Madarao Kogen is a scenic highland resort located at an elevation of around 1,000 meters. Stretching across Iiyama City in Nagano Prefecture and Myoko City in Niigata Prefecture, the area spreads across the foothills of majestic Mount Madarao and offers a wide range of attractions throughout the year.
In winter, the resort is known for its abundant natural snowfall and excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding. In summer, its cool and refreshing climate makes it an ideal destination for hiking, trekking, and escaping the heat of the cities.
Summer temperatures average around 20°C, creating a comfortable environment for outdoor activities and making Madarao Kogen a popular summer retreat. The cool mountain breeze and clear air provide a refreshing escape from the heat.
In winter, the landscape is transformed into a snow-covered resort. The area receives 100% natural snow, including large amounts of ungroomed powder snow that are particularly appealing to experienced skiers and snowboarders.
Madarao is also famous for its extensive tree-run terrain, allowing visitors to experience the unique sensation of skiing or snowboarding through natural forest landscapes. In spring and autumn, the snow disappears and the surrounding mountains become ideal for hiking and trekking.
Madarao Kogen extends across the Hachibozuka area of Iiyama City in Nagano Prefecture and several districts of Myoko City in Niigata Prefecture, including Tarumoto Hei, Kamitarukawa, Higashinotaira, Maeda, Numa, Kowashimizu, Kozaemonzawa, Hachibozu, and Madarao.
The resort lies directly along the border between Nagano and Niigata prefectures and is surrounded by forests and mountain scenery. This location gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy the natural character of both regions.
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort is located on the northern slopes of Mount Madarao, one of the Northern Shinshu Five Mountains. Its varied natural terrain and abundant natural snow make it one of the area’s most distinctive winter destinations.
The resort has 24 ski courses suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers. It is particularly well known for its exceptionally large number of tree-run courses, regarded as one of the largest collections of such terrain in Japan.
Snowboarders can enjoy the entire ski area, and the resort has also hosted international freestyle skiing competitions in the past.
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort offers courses for a wide range of abilities. Among its most popular features are the tree runs, which make use of the mountain’s natural terrain and provide a more adventurous skiing and snowboarding experience.
Beginners can start with courses such as Shoshinsha A Course and Utopia Course, while intermediate and advanced skiers can challenge themselves on courses such as Champion Course, Giant Course, and Powder Line Course.
Families can also enjoy facilities such as the Kids Park, a dedicated course for beginner snowboarders, and the Adventure Course.
SAWA – Natural Pipe: This 1,000-meter course features naturally formed, pipe-like terrain with a maximum gradient of 28 degrees.
Powder Wave II: Stretching for 1,500 meters with a maximum gradient of 35 degrees, this course combines a broad skiing area with trees spaced at comfortable intervals.
NINJA: This 450-meter course has a maximum gradient of 31 degrees and includes a 7-meter-high jump.
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort is connected to the neighboring Tangram Ski Circus. With a shared lift pass, visitors can ski in both resorts, greatly expanding the range of terrain available to skiers and snowboarders.
The combination of extensive snow-covered terrain and courses with different characteristics makes the area particularly attractive to winter sports enthusiasts.
Madarao Kogen Ski Resort opened in 1972 and has developed through several changes in its operating structure. In 2005, the operating company filed for civil rehabilitation proceedings, leading to the sale and restructuring of the facilities.
The resort subsequently came under the management of companies including Mac Earth and Asia Gate Holdings. In 2022, Patience Capital Group (PCG) took over its operation.
Madarao no Yu is a natural hot spring facility in the Madarao Kogen area. Visitors can relax in the hot spring while enjoying views of the surrounding highlands, making it an ideal place to soothe tired muscles after skiing, snowboarding, or trekking.
Lake Nozomi is located about 2.5 kilometers from the center of Madarao Kogen. In summer, the lake is popular for bass fishing, while winter visitors can enjoy snowshoe hiking around its snow-covered shores.
From January through March, the lake is often covered with snow, creating a particularly atmospheric winter landscape.
Madarao Kogen offers a variety of accommodation options, including Madarao Kogen Hotel, Lodge Raven, Blueberry Pension, and Pension Woody Rook. The pension area is located close to trekking routes and provides a convenient base for enjoying an extended stay in the highlands.
