Madarao Kōgen

Overview

Madarao Kogen is a highland resort spread across the foot of Mount Madarao at an elevation of about 1,000 meters. Straddling Iiyama in Nagano Prefecture and Myoko in Niigata Prefecture, it is known for ski slopes that make the most of the abundant, high-quality snow typical of heavy-snow country, and for trail running along the network of trekking routes woven through the highland. Cool in summer and a snowy playground in winter, it changes face with the seasons.

Highlights

• ●The cool climate of a highland resort at about 1,000 meters
• ●Ski slopes making use of heavy-snow country's abundant, fine snow
• ●Trekking and trail-running routes woven through the highland
• ●A pension district and hill townscape spanning Nagano and Niigata

History

Opened on the skirts of Mount Madarao, this highland resort has turned the region's natural condition of heavy snowfall into a tourism strength. Centered on ski slopes and hotels, small eateries and a pension district line up along Nagano-Niigata Prefectural Route 97 (the Iiyama-Madarao-Arai line), forming a cohesive townscape befitting a resort settlement in the hills.

Map

36.8307, 138.2890 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Reach Madarao Kogen from the Iiyama or Myoko side
2. 2Stroll the ski slopes and pension district along Route 97
3. 3Enjoy skiing, trekking, or trail running to suit the season
4. 4Savor a meal and a stay in the cool highland air before heading home

Did you know?

💡 Madarao Kogen owes its reputation as a trail-running venue to the trekking routes threaded throughout the highland. Savoring in a single place two contrasting draws, the abundant, high-quality snow born of heavy winter and the coolness of summer, is a luxury unique to this land.

Nearby spots