Skiing in Japan 2015

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WHERE: Myoko Kogen, Akakura Kanko Resort & Akakura Onsen

ACCESS: Easy access by car direct to free car park next to chairlifts

ACCOMODATION: Most accommodation on the main street of Akakura is within walking distance of the chairlifts. We stayed in Hotel Moc across the road from the Akakura Kanko chairlift which has a huge green run, and a higher red run that joins with the lower green runs.

SKI HIRE: Myoko snow sports English speaking ski school ski hire ranges from $40 AUD per day upwards. MOC Hotel (Japanese speaking) ski hire was $22 for carving skis, poles and boots. Just tell the man your height weight and show size in cm. Circle if you are level I (beginner) II (intermediate) III (advanced). Powder high performance skis are more expensive. Yodel ski school from $35
skis, poles. Boots set.

PARKING: $10 per night at Akakura Kanko. Free parking during the day from 8am – 4pm

LIFT TICKETS: Half day Akakura Kanko $22pp 8.30am – 1pm Full day lift ticket both Akakura Kanko & Akakura Onsen $52. Kids under school age ride free. Most lifts open 8.30am and close 4pm. Black ungroomed runs may not open until 10am so expect a crowd of 30 at the start of the run at opening time.

LESSONS: Myoko snow sports lessons range from $120 pp per day (group lesson of 4) 10am – 12.30pm. Kids and adults. Kids includes lunch and pick up at 1.30pm. Yodel ski school instructors speak a little English.

BABYSITTING: $20 per hour at Myoko Snow Sports. Reservations needed.

FOOD: Japanese meals provided by Hotel Moc were great quality. Lunch from $8 pp and dinner from $15 pp. On the main street there is Indian $7, Burgers $10, Crepes $5, Pizza $14 & Japanese.

SKI KIT: Goggles available on slope from $60. Kids bob sled $15. Kids’ snow boots $27. We bought second hand adult ski pants $10 and jackets $10 & helmets $5 from “Hard Off” in Niigata City. New googles range from $35 upwards. Aeon shopping centres in Japan have affordable new kids ski clothes. Xebio sports sells a huge range of ski clothes from about November to February. Adult snow boots range from $30 - $120.

ONSEN we also stayed at a natural hot spring onsen called Akakura Sun Hotel. Dinner bed and breakfast for two adults and two toddlers $177.

We also went to the onsen at the Akakura Hotel. Very nice indoor and outdoor bathing pools surrounded by snow. Had a games room for kids and on site ski hire. $10 pp for a casual visit to the onsen.