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Myoko Explorer

Combining great ski resort areas easily accessible from Tokyo with learning more about Japanese culture and history, this tour is perfect for those who want to see Japan as well as spend some amazing days on the snow. Mint Tours provide a true locals perspective on Japan and you will soak in onsens, drink sake, go snow shoeing through amazing countryside

We base ourselves in Myoko in Niigata prefecture.

Many unique ski areas lie at the base of majestic Mount Myoko, where it connects to other mountains. There are endless ways to enjoy skiing here, with powder snow, long scenic slopes and the one of the best terrain parks in Japan.

For those who want variety in their skiing, there's Myoko Akakura Snow Area, with 32 trails. For those who want to ski a wide, gentle slope while appreciating the area, there's the Ikenotaira Onsen Ski Resort. Myoko's Suginohara Ski Resort is recommended for those who like long trails, since it has the longest ski run at 5.3 miles (8.5 km). Seki Onsen Resort is perfect for those who desire a genuine backcountry-skiing experience, while Myoko Ski Park Resort and Kyukamura Myoko Ski Resort are suitable for families who prefer a more leisurely approach to skiing.

Is It For Me?

The Mint crew have specifically designed this weeklong tour to both enjoy the amazing snow and learn more about Japan….

Highlights

  • Explore Tokyo's many neighbourhoods
  • Skiing Myoko's powder slopes
  • Snow shoeing through winter wonderland forests
  • Natural hot spring onsens
  • Delicious Japanese meals washed down with warm local sake
  • Dinner in Kill Bill restaurant

The Itinerary

Day 1 – on arrival in Tokyo make your way to our conveniently located hotel using the detailed instructions in our notes (which you will get after booking). Explore some of the many fascinating neighbourhoods of the capital before joining the rest of the group for a welcome meeting and included dinner at an izakaya, a japanese style pub where the focus is on the drinks and the food is a tasty and filling afterthought. If your jetlag isn't to bad (or maybe if it's so bad you're nocturnal) join us on a night exploration of one of Tokyo's infamous entertainment areas before heading to the 45th floor of the Tokyo government offices for a view over Tokyo's sea of lights. Optional activity: party all night!

Day 2 – start the day at Tsukiji fish market's outer market where hundreds of shops sell everything from fresh fish to sake sets to gum boots. Surrounding the market is a huge selection of restaurants selling the freshest sushi and sashimi you are ever likely to get (and plenty of non fish items if your stomach can't cope with that in the morning). Join the market workers for an after work drink (at 8am) or stick to green tea.

Options for the morning include zazen meditation, ikebana, tea ceremony, karate/aikido martial arts, city bike ride, sumo stable visit, Akihabara otaku visit and kabuki theatre performance before we head to the centre of youth culture for the afternoon. Harajuku has become world famous for the crazy costumes worn there and we hang out and people watch as the youth primp and preen on the bridge leading to Tokyo's most important Shinto shrine.

In the evening we take a bullet train to Myoko, our base for the next 5 days. Only 2 hours from Tokyo, settling in to our traditional Japanese style lodge and setting up our futons on the tatami mat floors. Hop straight into the onsen if you're after a soak or try some of the local sake before our traditional style dinner.

Day 3 – we spend our first day on the snow, making the most of the great runs which offer something for skiers and boarders of all levels – from total beginners to seriously advanced.

This large, snowy area consists of four ski slopes. Myoko Akakura Snow Area provides a variety of runs for all levels of skiers, from beginners to experts. At the foot of the mountain is a spa town where steam and the scent of hot springs fill the air-the perfect place to enjoy traditional Japan after skiing.

Day 4 – another day with our resident expert guide on the slopes.

Day 5 – Today there is the option of a day snow shoeing where we get to have our lunch out in the beauty of our surrounding forest. It's a great way to get out into winter wonderland that surrounds us so strap on your snow shoes and set off through snow covered beech forests, walk past frozen waterfalls and take in incredible panoramas of the surrounding mountain range.

Evenings are spent at our comfortable lodge where a soak in the onsen and some warm sake are a perfect way to end our days on the mountain.

Day 6 – Another day on the slopes and the option for the day is some different runs, more snow showing, some more coaching, heading to the famous temples and shrines of nearby Nagano former Winter Olympic host city or just relaxing and enjoying the surroundings.

Day 7 – Optional morning skiing. Afternoon heading back to Tokyo by bullet train we have a free afternoon to do some of the many activities on offer, buy some last minute souvenirs or indulge in a shiatsu massage to ease muscles sore from our time on the slopes. Our final night dinner is spent at the restaurant that inspired Tarantino's set design for the House of Blue Leaves scene in Kill Bill. With so many bars to choose from it would be a shame to head home so early we can pub crawl or karaoke our way to last train (or first train depending on how the night goes). There is also the option to spend your last night in Japan in a capsule hotel or love hotel for a slightly different sleeping experience.

Day 8 – make your way to the airport or spend some more time exploring Tokyo on your own. Mint Tours says goodbye to everyone and looking forward to another mission somewhere!

What's Included?

  • 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 7 dinners
  • 2 nights small family run local inn ryokan, 5 nights lodge style moutain ryokan
  • 4 days ski lift passes
  • 1 day snow shoeing
  • Tokyo day tour, including Tsukiji outer market
  • Tokyo city transport to and from accommodation, and all activities

Optional Activities

  • Snow shoe tour - half day (AU $80) and full day (AU $120)
  • Snow mobile tour (AU $100 full day)
  • Tokyo Kabuki performance (AU $12)
  • Tokyo Bike Hire (AU $15 Half day)
  • Tokyo National Museum (AU $12)