On Madarao powder days you’ll feel like you have the mountain to yourself!
Skiing in Japan - Powder Snow Heaven!
Japan is the snowiest place on Earth. It’s also culturally unique and one of the most fun places to visit on Earth. Naturally, Japan has a lot of ski resorts. Madarao is the perfect destination for your next ski trip in Japan, since it is away from the crowds but still in the heart of Nagano Prefecture.
Madarao kogen ski resort is a powder skiing heaven nestled amongst Nagano’s more well-known ski resorts. Madarao mountain has received 24 feet of snow in under two months of the year in every ski season of the past six years. The Madarao snow report is remarkably consistent - during the peak of winter in late January and early February the snow is just non-stop! You will find fantastic conditions for both skiing and snowboarding. Madarao ski resort also has the largest number of in-resort tree runs in Japan. This is an undiscovered gem - you will feel like you are at a private resort, alone with nature.
Madarao’s popularity is increasing in recent years, as more people discover it. However, it is still relatively unknown and likely to remain so for a couple of years yet. In addition to the neighbouring Tangram Ski Circus resort, our ski lodge is a short trip away from other popular resorts such as Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen and Myoko Kogen making it your perfect choice for accommodation in Madarao.
Madarao kogen ski resort is a mid-sized ski resort in Japan. Madarao mountain itself has a total vertical drop of 440 metres from a peak of 1,350 metres. There are 31 on-piste ski trails, including thirteen tree runs. There are some easily accessible slack-country, side-country and backcountry areas for more advanced riders who can access this type of terrain safely. The resort has fifteen lifts that grant visitors access to an even spread of beginner, intermediate and advanced ski runs, and a modest terrain park.
You can buy lift tickets from our ski lodge front desk for both Madarao kogen ski resort and the nearby Tangram Ski Circus, which has another 15 runs accessed by 5 additional lifts.
If you need any help with finding local services our friendly ski lodge staff will be more than happy to help you. Ski lift tickets for both Madarao kogen ski resort and Tangram Ski Circus resort are available for sale at our hotel front desk (prices available on request). We are also ready to assist you with all of your equipment hire needs - if you have any questions or requests for more details, please get in touch and just ask!
Rest & Relax In Comfort
Wondering where to stay in Madarao? Look no further!
After a long day on the ski slopes, you can relax in luxurious comfort in the lounge or by the fireplace, and enjoy snacks and drinks provided at the lodge. Whether you are seeking to immerse yourself in Japanese culture by sleeping on a plush double-thickness futon, resting on tatami after visiting the local onsen, or you would prefer a western style bed and in-room en suite bathroom, we have newly renovated our humble lodge to meet all of your needs.
Our cozy rooms are decorated in a modern Japanese concept, providing you everything you need for a delightful, stress-free and enjoyable stay. Each room is large enough to comfortably accommodate two to four people, so you, your friends and your family can recuperate after a day of fun and adventure in the snow. For families travelling with kids we provide Family Suites, which are two fully refurbished adjoining rooms with a connecting door. This configuration allows families or groups to have access to a private bathroom and gives more space for relaxing in their room and storage of all that bulky winter gear.
Whether it’s gear hire, lift tickets or practically anything else - our friendly, English-speaking staff will be ready to assist you with anything you need during your stay, so that you can concentrate on making the most of your time on the ski slopes!
Our cozy fireplace lounge is a great place to enjoy your favourite tipple and a casual snack from our restaurant
Getting to Madarao
Madarao Kogen ski resort is secluded in a private pocket nearby to Iiyama, nestled between well-known Nozawa Onsen and Myoko Kogen. If you choose to stay with us you will be pleased to know that it is just under two hours from Tokyo by bullet train. It is really simple to get to Madarao from both Narita and Haneda international airport so that you can get started enjoying your Japan ski trip!
To reach Madarao mountain from Narita Airport you will need to take the Skyliner Train service operated by Keisei Electric Railway from Narita Airport to Ueno Station (buy tickets online here) and transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which will take you directly to Iiyama Station in about one hour and forty minutes.
To reach Madarao from Haneda Airport is just as convenient. Coming from the airport the fastest option will be to jump on the Monorail from Haneda International Terminal on the express train (not the local train) which goes straight to Hamamatsucho Station. At Hamamatsucho Station follow the signs for JR Line Trains on the Yamanote Line and ride for three stops to reach Tokyo Station. You will then want to catch the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama Station in about one hour and forty minutes.
If you contact us and our friendly, English speaking staff know what time you will be arriving at Iiyama Station we will arrange for one of the Raicho Lodge Madarao team to pick up you and your family and friends from the station for less than the cost of a taxi. Please contact us for details. If you would prefer, there are also taxis available at the station as well as a bus run by Madarao Resort that will bring you to the Madarao Kogen Hotel, which is less than 10 minutes walk away.
If you are looking to spend a few days sight-seeing in Tokyo or other parts of Japan before or after your ski/snowboard holiday in Madarao but you don’t want to lug all your gear around with you, there is an easy and reliable delivery service by Yamato Transport called Ta-Q-Bin. The service is available at both Narita and Haneda airports. If you have any questions about it, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us!
The friendly and expert team at our ski lodge will ensure that you see the best of Madarao, and we’re always here to help if you have any questions about how to get here or about the local area.
