Explore the Heart of Japan: Madarao, Iiyama
About Madarao-Kogen, Tangram and Iiyama City
Iiyama City, Madarao-kogen, Tangram and the surrounding areas area are located deep within the heart of the Japan Alps at the northernmost part of Nagano Prefecture, making it an excellent retreat during any of the four seasons. Here you can experience "ancient" Japan by visiting the many remaining temples or just by viewing its traditional landscapes that are spread across the region. Iiyama City is a former castle town within the Okushinano region of Nagano with many old Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples still standing side by side. The Chikuma River (the longest river in Japan) runs through the centre of the area and becomes known as the Shinano River when it passes into Niigata Prefecture. A virgin beech forest covers 400ha of Mt. Nabekura, providing great opportunities for hiking and sightseeing. The area prides itself on 'green tourism' and is known as 'Japan's hometown'
Tangram Ski Circus Live Web Cam Courtesy of Tangram Resort |
Madarao-Kogen Live Web Cam Courtesy of Myoko City |
 |
| For more local Niigata and Nagano webcams click here! | ||
|---|---|---|
| Iiyama Weather | ||
Learn Japanese on your iPod or add a phrasebook
Skiing and Snowboarding
There are a number of high quality ski resorts in the region. These include Madarao Sympathique, Madarao Kogen, Tangram Ski Circus, Togari Onsen, Shinanodaira, Iiyama Kokusai and Hokuryuko. Please refer to our ski and snowboard page for further information. You can check out current conditions at Tangram Ski Circus and Madarao Kogen via our live web cams (above). Numerous bargain packages (lift tickets, discount coupons and ski packages can be found - particularly mid-week or in low season. As an example, for the 2007/2008 season Tangram was promoting a lift ticket, crepe, drink and onsen for only 2,600 yen. Check at one of the local tourist offices for packages and coupons before heading up the mountain.
While skiing don't forget to visit the ski-jump toilet in Madarao-Kogen! The attention-grabbing toilets, which include a pair of skis printed on the floor, are designed to provide target customers an extra thrill as they take care of personal ablutions.
Ski jump toilet at Madarao Kogen Ski Resort [Image courtesy of Re-Ski]
Georgia Max Coffee chose to redesign the toilets of a number of key ski resorts in Japan. The cubicles were fully wrapped on all sides, so that the person caught short would have a ski jumper’s view when they were sitting on the loo. The person could look down at their skis (simply printed on the floor of the cubicle) and see the steep ski jump slope ahead of them. The toilet paper holder carried the only brand messaging in the cubicle, reading: “Seriously kick-ass intensely sweet for the real coffee super zinging unstoppable Max! Taste-explosion!”
Onsen:
Many of the good hotels in the area have onsen (hot springs) plus there are several fine public onsen. These include Yutaki Onsen on Route 117, Hokuryu Onsen in Iiyama City (with fabulous views from the outdoor hot spring (rotemburo) of the five peaks of the Hokushin region and the Sekita mountain range), Togari Onsen with two well known rotenburo (outside pools) and Madarao Kogen Onsen where one can enjoy a relaxing mountain onsen located more than 1000 metres above sea level. Toyoda-mura Onsen Koen Momiji-so (phone 0269-38-3030) situated between Kijimadaira and Madarao is open 10:00 - 20:00 (closed 
Wednesdays). Adults are ¥500 and children ¥350. Local town onsen are also available and quite inexpensive but usually consist of only one smallish bath. Look for the this symbol (right) on maps and signs when seeking onsen.
Check our onsen page for further details
Nagano Farm Experience
A new way to experience traditional Japanese life and stay in a stylish farmhouse lodge in Iiyama. This farm experience will bring you into contact with many locals who live a traditional lifestyle that is no longer seen in many other parts of Japan.
Shopping
Local Products: There are a number of unique products available. Iiyama's Buddhist altars are famous for their craftsmanship and for the amount produced in one city plus the art of making Japanese washi (paper), Uchiyama tesuki washi, has a local history of over 400 years.
