Myoko highland [妙高高原]
Mount Myoko
Photo by Niigata Prefectural Tourist Association
Mount Hiuchi
Photo by Niigata Prefectural Tourist Association
Myoko highland is a highland spreading at the eastern foot of Mount Myoko.
Both "o"s in the word is pronounced long and "highland" is translated as "kôgen" in Japanese, so it is read as "Myôkoô-kôgen".
To the south, there is the border with Nagano Prefecture, and Lake Nojiri is close to this highland.
Mount Myoko (妙高山) is an active volcano which has a height of 2,454 meters.
The last eruption was about 3,000 years ago, and it is tranquil now.
There are several hot springs around the mountain.
And there is Mount Hiuchi (火打山, 2,462 m) about 5 km northwest of Mount Myoko.
It is not a volcano.
We can see both mountains from the highland.
The highland spreads at a level of 800 to 1,400 meters.
Some hot spring resorts and ski resorts are dotted on this highland.
Here is in Niigata Prefecture, but it is also convenient to visit here from Nagano side.
The nearest railway station is Myoko-Kogen station of Echigo Tokimeki Railway and Shinano Railway.
A street in Akakura Onsen
Ikenotaira-onsen Ski Resort
Photo by Niigata Prefectural Tourist Association
Akakura Onsen (赤倉温泉)
Akakura Onsen is the central hot spring resort town in Myoko highland.
It is about 5 km northwest of Myoko-Kogen station.
The hot spring resort was developed in 1816.
Many ryokans, hotels, inns and minshukus are in this town.
Akakura-onsen Ski Resort near the onsen town is one of oldest ski resorts in Japan, and was known since the early 20th century.
Ikenotaira Onsen (池の平温泉)
Ikenotaira Onsen is another main hot spring resort.
It is located about 3 km south of Akakura hot spring resort and about 4 km west of Myoko-Kogen station.
There is Visitor Center of Myoko-Kogen in the town.
There is also Ikenotaira-onsen Ski Resort near this onsen town.
Imori pond (いもり池)
Imori pond
Imori pond in summer
Imori pond ("Imori-ike" in Japanese) is a small lake located just south of Ikenotaira hot spring resort.
The circumference is only 500 meters, but it is a popular scenic spot reflecting the view of Mount Myoko.
Various wet plants grow around the pond, and Asian skunk cabbage in early May is popular in this wetland.
Naena Falls (苗名滝)
Naena Falls
Photo by Niigata Prefectural Tourist Association
Naena Falls
Photo by Niigata Prefectural Tourist Association
Naena Falls is a waterfall located about 5 km southwest of Ikenotaira hot spring resort.
Much water falls down from a height of 55 meters.
The scene in the season of melting snow is good.
How to get here
From Nagano to Myoko-kogen station, about 40 to 50 minutes by local train of Shinano Railway.
Or, from Joetsu-Myoko station, about 35 minutes by local train of Echigo Tokimeki Railway.
Joetsu-Myoko station is a station of Hokuriku Shinkansen and about 25 minutes from Nagano.
From Myoko-kogen station, by route bus, about 20 minutes to Akakura Onsen, about 15 minutes to Ikenotaira Onsen, about 23 minutes to Naena Falls.
