The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Seki Onsen operates across 310 metres of vertical drop from a 900-metre base to a 1,210-metre summit. The area records 14 to 16 metres of annual snowfall and comprises four official runs serviced by two chairlifts, spanning approximately 30 hectares. The ski area sits 30 kilometres from the Sea of Japan on the northeastern slopes of Mount Myoko in Niigata Prefecture, capturing Siberian storm systems that deliver exceptional powder depth. The resort operates from early December through early May, often extending its season well beyond neighbouring areas.
Terrain splits 30 per cent beginner, 40 per cent intermediate and 30 per cent advanced across short but steep runs. The Silver Fan Course remains ungroomed throughout the season, offering the steepest gradients and deepest powder within the Myoko mountain range. Most slopes receive minimal grooming, preserving natural snow conditions for powder skiing. The area allows unrestricted off-piste access through marked sidecountry zones and tree skiing terrain, unusual among Japanese resorts.
Seki Onsen has operated continuously since 1917, making it one of Japan's oldest ski areas. The Inoue family has owned and managed the resort for nearly 50 years, maintaining a low-key operation with no ski patrol presence. A single on-mountain restaurant serves homemade meals, whilst the base village contains minimal facilities. The area attracts international powder skiers seeking untracked terrain and an authentic mountain experience free from modern resort infrastructure.
The resort functions independently with no pass affiliations to neighbouring Myoko resorts. Day tickets cost ¥4,500 for adults, reflecting the minimal lift infrastructure and facilities. Seki suits advanced skiers and snowboarders comfortable navigating steep, ungroomed terrain without patrol oversight. The tiny scale means fresh snow tracks out quickly on popular powder days, typically within hours of opening.
310m
Vertical
4
Runs
74 acres
Skiable
15m
Annual snow
The Terrain
4 runs across 74 acres skiable
Seki Onsen spreads 4 runs across 74 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 50%, with 1 beginner run to find your feet and 1 advanced or expert run when you want to push.
Terrain split
4
runs
4 runs across 4 grades
Beginner1 run · 20%
Intermediate2 runs · 50%
Advanced1 run · 30%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Seki Onsen
The 2025-2026 season runs from 5 December 2025 through 29 March 2026, though operations frequently extend into early May when snowpack permits. Lifts operate 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily. Seki regularly outlasts all other Myoko resorts due to its exceptional snow retention and north-facing aspect. The area celebrated 100 years of skiing operations in 2017.
Annual snowfall averages 14 to 16 metres, among the highest totals in Japan. The resort's position at 1,000 metres elevation where cold Siberian air meets moisture from the Sea of Japan creates ideal powder conditions. Minimal snowmaking exists as natural accumulation proves sufficient throughout winter. Base depths regularly exceed two metres by mid-season, with the upper single chair sometimes buried during storm cycles.
January and February deliver peak powder conditions with frequent storm cycles refreshing terrain every few days. December offers early-season depth whilst March provides longer daylight and spring corn conditions. Late-season skiing continues through April when mogul fields develop on ungroomed slopes. The area's compact size means fresh lines disappear quickly after storms, making timing critical for untracked snow.
Mid-March onwards brings increased activity as other resorts close, with banked slalom competitions and a fireworks festival marking the late season. No night skiing operates. The resort publishes minimal advance scheduling, reflecting its owner-operated flexibility. Powder board test rides and terrain park features appear intermittently depending on conditions and staffing.
Season 2025-2026
5 Dec 2025
Opens
29 Mar 2026
Closes
114
Days open
15 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Seki Onsen, and where to stay
Seki Onsen sits in Myoko city, Niigata Prefecture, on the northeastern flank of Mount Myoko, a 2,454-metre active stratovolcano. The base village rests at 900 metres elevation in a narrow valley formed by the Myoko mountain range. The Joshinetsu National Park surrounds the area, with the resort positioned 30 kilometres inland from the Sea of Japan coast. Traditional hot spring baths line the village streets, which opened in 1729 as one of Myoko's oldest onsen settlements.
Sekiyama Station on the Myoko Haneuma Line provides the nearest rail access, 10 to 15 minutes by bus or taxi from the resort. Akakura Onsen village, the main accommodation hub for Myoko, lies 12 kilometres south and 30 minutes by road. The town of Myokokogen sits 12 kilometres southeast near the rail station. Tsubame Onsen, another hot spring village, is located 3 kilometres uphill from Seki via Prefecture Road 39.
Road access follows Route 18 to either Myoko Kogen Interchange or Nakago Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway, then 15 to 20 kilometres via Prefecture Road 39. Drive times from Nagano city average one hour, whilst Tokyo lies approximately four to five hours south. Winter road conditions require caution as heavy snowfall frequently impacts Route 39. Limited parking at the resort base fills quickly on powder days.
Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports serve as primary international gateways, approximately 300 kilometres south. Direct shuttle buses operate from both airports to Myoko, taking five to six hours. Niigata Airport sits 160 kilometres northeast, offering limited international flights and two-hour road transfers. Train connections require the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano Station, then the Kita-Shinano Line 45 minutes to Myoko-Kogen Station, followed by a local train to Sekiyama.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Seki Onsen, powered by Stay22.
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Seki Onsen Webcams
About Seki Onsen's live webcams
Check live conditions across Seki Onsen with live webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Seki Onsen snow cams FAQ
How often do Seki Onsen snow cams update?
All Seki Onsen snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Seki Onsen.
Which Seki Onsen webcam shows the best powder conditions?
High-elevation webcams at Seki Onsen typically provide the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These cams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Seki Onsen lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Seki Onsen snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Seki Onsen snow cams?
Check Seki Onsen webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Seki Onsen lift tickets?
Use our Seki Onsen webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Seki Onsen webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Seki Onsen snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Seki Onsen intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.