The Address Akakura

Epic Stay at The Address! What an absolute gem! The Address in Niigata was hands down one of the best stays I’ve had in Japan. The owner’s hospitality was next level—he even picked us up from the station! The rooms were spotless, the food was unreal (brekkie and dinner were spot on), and his own branded sake was a ripper. Perfect location too—just a short stroll to the ski lift. After a big day on the slopes, the onsen was pure heaven. If you’re heading to Niigata, do yourself a favour and stay here. Can’t wait to come back!

The Address has excellent spacious accommodation with great beds, huge internal bath and a small kitchenette. 100 metres or so to the lifts. John is a friendly and helpful host and offers transfer and pickup at the Myoko Kogen train station and to other nearby ski fields. I have stayed several times. Its hard to beat.

Our family and friends have stayed with John in Myoko Kogen for two years in a row, and his hospitality is truly exceptional. In 2024, we had the pleasure of staying at The Address, which I believe is currently the best accommodation in the area. It’s just a 5-minute walk to the ski lifts, right in the heart of the village, and next door to Myoko Snow Sports for gear rental. The rooms are spacious, and the kitchenette is a great touch. Plus, there's a drying room and an Onsen, perfect for relaxing after a day in the cold. This year, we left our booking a little late, but John graciously offered us a room at his new hotel, Matsuya. The rooms are hotel-style (no kitchenette), but include tea and coffee making facilities, a mini fridge, and plenty of shelving. The room was warm and air-conditioned, the beds were comfortable and the bathroom was spacious. While Matsuya is about an 8-minute walk to the main ski lifts, it’s conveniently located just across the road from the Komado ski lift and the night skiing area, which I personally preferred as it’s less crowded and easy to purchase a lift pass. John is still working on renovations at Matsuya, and we’re excited to see the finished result. What keeps us coming back year after year is John’s outstanding service. He truly goes above and beyond for his guests. Not only does he offer transfers to and from Myoko Kogen station, but he’ll even give you a lift if he spots you walking in the snow. He was kind enough to take my husband to different ski areas, which we really appreciated considering how busy he must be. Even though Matsuya is still under renovation, we were able to enjoy the facilities at The Address, like the Onsen and drying room. John also generously provided us with breakfast and coffee, which was fantastic. We enjoyed an amazing shabu shabu (hot pot) dinner at the cafe, which was hands down the best I’ve ever had. The wagyu beef and vegetables were fresh and of top quality. John also hosted a sake tasting at Matsuya, and his sake was excellent. We were sad to leave, as John truly makes you feel like part of the family. We highly recommend staying at either The Address or Matsuya when visiting Akakura.