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
There are a few things to consider when travelling to Myoko. One is deciding if a car is of benefit to you. If the answer is “yes” there are a few more important things to consider when it comes to car rental in Myoko.
If the amazing snow is number one on the list of reasons to visit Myoko during winter, then the number of resorts you’ll have access to is a close second. At Myoko House, we provide free morning transfers daily to Akakan, Akakura Onsen, Ikenotaira and Suginohara. From there, it’s either a simple walk or a short bus ride home. Beyond that, there’s a selection of ski resorts you can visit easily by bus, such as Lotte Arai, Madarao, Tangram, Seki Onsen and others (As Myoko Apartments is a fully self-contained accommodation, we recommend guests have their own transport).
While the above is enough for some, others prefer the ease of a car, which also opens up other possibilities as easy day trips; Togakushi, Kurohime, Nozawa Onsen, Togari Onsen, Shiga Kogen, Kijimadaira, etc.
A car provides greater freedom and with so much choice, it’s quite a good option for many. But if you decide having a car is the right option, there are a few important things to consider first when it comes to car rental in Myoko Kogen and the surrounding area.
Please see the bottom of this page for detailed transfer/parking inclusions at both Myoko House and Myoko Apartments as they vary according to the property.
There was a car there when we went to bed…
Car Rental in Myoko
Picking up a car at Nagano Station or Joetsumyoko Station is typically the best way to go (although there is a local Myoko Kogen option opening in time for the 2024/25 season). From Nagano or Joetsumyoko, it’s a drive of between 30 and 60 minutes to Myoko House and Myoko Apartments, depending upon snow conditions. Check out our Getting Here page for exact details.
There are a few important things to consider when driving to Myoko;
As mentioned above, it’s a good idea to rent from Nagano. They’ll already know the conditions in which you’re about to drive. If you rent in Tokyo or another city that sees only a little snow, you might get stung with steep extras for winter tyres, etc., or perhaps they won’t be included at all which is dangerous.
Always, “yes” to the question of winter tyres and/or 4WD.
you will need an international driver’s license
Japan has a 0.00 BAC policy on its roads
we have squeegees, scrapers and shovels at Myoko House and Myoko Apartments to clear your windscreen and dig you out after a dump.
Please see below for transfer/parking inclusions at both Myoko House and Myoko Apartments as they vary according to the property.
If you have any other questions whatsoever about travelling to Myoko please don’t hesitate to get in touch and ask us. We’re always here to answer any questions, any time of the day, week, month or year!
Transfer/Parking Details for Myoko House (see Myoko Apartments below)
For those who won’t be driving, we provide free pick-up and drop-off to/from Myoko Kogen Station at the beginning and end of your stay (strictly no earlier than 3 pm on the day of check-in and no later than 10:30 am on the day of check out), and free transfers to one of the four main resorts each morning (Akakura Kanko, Akakura Onsen, Ikenotaira, Suginohara), if required. There is a bus stop 350 metres up the street for access to other resorts. Getting home from the resorts of an afternoon typically involves either a bus or an easy walk of less than 1km. We will provide other transfer requests when possible, such as dinner transfers.
All guests please note; on days of particularly heavy snow, the train from Nagano may run only as far as Kurohime Station. We are unable to do pick-ups or drop-offs from/to Kurohime. When this is the case, a taxi to or from Kurohime will probably be your best option. We can help you organise this.
Parking Details for Myoko Apartments
Myoko Apartments guests have free parking directly in front of the property. We strongly advise that guests hire a car from Nagano rather than Tokyo as this will ensure no hidden costs relating to not having winter tyres included and that your insurance covers snow conditions.
Transfers are not included. If you need help hiring a car or have any other enquiries, please feel free to ask. The closest bus stop is 350 metres from Myoko Apartments.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions. Email us at hello@myokohouse.com or call Nathan on +81 7044030103 or Akiko on +81 8081567346.
The obvious place to start is right here at Myoko House. But there are plenty of other great Myoko restaurants to choose from when you need a break from delicious homemade gyoza and local sake. The following is not an exhaustive list by rather, a large handful of favourites in various parts of the area. Be sure to let us know if you have a favourite not mentioned.
Homemade gyoza nabe at Myoko House.
Myoko Restaurants
Shin Akakura (Akakan area)
Myoko House Gyoza Bar
Of course, we’re biased but that doesn’t mean it’s not good! Akiko makes both her famous (within our growing circle of friends anyway) traditional pork and vegan-friendly tofu gyoza.
The gyoza nabe dish (pictured above) was an instant hit and provides cost-effective warmth and satisfaction. Nabe (hotpot) is a bit of a winter tradition in Japan. Gyoza nabe by the fire, while the snow falls out the window, is as good a way to end the day as we can think of. In addition, Akiko knocks up a rotating array of delicious desserts to extinguish sugar cravings.
Sake tasting sets at Myoko House.
