NECK 14 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Can anyone fill me in as to what exactly happened to Arai Ski Resort and spa? As far as I understand, it was built around 10 years ago by Sony, operated for a few seasons before going bankrupt. Now it is just another abandoned ski resort rotting away on the landscape..... Does this sound about right? Did anyone ride there when it was operating? Has anyone been there since it closed? Any information would be much appreciated. Neck. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 It was called Arai Mountain & Spa. It was an expensive place, up market. But nowhere near enough people went. It lost tons of money. It went bankrupt and yes now it just sits there doing nothing. Link to post Share on other sites
NECK 14 Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 It was called Arai Mountain & Spa. It was an expensive place, up market. But nowhere near enough people went. It lost tons of money. It went bankrupt and yes now it just sits there doing nothing. Thanks for the confirmation muikabochi. So do you know when exactly it closed? At least 5 years ago, right? Did you ever ride there when it was operating in all it's up-market glory? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Opened in 1993. Closed in 2006. I can't quite remember what the skiing was like really other than that heated plaza thing and everything looking rather expensive! Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Great snow and lots of it. It was just too far out of Myoko, and probably too expensive for it's own good, so it just couldn't go on. Link to post Share on other sites
NECK 14 Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 So how much was a lift ticket when you went? Closed for 7 years now...... Must look pretty crazy already! I guess it's still possible to just drive right up there to the main parking lot, right? Link to post Share on other sites
NECK 14 Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 Great snow and lots of it. It was just too far out of Myoko, and probably too expensive for it's own good, so it just couldn't go on. Yeah, looks like pretty much the closest resort to the Sea of Japan in the area. Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 You can drive up to there but I think the parking lots are cordened off. Nothing stopping you walking over there though I guess. Can't see them having security over there. I don't think lift tickets were particularly expensive, perhaps just a bit more than usual. But the hotels and everything else was. And they needed lots of people to stay in those hotels, but the people didn't stay. Link to post Share on other sites
NECK 14 Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 Cheers for the info tokabochi. So all the buildings and hotels associated with the resort are just sitting abandoned?...... Sounds like that area would be worth exploring for sure. Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Yep, think so. Link to post Share on other sites
Curt 1 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Presumably keeping those facilities there is still costing someone an awful lot of money...... Link to post Share on other sites
NECK 14 Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 Presumably keeping those facilities there is still costing someone an awful lot of money...... Well, I'm sure someone (probably Sony) still owns all of the buildings and lifts, but I doubt they are actually putting any money into upkeep or maintenance for them..... I assume they would have just cut their losses after the resort closed and left it to rot. Link to post Share on other sites
onehunga 26 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Arai is not listed here, so maybe it's not rotting much http://www.hotelclub.com/blog/japans-ghost-towns/ Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Last I heard they were doing minimum maintenance on the base facilities, but the lifts couldn't be used now. That info may be totally incorrect. It's one of those things where there's lots of stories and guesses, but not even the city talk about it. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I even heard that the city now owns it. Again, no idea if there's any truth in that. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 they are waiting for the new 5th generation domes that are currently being created by PIES Inc. Link to post Share on other sites
NECK 14 Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 I would guess that the lifts are now unusable. Just a few years without maintenance is enough to kill them. Curious as to what the city might have planned for it if they do indeed own it now......... Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Absolutely nothing. They just don't need to pay themselves tax. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Pies hard at work in his research lab http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afQeS8679W4 Link to post Share on other sites
NECK 14 Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 Arai is not listed here, so maybe it's not rotting much http://www.hotelclub...ns-ghost-towns/ I know that the Aokiko Sun Alpina resort has only been closed for about 5 years, but that place has already been partially reclaimed by nature. It's amazing how fast stuff grows here and how quickly concrete falls victim to the elements. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Nature tends to reclaim places real quick. Got to keep things maintained or they'll get unusable. If you do get to Arai, do report! Link to post Share on other sites
NECK 14 Posted May 24, 2013 Author Share Posted May 24, 2013 Looks like I will be checking it out with a buddy tomorrow. Will let you know how it is now Link to post Share on other sites
onehunga 26 Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Did Arai have a ropeway or gondola, looks like it from sat view. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Gondola. Do upload photos here NECK. Would be nice to have a right up to date look. Link to post Share on other sites
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