Clearly, the travel industry has endured some changes over recent times. We’ve introduced specific COVID-19 safety measures at Myoko House to ensure all of our guests a healthy stay.
Of all the industries which have taken a hit since the pandemic became a global concern, tourism is right up there. We’re happy we have been able to survive through it. Perhaps we were quite lucky here at Myoko House.
The major drop-off in bookings surely affected March and then Golden Week, Obon and festivals cancelled throughout 2020. However, given it was our first season, we had planned calling the season a success if we got through January and February. Happily, we did exactly that with the help of guests who came to stay and others who came in for some gyoza and sake! We’re extremely grateful.
As we all tentatively come out the other side of such a planet-changing event, we are conscious of the need to take precautions. As such, taking COVID-19 safety measures at Myoko House was, and is, a must.
Please see the details of these measures listed below and, as always and with any matter, be sure to get in touch with us if there are any questions, queries or concerns.
Temperature checks for each visitor, whether staying in-house or visiting the gyoza bar
Hand sanitiser available to guests & staff
Face masks required for staff in public areas
Plasma cluster air purifier in dining area
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Staff required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Contactless check-in
Contactless check-out
Please let us know if there are any other measures we can look at in order to ensure a stress-free and safe visit for our future guests.
We look forward to seeing you soon,
Nathan and Akiko Eden
hello@myokohouse.com
I’d argue Japan is a fairly easy country to navigate but of course, there exists the bias. Whether you agree or not, we’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find a large handful of travel tips and hacks to help you get to Myoko nice and easy, ready to shred.
Stay connected
We know Japan has a reputation for being technologically advanced. Whether or not this is deserved may depend upon which aspect of the country we’re talking about. Robot-like toilets; sure. Readily available WiFi; better now than it has been but still not totally reliable.
If you need reliable and free WiFi in between the airport and Myoko House but don’t see a Starbucks, you might have some luck at a 7/11. You might also like to check out our article on pre-paid sims.
Politely refuse plastic
For all of Japan’s wonders, one thing we’d like to see less of is excessive use of plastic. The best way to do your bit is to insist you don’t need a bag at a konbini (convenience store).
As the cashier reaches for one with the sleight of hand that would impress a seasoned poker dealer, slip in a “sono mama de” or “fukuro irimasen”. Or go with another of the suggestions mentioned here.
Visiting via Tokyo? Meet your good friend the Black Cat!
If you’re stopping to check out the sights and sounds, you don’t want to get caught dragging luggage around the largest metropolis on the planet. It sucks! Trust those who’ve done it and lived to tell the tale. Stand on the shoulders of giants!
Japan has a relatively cheap and very efficient takkyubin (delivery) system for getting your luggage to and from us. Kuroneko (Black Cat) Yamato couriers will safely get your luggage, skis and snowboards from the airport to Myoko House and back again. They can also send your gear on to your next destination. Check them out by clicking here or simply get in touch with us here at Myoko House and we’ll help you.
It means more freedom up and down stairs as well as assuring you avoid the ultimate nightmare situation; dragging a huge ski or snowboard bag onto a crowded Tokyo train!
Getting here; taxis, trains and faster trains!
How you reach Myoko will depend upon a few factors. Namely, which airport you arrive into and whether or not you’re spending time in Tokyo, another city or resort on your way. There’s the Nagano Snow Shuttle, Chuo Taxi, the Shinkansen and so on.
Each situation is different, so perhaps your most precious resource is our Getting Here page, which includes all options and should answer most of your questions. If it doesn’t please feel free to hit us up.
If you are spending time in Tokyo first (or last), you’re going to end up on a train sooner rather than later. Depending upon how long you intend on staying in the capital, there are savings to be had. Start with the Tokunai Pass and the Yamanote Line (basically, the city circle which visits most of Tokyo’s “must-see” areas). Note; if you have a Japan Rail Pass (mentioned below) you will be covered for the Yamanote Line.
Should I buy a Japan Rail Pass?
That’s an extremely good question and it depends upon how much travel you’ll do away from Mount Myoko. Click here for detailed information on your specific set of circumstances.
Just remember, while the Pass will cover your Shinkansen ride as far as Nagano, it will not cover the final leg to Myoko Kogen Station – you’ll need to hand over a small amount of cash for that local train.
Links to time tables, Myoko Tourism info and an array of further info you didn’t know you wanted may be found by checking out our website further. If you’re not sure where to start, click here.
Staying connected in Japan is a little easier than it used to be, whether that be via pre-paid sim cards or free WiFi here at Myoko House.
Once the world returns to normal, we’ll want to stay in touch more than ever before. Japan is often thought of as being synonymous with technology. While this is true for the most part, visitors won’t always have access to the free, high-speed WiFi you can rely upon at Myoko House.
