NAGANO JAPAN

Madarao, Kijimadaira & Ryuoo

Madarao, Kijimadaira & Ryuoo

Madarao, Kijimadaira, and Ryuoo are three great and lesser known resorts found in the north of Nagano. Located in the valley between these resorts is JR Iiyama Station, serviced by the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line. By using the Shinkansen service, visitors can reach the area from Tokyo Station in only 2 hours, and from Nagano Station in only 10 minutes. From there, a number of local transport options are available to bring you to the resort of your choice for a day of fun in the snow. Skiing and snowboarding are of course on the menu, but other ways to enjoy the winter season including sledding or just playing in the fluffy powder snow round out the options available. With easy access by train, some of Japan’s best snow, and a variety of accommodation options, snowsport fans should consider skipping the other, more crowded resorts and instead opt for a trip to Madarao, Kijimadaira, or Ryuoo.

THE KIJIMA SNOW PARK

The Kijima Snow Park : The Next Secret Find of Nagano

MADARAO MOUNTAIN RESORT

Known for its powder bowls, tree zones and open approach to backcountry, Madarao is a small resort but one that wins lots of fans.

STAY IN MADARAO

Find your hotel or guesthouse in Madarao or neaby Iiyama.

JOIN A SNOW MONKEY TOUR

Operating from Nozawa Onsen and nearby Iiyama Station, it's easy to join our winter tour to the Snow Monkey Park.

IIYAMA STATION

For visitors heading to Madarao by train, nearby Iiyama Station is a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Nagano.

25 THINGS TO DO AROUND MADARAO & WHERE TO STAY

Most famous for the action in winter, Madarao is now emerging as an all-year-round destination with plenty to do in green season.

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Madarao Mountain Resort

Lying across the valley from the more famous Nozawa Onsen Snow Resor...

25 Things to Do Around Madarao & Where to Stay

Located one hour to the north of Nagano City, Madarao is a small res...

Best Places to Stay in Madarao

Located around 60 minutes to the north of Nagano City, Madarao Mount...

TOURS

1-Day Tour: Traditional Igloo “Kamakura” Festival & Snow Fun Activities

Kamakura are traditional igloo-like houses that are built in the sno...

[START FROM NOZAWA/MADARAO] Private Snow Monkey Tour

Located around 70 minutes from JR Nagano Station and 50 to 60 minute...

ACCESS

How To Get To Madarao – Nagano Ski Resorts Info

The resort of Madarao lies to the northeast of Nagano City, approxim...

Snow Monkey Resorts Fleet of Charter Vehicles

Snow Monkey Resorts operates a fleet of vehicles that can be pr...

Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tokyo–Nagano–Toyama–Kanazawa–Tsuruga)

Known by many international visitors simply as the ‘Bullet Train’, J...

From Madarao: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

Located 40KM to the north of Nagano City, Madarao Mountain Resort is...

Hokuriku Shinkansen Timetable

The Hokuriku Shinkansen Line runs from Tokyo Station to Tsuruga Stat...

Iiyama Station

Openned in 2015, Iiyama Station is a relatively new addition to the ...

ACTIVITIES

Ryuoo Ski Park

Located around an hour from Nagano Station, the Ryuoo Ski Park is lo...

The Kijima Snow Park

The Kijima Snow Park is a local ski resort that had recently re-open...

Enjoy the Fruit of Nagano

The elevation of Nagano and resulting temperature difference between...

Ryuoo Sora Terrace & Skyland Express Ropeway

Servicing Ryuoo Ski Park in winter – the largest ski resort in...

Fruit-picking Nearby JR Iiyama Station

Nagano is synonymous with apples and one of great pleasures for visi...

HOTELS

T Hotel Ryuoo

Luxury Ski-In Ski-Out Resort...

Madarao Area

Lying across the valley from the more famous Nozawa Onsen, Madarao M...

Iiyama Station Area

A convenient stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo...

Kita-Shiga Kogen Area

Located between 25 to 30-minutes drive from Yudanaka Station, Kita-S...

EVENTS

Iiyama Kamakura Village

Kamakura are traditional igloo-like houses that are built in the sno...

Iiyama Nanohana Flower Festival

Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the surrounding countryside and ...

Mizubasho Festival At MT Ryuoo

Take a ride on one of the world’s biggest gondolas to the top ...

