A novel luxury villa, Villa El Cielo Myoko, is slated to open in the city of Myoko, Niigata prefecture, Japan, in April, signaling a renewed interest in the area’s tourism potential.
Located approximately two hours northwest of Tokyo by shinkansen, Myoko was once a popular domestic ski destination. The opening of Villa El Cielo, backed by foreign capital, comes as Japan experiences a surge in overseas visitors, prompting a re-evaluation of lodging options in the region. The city of Myoko, with a population of 31,374 as of November 2020, covers an area of 445.63 square kilometers and is situated in an inland region bordering Nagano Prefecture.
Mount Myoko, a volcano and the namesake of the city, is a central feature of the area. The mountain, reaching 2,454 meters (8,051 feet), is part of the Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park. The region is known for receiving an average of 13-16 meters of snowfall each winter, making it a destination for skiing and snowboarding. Several ski resorts operate on the mountain’s slopes, including Myoko Akakura, the largest, and Myoko Suginohara, which boasts one of the country’s longest runs at 8.5 kilometers.
Beyond skiing, Myoko is also recognized for its onsen (hot springs), with numerous traditional ryokan and modern hotels offering access to natural hot spring sources. The area is surrounded by five mountains – Mount Madarao, Mount Myōkō, Mount Kurohime, Mount Togakushi and Mount Iizuna – collectively known as the Five Mountains of Northern Shinshu.
Myoko is a member of the World Health Organization’s Alliance for Healthy Cities, and the city hall is located at 5-1 Sakaemachi, Myoko-shi, Niigata-ken 944-8686.