Madarao Kogen Hotel: Located next to the ski resort, it offers convenient access to the slopes and a comfortable base for a winter vacation.
Tangram Madarao Tokyu Resort: A large resort offering a variety of activities and hot spring facilities.
Pension Woody Rook: A relaxed accommodation option with a warm, home-like atmosphere.
The resort area is not limited to outdoor activities. Facilities such as the Madarao Kogen Shion Harp Museum offer opportunities to enjoy music and culture in a peaceful mountain setting.
One of the area’s distinctive local specialties is Tomikura Soba, traditionally made in the Tomikura district of Iiyama City.
Unlike many varieties of Japanese buckwheat noodles, Tomikura Soba uses fibers from yama gobo, a mountain burdock-like plant, as a binding ingredient. This gives the noodles a distinctive texture and is one of the characteristics that makes this local style of soba special.
The Madarao Kogen Trekking Trail is a network of trails centered around the pension area, extending for approximately 50 kilometers in total. With routes suitable for beginners as well as experienced hikers, it attracts visitors from spring through autumn.
The trails also connect with the Shin-etsu Trail, one of Japan’s long-distance hiking routes. Hikers can enjoy extended mountain walks through the rich natural landscapes of the Joshin’etsukogen National Park.
The development of Madarao Kogen as a tourist destination began in 1967, when the Nagano Prefectural Enterprise Bureau approved a development plan.
In 1972, Madarao Kogen Ski Resort and Madarao Kogen Hotel opened, establishing the foundations of the resort area. Development continued over the following decades as new accommodation, leisure facilities, and recreational opportunities were added.
Beginning in 1982, Madarao Kogen hosted the Newport Jazz Festival in Madarao. The event attracted music fans from across Japan and became an important part of the resort’s cultural identity.
The festival was held until 2003, when it was suspended. Its history remains an important part of Madarao’s development as a resort that combined nature, recreation, and culture.
In 1989, the Tokyu Real Estate Group opened Tangram Madarao Tokyu Resort. A golf course was added the following year, creating a destination that could be enjoyed throughout the year rather than only during the winter ski season.
In 1997, the membership-based Tokyu Harvest Club Madarao opened, followed by the development of hot spring facilities in 1999. Golf, accommodation, hot springs, and leisure activities were gradually brought together to create a comprehensive resort destination.
In 2002, a community bus service began operating between Iiyama Station and Madarao Kogen as an alternative to the previous Nagaden bus service. This improved public transportation access to the resort.
In 2005, Madarao Kogen Development Co., Ltd. applied for civil rehabilitation proceedings as part of efforts to rebuild its business. The resort has since continued operating under a new management structure and remains an important tourism destination in northern Nagano.
The nearest major railway stations are Iiyama Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Myoko-Kogen Station operated by Echigo Tokimeki Railway.
Shuttle buses and community buses operate from the stations to the resort area, providing convenient access for visitors traveling without a car.
Madarao Kogen is approximately 16 kilometers from the Toyota-Iiyama Interchange on the Joshin-etsu Expressway.
During winter, roads can become snowy and icy, so vehicles should be equipped with winter tires or snow chains when traveling to the resort.
Because Madarao Kogen straddles the border between Nagano and Niigata prefectures, its administrative details can sometimes be confusing. For postal purposes, addresses are generally written as Madarao Kogen, Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture, even for facilities located on the Niigata side.
The entire area uses the 0269 telephone area code, associated with the Iiyama local calling area in Nagano Prefecture. The region also uses a 60 Hz commercial power supply and receives electricity transmission and distribution services from Chubu Electric Power.
Madarao Kogen is a comprehensive mountain resort where visitors can combine skiing and snowboarding with trekking, hot springs, cultural experiences, and encounters with beautiful natural scenery.
Its character changes dramatically with the seasons. Winter brings deep natural powder snow and exciting tree runs, while spring, summer, and autumn reveal forests, mountain trails, lakes, and refreshing highland landscapes.
With its wide range of activities and accommodation options, Madarao Kogen is an appealing destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, winter sports lovers, and anyone looking for a refreshing escape into the mountains of northern Nagano.