Akakura Kanko

In addition to Akakura Kanko hotels, other accommodation options include lodges and pensions. The Akakura Kanko area is also known as Akakan for short or Shin Akakura (ie new Akakura). The village of Shin Akakura sits at the base of the Akakura Kanko Ski Resort (which is interconnected with Akakura Onsen Ski Resort). There are a small number of restaurants and bars, otherwise it's a 550 metre walk up to the bigger village of Akakura Onsen. Just south (and a little east) of Shin Akakura opposite the golf course is the little hamlet of Higashi Akakura (ie east Akakura) where there are lots of inexpensive lodgings. These require a decent walk to the get to the slopes and it's about 1.5km to get to the start of the Akakura Onsen village.

Akakura Onsen

Akakura Onsen hotels are the most popular accommodation because of the zone's proximity to the majority of the Myoko restaurants and bars and other amenities such as ski and snowboard rental shops and child care. The upper village of Akakura Onsen is very close to many of the slopes of Akakura Onsen Ski Resort (which is ideal for beginners and intermediates), and the lower parts of the village are close to the Chuo chair of Akakura Onsen Ski Resort and the Champion #1 chair lift of Akakura Kanko (Akakan) Ski Resort. The two interconnected ski areas combined are referred to as Akakura.

Ikenotaira Myoko Accommodation

The village at the base of the Ikenotaira Ski Resort is called Ikenotaira Onsen, although it's more of a small assortment of pensions, hotels and ryokans than a village. Most of the Ikenotaira Myoko accommodation has hot springs and offers half board considering that other evening dining options in Ikenotaira Onsen are somewhat lacking (only a few dining options). Ikenotaira accommodation offers a quiet spot to stay and most of the locals don’t speak English and it has retained its traditional Japanese-ness.

Myoko Kogen Accommodation

The Myoko area has a large range of accommodation spread across various villages and towns. Myoko Kogen accommodation caters to most budgets and tastes and includes pensions, lodges, and ryokans (Japanese hotels), some with their own onsen. There are also a few European style hotels in Myoko. Modern is not a word you’d use to describe most of the Myoko Kogen accommodation, but it’s mostly inexpensive. If you're looking at traditional Japanese Myoko accommodation with futons on the tatami flooring, consider the size of the room. A room may cater for up to 4 futons (so 4 guests) but with big burly westerners and/or lots of luggage, the room may suddenly become rather squeezy! See the Japanese accommodation page for an overview of western vs Japanese rooms and the types of lodging typically found at the Japan ski resorts.

Seki Onsen Hotels

Sekiyama at the base of the Seki Onsen Ski Resort is cute and traditional and has ryokans and other Japanese style accommodation. And it’s not called Seki “Onsen” for nothing with various onsen hot springs in the ryokan. The Seki Onsen village is very quiet and definitely not for party animals. Seki Onsen is not a common place for westerners to stay, but keen powder hounds who want fresh tracks at Seki Onsen ski resort may want to stay here. Seki Onsen is about a 30 minute drive from the main Myoko village of Akakura Onsen.

Suginosawa Accommodation

The little Suginosawa Onsen village at the base of Suginohara ski resort has a small range of accommodation. Typically westerners don’t stay in Myoko Suginohara accommodation because there is only one bar/restaurant, but this might be a great place if you really want some cultural immersion. Much of the Suginosawa accommodation is inexpensive, ski-in ski-out or close to the slopes, includes half board, and some lodges have an on-site onsen.