Season ended · next season typically starts December
Arai Mountain Resort (Lotte Arai Resort)
The Pinnacle of Luxury & Deep Powder in Honshu. Experience the most comfortable ski trip of your life.
My recommendation
If budget is not your main concern and you want the absolute best experience in Honshu, go to Lotte Arai. A high-end luxury hotel sitting on top of a massive powder mountain — spacious rooms, indoor pool, 5-star service, and fully avalanche-controlled freeride zones. The stress-free experience of having everything in one building is worth every yen.
TakFounder · Japow GuidesAbout the Resort
Arai Mountain Resort (formerly know as Lotte Arai Resort) is located on the northern outskirts of the Myoko ski area.
- It is accessible in approximately 2 hours from Tokyo via Shinkansen.
- The resort averages a massive 15 meters of snowfall annually, offering diverse terrain with an impressive 951 meters of vertical descent.
- The resort has 5 lifts.
- The ski terrain breakdown is 25% for beginners, 45% for intermediate, and 35% for advanced skiers.
Location & Access
By Car
Tokyo→Kanetsu Expressway→Joshinetsu Expressway→Myoko Kogen IC→Route18→Lotte Arai Resort (3hr30min)
Parking
1,500 spaces
By Train
Tokyo Station → Joetsu-Myoko Station (~1h50, Hokuriku Shinkansen) → hotel shuttle (reservation; guests only) (~20–30 min) → Arai Resort
Arai, Myoko, Niigata, Japan
Terrain & Slopes
12
Courses
6
Lifts
incl. 1 gondola
7km
Longest run
Beginner35%
Intermediate45%
Advanced20%
Grooming75% groomed · 25% non-groomed
Snowboard ParkAvailable
Back CountryAvailable
Tickets & Pricing
Current Prices2025–26 season prices, for reference
1-Day Lift TicketAdult7,500 yen
1-Day Lift TicketChild5,000 yen
1-Day Lift TicketSenior7,000 yen
Lessons
Lesson in Japanese JA
Ski Lesson : from 6,000 yen
Snowboard Lesson : from 6,000 yen
Why You'll Love Arai Mountain Resort (Lotte Arai Resort)
Exceptional Powder Snow
World-famous "Japow"
Known as a "powder paradise" with an overwhelming annual snowfall of 15 meters. It is listed as one of the resorts for Japan's "best powder"
Diverse Terrain
All skill levels welcome
Offers a variety of courses utilizing its impressive 951 meters of vertical descent, with 35% of the courses being for advanced skiers, accommodating all skill levels
Hotel Connected
Ski in/out experince with luxury hotels
Since Ski resort is directly connected to Resort Hotel, it is very covenitinet for family with small kids.
Easy Access
Convenient transportation
It only takes 2 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train).
Travel Tips
🚌 Getting There
Tokyo Station → Joetsu-Myoko Station (~1h50, Hokuriku Shinkansen) → hotel shuttle (reservation; guests only) (~20–30 min) → Arai Resort
Shuttle runs every 30 minutes during peak season
🎿 Equipment Rental
Full rental sets available on-site. Reserve in advance during peak season.
Ski set: 5,500 yen/day • Snowboard set: 5,500 yen/day
💳 Payment Methods
Credit cards accepted at ticket counters and restaurants.
Cash preferred at some smaller vendors
🌨️ Best Time to Visit
January to February for the best powder conditions.
Weekdays are less crowded than weekends
Season has ended. Live snow and weather info will return in December.
Latest News from Arai Mountain Resort (Lotte Arai Resort)
Lotte Arai Resort opened for 2025-2026 on 13 December
Lotte Arai Resort opened on 13 December 2025 and planned a long season until about 10 May 2026. The Myoko resort gets heavy snow and has wide ungroomed powder zones.
Lotte Arai Resort early-bird passes went on sale
Lotte Arai Resort opened sales for 2025-2026 early-bird season passes and lift tickets in June 2025, at lower prices than during the winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Arai Mountain Resort (Lotte Arai Resort)
High-snowfall resort with controlled freeride zones, luxury hotel, and excellent lift-served powder on storm cycles.
Tokyo → Hokuriku Shinkansen to Joetsu-Myoko → shuttle/taxi to the resort.
January–February for deep powder; March offers more stable weather with great groomers.
English lessons and guiding are available; reserve early in peak weeks.
On-site luxury lodging, rentals, restaurants, spa, and lockers—full-service destination.
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TakFounder · Japow GuidesI'm a Tokyo-based snowboarder and father of two, with over 20 years on Japan's slopes. Resorts I have personally visited are marked “Visited” and include my first-hand notes. The other resorts are summarized from public ski-area data and local reviews. I add my own notes over time.