For those who are thirsty, we have you sorted. An ever-growing interest in learning about the wonders of sake means we’ll have at least a handful of choices on hand. We tend to stock local favourites from Myoko and nearby Iiyama, as well as the occasional special bottle from further afield. If you can wrestle the latter away from the barman he may oblige!
We generally don’t take bookings as such. However, as we have a fairly small area, a phone call before making the effort to come to see us probably wouldn’t hurt; +81704403019103. If you have a second, perhaps you’d like to check out a few of our reviews.
Opening Hours – 4-8pm (last order at 7:30pm).
We look forward to seeing you!
A few of our favourites…
Pontaro
We had to start the best of the rest with Pontaro. Located just 2 minutes walk from the Akakura Kanko gondola (a few doors down from Konayuki), Pontaro is an izakaya serving all sorts of delicious dishes. They also have all the beer, nihonshu and shochu your heart may desire.
This place was extremely popular with our guests during our first winter season and with good reason!
Italian probably wasn’t the first thing you had in mind when looking up what to eat in a traditional Japanese village. However, pizza and pasta tend to be fairly good in Japan. Myoko’s best example of this is Pomodoro, on the main drag in Akakura Onsen. An English menu is available.
Directly downstairs from Pomodoro is Udon-no-Fu. For the unfamiliar, udon noodles are the thick white best usually served in a hot broth. The restaurant has an old-school, authentic Japanese feel and is its own little world.
We’ve never tasted anything approaching anything other than delicious here. Your eyes may not believe your taste buds but the squid ink udon is a must-try. Hot tip; use the apron provided and maybe don’t wear white!
This place is a favourite for us here at Myoko House for two reasons. It was the very first restaurant we ever visited upon making the decision to start our Myoko lives. Secondly, the hiyashi chuka was delicious. It should be noted it was lunchtime during the offseason when we visited and perhaps this particular dish is better suited to the warmer months.
You can find Miyoshiya at street level above Asagao at the Akakura T-junction. It’s a fairly cost-effective place to eat with an extensive menu. Oh and orders are placed by using the ticket machine at the entrance.
While we’re in the neighbourhood, beneath Miyoshiya you’ll find Asagao (and Shiro). This is a small place reminiscent of other old-fashioned izakayas and yakitori joints. The sort of place that would be murder if, like a lot of those places in the city, allow smoking inside. Mercifully, Asagao doesn’t. It’s cosy but that lends to the atmosphere.
Yakitori items dominate the menu and they also stock a decent range of nihonshu and shochu (and cold beer, of course) to wash it down.
While we could be wrong and are always happy to be corrected, we think this is the only Chinese restaurant in the area. And it just so happens to be delicious. You’ll find Eika in the Ikenotaira area, just up from the Landmark Onsen Cafe in the direction of Imori Pond.
Arakin Ramen is diagonally across for the Landmark Onsen cafe and as the name suggests, serves ramen. They also have a bunch of other dishes too, of course, meaning it has more of an izakaya-type feel at night. While there, make sure you check out the omiyage/sake shop attached.
The Landmark Onsen itself is worth visiting with a big onsen bath (for each sex), a konbini (sans ATM) and a restaurant all within the same building. You’ll find many hidden treasures within. While the relaxation area includes comics, massage chairs, table tennis, darts, pool, pachinko machines and an arm-wrestling table, the restaurant offers a very reasonably-priced Myoko Kogen beer nomihodai (all-you-can-drink for 90 minutes).
If you have a car or prepared to cab it, there are a small number of places to eat in Myoko village (train station area). One we can vouch for is Yabu Soba, just across the road from post office.
Their most popular dishes include tempura soba or tempura udon but they have a large handful of other options too, including a deliciously warming nabe. It’s a little difficult to find TripAdvisor reviews for Yabu Soba but they’ve apparently been operating for the past 60 years so I think it’s fair to say they’re doing something right!
We’ve included this place as an “honourable mention” as it isn’t a restaurant and yet this is a (non-exhaustive) list of restaurants. It’s an omiyage shop directly across from the Myoko Kogen Train Station. As such, it makes a great time killer if you get there a little too early.
Within, you’ll find an assortment of goodies. If you’re a fan of chilli, don’t leave town without a jar or two of kanzuri (if you’re leaving having stayed at Myoko House there’s a good chance you’ve already heard of it – it’s made only in this area).
If you need a snack for the journey, they also have delicious savoury chimaki (rice and other ingredients wrapped in a bamboo leaf).
Marinated chillies are left on the snow for a few days during the kanzuri making process. This is said to make them a little sweeter. Photo courtesy of Myoko Tourism.
There’s more…
As mentioned a few times previously, this is not a complete list of places to eat in Myoko and there are surely many more delicious restaurants in the area. Then there’s the option of a trip into Joetsu where Gunchan and the ever-reliable Kappa Zushi are personal treasured choices.
If you uncover any gems or have any favourites people need to know about please let us know. The more time we spend in Myoko the more we get to indulge. We’re happy to take one for the team and spend the Myoko Green Season doing the research!
We hope to see you at Myoko House soon for some gyoza, beer and sake!
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.
