Myoko crew list for 2012/13 (biggest ever yet )

RyanM: Dec 9 - end of season
Junior: Dec 9 - end of season
MG: 19 December - 4 January plus Feb/March TBA
Malibu +6: Madarao Dec 23 - Dec 29 & Myoko Dec 29 - Jan 5
moz + family: Dec 28 - Jan 12
Dave6: January 10 - 25
Stratus: January 10-20
Gibbsy+crew: January 13-20
Barney13 +6: January 16-23
Claydough: 19 - 28 January
Slim +2: January 25 - 31
Insaneous: 25 January - 05 February
Fred76 +1: February 1-7 (or thereabouts) Myoko/Madarao
BofSki +2: February 4 - 22
Andrew7 + Mon Repos crew: February 16-23
AJC13B + family and crew: Feb 9-20
Seefarr: Feb 24 - March 2
webberchoked: 04 March - 14 March
Skichanger: Dec-Mar (winter resident)

Webcams:
Akakura Onsen



More webcams here

Myokokogen Wikiski - http://wikiski.com/wiki/index.php/Myoko_Kogen

Myoko Facebook
Myoko Kogen Ski Resort Facebook

Weather & Snow Reports
Myoko Snowsports Daily Report
Weather forecasts
Yahoo - Myoko City

Back Country
http://www.dancingsnow.com/
http://myokokogen.net/nordic.htm

Maps
Akakan Resort
Akakura Onsen
Trail maps

Bars & restaurants listings

Other Myoko forum discussion
Myoko forum
Myoko Kogen Accommodation Suggestions?
Too much snow ?? Myoko Japan - over 4 METRES in two weeks
How much time to spend in Myoko Kogen?
Myoko Ski Schools

Myoko Journals - please add yours when you get home.
http://myokokogen.net/forum/index.php?board=27.0

Note: 2011/12 discussion runs up to page 10 (kept for reference), followed by 2012/13 discussion

Can you please add me to the list.

smackies + unknown no. of friends (but more than one), 20-24 January.

MG - can you tell me where that awesome okonomiyaki place in Myoko is?

hey I went there on MG's advice...good too!!

Also tempted to head to Myoko for a day trip this year...will depend on a few things, but we'll see.

It's called Yamagishi Smackies - see the map here - http://g.co/maps/58yjj

Awesome restaurant. My favourite in Myoko. However they are always pretty busy, there's no English menu and they can a bit freaked out about a large group of gaijin. So ask the lodge to get a booking before you go. If they knock you back please don't be offended but fingers crossed.

So as you walk down from the hospital it's on the right just after the cross road. Probably best to get a taxi though.

A lot of other bars & eating places are listed here - http://myokokogen.net/bars-restaurants-cafes.html
I'm always on the look out for restaurants reviews and photos - all donations gratefully accepted!

A ha! That's probably how I heard about it.

Thanks MG.

Great work MG
The +1 and I are aiming get to Myoko a few times over the winter, not sure on dates yet though. We have been camping at Nojiriko the last 2 summers, looking forward to see what it is like in winter.

Which side of the snow fields would you recommend to stay, Akakura Kanko or Akakura Onsen? Was looking to stay near the gondola on the Akakura Kanko side only because I found reasonably priced accomm that is ski-in. In your opinion which is the better area? restaurants, onsens, vibe, etc.

Also how easy is go between the 2 resorts? I read on one blog that it can be a slog to get back across to the Kanko side from Akakura Onsen, looks a bit that way too from the piste map.

Ooh, a Nojiri person. Cool!

Onsen is the most central of course with way more eateries/bars but Kanko does tend to have some better priced accomm. If it's snowing hard, you've drunk too much and you have to walk back to the Moc or the Windsor it can be a bit of a pain. I was drinking with friends at the Windsor one night last season and they had to get back to the Daimaru. Because of the snow they had to get a taxi. But if it's a nice night and you're steady on your legs no problem.

If you're on the last run of the day at Onsen I don't think it's too difficult to traverse over back to Kanko if you know the way. But I'm not 100% sure as I don't have to bother about that doing that too much. Smitty may know.

Cheers for the tips MG,
I will have a bit more of a look around on the onsen side. Looking forward to checking it out.

Check the Akakura Onsen google map (above) Deskrider. All the accomm is listed there.

Hey Myoko_Guy

Please add us to the list

JT & Japanuary Crew - 15th Jan - 22 Jan

And if we can order an nice solid base but really need it to start chucking it down for those dates

cheers

Getting pretty pumped as the first snows strart to fall and the first lifts turn... was looking to stay at WIndsor, any feedback? any ski rental nearby for the +1? any info always welcome(mayhave asked similair before on Japan thread but cant find where now) getting PSYCHED

Hey MG I'm going to be at Myoko Jan 28- Feb 4 so please put me on the list! I

All added, and in chronological order too

J_T_ if there's not 2-3m on the ground by 15 jan there's something very wrong. Big global warming year? My missus used to jump out the second or third floor windows into the snow when she was a young lass in Myoko. Those days seem gone unfortunately.

