Food & Nightlife - Madarao & IIyama

Food & Nightlife in Madarao

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Madarao Mountain Resort is considered a small to mid-size ski resort by Japanese standards. What it lacks in enormity it more than makes up with the quality of the terrain riding options. As far as dining goes, there are over 26 dining options in Madarao ranging from small bars with food service to finer style dining inside private lodges or restaurants.

There is a variety of cuisines to be savoured in the village if you're looking for choice. The majority of Madarao’s hotels offer bed & breakfast —Japanese guests tend to dine in while staying at Japanese owned lodges, whilst International guests tend to dine out trying different options each night.

Just down the hill from Madarao’s No.1 ski lift is Restaurant Rudolph, a family-owned pizza joint offering a mix of Japanese and European-style comfort food. The restaurant is known for its cozy atmosphere and is one of the cheaper spots to grab a bite. Beer and sake also available.

Madarao’s Jazzy is a jazz-themed restaurant bar, named after the music-loving owner (who has quite a favourable reputation!). Like Rudolph’s, Jazzy offers a mix of western and Japanese favourites plus a range of alcoholic beverages. The restaurant is well known for its friendly service, cheerful atmosphere, and jazz memorabilia.

A larger selection of bars and restaurants can be found at nearby Iiyama town, just 11 km away from the resort. Iiyama is fondly known as the “little Kyoto of snow country”.

Culture & Ambience in Madarao

Madarao use to be called, "the best kept tree skiing secret in Japan".

Not anymore! The word has got out and Madarao is now regarded as, "the NEW IT place" to go riding in Japan.

Almost half the Lodges in Madarao are now owned and operated by International investors from Australia, New Zealand, Holland and Thailand. Madarao’s clientele use to be predominantly Japanese and now it is at least half western. The resort enjoys a very different atmosphere from Hakuba, Niseko or even Nozawa Onsen.

The western-style après-ski scene is slowly making it's way into Madarao with many small restaurants & bars opening up with live music.