Frequently Asked Questions
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Myoko Kogen Japan
Got questions about Myoko Kogen Japan? You’ll find answers to the most common ones below. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to get in touch — we’re always happy to help.
GENERAL
Escape Myoko is located in Myoko, Niigata, Japan. Our properties are nestled in the picturesque mountains, offering easy access to Myoko’s ski resorts and outdoor activities.
Our preferred payment method is via credit card with VISA or Mastercard. But can also accept direct bank transfers upon request.
You can book directly through our website, or feel free to contact us for any special requests or booking inquiries via email at info@escapemyoko.com. We recommend booking in advance.
Unfortunately, we currently do not allow pets at our properties.
We primarily speak English and Japanese, making it easy for English-speaking guests to communicate and enjoy their stay.
The easiest way to reach us is by taking a bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano, followed by a local train or bus to Myoko.
Yes, we require a 30% deposit at the time of booking. And the remaining balance is due 60 days before your arrival.
All pre-payments are non refundable.
Yes we have a small but good selection of skis and snowboards to rent as well as boots and outerwear.
We recommend booking any gear you need in advance via the rentals page on our website.
Yes we offer ski and snowboard lessons, coaching and guiding for all levels. We have an experienced and qualified team of instructors available.
We recommend booking any lessons you need in advance via the LESSONS page on our website.
Japan is still largely a cash-based society, so we recommend arriving with some Japanese Yen. However, credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in many places around town. If you need to withdraw cash while visiting Myoko, the easiest spots are the 7-Eleven near the train station or Japan Post in Akakura.
Winter temperatures in the Nagano and Niigata resort areas on Honshu typically range from around -10°C to +5°C. Japan is famous for its heavy snowfall, which naturally brings colder temperatures throughout the season.
Nozawa is about 1 hour drive away.
This is an excellent train guide for getting to Myoko from both airports so hopefully that helps.
MOUNTAIN HUT LODGE
The nearest ski resort to the lodge is Ikenotaira Ski Resort. It is a 7 minute walk up the hill through the forest to the chair lift. Or a 10 minuate walk along the road to the main base area and chair lift.
The other Myoko ski resorts Akakura Kanko and Suginohara Ski reosrts are both a 5 – 10 minute drive away.
Yes, it’s easy to get to the different ski resorts from the lodge. We offer daily transfers to a selection of local resorts that we recommend based on snow conditions and your ability level. For beginners, we highly recommend Ikenotaira Ski Resort – it’s got big, wide open runs that are perfect for learning, and it’s generally much quieter than Akakura Onsen, so you’ll have more space to progress at your own pace.
Yes we have a coin operated washing machine and dryer for guests to use.
Unfortunately, we don’t have an onsen at the lodge, but we do have an ofuro—a traditional Japanese-style bath. It’s filtered, always full, and kept hot, so it’s ready to enjoy anytime.
SUGI CHALET
There’s also a dry room at the entrance where you can store and dry all your gear, including outerwear, boots, skis, and snowboards overnight.
There is 1 toilet and 2 seperate showers on the first level. And 4 toilets and 1 ensuite bathroom on the second floor.
y, we can’t convert the single rooms into a queen or king bed. We can push the single beds next to each other but that’s the best that we can do as we don’t have the bedding types to convert beyond that.
Unfortunately, we don’t offer discounts on rental gear or lessons. Given the short season here in Japan, we aim to make the most of our services and offerings. That said, our lesson, guiding, and rental prices are already some of the most competitive in town.
CEDAR HOUSE
The floors aren’t heated, but there is a heat pump and a separate heater in each room. The space stays very warm, and previous guests often comment on how cosy and comfortable it is.
The apartment is about a 7-minute walk to the nearest lift, or just a 3-minute drive to the gondola station at Suginohara Ski Resort.
The master queen bedroom has an ensuite bathroom. Directly across from the second queen room and the third bedroom which has 2 single beds there is the main bathroom.
So 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms altogether.
There is off-street parking available for one vehicle. We also offer a rental van for guests staying at Cedar House.
There are only 2 levels in the building so you are only walking up 1 set of stairs to access the apartment.
TWO PINES
Unfortunately we don’t offer any gluten free pizza options. Since we hand make all our dough on site and use a lot of flour throughout the cooking process, including to prevent sticking in the oven, there’s no way for us to avoid cross contamination even if we used gluten free bases.
Yes, we have a few great vegan options. Five pizzas on our menu are vegetarian, and we can substitute the cheese with our delicious homemade vegan whip — a creamy tofu-based alternative that still delivers on flavour.
We are open from 5 – 8:30pm 7 days a week from starting from mid Dec until mid March.
RENTALS
Unfortunately we do not offer step in bindings.
At this stage we do not offer a hot waxing or tuning service. This may change in the future so feel free to ask us via email or DM.