Gibbsy, the Windsor is great. Easy walk to Akakan or you can wait for the shuttle out the front (see the Akakan map above). You'll meet a few people there in the Castle Bar, inc the MSS crew. You can pre-order ski hire from them. Just order via the website and it'll be ready for the +1 when you arrive.

P.S. Myoko Journals - please add yours when you get home.

Should pop in while I'm there dude

I'm coming too!

Most probably 10 days early February, but dates to be confirmed when friend gets holiday leave approved.

I can also second the Windsor but my opinion is heavily biased because I'm working there with the missus. More orange juice?

I'll throw in another +1 for the Windsor. The owners are wonderful!

I did up a little trip report of our time in Myoko last season here:
http://myokokogen.net/forum/index.php/topic,236.0.html

thanks seefar for the myoko report , great photos . i have just finalised my accommodation thru myoko city tourist office .

last march i skied at shiga kogan and visited the snow monkeys , for anyone planning to go there , no problems walking up but be carefull returning , there are some icy steps just near the roadway .

thanks mg for your advice on accommodation [ another thread ] , put me down for arriving 26th feb leaving on 4th march .

afternote , seefar you are right about boganville ! never again .

No problem BIS, glad to help. Name is added.

Myoko is really pitching for the family market which I think is a great idea.

Cold front has come in with regular light falls. More forecast over the next few days.

Just to let everyone know that planned openings for the ski areas are (courtesy of Bill from Dancing Snow & SJ):

Akakura Kanko Ski Area (Akakan): December 17
Akakura Onsen Ski Area: Mid-December TBA
Ikenotaira Ski Area: December 17
Myoko Suginohara: December 23
Madarao Kogen Ski Area: Pre-open December 10-11; full open December 16
Seki Onsen Ski Area: No official date posted for this year (December 1 last season)
Tangram Madarao: December 17

These dates are when they officially open.If there's no snow, they won't be opening but if there's heavy snow, many will open earlier.

Can't wait. Looking forward to getting out on opening day.

Thanks heaps for all the info folks, had an email from Amy recommending the Daimaru- little more costly but Japanese rooms and an onsen(big factors for our crew)- any feedback on this place? how far to walk to Akakan ski lifts, shuttle to suginohara windsor for beers etc?

PS Amy at Myoko tourist office really is SO helpful

Yes Amy is great she is very helpful, I am staying at the Alp Hotel 27 December to 1 January so I get New Years in Myoko this year. There are five in our group (family). Havent been but looking forwards to it, we have a vehicle so getting to the various slopes and resorts will be easy.

Hey Myoko Guy, any snowmobile tours in the area. I really want to go snowmobiling again.

Gibbsy, Daimaru is great. Couple of Aussies working there so no language problems. The shuttle stops almost out the front. Hotel is a little tired (they still have old dial phones!) but comfortable. Ask for a room at the back away from the road as friends who stayed there got woken up by the snow plough. Location is pretty good - less than a five minute walk onto the main drag - check the location (and reviews) on the Akakura google map in Post 1.

ASB - Snowmobile tours, mmm? Good question. None that I know of on the Myoko side. Perhaps ask around when you get in or ask Amy? There are some in Madarao/Tangram if you're heading over there. Tangram has this cool one where they tow you in a raft - http://www.tangram.jp/ski/rafting/

Hi MG,

Slight change of plan - well really there wasn't a plan, just some airline tickets

We have decided to split our two weeks between Hakuba and Myoko, so we are now only in Myoko from Sun 4th March to Sat 10th March. In the process of booking Hotel Alp - waiting final details from Amy at the tourist office.

What's the best way to get from Hakuba to Myoko, Snow Shuttle to Nagano and then train to Myoko seems to be the long way round?

Bit late in the season I know, but looking forward to meeting anyone who is still there.

Amy can book you on a shuttle door to door if you ask her.

A few options BofSki

1) As JoeKing said, bus to Nagano (doesn't have to be Hakubus. can be regular Alpico) and train to Myoko
2) As per 1 but use Myoko shuttle from Nagano - http://myoko-nojiri.com/access/bus_taxi_car.htm#naganomyoko
3) Get a Keinan Bus transfer - http://myokokogen.net/myoko_shuttle_info.pdf (expensive but much less hassle)

Amy can organise 2.5 and 3 for you.

Don't catch the Hakuba-Nagano train - bus is MUCH quicker