Leg 1
1 night
Nagano arrival night
Arrive into Japan and transfer to Nagano for the first overnight stop before moving into the Myoko snow bases.
Japan Snow Trip · January–February 2027
Powder Route
One trip. Two riders. Every run, transfer, bed, and yen — mapped out and ready to shred.
Outbound
Direct Melbourne → Narita flight
Return
Direct Narita → Melbourne return flight
Nights
24 nights
Snow bases
Myoko · Akakura · Shiga · Nozawa
Public view is ON. Private details are hidden.
Trip Overview
Built as a practical trip companion, with the key details surfaced first — where you are staying, how you are getting there, what still needs paying, and the main things to watch along the way.
Next major sequence
Arrival → Nagano overnight → Myoko first tracks
Flight
Direct Melbourne → Narita flight
Arrival route
NRT → Ueno → Nagano · Keisei Skyliner + Hokuriku Shinkansen
First night
Hotel Livemax Premium Nagano Ekimae · short walk from station
First snow day
06:23 Nagano → Myoko-Kogen · 07:07 arr · Red Fox transfer · lifts 08:30
Key Tips
The stuff that actually matters on the mountain — no scrolling, no fluff, just the notes you need when you need them.
Cash
Withdraw early
Suginosawa has a limited Post Office ATM, open weekdays only. Withdraw at Narita or Nagano and carry ¥1,000 notes.
Snowboard bags
Book rear seats
For Shinkansen/long-distance buses, book last-row seats where possible so board bags can sit behind the seats.
Transfers
Confirm lodge shuttles
Confirm Red Fox transfer for Myoko-Kogen 07:07 arrival and Hotel Japan Shiga connection to the main terminal.
Connectivity
SIM/eSIM on arrival
Airalo and Ubigi have been reliable. Activate before leaving Narita for maps, shuttle bookings and translation.
Flights
Direct Melbourne ↔ Narita flights anchor the trip. Exact flight numbers and times are only shown in private view.
OutboundDirect
Direct Melbourne → Narita flight
Route
Melbourne → Narita
Travel type
Direct international flight
Routing
Direct · ~10h
ReturnDirect
Direct Narita → Melbourne return flight
Route
Narita → Melbourne
Travel type
Direct international return flight
Last snow day
Final full riding day before departure
Trip legs
One tight itinerary, built to share — with resort days around Akakura left flexible so you can chase the best conditions.
Leg 2
6 nights
Myoko Suginohara base
Primary early-trip base for Suginohara laps, first tracks and a flexible Ikenotaira day depending on snow and energy.
Leg 3
5 nights
Akakura / Myoko base
Flexible Myoko block for Akakura, Lotte Arai and Madarao/Tangram, with days swapped around the best conditions.
Leg 4
4 nights
Shiga Kogen base
Four-night Shiga Kogen block for the largest linked ski area on the trip, using Ichinose as the practical base.
Leg 5
8 nights
Nozawa Onsen base
Village-based final snow block with multiple full riding days, public onsen and a slower finish before departure.
Leg 6
Departure
Tokyo / Narita departure night
Final transfer back toward Narita for the direct return flight to Melbourne.
Transfer planner
The transfers most likely to catch you out — flagged upfront so nothing needs booking twice.
| Route | Method | Timing | Cost / action |
|---|---|---|---|
| NRT → NaganoArrival night | Keisei Skyliner + Hokuriku Shinkansen | Approx. 2.5 hrs after airport clearance | ~¥11,020 pp · Skyliner not JR Pass |
| Nagano → Myoko-KogenFirst snow day | Kita-Shinano Line | 06:23 dep · 07:07 arr | ¥850 pp · confirm Red Fox transfer |
| Suginohara ↔ IkenotairaFlexible day trip | Myoko Shuttle | 08:33 dep · 08:45 arr · last return 16:15 | ¥1,000 pp one-way · book ahead |
| Akakura → Shiga KogenMove day | Nagano Snow Shuttle | Dep/time options need final confirmation | Book with Nagano Snow Shuttle |
| Shiga → NozawaMove day | Hotel/lodge shuttle + Nagano Snow Shuttle | Allow 30 min from Hotel Japan Shiga to main terminal | Confirm hotel connection closer to date |
| Nozawa → NaritaReturn day | Nozawa Liner + Shinkansen + Skyliner | Depart ~15:00 · arrive NRT ~18:30 | ~¥12,060 pp · tight but workable buffer |
Route map
Live resort map showing the snow bases, transfer hubs and inter-resort legs in relation to each other. The inset shows the Narita/Tokyo/Nagano arrival corridor.
Click any numbered marker for details · inset shows NRT → Nagano connection
Resort
Airport
Transfer Hub
Hotel overnight
Journey route
Inter-resort transfer
Field notes
Operational notes that previously sat in different areas are grouped here for quick access.
Cash and ATMs
Suginohara has Post Office ATM access only; Shiga Kogen is also limited. Withdraw enough cash at Narita or Nagano before entering resort villages.
Myoko Shuttle
Suginosawa Fire Station to Ikenotaira: first bus 08:33, arrives 08:45. Last return 16:15. ¥1,000 one-way pp. Book ahead.
Nozawa onsen baths
Thirteen public soto-yu baths. Bring a small towel. No swimwear in traditional baths; some baths may have tattoo restrictions.
Luggage forwarding
Yamato/Takkyubin may need two days and snow delays can occur. Avoid relying on next-day delivery for board bags between resort bases.