Tomikura Soba (Tomikura Buckwheat Noodles): The secret to the local Tomikura soba is usage of wild burdock leaves, giving it a unique firmness plus a rich, dark flavor and color. Adventurous visitors MIGHT be able to find the soba restaurants which are unmarked with no signs or advertisements - local establishments are usually well-known among soba fanatics. But you'll likely need to make a reservation because the noodles are handmade each day and they boil them as they are ordered. Check out the menu and information at Minamoto - a local soba restaurant.
Local Produce: For just a fraction of the price you would pay in Tokyo or Osaka, the local area has numerous roadside stalls and farmers' markets where you can buy great local produce. The tomatoes and peaches are renowned and the region grows blueberries, apples, pears, corn, edamame (green soybeans) and dozens of other fruits and vegetables. You will also discover all sorts of local specialities such as Scotch thistle preserve, walnut jam and aloe vera honey.
Click here for more shopping options.
Local Events & Festivals Calendar:
Mid- February: Iiyama Snow Festival (2009 date was 14th/15th of February)
Mid April: Cherry Blossom Festival in Iiyama and Nakano
Early July: Iiyama Gion Festival
*August 5th: Iiyama Dontokoi
*August 14th: Iiyama Fireworks Festival
*August 16th: Madarao Kogen Fireworks - 8.00pm
*Approximate dates and times only. Please double-check with the local tourist centre.
Newport Jazz Festival in Madarao - A three day festival held every summer since 1982 on the beautiful Madarao plateau. Includes workshops and jam sessions as well as performances by well known local and international performers. Notable artists who have performed at the festival include: Dizzy Gillespie quartet, Spyro Gyra, Masahiko Sato, Stuff, Tania Maria, Toshiyuki Honda, Terumasa Hino, B. B. King, Gary Burton, Dave Brubeck, Woody Herman, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Ritenour, Wayne Shorter, Jackie McLean, Celia Cruz, Sérgio Mendes, Jonathan Butler, Gil Evans, Charmaine Neville, Larry Goldings, Regina Carter, Monday Michiru, Michael Brecker, Dianne Reeves, Ray Barretto, Angélique Kidjo, PE'Z, and many more.
During Golden Week (the beginning of May), the Na-no-hana (Canola Blossom) festival is held in Iiyama. The Na-no-hana park overlooks the river and the plain and is a great spot for some random flower viewing and a picnic!
The Lake Nojiri Triathlon is an increasingly popular event for both contestants and spectators. It held every year around the middle of July. The 2009 race will be on 5th July and Lake Nojiri Triathlon entry forms can be found here (in Japanese). Competitors came from all over Japan as well as overseas.
Obuse Marathon - Run in the historic town of Obuse in July. Entry details can be found here. Entry includes free transport between Nagano and Obuse on special extra trains, free shuttle bus service between the start and finish areas, t-shirt, water, sports drink, as well as fruit and drinks after the race.
Attractions & Things to Do in MAdarao, Iiyama and Tangram
Golf: There are several excellent golf courses in the area including Madarao Tokyu Golf Club and Madarao Kogen Country Club. Click here for more golf course information
Hiking: From Hokuryuko ski area there are several hiking trails that link up to eventually lead to the Inner Shrine of the Kosuge Shrine. It’s a fairly steep slog up hill for forty minutes but the shrine is very pretty and the views back to the plain are great. There is also a freshwater spring next to the shrine to fill your water bottle up at! Lake Hokuryuko is also often used for kayaking.
The Madarao Plateau trekking route, which was selected as one of the "Best 100 walking routes" by the Yomiuri Newspaper, extends for around fifty kilometres in total at an altitude of around 1,000 metres. Other various courses are available to suit all needs, such as the Madarao nature trek as well as wetland and beech forest courses.
Cherry Blossom Viewing: The ruins of Iiyama Castle built by the orders of feudal lord Uesugi Kenshin is one of the very best sakura locations in the region during the Iiyama Joshi Sakura Festival. About 400 someiyoshino blossoms cover the entire mountain in pink, and the cherry blossoms the narcissus blooming during the same season are equally gorgeous. From the castle ruins you can have a grand view of the Chikuma River flowing down along with with the mountainscape of Shiga-Kogen with snow left on its peak.
