What to Do in Myoko Beyond Skiing

Myoko Kogen gets most of its attention for its resorts, but the same heavy snowfall that makes it a powder destination also makes it excellent for backcountry touring, snowshoeing, and a proper onsen soak once the lifts close. If you're building in a rest day, or just want more than piste skiing on your trip, here's what else the area offers.

Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding Around Myoko

Myoko's terrain and snowfall make it a genuine backcountry destination, not just a resort with a few off-piste runs. Canyons runs guided backcountry ski and snowboard tours with certified guides who know the area's terrain and avalanche conditions, which matters more here than at a groomed-only resort. It's a good option for confident intermediate-to-advanced riders who've exhausted the lift-served terrain and want to see what's beyond it.

Snowshoe Tours in the Myoko Backcountry

If you'd rather explore on foot than on skis, Canyons' guided snowshoe tours take you through quiet forest away from the lifts — no ski experience required, and a good way to include non-skiers in a group trip. It's also a genuinely different way to experience the same deep snow that makes Myoko's resorts worth visiting in the first place.

Soak in Akakura Onsen's Hot Springs

Akakura Onsen is a working hot spring town dating back to 1816, not just a ski area with a spa attached. Several ryokan and public bathhouses in the town are open to day visitors, making it an easy way to end a ski day or fill in a rest day without leaving the area. For the full rundown of the ski terrain around it, see our Akakura Ski Resort Guide.

Take In the Views from Suginohara

You don't have to ski the full 8.5km Dynamic Course to enjoy Suginohara — the gondola ride alone gives you sweeping views over Lake Nojiri and the mountains of northern Shinano, worth doing even on a non-ski day. See our Suginohara Ski Resort Guide for more on the resort itself.

Myoko Beyond Skiing: FAQ

Do I need ski or snowboard experience for a Myoko backcountry tour?

Yes — backcountry touring requires confident intermediate-to-advanced skiing or riding ability, since you're covering ungroomed, unpatrolled terrain. Snowshoe tours, by contrast, need no prior experience at all.

Can non-skiers still enjoy a Myoko trip?

Absolutely — snowshoe tours, onsen visits in Akakura Onsen, and simply riding the Suginohara gondola for the views are all enjoyable without ever putting on skis.

What should I bring for a snowshoe or backcountry tour?

Warm, waterproof layers, gloves, and sunglasses or goggles are the essentials — your guide will cover specific gear like snowshoes, avalanche safety equipment, or touring skis as part of the tour.

Is Akakura Onsen open to day visitors, not just hotel guests?

Yes, several of the town's ryokan and public bathhouses welcome day visitors for a fee, so you don't need to be staying overnight to soak.

Book Your Myoko Adventure with Canyons

Whether it's a backcountry tour, a snowshoe outing, or English-language ski lessons at Akakura or Suginohara, see the main Myoko page for the full lineup of what Canyons offers in the area.

What to Pack

• Onsen towel and toiletries: most bathhouses in Akakura Onsen rent or sell these, but bringing your own is cheaper if you're visiting more than once.

• Waterproof, breathable layers: essential for both backcountry touring and snowshoeing, where you'll work up more heat than lift-served skiing.

• Rental gear sorted in advance: if you need skis, a board, or extra winter kit for the trip, PURE JOY rentals lets you arrange it before you arrive.

Related Guides

See our full Akakura Ski Resort Guide and Suginohara Ski Resort Guide, check how to get to Myoko from Tokyo if you're still planning travel, or browse our roundup of Myoko's top ski resorts for the wider area.