the two elevations often see different totals — roughly a 550m difference here. We report fresh snowfall over the last 24 hours and 7 days alongside the running season total, in both metric and imperial units.
Weather conditions
Current weather conditions affect snow quality. Cold temperatures with low wind typically preserve snow quality, while warm temperatures or rain can impact conditions negatively — something worth watching closely at Akakura Onsen's 650m base elevation, where temperatures run milder than the summit.
Data sources
We pull Akakura Onsen's conditions from on-the-ground mountain reporting, then layer in forecast data so you get a fuller picture than either source alone. The mountain is served by 14 lifts, including 2 quad chairlifts.
When to check
The biggest swings usually happen right after a storm. Check Akakura Onsen's report in the morning for the freshest numbers, and again in the afternoon as conditions evolve.