Below you’ll find some cheap options when on the move. There’s always support available in English and you can pick up a pre-paid sim from either Narita or Haneda airport. All you need is an unlocked phone. Note; most pre-paid sims don’t allow for texting and calling. Thankfully, there’s Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp, LINE, or all of the above these days anyway.
The Options
Sim Card Geek; the Geeks offer some pretty affordable data rates. 8GB for 8 days at ¥3,480 or 16GB for 16 days at ¥5,480 or 31GB for 31 days at ¥6,980 (as of April 2020). If you don’t want to be bothered picking it up at the airport, you can have your sim card sent directly to your hotel. Check them out here.
Mobal; These guys are the exception to the rule when it comes to voice calls. Voice + 7GB data for 30 days is ¥4,500. Unlimited data for 8 days is ¥3,990, 16 days at ¥5,990 or 31 days: ¥7,490. Again, you can also have it sent to your hotel. More info here.
U-mobile; These folks offer 220MB per day for 7 days at ¥2,000 or 220MB per day for 15 days at ¥3,500. Perhaps an option for visitors who want a cheap way to stay in touch but won’t be living their lives online. More info may be sourced here.
Need more?
While the above should get most people what they need, there’s always plenty more information on the subject for those whose needs might be slightly different. If so, click here for a fairly comprehensive place to find your answers.
A visit to Myoko holds of things to do. In the winter months, mostly ski or ride! During the Green Season, hiking, biking, etc. However, day trips from Myoko can really break things up quite well.
Day Trips from Myoko
Likewise, visiting during the quieter, warmer months means it’s a bit easier to hit the road (less stress of driving on the snowy roads, fewer people around, etc.).
Increasingly, guests are seeing Myoko as a break between the mad tourism of the bigger areas. Hiking, biking, yoga and just generally hanging out with the family beneath the green mountains keep smiles on faces. Turning to winter and I don’t think we need to do much reinforcement of awesomeness there! We all know the magic of Myoko’s powder!
What about Myoko House as a base to explore some other fantastic areas of this increasingly popular country? Where the Niigata and Nagano Prefectures (and slightly beyond) are concerned, Myoko makes the perfect spot.
Check out a few easily accessible day trips from Myoko House.
Nagano
Zenko-ji Temple
It makes sense to begin with our closest city. Nagano is just up the road, really. Only about 30km away, the city which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics is home to something truly special within Japan; Zenkoji.
Zenkoji Temple remains one of the most important to Japanese culture. It is truly unique in that it holds the first-ever Buddhist statue brought to Japan. This particular statue is kept well hidden, however, a replica is shown to the public every six years. The next opportunity will be in 2021.
The famous temple is also unique for a different reason. Founded during the 7th Century, Zenkoji resulted in the establishment of Nagano city around it. It would be far more typical for a temple to be erected within an existing substantial population.
Zenkoji holds plenty for both the Buddhist devotee and the casual observer alike. From ornate statues and a dark, underground passage where visitors search for the “key to paradise”, to the restaurants and stalls which surround it selling local specialties, souvenirs and some truly delicious meals. You’d be doing yourself a disservice to visit this part of town without visiting Fujiya Gohonjin for lunch.
Beyond Zenkoji and its surrounding market streets, there’s one other place to check out in Nagano; Round 1. This is especially handy if you have kids with some extra energy to burn. Here you’ll find games, karaoke, table tennis, baseball batting and pitching practice, 52 bowling lanes, the list goes on…
Matsumoto
Matsumoto Castle
Mention of Matsumoto makes most people think of one thing; Matsumoto Castle. With good reason. It’s beautiful. For a minimal fee, visitors will usually be offered the opportunity to go up inside the castle and check it out thoroughly. Adults and kids alike will be fascinated to see all the defence mechanisms employed within the wooden interior of this authentic castle. The viewing area on the sixth floor of the main keep also offers some pretty cool views of the city and the surrounding landscape.
If all that isn’t enough, you can get your photo taken with these folks who really seem like they know how to get into the spirit of things. Particularly the bloke with the sword!
Togakushi Shrine
The drive itself to Togakushi is worth the effort on its own. Togakushi Shrine is under 30km from Akakura, the road winding through forest and farmland with fresh vege stalls and cafes along the way. There’s a lower, a middle and an upper shrine within the forest. Of particular note is the path to the upper shrine which is lined by over 300 huge cryptomeria trees.
If the natural beauty and specialty soba restaurants aren’t enough for you when visiting Togakushi, it’s got more… The Togakure Ninpo Museum is devoted to the local ninja school and there’s also the Kids Ninja Village! Of course, in winter, the ski resort is worth checking out too.
Tokamachi
Kiyotsu Gorge
Technically, you don’t actually need to go to (the centre of) Tokamachi to reach the attractions concerned in this post. On your way towards Tokamchi (through Iiyama), there are turn-offs to both Kiyotsu Gorge and Bijin Bayashi Forest.