For all pre-booked rental gear, you can collect it from the shop between 4–7pm the night before. That way, you’ll be ready to go for first lifts the next morning.
Our rental shop is open daily during the winter season from 8:00am to 10:00am and again from 4:00pm to 7:30pm. Morning hours are best for last-minute adjustments, boot swaps, and same-day pick-ups. Afternoon hours are best for collecting pre-booked gear, returning gear, and sorting equipment for the next day.
Our rental shop is located at Two Pines Pizza in Suginosawa, beneath Cedar House and close to Suginohara Ski Resort. It is also the main base for Escape Myoko rental collection and returns.
Yes, we highly recommend booking rental gear in advance, especially during peak periods such as Christmas, New Year, January, and February. Booking ahead helps us reserve the correct sizes and have your gear ready when you arrive.
Sometimes, yes. Walk-ins are welcome during shop opening hours, but availability is limited and we cannot guarantee sizes or premium gear unless it has been booked in advance.
We offer ski and snowboard rental packages, including skis, snowboards, boots, bindings, poles, helmets, and outerwear depending on availability. We have standard rental options as well as premium skis and snowboards for guests wanting a higher-performance setup.
Standard rentals are a solid, reliable option for most guests and are great for beginners, intermediates, and general resort riding. Premium rentals are better suited to more experienced skiers and snowboarders who want higher-end equipment, better performance, or the option to try different styles of gear during their stay.
Yes, subject to availability. Standard rentals include one free swap, and additional swaps may incur a small fee. Premium rentals include more flexibility for gear swaps, which is ideal if you want to try different boards or skis depending on the snow conditions.
Yes. For pre-booked rental gear, we recommend collecting your equipment the afternoon or evening before your first ski day. This means you can get fitted properly and be ready to head straight to the lifts the next morning.
Rental gear should be returned during shop opening hours, preferably between 4:00pm and 7:30pm on your final rental day. If you need to arrange a different return time, please contact us in advance.
Yes, helmets are available to rent, subject to sizing and availability. We recommend booking helmets in advance, especially for children and during peak season.
We have a limited amount of outerwear available to rent, including jackets and pants. Sizes and availability can be limited, so we recommend booking early if you need clothing.
We generally recommend guests bring their own goggles and gloves for comfort and hygiene reasons. If you forget something, get in touch and we can let you know what options may be available locally.
Yes, we have a range of kids’ rental gear available, but children’s sizes are limited and can book out quickly during school holiday periods. Please book early and provide accurate height, weight, shoe size, age, and ability level.
To help us prepare the right equipment, we usually need each guest’s height, weight, shoe size, ability level, whether they ski or snowboard, and whether they ride regular or goofy for snowboarding.
Yes. Just send through your height, weight, boot size, ability level, and the type of riding you plan to do, and we can help match you with a suitable setup.
Yes, if the size is not right, come back to the shop during opening hours and we will do our best to swap them for a better fit, subject to availability.
Most rental gear is collected and returned at our shop at Two Pines. For some group bookings or special arrangements, delivery may be possible depending on location, timing, and staff availability. Please contact us before booking if delivery is important for your trip.
Yes, our rentals are available to both Escape Myoko guests and visitors staying elsewhere in Myoko, subject to availability.
Yes, all rental guests are required to complete a rental waiver before using the equipment. This helps confirm responsibility for the gear and makes the collection process smoother.
Guests are responsible for rental equipment while it is in their care. Normal wear and tear is expected, but damage, loss, or theft may incur repair or replacement costs.
LESSONS
We highly recommend booking your lessons in advance. Our ski and snowboard lessons are quite popular, especially during peak season, and spots can fill up quickly.
By booking ahead, you ensure that you secure the lesson times that best fit your schedule and preferences.
You can book lessons in at the link below
https://escapemyoko.com/ski-school/
If you have trouble with it I can help you arrange booking your lessons
We only offer private lessons, with a maximum of 6 guests of the same ability per instructor. If your group has mixed levels, we recommend booking a separate instructor for each level to ensure everyone gets the most out of their lesson.
Lesson meeting points depend on the resort, guest ability level, snow conditions, and the type of lesson booked. We commonly run lessons at Ikenotaira, Suginohara, Akakura Kanko, and Akakura Onsen. Your instructor or our team will confirm the meeting point before your lesson.
For beginners, we often recommend Ikenotaira because it has wide, open beginner-friendly terrain and is generally less crowded than some of the busier resort areas. The final meeting point may depend on where you are staying and current conditions.
For intermediate and advanced guests, we may recommend Suginohara, Akakura Kanko, or another local resort depending on snow conditions, terrain goals, and the type of coaching you are looking for.
Yes, we offer private ski and snowboard lessons with qualified instructors. Availability depends on the date, discipline, ability level, and instructor roster.
