Resource The big Myoko/Madarao/Arai thread - 2018/19

[Zimbooo]

Has anyone ever done a bus run from top of madarao all the way down to iiyama ? Is this even possible without a hiking to much ?

Not sure where you mean (top of Madarao)?
From Madarao Kogen Hotel is where they leave from.......takes you to Iiyama station.
If you want to do some supermarket shopping, there is a supermarket next to Iiyama station.
Here is the timetable. Easy.
http://www.city.iiyama.nagano.jp/assets/files/kikakuzaisei/kikakuchosei/kokyokotsu/all madaraobus2018winter English.pdf

 

[dbc33]

I think he means board all the way down there??

 

[Zimbooo]

I think he means board all the way down there??

Probs...."Col" is a Kiwi from Canterbury if I remember correctly?
Crazy f@rkers!!!

 

[M_G]

Never heard of this TBH. I guess it's possible but would need to check the topo maps.

 

[hotsaki]

Long slog to go back up!

 

[M_G]

At least there's a bus. Seen a few people hiking up the road after they overshot the bottom of Ginrei Akakura

 

[FatBob]

I am in the process of trying to organise a trip to Japan end of Jan 2020.

I have 5 experienced borders, looking for lots of powder runs, plenty of trees, and the odd groomer. We are also looking for a traditional Japanese village experience so I have ruled out Nisko and probably Hakauba too. An apartment would also be ideal

My question is, is there enough terrain at Myoko to keep us going for 6 days?

Is staying at Myoko and then heading to Nozowa an option? I think we will have a car.
I looked at accom in Nozawa and I am not seeing much. Also, I am worried that 6 days at Nozowa would be too long?

1 more requirement, we need to be able to walk to food/pub.

Any advice appreciated.
Thanks

 

[fenrir]

Within spitting distance of Akakura you have at least 5 resorts that fit the bill (depending on snowfall):
Akakura Kanko, Ikenotaira, Suginohara, Madarao/Tangram (all accessible by bus or a short drive) as well as Seki Onsen and Arai a short drive away. That should be heaps of terrain to get on with.

 

[Kimski]

I am in the process of trying to organise a trip to Japan end of Jan 2020.

I have 5 experienced borders, looking for lots of powder runs, plenty of trees, and the odd groomer. We are also looking for a traditional Japanese village experience so I have ruled out Nisko and probably Hakauba too. An apartment would also be ideal

My question is, is there enough terrain at Myoko to keep us going for 6 days?

Is staying at Myoko and then heading to Nozowa an option? I think we will have a car.
I looked at accom in Nozawa and I am not seeing much. Also, I am worried that 6 days at Nozowa would be too long?

1 more requirement, we need to be able to walk to food/pub.

Any advice appreciated.
Thanks

A car will open up lots of possibilities. The group I was with did a day trip to Shiga Kogen as well as a day trip to Madarao.

 

[FatBob]

A car will open up lots of possibilities. The group I was with did a day trip to Shiga Kogen as well as a day trip to Madarao.

From Nozawa or Myoko?

 

[hotsaki]

From Nozawa or Myoko?

Akakura is the main village of the Myoko Kogen area.Plenty of restaurants.From there you can catch a shuttle or drive to many skifields.Muchos snow!

 

[Zimbooo]

I am in the process of trying to organise a trip to Japan end of Jan 2020.

I have 5 experienced borders, looking for lots of powder runs, plenty of trees, and the odd groomer. We are also looking for a traditional Japanese village experience so I have ruled out Nisko and probably Hakauba too. An apartment would also be ideal

My question is, is there enough terrain at Myoko to keep us going for 6 days?

Is staying at Myoko and then heading to Nozowa an option? I think we will have a car.
I looked at accom in Nozawa and I am not seeing much. Also, I am worried that 6 days at Nozowa would be too long?

1 more requirement, we need to be able to walk to food/pub.

Any advice appreciated.
Thanks

6 days really isn't enough IMO. With 5 people, car hire becomes very cheap, and the options within driving distance from Myoko are plentiful for weeks of quality riding. You may find it very difficult to find apartment style accommodation (it's not how the Japanese do it). With 5 people the Japanese style rooms with futons work very well with breakfast included. Cooked lunch on the hill each day, walk to dinner in Akakura Onsen.

 

[chriscross]

Maybe see what Red Warehouse (Akakura Onsen) has on offer? Well located.

 

[M_G]

Maybe see what Red Warehouse (Akakura Onsen) has on offer? Well located.

Thanks for the recommendation @chriscross . From end of January is okay at this stage. Early to late(ish) Jan already getting quite busy. Have a couple of rooms that will suit a group of 5. Increasingly getting a lot of guests who use us a base and venture as faraway as Shiga Kogen, Togakushi and Huichi Charmant.

 

[FatBob]

Thanks for the recommendation @chriscross . From end of January is okay at this stage. Early to late(ish) Jan already getting quite busy. Have a couple of rooms that will suit a group of 5. Increasingly getting a lot of guests who use us a base and venture as faraway as Shiga Kogen, Togakushi and Huichi Charmant.

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.

Sounds like Myoko has plenty to offer. Ill ping M G.

 

[Kimski]

From Nozawa or Myoko?

That was from Myoko.

 

[ponyrider]

Ok I'm swinging around to Myoko now for next Jan, rather than Shiga. Trying to sort it all out. This is a dad-and-daughters trip (16 & 19 y.o.), they are intermediates and will go for lessons most days with a bit of chill-out time. Thinking about half-board at The Highland Hotel, realise it's well away from the main drag. Could consider a car but probably rather wouldn't.

Anyone with any experience with that property? Supposedly has ski-down access but imagine that won't work for the girls. Many thanks

 

[Paradox]

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.

Sounds like Myoko has plenty to offer. Ill ping M G.

I've gleaned a fair bit of knowledge after a number of seasons based out of Myoko with a vehicle and crew, feel free to ping me if you want some help with the planning. MG will sort you fine on the accommodation front, just leave me some room early Feb

 

[Zimbooo]

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.

Sounds like Myoko has plenty to offer. Ill ping M G.

Tip.... be careful of "best guide ever - been riding here for years" type dudes (of all ages) in bars at Akakura Onsen who are not locals and are just trying to find a way to help pay for their extended stay..........dangerous!!!

 

[ojisan]

Car + good innkeeper = fun times

 

[M_G]

Ok I'm swinging around to Myoko now for next Jan, rather than Shiga. Trying to sort it all out. This is a dad-and-daughters trip (16 & 19 y.o.), they are intermediates and will go for lessons most days with a bit of chill-out time. Thinking about half-board at The Highland Hotel, realise it's well away from the main drag. Could consider a car but probably rather wouldn't.

Anyone with any experience with that property? Supposedly has ski-down access but imagine that won't work for the girls. Many thanks

Nice experience but you're really isolated. Will your daughters get cabin fever?

 

[M_G]

Car + good innkeeper = fun times

Car + good innkeeper + windows wound up = fun times

 

[ponyrider]

Nice experience but you're really isolated. Will your daughters get cabin fever?

They are usually pretty good at entertaining themselves actually, I can't really see it as a problem. We've got a pretty busy three days in Tokyo preceding that and a bit of time at the end, so I feel in the context of the trip it will work ok.

 

[M_G]

Tip.... be careful of "best guide ever - been riding here for years" type dudes (of all ages) in bars at Akakura Onsen who are not locals and are just trying to find a way to help pay for their extended stay..........dangerous!!!

Yes, too many of these popping up. Had an incident where one got quite aggressive with people when they told him not interested.

 

[ojisan]

Car + good innkeeper + windows wound up = fun times