Myoko, Niigata might be famous for skiing but it’s also the place to visit for a stunning view of the autumn leaves. Myoko is perfect for outdoor adventures, and picturesque autumnal scenery. It is an outdoor enthusiasts heaven and a hot spring lover’s paradise.
Whether you are looking for an outdoor autumn adventure, or a relaxing getaway, Myoko has a lot to offer.
Enjoy the Spectacle of Myoko’s Autumn Leaves
You may have heard about Myoko ski slopes, but Myoko mountain isn’t all about skiing. In the green season (summer and autumn), this beautiful town has a lot to offer for all inhabitants and visitors. When the skis and snowboards are put away for the season, that doesn’t mean the adventure has to stop.
You can BBQ outside, wander the autumn forests, soak in onsen hot springs, zipline and swing from trees, marvel at superb gondola views, mountain bike, hike, boulder and much more.
In autumn it is a blanket of yellow, orange and red leaves, the woodland aroma fresh on wooded paths.
Myoko is a convenient place to reach and is a quick two-hour Shinkansen ride from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen towards Kanazawa. There is a free shuttle bus from Joetsumyoko Station (reservations required) to the resort. Or it’s a 10-minute drive from the Arai Smart Interchange. Drivers can stop by the Arai Michi no Eki on the way to buy local produce and omiyage.
Want to know more about what there is to do in Myoko? Read on to find out!
Ride the Gondola for Beautiful Autumn Leaves Views
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
Time your stay right and ride the gondola for a more relaxing way to enjoy the mountain views. In autumn wonder at the blanket of multicoloured leaves in all their autumnal hue glory. Visit during the times below so you don’t miss out on the opportunity to see the view of a lifetime!
Autumn gondola operations: 10/16~11/14
Tree Adventure
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
Myoko has the largest Tree Adventure facility in Japan, spanning an area of 355,400 square feet! You can experience walking around the trees, jumping and lining from platform to platform in an experience found nowhere else. This is the perfect activity for outdoor lovers, and children over 100 cm tall can also join in the fun!
Zipline
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
If you want a stunning view of the mountains, while enjoying a thrilling ride, then the zipline is for you! You can take in the spectacular 360 views of Mt Myoko while soaring through the sky in this adrenaline-filled jaunt!
Walk and Hike Through the Autumn Leaves
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
Try out the Japanese relaxation technique of shinriyoku – forest bathing!
Enjoy a forest walk, breathe in the fresh, woodland scented air and feel the relaxing effect of the surrounding negative ions. Flat walking courses are available so all the family and join and drink in the sights, sounds and smells of the Japanese forest.
Pool
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
Take a dip in LOTTE Arai Resort’s expansive indoor pool, for a peaceful, calming swim. After your swim, lounge on the pool-side loungers with a book.
Other Activities and Things to Do
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
There are many more things to do in the area such as BBQ, mountain biking, bouldering and other indoor playground activities.
Travel to the nearby Joetsu City area and visit the Kasugayama Castle Ruins. This castle is a national historic site and was the former castle of famous warrior Uesugi Kenshin.
Visit Naena Falls, one of the most beautiful 100 waterfalls in Japan and one of the most photogenic spots in Myoko. In autumn the waterfall is framed by a wash of colourful autumn leaves ranging from yellow, orange to red.
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
Take a trip on the Setsugekka (Echigo Tokimeki Railway) resort train that runs through the Joetsu region of Niigata Prefecture. You can enjoy both the sea and mountainous railway and the delicious seafood and vegetables of the area.
Do you like sake? Niigata is famous for its delicious sake production. There are at least 3 different sake warehouses in the area so if you love sake, it’s the perfect place to go sake touring. More of a wine fan? You can travel to nearby wineries, and sup on wine produced by grapes fed by the fresh mountain air and sunlight. For more nearby attractions visit this page.
Where to Stay?
LOTTE Arai Resort is a mountain resort situated next to the Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park, home to stratovolcano Mt. Myoko. Here you can enjoy the mountain and all the mentioned activities as well as onsen, vineyards, sake breweries, and much more!
Let’s get a closer look at what else makes this resort really special, somewhere guests want to go back to in every season! Click here for our Guidable discount.
Natural Hot Springs
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
Nothing says comfort more than a natural onsen bath. The low-alkaline water of the natural onsen is said to provide beauty-enhancing properties and certainly allows for a magnificent relaxation experience. The name of the onsen “Hoshizora onsen” is an ode to the breathtaking view of the stars that can be enjoyed while soaking in the exquisitely hot waters.
All the Hotel Facilities You Would Need!
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
The resort offers many different room types, perfect for couples, families, and groups of friends. The light and airy rooms are furnished with luxurious comfort and provide all the amenities you need, so you don’t have to bring yours. There are also rooms that boast a stunning view of Mt. Okenashi which can be enjoyed from large windows. Plush furnishings provide the best space to relax, the perfect escape from the city.
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
One of the more special facilities of the resort is the library. This library is filled with photo books from around the world. Grab a book from the shelf and curl onto a cosy sofa, who knows what treasures you will discover. Spend hours browsing books and find a relaxing moment, just for you. Alternatively use the library for study or quiet work. In fact, there is also a business room, seminar room and workstation in the resort so why not visit for a workation (work-vacation)! What could be better than a soak in the onsen after a hard day’s work?
Culinary Delights
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
Try local dishes from Joetsu-Myoko. This dish above is “Sasa sushi” and is an ancient fermented food! You can try some local dishes at the resort too, such as tonjiru (pork miso soup).
There are two restaurants in the resort: a western-style buffet and a Japanese-style restaurant. The western-style buffet’s dishes are of excellent quality, prepared by a LOTTE group chef. Guests can also enjoy an addition of Korean food in the buffet, true to the LOTTE group roots. For COVID-19 expansion prevention measures, the buffet currently regulates a one-tongs-per-person rule and some of the food is dished up all ready for guests to take. The Japanese-style restaurant also uses local products and some favourites include murakami gyu sukiyaki and nabe (hot pot).
Credits: LOTTE Arai Resort
There are private rooms available for groups of 4 people and up who would like to enjoy a private dining setting.
Other COVID-19 Precautions at The Resort
As well as the careful precautions in place at the restaurants, the whole hotel follows certain procedures in order to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19. Everyone in the hotel is asked to wear masks and disinfect their hands while moving throughout the facility. Temperature checks are in place, and guests will be asked to identify themselves and other members of their party. Areas throughout the hotel will be ventilated and disinfected regularly. Many more precautions are in place, for more information check out the homepage.
Visit LOTTE Arai Resort For the Most Breathtaking Autumn Leaves Adventure
You can refresh your mind and body, tired from staying at home, through the energetic activities available at Myoko.
Myoko has so much to offer, there is something to please everyone! An adventure-seeking outdoor activity-based trip or an onsen soaking, sake sipping relaxing trip, you will find it at this resort. Click here for more destinations nearby. Do you want to travel in the winter or spring? Read this article about what’s available during the ski season!
How to book:
1. Click the banner, and click “Make Reservation” to select your dates, rooms, and guests then “SAVE”
2. Click the “code” box and enter the corporate promotion code: GUIDAB then “Check”
3. Press “OK” then “Select” and choose your room. Reserve as a non-member and enter your info!
4. Complete Reservation! All done, now time to enjoy 🙂
Visiting in Winter or Spring instead? Check out what to do in this article:
Enjoy Snow Sports from Winter to Spring at Niigata Ski Resort, LOTTE Arai!
