stick with MG's advice. might help you avoid disappointment.I think I'm going to wait a bit longer until I book. This virus thing is changing things every day now. It's not as if things will book out as everyone is in the same boat.
I know someone you can talk to. Me! Here's a few places I recommend. PM me if any of interest.
The Akakura Wakui Hotel is a good choice. It's a local family-owned and run hotel in a great location. He is quoting me 7,900 -10,500 pp/pn with a choice of western, mixed/family or Japanese rooms. Rates depend on if breakfast is needed, the room has an ensuite and whether the room is ski side or regular. (see reviews)
Hunter Lodge has a great central location with Japanese rooms and western beds. Rates are 6,500 per adult/teen, per night. (see reviews)
Senke Hotel is located right on the main street. It's a basic minshuku style with shared toilets and bathrooms. It's 5,800 pp/pn with no breakfast and 7,000 with breakfast. (see reviews)
Hotel Takeda (https://joetsu-myoko.com/joetsu-myoko-accommodation/myoko-accommodation/akakura-hotel-takeda/) also has a great location (ski-in). Quite basic but clean and cheap. It will be 8,900 pp/pn inc. breakfast and all taxes for Japanese style rooms with shared bathroom. Kids U/12 are 6,900 (see reviews)
There will be at least a couple of other hotels who have asked me to help with bookings for next season but we haven't yet finalised arrangements yet.
Further out:
If you want something out of left field have a think about Park Lodge Sekine (reviews) or Resort Project Myoko (reviews) in Ikenotaira. Park Lodge is a unique old brewery building. Both run by the same lovely local couple. It's around 6,000 pp/pn with no breakfast and 6,800 with breakfast. Ikenotaira is a great place for families and there's now an English language ski school based there.
Guest House Bunk (aka Bonku or Bonk) is a bright and clean pension style guesthouse located near the Akakan (Akakura Kanko) Resort ski lifts. Great atmosphere and nice owner. It will be 7,200 pp/pn inc. breakfast and all taxes
Myoko House might be a good option. There is an English speaking owner who is happy to shuttle guests around to different resorts and there is a gyoza restaurant/bar onsite as well as guest kitchen/lounge. Well priced rates starting as low as 6,500 pp/pn inc. breakfast.
I know Lotte is an empire, but how do you think they will be feeling about their investment in Arai?
I have been once, the ski resort was relatively busy but the other facilities were like a ghost town. I imagine they will stick it out after such huge investment, I hope so.
Right from the outset they've had to spend a LOT more money on it than they budgeted for. Even before they re-opened rumours were rife that they were going to write off their losses and walk away. Also had huge problems recruiting and retaining staff. Massive turnover. I have no doubt they'd be massively bleeding red ink but it's a matter of how long they're prepared to sustain that in the hope that it will come good. 2020 will not have done it any favours.
Nice insight. I was surprised the staff member at the front desk of the hotel was a young, good looking caucasian guy and spoke fluent English, Japanese and Korean. I can't imagine staff like this is easy to find. It's such a backwater, what is the real attraction of working full time in a place like that (not much time to ski when full-time) What would they do in summer? Sit there and rot?
Someone like that could work pretty much anywhere in Japan or Korea. Wage would have to be huge you would imagine to draw staff.
No, they don't pay well actually. Or at least well enough for people to grit their teeth and bear it.
Friend of a friend from Togari Onsen has been out checking on stuck drivers, taking supplies and doing the odd rescue.
Friend of a friend from Togari Onsen has been out checking on stuck drivers, taking supplies and doing the odd rescue.
Here he has some sage advice (in Japanese)
Friend of a friend from Togari Onsen has been out checking on stuck drivers, taking supplies and doing the odd rescue.
Here he has some sage advice (in Japanese)
No! Just No! One of my kids has always wanted an excuse, i.e. to much snow, to buy one.Alibaba have flame throwers on special
My place today. If you caught the chair up to the hotel when you were there you would have seen it. I am quite pleased that the snow has come of the roof. IMO rain would be excellent as then there would be less snow on the cars. And less snow for the poor person who has to dig their way to the front door, soon I hope. There is a snow blower under a tarp in the "shed" so once you get the stairs easy peasy!Body is already sore just thinking how much snow clearance will need to be done. Looks like there will be rain first with freezing level around 1300, hopefully that helps to melt the last of the previous snow around the place. Never thought I would worship rain (as long as there is snow straight after).