It's not just all about the winter season and skiing/snowboarding in Madarao. Whilst Madarao is no doubt, one of the best-kept powder tree skiing destinations in Japan, it is also perfectly situated in the Nagano Prefecture just 1.5hrs from Tokyo via Shinkansen and as such offers all season local tours and attractions around Madarao & IIyama.
Buddhist Altar Street
An architectural innovation unique to Japan's snowy regions, this street coverings keep sidewalks clear of snow and protect shops and houses. In Iiyama, a 300 meter stretch of road is protected by this recreated traditional street covering. The street is also home to several Buddhist altar shops, which give it the name "Butsudan-dori (Buddhist Altar Street)."
Snow Monkey Tour Jigokudani Park, near Nakano & Shiga Kogen
IIyama Snow Festival, near Madarao Mountain
Iiyama City, located in the snow belt on the northern edge of Nagano Prefecture, has one of the highest snow accumulations of anywhere in Japan. Appropriately, the city holds a major Snow Festival every year. Featuring a myriad of snow sculptures at the festival’s downtown site, there is also a fire festival as well as a unique ‘omikoshi’ parade shrine procession, one of the only ones in the country to take place in the snow.Madarao Snow Mobiles
Madarao Snow Shoeing around Lake Nozomi
Temple Tours around Madarao IIyama
Metal Art near Madarao, around IIyama Nagano
Iiyama City is famous for the high quality of the Butsudan's (Buddhist altars commonly found in Japanese homes) made here. The process entails the coordination of a wide variety of craftsmen, from carpenters and woodcarvers to metalsmiths and lacquer workers. As a result, many highly skilled craftsmen make their home in Iiyama. One such master craftsman, Washimori-san, is happy to share his knowledge of copper engraving with visitors from overseas.Soba Noodle Making near madarao, IIyama Nagano
Ever wonder how the Japanese make soba? Learn this centuries-old culinary craft by attending a special workshop known as Soba-Uchi in a Kanoe Ryokan workshop of Iiyama’s Togari Onsen area.
Temple Meditation Madarao, IIyama
Sake & Brewery Tour near Nakano
Kamakura Snow Hut Festival, IIyama
Mayumi Doll Museum near Madarao
Iiyama City-based artist Mayumi Takahashi has an innate ability to capture the essence of life in the countryside through her doll art. Take a step into the Mayumi Takahashi Museum of Doll Art , and take a step into Nagano's quaint rural world.Fat Bike Ride, Downhill Madarao
Traditional Paper Making, around Madarao IIyama Nagano