Myoko Area

Welcome to my home, Yamakiya. This family run lodge is located in Myoko City, Japan. I came here seeking the snow I had read about in my textbooks back in Canada as a climatology student. For an urban centre of its size, Myoko had recorded the world record snowfall in 1990. Simply put it was the snowiest city in the world. I came here looking for the ski bum’s season of dream powder and I got it. The small town, the snowy cedar trees, the warm and friendly locals got into my soul. It got my heart too so I decided to make a life here. It has not disappointed me in any way. In my years here I have never had a bad season. There have been 2 years when the snow has not fallen until Christmas but there has always been more than enough snow during the main parts of the seasons- Christmas to April. The average annual snowfall of 4.5 meters is so soft and so abundant that it is sometimes a case of too much snow, not too little. 

At the end of the day you can look forward to a hot spring and a home cooked meal in the lodge or a  walk or drive to one of the many excellent restaurants in the area.  There is great nightlife in the village or you can venture to Nagano City for some fun. Yamakiya has a gymnasium with ping pong and basketball for those who still want to play at night.  We can also take you night skiing if you are super keen. When it is time to sleep, your wonderful futon awaits you in your tatami room. Our service is all in English. We have fluently bilingual guides whose goal is to make your trip here everything you could hope for. So come on over and experience the magic of Japan’s mountains and the snow! 

About Yamakiya

Yamakiya is a family run lodge with an international flavor and a warm, friendly feeling. The staff truly go out of their way to make sure you are well looked after. Yamakiya has been in business for 34 years and has been welcoming guests from overseas for more than 14 years. The younger staff members speak English and are all knowledgeable skiers and boarders. The older staff can teach you something about the rich tradition and culture of this lovely place. There are 4 generations of the Yamakawa family helping out at busy times. Come and stay and you will have a true chance to see how old Japan and new Japan come together to offer a great experience for you.

Rooms

The rooms at Yamakiya are simple but comfortable and they all have mountain views.  There are 2 western style bunk bed rooms very suitable for kids and 10 tatami rooms which can sleep anywhere from 2 to 8 people on futons.  All rooms have televisions.  Rooms do not have private baths or sinks. 

Amenities

There are common sinks throughout the lodge and the men’s bath and women’s bath are open from 5 to 10 p.m.  If you looking for an outing around bath time it’s only a 5 minute walk to the healing waters of the local hot spring. There is a common room and lobby with a big screen T.V.  where you can unwind from the day. In the basement is a dryer and tuning room. There is also a gymnasium where you can play basketball and table tennis anytime.

    

                                                           Bath                                                                    Gymnasium                                         

Meals 

Breakfast is included, Western style or Japanese style can be requested. Meals are served in the newly renovated dining room and as long as you let the inn keepers know in the morning, you can eat in or go out in the evening. Yamakiya offers a private shuttle service to your restaurant of choice. The Sea of Japan, 40 minutes drive north offers fantastic seafood and Nagano city 40 minutes drive to the south offers all of the best of Japanese cuisine.

                                                                                                                                                                             Dining Room

Nightlife

In the village there are several options for a great night out. One of the favorites is a 100 year old dozo (cool storage house) beautifully finished with cedar and equipped with a state of the art karaoke system.  Another great place is the T-Bar nestled in the snow down a candle lit path. The lodge is a 1 minute walk to the bottom lift of Myoko Suginohara Ski Area.

Kurohime Area

Pension Étrange is a beautiful, cozy place just a minute’s walk to Kurohime Ski Area and a 10 minute drive to Myoko Suginohara.  It has a real cottage feel to it. From the wood stove to the lovely cedar finishing, you will really enjoy the rustic feel to Étrange. It is ideal for young families as it has great beginner slopes just outside the door so warmth and hot chocolate are never far away.  Étrange also features a separate self-catered trailer house which sleeps up to eight people. 

Shiga Area 

Shiga Park Hotel

Shiga Ski Resort is one of the most popular Ski Resort in North Nagano area.  1998 Nagano Winter Olympic games was held in this area. Shiga Park Hotel is located in the perfect place for skiers / snowboarders, which sits right in the middle of 2 ski path.

  

Both Western and Japanese style rooms are available and some of the rooms are recently renovated.  Also their natural hot spring bath is renovated in 2010.  All the guests are able to refresh themselves with hot springs.  

Authentic Japanese cuisine and French course is available and besides its restaurant, it has their own bakery in the Hotel also has full ski retal with new gears, free wi-fi in the lobby, and security box in the room.

Beautiful forest right next to Shiga Park Hotel

URL: http://www.shiga-park.co.jp/en/index.htm