Resorts · ロッテアライリゾート · Checked Oct 2026 for 2026–27
Lotte Arai (Arai Mountain Resort): steep, deep and separate
The biggest vertical in the Myoko area and the most free-ride terrain, on its own mountain north of Myoko Kogen.
Lotte Arai Resort, now signed as Arai Mountain Resort, sits on Mt Okenashi in Myoko city, separate from the Myoko Kogen resorts around Akakura. It is a single large hotel-resort with 257 rooms, pools, spa, restaurants and a 1,501 m zipline, according to Myoko Tourism.
On the snow it is known for steep terrain and controlled off-piste. Myoko Tourism lists 15 courses plus 8 free-ride zones, and the resort's ski patrol decides daily which zones are open.
Personally I'd suggest Arai as a day trip or two from an Akakura base for strong skiers, and as the whole trip only if you want a big resort hotel with everything on site.
Best when
- Strong skiers and riders who want steep pitches and patrolled off-piste
- You want the big-vertical days: 951 m top to bottom
- Late-season trips: the resort runs into May
Skip when
- You want to walk to village restaurants and public onsen at night
- You are on a tight budget: First Class tickets cost far more than Economy
- First-timers who will spend the week on the gentlest slopes
Lotte Arai at a glance
- Season
- Lift tickets valid 19 Dec 2026 – 9 May 2027 (resort-sold early-bird)
- Vertical
- 951 m (329–1,280 m)
- Courses
- 15 + 8 free-ride zones
- Longest run
- 5,200 m
- Lifts
- 1 gondola, 2 quads, 2 pairs
- Steepest
- 46°
- Terrain
- 25% beginner · 45% intermediate · 30% advanced
Terrain and who it suits
Arai is the steepest resort in this guide: Myoko Tourism lists a 46° maximum. The free-ride zones are opened by patrol depending on snow and avalanche conditions, and the resort has strict rules about which areas you may ski, so check with patrol each morning.
Beginners are catered for near the base, with a hooded magic carpet, but the mountain's reputation is built on its advanced terrain.
Lifts
- Gondola — from the base to the upper mountain
- Two high-speed quads — main lifts on the upper and lower mountain
- Two pair lifts — plus magic carpets in the beginner area
Lift count from Myoko Tourism. The resort's own lift pages would not load for me in October 2026.
Lift tickets for 2026–27
2026–27 counter prices: I could not load the resort's own price page, so the figures below are as reported by Japan-Ski.com from the resort's page on 6 Oct 2026. Treat them as unconfirmed until you see them at the resort.
| Ticket | Adult | Others |
|---|---|---|
| Economy 1 day (12 Dec – 21 Mar) | ¥7,777 | Senior ¥7,300 · Child ¥5,555 |
| Economy 1 day (spring, 22 Mar – 9 May) | ¥5,500 | Senior ¥5,000 · Child ¥3,500 |
| Economy 3 days (high season) | ¥22,000 | Senior ¥20,500 · Child ¥14,500 |
| First Class 1 day (high season) | ¥12,777 | Senior ¥12,300 · Child ¥8,555 |
- For comparison, last season (2025–26) Myoko Tourism listed the adult Economy day ticket at ¥7,500.
- First Class adds priority boarding and earlier lift access.
- Early-bird day tickets for 2026–27 are on sale through ticket sites until 30 November 2026.
With kids
Myoko Tourism lists children's facilities, a kids' snow play area, snow tubing, trampolines and indoor climbing among the resort's activities, which helps on bad-weather days.
Child tickets cover ages 7–18 on Arai's pricing, which is a longer band than most Myoko resorts.
Getting there
Arai is not in Myoko Kogen; it is on a separate mountain in the north of Myoko city, so from an Akakura base plan on a car, taxi or transfer. Check the resort's own shuttle options when you book.
Where to stay
Where to stay near Lotte Arai
Most guests stay at the resort hotel itself; there is no ski village around it.
All Myoko restaurants, with diet filters
Rental
The resort runs its own rental counter at the base (Salomon Station).
Questions people actually ask
- Is Lotte Arai part of Myoko Kogen?
- It is in Myoko city but on a different mountain, Mt Okenashi, north of the Akakura and Ikenotaira resorts. It is a separate trip from those resorts.
- What is the difference between Economy and First Class tickets?
- Both cover all lifts. First Class adds priority boarding and earlier access, and costs several thousand yen more per day.
- Can you ski off-piste at Arai?
- Arai has eight free-ride zones inside the resort, opened by ski patrol depending on conditions. Check with patrol each morning; closed areas are closed.
Sources, checked Oct 2026
- Lotte Arai official site
- Myoko Tourism: Arai Mountain Resort
- Japan-Ski.com: Arai 2026–27 prices (checked 6 Oct 2026)
- WAmazing: Arai 2026–27 early-bird ticket
- Myoko Snowsports Arai: resort statistics
Prices and dates change. Check the resort before you travel.
Other resorts: Akakura · Suginohara · Seki Onsen · Ikenotaira · Compare all resorts