SNOW MONKEY RESORTS
AREA MAP

Established in 1964, the Jigokudani Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to naturally bathe in hot springs. Open all-year-round, the park is one of Nagano's most popular destinations
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- HOTARUTEI
- ENZA CAFE
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- Kanbayashi Onsen 'Sendayaki' (Fire Festival)
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- ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY & ENJOY THE BEST OF JAPAN THIS AUTUMN! BEST DAY TOURS FROM TOKYO DURING THE RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019!
Only 45 minutes from Nagano City and within easy reach of the Jigokudani Monkey Park and Shiga Kogen, Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen are blessed by numerous natural hot spring sources which feed their many guesthouses and public bathhouses
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- 20 Things to Do Around Yudanaka / Shibu Onsen & Where to Stay
- How to Get to Yudanaka & Shibu Onsen
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- Shibu Onsen Summer Festival
- Yamanouchi's Firework Festival
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- ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY & ENJOY THE BEST OF JAPAN THIS AUTUMN! BEST DAY TOURS FROM TOKYO DURING THE RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019!
Shiga Kogen is the largest and highest ski resort in Japan, boasting Nagano's longest season and most reliable snow; and located within the expansive Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Shiga offers just as much to do from spring to autumn as it does in winter
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- #TRAVELTOMORROW: Introducing Hotel Sunny Shiga – Perfectly Positioned when Exploring Japan’s Largest Ski Resort
Home to the Obuse Hokusai Museum and Gansho-in Temple along with lots of good restaurants, craft shops and a couple of ‘sake’ breweries, the small but historic town of Obuse is an easy day-trip from Nagano City
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- 15 Things to Do Around Obuse & Where to Stay
- How To Get To Obuse
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- Obuse Area
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Home to one of Japan's oldest and most important temples, Nagano City is your launching point from where to explore the region using train and bus services, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen, from Nagano Station
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One of Nagano's most popular ski resorts, Nozawa Onsen is boasts great powder, terrain and a lively village - which guarantees as much off the mountain as on it – while retaining much of its character as a traditional hot spring town
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- Enjoy the Fruit of Nagano
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- Nozawa Onsen 'Dosojin' (Fire Festival)
Home to the most popular and international ski resorts in Nagano, Hakuba Valley attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the world while offering the best accommodation and dining of any ski area in the region
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The fabled 'Snow Walls' of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route are at their best from April to May before the melting snow opens-up some of Japan’s best alpine hiking from July to November. Accessible from both Nagano and Toyama, this is one of Japan’s best travel experiences
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- The Northern Alps Art Festival
- Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival
Matsumoto Castle is a registered National Treasure and without question, the cultural heart of this engaging city; a beacon that calls you to explore the city and onto the beauty of the North Alps including Norikura and the alpine valley of Kamikochi
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- ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY & ENJOY THE BEST OF JAPAN THIS AUTUMN! BEST DAY TOURS FROM TOKYO DURING THE RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019!
Karuizawa is one of Japan's most popular resort towns, offering a little taste of Tokyo in the mountains including some of Nagano’s best accommodation, fine dining and shopping, and all within easy reach of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park
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- Ueda Sanada Festival
Located in the picturesque surrounds of Kiso Valley, the Nakasendo Trail follows the Edo Period (1603-1868) route once linking Kyoto and Tokyo. To this day, travelers can walk sections of the route including through the beautiful postal towns of Narai, Magome and Tsumago - a rare glimpse of traditional Japan in the 21st century
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- Kiso-Fukushima & Narai Area
- Magome, Tsumago & Nakatsugawa Area
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- Narai-juku Ice Candle Festival
- Kaida Kogen Kamakura Snow Festival
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- THE INAKA -TENRYUKYO・IIDA CITY-
Known as the 'Sannomachi', Takayama's old town is famous for its preservation of Edo period streetscapes while also attracting foodies for its renowned ‘Hida beef’ and ‘Takayama ramen’ - all within easy reach of the World Heritage villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
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- Takayama Festival
Only 20 minutes from Iiyama Station, Madarao Mountain Resort is known for its deep powder bowls, tree zones and fantastic backcountry along with mountain-biking and water activities from spring to autumn
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- 1-Day Tour: Traditional Igloo "Kamakura" Festival & Snow Fun Activities
- [START FROM NOZAWA/MADARAO] Private Snow Monkey Tour
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Myoko Kogen consists of five main ski resorts jointly known for one thing – amazing powder, lots of it. Boasting some of Asia’s deepest powder and fantastic backcountry, the resorts of Myoko are waiting to be discovered
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Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most historic and rewarding destinations. A city of wealth and artistic achievement during the Edo Period, Kanazawa retains many historic attractions and districts along with some of Japan’s best gardens, museums, galleries, dining and shopping
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As the largest city in Central Japan, Nagoya is known for its modern industries, lively entertainment, great restaurants and plenty of shopping while putting visitors in reach of some fantastic regional destinations
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- Autumn Leaves of Korankei
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- 15 Things To Do in Ise
- 6 Must-Try Dishes in Nagoya
Lying around 2.5 hours to the west of Tokyo, Mount Fuji is a grand and awe-inspiring sight and without question, Japan’s most recognizable destination. Quite simply, it’s a must-see for anyone visiting this wonderful country
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Accessible via Echigo-Yuzawa Station, the area around Yuzawa includes the resorts of Gala Yuzawa, Naeba and Kagura; while in summer, Yuzawa plays host to Japan's largest music festival and provides acccess to the country's largest arts festival
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- Fuji Rock Festival
Tokyo is the economic, political and cultural centre of 21st century Japan. Impossible to define and inconceivable in size, the only way to really understand Tokyo is to dive in and experience it for yourself
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As of the seats of imperial power for more than one thousand years, Kyoto and Nara are the most historic cities in Japan while nearby Osaka is big, bold, brash and tremendous fun
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The most northern Japan’s four main islands, Hokkaido is a destination unto itself – a place where you’ll find wildlife and open spaces including pristine landscapes and vast national parks, and of course some of the world’s best powder skiing and snowboarding.
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Famous for its beautiful landscapes including rugged coastline, historic 'onsen' villages, festivals, food and a couple of good ski resorts, Tohoku can be explored starting with the World Heritage shrine complex of Nikko
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- 1 Day Tour : Explore Nikko’s World Heritage and National Park
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From the global significance of Hiroshima to Himeji and its celebrated castle, Chugoku is a region known for its blend of cities and histories and as the launching point from where to discover the Seto Inland Sea along with Shikoku and its 88 temple pilgrimage
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Lying in the south of Japan, Kyushu is a blend of cultural and natural attractions with the islands of Okinawa located even further to the south surrounded by the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.
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