Ikenotaira Onsen Ski Resort

As GaijinPot’s 2018 top destination — this hot spring and ski resort is a sporty spot in the beautiful Niigata Prefecture.

? This location is in Niigata Prefecture — GaijinPot Travel’s No. 1 place to visit in 2018! ?

Myoko Kogen is a region in southern Niigata Prefecture that is a nationally known spot ski resorts.

In anticipation of the heavy snowfall, skiers and snowboarders from all around the world head here every winter. In particular, Ikenotaira Onsen Resort is one of the most popular of the nine ski resorts in Myoko Kogen with its huge supply of fluffy powder snow.

Photo by: Cara Lam Powder snow at Ikenotaira Ski Resort.

Ikenotaira Onsen features a wide main slope area, as well as a few ungroomed tree run courses so you don’t have to ever worry about doing wide turns and running into other people here. With a total of six ski lifts and 10 courses, this ski resort is well-equipped to cater for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. Children and first-timers can warm up at the small slopes area at the mountain base.

From the mountain top at 1,500 meters, you get a panoramic view of the landscape of Niigata Prefecture. Slide down the powdery mountain that has an impressive vertical drop of 740 meters from the top to bottom — a length that is especially ideal for intermediate skiers. If you’re up for some huge jumps, know that Ikenotaira has got a great snow park for it.

Ski and snowboard lessons and gear rental are available at the ski area. If you are a season pass holder, ski rental comes at a bargain price of ¥500. In fact, with the Ikenotaira season pass, you will also get discounts when purchasing day passes for other ski resorts in the Myoko region.

Anytime when you want to have a bite or just want to sit down and warm your body, hop in the restaurants and rest house at the mountain base. To reward your body for a day on the ski slopes, make sure to stop by the hot springs near the resort entrance. Or, if you fancy a black clay hot spring, make your way to Hotel Alpen Blick — a 10 minute-walk away from Ikenotaira. While in Myoko area, other recommended nature spots are Naena Falls and Tsubame Onsen.

Trivia

Top 10 Japan Travel Destinations For 2018

Our predictions for the best places to visit in Japan for 2018.

Address

2457-1 Sekigawa, Myōkō-shi, Niigata-ken 949-2112, Japan

By bus

Ski bus services from Tokyo:

During January and February, you can take the Myoko Snowliner from Harajuku to Ikenotaira for a return trip at ¥6,000.
Between December and April, Travex runs a ski bus service running directly from Tokyo or Ikebukuro Station to Suginohara, Ikenotaira and Akakura ski resorts.
Additionally, the Ski Bus Club also runs night and day buses between Tokyo Station, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro to Myoko Kyogen, Suginohara, Ikenotaira and Akakura Onsen ski resorts. These buses cost ¥4,000 one way or ¥7,500 round-trip.

Ski bus service from Niigata:

The Myoko Snowliner offers a round trip from Niigata University/Niigata Station South Exit to Ikenotaira for only ¥2,900. Packages including ski lift tickets are also available.

Besides ski buses, you can also get to Ikenotaira:

By train and bus: After taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Joetsumyoko, take the Shinetsu Honsen Line to Myoko Kogen Station. From there, take a 15-minute bus to Ikenotaira Onsen.

By car: Take the Joshinetsu Expressway. Ikenotaira Onsen is 2.7 KM from Myoko Kogen Interchange, 9 km from Shinano-machi Interchange, or 14.6 KM from Nakajo Interchange. Alternatively, Ikenotaira can be easily reached by national non-tolled route 18. There is plenty of parking at the resort entrance.