Kuma Lodge, Madarao: Keystone Property in One of Japan’s Best Ski Resorts
This winter saw the return of Japan’s legendary powder as Nagano enjoyed its best snowfall in more than a decade, and with that, the resort of Madarao was buried deep in its legendary ‘Madapow’. Blessed with some of Nagano’s best powder, Madarao’s natural bowl shape, tree zones and fantastic side and backcountry combine to make it ever-more popular with both Japanese and international visitors who come to enjoy some of Japan’s best skiing and snowboarding without the crowds of nearby Nozawa Onsen or the resorts of Hakuba Valley.
Anyone familiar with Australian ski resorts will immediately feel at home in Madarao Mountain Resort thanks to its welcoming lodges, restaurants and bars being spaced-out in the forested surrounds of the ski runs, rather than grouped together in a single village or dominated by large hotels. Low-key, friendly and all about the massive snow, Madarao attracts the right type – skiers and boarders who are all about finding fresh tracks in some of the Nagano’s best powder.
With Madarao’s growing profile, it’s no surprise that resort property is some of the hottest on the market with ski-in, ski-out access at a premium. Recently listed for sale, Kuma Lodge offers just that – a keystone property (red-roofed buidling in the image above) with direct access to the ski runs of Madarao. Operated as boutique accommodation since 2016, Kuma Lodge is 10-bedroom turnkey business with the potential to be refitted as a family home or alpine getaway only 2 hours from Tokyo.
‘All good things must come to an end’, says owner Scott Aggett when reflecting on listing his property for sale. Having recognised the huge potential of Madarao for growth, Scott fully-refurbished the property in 2017 and since that time grew a thriving business into the resort’s top-ranked accommodation on TripAdvisor. ‘The big learning curve for us was thinking we could renovate easily and cost effectively’ Scott also commented, ‘We’re trying to find someone who doesn’t want to make those mistakes. This is a genuine turnkey opportunity – we’ve done all the heavy lifting’.
The property is currently on the market for JPY110,000,000 (approx. AUD$1,172,000 / USD$780,000) and comes fully-furnished and equipped with a commercial grade kitchen, large dining area with fantastic views of the resort. Each of the lodge’s 10 bedrooms comes with a custom-made bed, heating and storage with multiple bathrooms and toilets throughout the building. The property size is 382 sqm, placed on a plot of land that is 1,065 sqm itself. The sales price includes an operating business with established customer database, new website, guest booking system and large social media following. As such, this is a rare turnkey investment in which all the hard work has been done for you, and you can realize your dream of owning a successful lodge in one of Japan’s best ski resorts.
‘We know that the next owners are going to love being the owners of one of the most memorable winter resort holiday locations across all of Japan’ remarked Scott. And that’s just it. Kuma Lodge doesn’t just represent a chance to take ownership of a successful and established business in one of Nagano’s most popular resorts – which of course, it is – but even more enticingly, it’s rare opportunity to claim your own keystone property with ski-in, ski-out access in a true powder paradise.
Madarao offers 31 courses including 13 tree runs and magic natural snow bowls. Around 60% of the runs are left ungroomed, teasing you to hit those early lifts and carve fresh tracks through Madarao’s addictive powder. Connected to the resort of Tangram Ski Circus via its upper runs and covered by an all-mountain pass, the two resorts combine to offer plenty of terrain and some of Nagano’s best backcountry. Whereas many Japanese resorts restrict and even ban backcountry, Madarao embraces it, encouraging you to get wild and go deep in its truly epic powder. As we say, it attrcts the right type of people.
Property around the resort is in demand with Kuma Lodge expected to garner significant interest as an established business or potential alpine home. Madarao is only 20 minutes from Iiyama Station – a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Kanazawa – putting it within easy reach of the capital and Nagano City. Considered Japan’s most desirable prefecture for relocation, the Nagano lifestyle is all about balance and access to the outdoor splendour of this wonderful region. Whether you’re looking to take over a proven business in one of Nagano’s best ski resorts or searching for that rare gem of a ski in/out property that can be transformed into your regular getaway or alpine home, Kuma Lodge appeals for all the right reasons.