Yes, adults and kids can join the same private lesson if they are at a similar ability level and want to work on similar terrain. If the group has mixed abilities, we recommend booking separate lessons so everyone gets more value from the session.
It depends on the group and the goal of the lesson. In most cases, ski and snowboard lessons are better kept separate because the progression, terrain choice, and coaching are different. Please contact us if you are unsure.
Private lessons can include up to 6 guests of a similar ability level with one instructor. For the best experience, we recommend keeping the group as close in ability as possible.
Yes, we teach complete beginners. Private lessons are a great way to get started because the instructor can move at your pace and help build confidence from the first run.
Yes, we offer coaching for advanced guests, including powder technique, off-piste skills, carving, trees, terrain tactics, and confidence building. Terrain choice depends on conditions, ability, and resort rules.
Yes, and this is often the best way to progress. Multiple days allow your instructor to build on each session and help you improve faster across the week.
From time to time we may offer multi-day lesson promotions, such as book 4 days and get the 5th day free. Please check the lessons page or contact us for current offers.
Please bring your lift pass, rental or personal equipment, warm layers, gloves, goggles, and any medication you may need. We also recommend bringing water and snacks, especially for children or full-day lessons.
No, lift passes are not included in the lesson price. Guests need to purchase their own lift pass for the resort where the lesson is taking place.
No, rentals are not included in the lesson price. If you need gear, we recommend booking rentals at the same time as your lesson so everything is ready before your first session.
Yes, we will do our best to recommend the most suitable resort based on your ability level, goals, weather, snow conditions, and where you are staying.
Lessons generally run in normal winter weather, including snow. If conditions are unsafe or lifts are significantly affected, we will contact you to discuss the best option.
Yes, you can request the same instructor and we will do our best to make it work. This depends on instructor availability and existing bookings, so booking early gives you the best chance.
Yes, our lessons are available to both Escape Myoko accommodation guests and visitors staying elsewhere in Myoko, subject to availability.
GUIDING
We highly recommend booking your lessons in advance. Our ski and snowboard lessons are quite popular, especially during peak season, and spots can fill up quickly.
By booking ahead, you ensure that you secure the lesson times that best fit your schedule and preferences.
You can book lessons in at the link below
https://escapemyoko.com/ski-school/
If you have trouble with it I can help you arrange booking your lessons
We only offer private lessons, with a maximum of 6 guests of the same ability per instructor. If your group has mixed levels, we recommend booking a separate instructor for each level to ensure everyone gets the most out of their lesson.
Yes, we offer resort guiding and mountain orientation for guests who want to explore Myoko with local knowledge. This is different from a technical lesson and is best suited to confident skiers and snowboarders who want help finding suitable terrain.
For beginners, we usually recommend a private lesson rather than guiding. A lesson gives you more support with technique, safety, and confidence on the mountain.
For full backcountry guiding, we recommend working with a dedicated backcountry guiding company. We can help point you in the right direction if you are looking for avalanche-trained backcountry guides.
We can help choose suitable resort areas and terrain based on the day’s conditions, but powder skiing and snowboarding always depends on weather, snowfall, visibility, ability level, and resort operations.
COURSES
We highly recommend booking your lessons in advance. Our ski and snowboard lessons are quite popular, especially during peak season, and spots can fill up quickly.
By booking ahead, you ensure that you secure the lesson times that best fit your schedule and preferences.
You can book lessons in at the link below
https://escapemyoko.com/ski-school/
If you have trouble with it I can help you arrange booking your lessons
We only offer private lessons, with a maximum of 6 guests of the same ability per instructor. If your group has mixed levels, we recommend booking a separate instructor for each level to ensure everyone gets the most out of their lesson.
Yes, if you need both, we recommend booking rentals and lessons together. This makes it easier to match your lesson time with your gear collection and helps avoid delays on your first ski day.
Yes. Escape Myoko offers accommodation, rentals, lessons, guiding, and Two Pines Pizza, so we can help make the planning process easier for your trip.
The busiest times are usually Christmas, New Year, January, and early February. These periods can book out well in advance, so we recommend locking in lessons and rentals as early as possible.
Yes, card payment is available for most bookings. We recommend booking and paying in advance so your rentals and lessons are confirmed before you arrive.
You can contact us through the website or email us at info@escapemyoko.com. Please include your dates, number of guests, ability levels, and whether you need skiing, snowboarding, rentals, lessons, or guiding.
WHat’s Next
Experience the comfort and warmth of our unique accommodations, designed to make you feel right at home in Myoko Kogen.
Hit the slopes with confidence. Our expert instructors and local guides are here to elevate your skills and experience no matter your level.
Enjoy delicious stone-baked pizza and a great selection of wines at Two Pines Pizza and Wine Bar—come for the pies, stay for the vibes.