Fishing: Lake Nozomi is only 5-10 minutes by car from Madarao. It is regarded as a 'hidden spot' of bass fishing - but getting more and more popular with each season. Other activities are also available.
Madarao Nature School: Throughout the year one can experience a number of nature-realted activities, such as cascade climbing, rock climbing, furniture crafting with driftwood, silver craft, and braid making. Find one that fits your purpose.
Madarao Sports Passport: From 1st July until 30th September visitors can experience any of 20 different activities for only 4,500 yen. These include water skiing, rafting, paragliding, horse back riding, etc., as well as water and highland sports at Lake Nojiri, Lake Kibo and the Chikuma River. See the official Madarao site for more details and map.
Japan Monkey Onsen Park - Click here
See here for a Japanese Snow Monkeys One Day Tour (Roundtrip from Tokyo) |
Other nearby attractions
In nearby Shinanomachi lies the home of the revered Japanese poet, Issa.
Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City is also a popular tourist spot. Catch the Dentetsu line train to Gondo or Zenkoji stations and then walk about 10 minutes.
During late summer, areas of Kurohime Plateau (kurohime kogen) become covered in the new blooms of cosmos flowers - more than a million blooms in every colour of the rainbow. In early summer lavender grows all over an area on the south face of Mount Kurohime.
Need a place to stay? Check out these establishments below and more at our Madarao & Tangram accommodation guide plus sightseeing map |
|
 |
Madarao Elm Pension - A hospitable and comfortable hotel with a female owner. Twenty minutes by car from the Toyota-Iiyama interchange on the Joshin-Estsu Expressway Map to Madarao Elm Pension |
 |
Mountain Inn Maroudo - Beautiful sunrise and cloud views can be had from your room window in the early morning. The hosts will collect guests from the JR Iiyama Station. Map to Mountain Inn Maroudo |
 |
Pension Four Seasons - You can enjoy the nearby ski slopes in winter or the cool of the summer highlands. Rooms or log cabin available. Alight at JR Iiyama Station and take a bus to Madarao-kogen. Map to Pension Four Season, Madarao |
 |
Pension Pure has nice meals and great views. Thirty minutes by bus from JR Iiyama Station. Map to Pension Pure, Iiyama |
 |
The Madarao Kogen Hotel The Madarao Kogen Hotel, situated at the bottom of the Madarao Kogen Ski Lifts, has a beautiful view of the Madarao Plateau and mountains. |
 |
Diamond Hotel, Madarao Kogen The Diamond Hotel is within walking distance of the Madarao Sympathique Ski Resort and also close top the Madarao Kogen Ski Area. The Japanese style guest rooms command splendid views and the 24-hour open-air bath (rotemburo) is also very popular. |
Brief Directions on Getting to IIyama:
Madarao, Iiyama and Tangram are located north-west of Tokyo and 30-60 minutes from Nagano, home of the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Iiyama: Take a shinkansen from Tokyo/Ueno or highway bus from Ikebukero (Tokyo) to Nagano then a JR train to Iiyama
Madarao: In winter there is a highway bus from Nagano station two times a day and takes about 70 minutes. Alternatively take a bus to Madarao from Iiyama station (approximately thirty minutes)
Direct bus to Madarao from Narita Airport: Japan Ski Bus now runs a direct shuttle from Tokyo Narita Airport to Madarao ski areas, as well as Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen. One way is 8,500 yen and return 15,000 yen. See the Japan Ski Bus site for more details and online bookings.
Tangram Ski Circus: Take the shuttle bus from Nagano or Kurohime stations
Check here for more explicit instructions on getting to Nagano via bus, train, car and taxi service. Alternatively try the official Iiyama City access page
Want to look up a local area within Madarao? Click here for the maps page or check out our interactive map guide.
Galleries - Click Here
Descriptor: Maps, directions and locations for Iiyama. Getting to Madarao-kogen and Tangram Ski Circus by trains, buses, taxi, road, car and rail. Ski Madarao and find Madarao and Iiyama Hotels
