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Nagano's Kita-Shin Area boasts Nozawa Onsen and Madarao Kogen Ski Resort, known for their vastness and heavy snowfall. They are situated approximately 30 minutes away from JR Iiyama Station, a central hub accessible via the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Given the challenging commute between these snow resorts due to heavy snowfall in the region, the 'NOTOMA BUS' was introduced. Thanks to this shuttle service, the distance between Nozawa Onsen and Madarao Kogen has significantly shortened, making it much more convenient to enjoy both ski areas. It's like a wish come true! Don't miss the chance to fully experience Nozawa Onsen and Madarao Kogen by using the NOTOMA BUS.

[Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort] Incredible runs! Large, long-standing ski slopes complete with the atmospheric onsen town

Celebrating its centennial anniversary this season, the Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort boasts a large slope measuring 1,085 meters from its lowest to highest points, a total size of 196 hectares, and the longest run being 10,000 meters. Well-known for its massive snowfall, it attracts skiers and snowboarders from home and abroad looking for quality powder snow. The courses are divided by difficulty level, with 40% for beginners, 30% for intermediate, and 30% for advanced to satisfy skiers and snowboarders of all levels.

A total of 44 courses for everyone to enjoy, with the most advanced cable cars in the world!

There are as many as 44 ski runs at the Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, of all varieties for any skier and snowboarder, from gentle slopes for beginners to try, long runs with changing landscapes, extremely steep runs for experts, runs with unpressed powder snow, nature runs in treed areas, a snow park for stylish fun, to moguled runs if you want to brush up your skills.
As the resort is so huge you might think it would not be easy to try many courses efficiently, but the latest "Shin Nagasaka Cable Car" that was installed in the 2020–2021 season will take you to the summit station in only eight minutes. The newest car seats 10 people comfortably, with glass panels all around for you to enjoy the great scenery. Furthermore, it is fitted with Japan's first natural ventilation system to enable air circulation.

Sometimes over 1 meter of snow in one night! This is the epitome of JAPOW.

The Yamabiko area, being the highest point of the ski resort, 1,650 meters above sea level, has incredible snow quality! If you are lucky the snow will be constantly fresh, being a powder heaven for you to enjoy super-deep powder all you want. With constant snow throughout the season the snow will maintain good quality until Golden Week, attracting people for springtime skiing and snowboarding.

13 hot spring baths each with their own character and Ogama

There are many other ways to enjoy Nozawa Onsen aside from just skiing and snowboarding. Visiting hot spring baths in the historic onsen town that is said to have opened in the Nara Period (710–794) is an experience that cannot be missed. The onsen town is atmospheric, with 13 hot spring baths dotted throughout the town for you to enjoy the traditional onsen culture of visiting different baths. The baths are also places to meet the locals, and to get warmed up with natural hot spring water when you are cold and tired.
One of the tourist spots to visit in Nozawa Onsen is Ogama, a national natural monument, at one end of the onsen town. It is five pools of various sizes from which hot water constantly flows, with unique customs of local people blanching the local vegetable Nozawana and mountain herbs with the hot water. There are several places in the onsen town for you to make your own boiled onsen eggs when you purchase the eggs and a net to put the eggs in at a souvenir store, an experience that you must not miss!

Enjoy food and sake at the onsen town at night

location：NEOBAR
If you spend a night in Nozawa Onsen you can enjoy the night view of the town which will be different from daytime. There are alcoholic drinks including craft beer made with Nozawa Onsen's spring water, and Mizuo, the famed local sake of Iiyama, that will add a touch of warmth to the evening in the snow country. There are many different restaurants to choose from, including set-menu diners, restaurants, Japanese-style pubs, and bars, perfect to hop over to while enjoying a gentle evening stroll.

[Madarao Kogen Ski Resort] Ski resort with a fantastic view, a huge tree area and a view of Lake Nojiri

Along with Nozawa Onsen, Madarao Kogen is well known as one of the areas with the heaviest snowfalls in north Nagano. The ski runs spread from the summit of Mt. Madarao in the shape of a fan, with the unique course layout skillfully making use of the mountain's terrain to offer very steep to gentle runs. The resort offers a full range of unpressed areas and tree runs down wooded areas, which are a wonderful opportunity to ski or snowboard down the huge field all you like surrounded by winter nature. The ski resort stands next to resort hotel "Madarao Kogen Hotel."

Not to be missed in Madarao: Exquisite powder in the tree areas

Being a ski resort with more tree runs than anywhere else in Japan, the tree runs are the life of the Madarao Kogen Ski Resort. The long banks created to utilize the original shape of the gorge attracts lots of fans, being challenging as well as enjoyable. Known as "Madapow", the deep powder snow during the high season is so light and fluffy and enjoyable in every way.

Amazing view from the summit overlooking Lake Nojiri and the Sea of Japan

The highest point of the ski slope is 1,382 meters above sea level, with a majestic view not to be missed overlooking Lake Nojiri and five Shinetsu mountains. To get to the summit you need to take a series of famous single lifts. As single lifts have now become something of a rarity it will feel like being on an amusement park ride.

A total of 52 wide-ranging runs including those of Tangram!

It is also fun to enjoy easy turns on groomed-snow runs. The dynamic runs come in all angles, perfect for intense carving, and for practicing ground tricks. There are as many as 32 runs in Madarao Kogen alone but if you get a "Mountain Pass" that can be used also in the adjacent Tangram Ski Circus, you can enjoy a total of 52 runs. The resort stretches over a vast field, almost so much activity if you are just there for one day.

Thinking about where to take a break is also part of the fun!

AKI’S PUB & CAFE
AKI'S BURGER
Starting to get slightly tired on the vast ski slope? Take a break. There are restaurants in the ski resorts, of varying sizes and styles, some in the hotels and also within close distance from the ski resorts for you to stop over for lunch and breaks. "AKI's PUB & CAFE" by the ski slope offers wide-ranging hot drinks and alcohol, while at the bottom of the ski slope is "AKI'S BURGER" serving large burgers.

[NOTOMA BUS] The shuttle bus that will let you travel between the two ski resorts effortlessly

During the winter season, there is one bus each in the morning and afternoon running from Nozawa Onsen to Madarao Kogen via Iiyama Station, and from Madarao Kogen to Nozawa Onsen via Iiyama Station. Booking is not required, anyone can board the bus from the bus stop, with a single adult ticket reasonably priced at 1,200 yen between Nozawa Onsen and Madarao Kogen. Just sit back and enjoy your ride in the large bus and the bus takes you from one ski resort to another in about an hour. What better way to travel?

Travel with NOTOMA BUS to fully enjoy the two quintessential ski resorts of Japan.
Visit the official NOTOMA BUS website

Facility Information

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort
Address
Nozawa-Onsen-Mura, Shimo-Takai-Gun, Nagano-Ken
URL
https://en.nozawaski.com/

Madarao Kogen Ski Resort
Address
Madarao Kogen, Iiyama-shi, Nagano-ken
URL
https://www.madarao.jp/en

Prev Article

You now have access to Nozawa Onsen, Madarao Kogen, and Iiyama Station directly without a transfer! The tour bus "NOTOMA BUS" is now available!

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