Located in the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Niigata Prefecture, Kiyotsu is a volcanic gorge with some unique rock formations which appear quite similar to the more famous walls of Takachiho Gorge in Kyushu. Along the 750m tunnel built to view the gorge are four viewing points. So it’s really no stretch physically, especially considering the walk is all but dead flat.
Like most places which see more Japanese tourists than foreign, Kiyotsu Gorge is busiest on a Sunday. Perhaps you’ll want to pick a weekday. It’s a particularly popular spot for viewing autumn colours but the inviting waters also make it an awesome place to cool off in summer.
Bijin Bayashi
Bijin Bayashi (“Beautiful Woman Forest”) gets its name due to the fact the 90-year-old beech trees which fill it are said to resemble beautiful women. Whether you see that resemblance or not, the beauty of the forest is undeniable. Many local tourists bring their cameras back to visit during the different seasons and see the four distinct personalities of the forest.
Kanazawa
Kenrokuen Gardens
Kanazawa is the furthest from Myoko on this list. However, those with a JR rail pass will have no trouble getting to the city quite quickly. We’ve seen guests turn Kanazawa into a day trip over the winter season just past and all came back with smiles. Those who would prefer to drive may like to turn it into an overnight, with the road trip taking about 2.5 hours each way.
The city has been enjoying an increase in tourism in recent years, owing to both the Shinkansen line (the same which runs through Nagano and Joestumyoko) and the comparisons to Kyoto. Many things people love about Kyoto they will find on a smaller scale in the much quieter city of Kanazawa.
Kanazawa Castle
Like Kyoto, Kanazawa too escaped damage during the air raids of WWII. Earlier, during the Edo Period, the city’s Maeda clan were second only to the Tokugawa in terms of feudal power. As such, the city enjoys more than its share of cultural attractions. Many call the gardens of Kenrokuen the most beautiful in all of Japan, while much of the old town remains in very good condition. There’s also Kanazawa Castle, the old Chaya entertainment districts, strong samurai culture and some amazing places to eat!
Kanazawa is truly an important cultural centre continuing to provide an alternative to places like Kyoto in the face of increasing tourism numbers. As tourism recovers in the wake of COVID-19 and with the rescheduled Olympics, Kanazawa will be one of the leaders in attracting people back to Japan.
Of course, there are others…
Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma Prefecture
It almost seems rude to write a post about day trips from Myoko and not mention three of our favourites; Kusatsu Onsen, (Hida) Takayama and Nozawa Onsen. But I think we’ll give them the attention they deserve and save them for their own special future post!
Sake brewery in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
We’re looking forward to when COVID-19 is but a bad but important memory and lesson. We hope to see people return, not only to Myoko but to Japan in general. Feel free to hit us up with any questions related to Myoko and accommodation or advice for travel beyond to all parts of Japan. We’ve each worked in tourism for many years and hold both formal travel qualifications and a passion for exploration.
When heading abroad, sometimes it’s difficult to know what to bring with you and what to leave behind. This is especially true when you’re on your way to the ski fields of Japan. And so the question is; what to bring to Myoko?
Obviously, you’re going to need a jacket and maybe even some thermals, but nobody wants to be lugging the whole wardrobe around. So here’s the necessities for a comfortable winter visit to the powder capital of Myoko Kogen.
Good shoes – While we haven’t done complete surveys or study, we’d suggest that there is indeed nothing worse than allowing your feet to become cold and/or wet. That’s why shoes which will keep yours warm and dry are a must. You’ll see that gumboots (with warm inners) are the footwear of choice for the discerning local, however, any shoes which ensure the above will suffice.
Gumboots aren’t too expensive to buy in Japan and so, if you don’t want to take up suitcase space, you can get a pair once you arrive in Japan.
Thermal underwear – suggesting that we practically live in ours may suggest we never wash them. Fortunately, we have the necessary personal hygiene and foresight to function as respectable, warm adults. Buy a couple of pairs. Maybe even 3!
Ski/snowboard gear – The vast majority of winter visitors to Myoko Kogen come on a powder mission. If you’re simply in town to experience the local hospitality, you can skip this one. But if it’s Japow you’re after, you’ve probably already considered the apparatus. It’s not necessary to bring ski gear with you. Accessing the ample rental gear available couldn’t be more simple.
That’s about it except for one last thing – a healthy respect for the local way of life. Wherever you’re from, it’s a given that Japan does things a little differently. Just as we love to see our guests get a kick out of experiencing the famous Japanese hospitality, so too do we aim to continue building a good reputation with the local people. With this in mind, we encourage our guests to both learn and respect local customs.
If you have any further questions about this post or absolutely anything else, please get in touch.
