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Nestled in Myoko, one of the snowiest regions in the world (and one of Japan’s oldest ski districts), Lotte Arai Resort is set against more than 500 acres of skiable terrain. Closer to a mini-town than a traditional chalet, discover why this resort continues to be a favourite.
Elegant and modern rooms
Lotte Hotels & Resorts breathed new life into the old Arai Resort a decade after its closure in 2006, bringing elegant modern furnishings and a guest-centric ethos. Framed by breathtaking views of lush forests or the snowy peaks of Mount Okenashi (season dependent), the resort is built to accommodate every kind of traveller; family rooms feature playful cartoon-themed walls and ceilings, while the Presidential Suite boasts spacious bedrooms, a dining room, kitchen, exposed dark-wood beams and private jacuzzi.
Guaranteed consistent snowfall and vast off-piste terrain
Named Japan’s Best Ski Resort for Powder by Ski Asia Awards for five consecutive years, Lotte Arai Resort is a snow-lovers’ utopia. The resort receives an annual 18-metre snowfall of pristine dry powder thanks to the ideal combination of ocean moisture and cold Siberian air, and features the country’s largest in-bounds freeride terrain. Guests can enjoy ski-in ski-out facilities, one gondola, four chairlifts, and an onsite rental shop and ski school.
Endless dining options
Need a quick bite between long descents through deep snow? The aptly named Gondola Restaurant Village food court, located next to the gondola station base, is the place to be. If heading down into the Village is too far to go, advanced skiers and snowboarders will find Sky Restaurant ZEN on majestic Mount Okenashi, offering curry, ramen and fried chicken.
The main grounds feature five primary dining venues: buffet restaurant The PLATE, Sushi Yoshi, Vietnamese eatery Ha Noi, Japanese restaurant Asahi and BECO steakhouse. Then there are lounges, pubs, takeout tents, cafes and bakeries, plus a karaoke bar and the moody Bar Rumi, a standout space where expertly crafted cocktails are served alongside panoramic views of the slopes.
An incredible après-ski scene
Après-ski activities naturally include warm saké and roaring fires, but, at Lotte Arai Resort, it also involves snow rafting in rubber boats, all-terrain snow drive tours and snowmobile adventures. Guests can take in the mountain from up high with a 1,500-metre zip line experience or (for the ultra-brave) via a motorised paraglide. Inside, the resort offers endless options, including an indoor pool, an adventure playground with bouldering walls and trampolines and craft classes on the art of bamboo lantern making and Kumiko woodworking.
Onsen experiences that are truly next-level
Those with weary ski legs can trade a day on the slopes to steam the chill away at the resort’s palatial Hoshizora Onsen, featuring several indoor baths, saunas and two outdoor soaking areas surrounded by snow. Tired shins can be treated at Spa Manna, the onsite wellness facility boasting its own sauna, indoor pool and outdoor bath. Guests can experience a newly introduced fragrance ritual that combines the calming scents of Myoko with nourishing jojoba oil, as well as hot stone massages using heated Amaterasu stones and nano-collagen technology facials.
Tokyo is only two hours away
The journey to Lotte Arai Resort is almost as existing as the resort itself. There’s no long, winding bus journey; Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet train will whisk you into Myoko from Tokyo in around two hours. Grab an ekiben – a Japanese bento box meal available at all stations – and a window seat to watch the scenery transform from an urban oasis to a winter wonderland. From the local train station, the resort’s free shuttle bus will take you the last 20 minutes.
The writer was a guest of Lotte Arai Resort.
