What to Do in Myoko Beyond Skiing | Canyons Japan

Myoko Kogen gets most of its attention for its resorts, but there's plenty to do without ever putting on skis: snowshoe tours through quiet forest, one of the region's oldest hot spring towns, and a cluster of genuinely worthwhile day trips into Joetsu and Nagano. If you're building in a rest day, or travelling with non-skiers, here's what else the area offers.

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.

Day Trip to Takada Castle in Joetsu

Takada Castle Site Park in Joetsu is around 30 minutes by car or under an hour by local train from Myoko Kogen, making it an easy half-day trip. The castle itself no longer stands, but the park is one of Niigata's best-known sights, famous for its cherry blossom season and for the moat filling with lotus flowers in summer — worth a stop even outside those seasons for the grounds and reconstructed turret.

See the Snow Monkeys Near Nagano

Jigokudani Monkey Park, home to Nagano's famous snow monkeys soaking in their own hot spring, is a popular full-day trip from Myoko via Nagano. It's further than Takada Castle, so it suits a dedicated day rather than a quick half-day stop, but it's one of the most distinctive sights in the region and works well for families or non-skiers in your group.

Sample Sake at a Local Brewery

Niigata is one of Japan's best-known sake regions, and you don't have to leave Myoko City to try it — the city itself is home to two breweries, Kiminoi Shuzo (founded 1842) and Chiyonohikari (founded 1860). Joetsu, a short trip away, has around a dozen more. Tasting and tour availability varies by brewery and season, so it's worth checking ahead before you go.

Togakushi Shrine and Ninja Village

Togakushi, about 45 minutes from Myoko Kogen by car, is home to a set of ancient shrines set among towering cedar trees, along with a Ninja Village and Ninpo Museum that are a genuine hit with kids — trick houses, obstacle courses, and ninja-themed activities alongside the area's famous soba noodles. It combines well with a Nagano city day, since it sits just north of town.

Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City

Zenkoji is one of Japan's most important Buddhist temples and a short walk from Nagano Station, making it an easy add-on if you're already heading that way for Togakushi or the snow monkeys. The approach through the old temple town, lined with shops and traditional inns, is worth the visit on its own.

Fish Markets on the Japan Sea Coast

Myoko sits close enough to the Sea of Japan to make a coastal detour worthwhile. Marine Dream Nou, between the fishing ports of Itoigawa and Joetsu, is one of the best spots on this stretch of coast for fresh, locally caught seafood, and is an easy stop if you're exploring toward Naoetsu or Itoigawa.

Myoko Beyond Skiing: FAQ

Can non-skiers still enjoy a Myoko trip?

Absolutely — snowshoe tours, onsen visits in Akakura Onsen, riding the Suginohara gondola for the views, and day trips to Takada Castle, the snow monkeys, or Nagano city are all enjoyable without ever putting on skis.

Do I need a car for these day trips?

A car makes Takada Castle and the coast easier, but it isn't essential — the Echigo Tokimeki Railway reaches Joetsu and Takada Station directly, and Nagano (for Togakushi, Zenkoji, and the snow monkeys) is accessible by train and connecting bus.

What should I bring for a snowshoe tour?

Warm, waterproof layers, gloves, and sunglasses or goggles are the essentials — your guide will cover snowshoes and any other gear 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 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 snowshoeing, where you'll work up more heat than lift-served skiing.

• Cash for day trips: sake breweries, small markets, and rural bus or train fares don't always take cards, so carry yen.

• 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.