[Nagano] Nagano's hidden ski paradise: Enjoy the snow and hot springs in Togari, Madarao, and Nozawa!

A charming ski resort that is little known internationally

Togari Onsen is perfect for families and beginners, where you can soothe your fatigue in the hot springs after skiing. Madarao Kogen offers a relaxing ski run surrounded by forested terrain. Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is not well known among foreigners, but is a large ski resort that is extremely famous throughout Japan and is a popular spot representing the Hokushin region. It is a hidden gem in Nagano where you can experience skiing, hot springs, and local cuisine all at once.

Togari Onsen Ski Resort

The history of Togari Onsen

Togari Onsen Ski Resort opened in the 1970s and is a community-based ski resort that has been loved by local residents and repeat visitors for many years. From the beginning, the resort has focused on creating an environment where families and beginners can enjoy themselves with peace of mind, and is characterized by its unique style of integrating the hot spring town and ski resort. The ability to soak in natural hot springs within walking distance after a day of skiing is a unique attraction of this ski resort, and every time you visit you will feel a nostalgic atmosphere.

Access

Togari Onsen Ski Resort is very convenient to access. If you take the Shinkansen, you can reach Iiyama Station from Tokyo in about two and a half hours on the Nagano Shinkansen, and there is a shuttle bus from the station, making travel to the ski resort smooth. Access by car is also good, with the resort located about 15 minutes from Iiyama Station. While studless tires are essential in winter to protect against snowy roads, the roads are well maintained and safe to drive on. There are also rental car facilities around the station, making it convenient for travelers who want to travel at their own pace without using public transportation. This convenient access makes it ideal for day ski trips or short weekend getaways.

Skiing experience, courses and lift information

Togari Onsen Ski Resort is located at an altitude of approximately 800 to 1,400 meters, and boasts consistent powder snow. The fluffy, light snow is easy even for beginners. The amount of snowfall is consistent in winter, and there are plenty of runs available even during the season, allowing you to ski comfortably without crowds. The runs are primarily geared toward beginners and intermediate skiers, with many gentle slopes making them safe for families and beginners. The longest run is approximately 1,500 meters, and while it's a medium-sized resort, you can enjoy plenty of ground by switching lifts. With 10 lifts and one gondola, skiing is efficient even when it's crowded. The gondola takes you straight to the summit, allowing smooth access to runs for intermediate and advanced skiers.

Togari Onsen Ski Resort also boasts Japan's first "Snow Bike Snow Park," where you can experience the popular activity of gliding coolly and having fun on the snow. You can enjoy a new kind of fun that you can't get with skiing or snowboarding, such as racing across the snow on a fat bike and sliding down the slopes to enjoy turns and drifts. Women, children, and beginners can also easily try it.

TOGA Park is also equipped with mini kickers, banks, waves, boxes, and more, and is designed for beginners to intermediate skiers, making it the perfect place to practice and improve your skills.At Togari Onsen Ski Resort, you can enjoy not only traditional skiing and snowboarding, but also the latest snow mountain activities.

Relaxing after skiing and local cuisine

The area around Togari Onsen Ski Resort is dotted with homely inns and guesthouses, where you can enjoy warm cuisine made with fresh local ingredients. The hot springs are primarily sulfur springs, which have the effect of relieving muscle fatigue, making them ideal for relaxing after skiing. The hot spring town also has day-trip bathing facilities, so you can easily enjoy the hot springs without having to stay overnight.

The area is also rich in food, offering a wealth of attractions, including Shinshu soba noodles, wild vegetable dishes, and local sake, all of which are unique to the region. Other highlights include local gourmet dishes and sweets made with local specialties. At the Hoshifuru Restaurant, be sure to try the "Apple Pork Buns" and "Apple Pork Curry," which are made with the local specialty pork "Miyuki Pork" and Shinshu apples. The local soft serve "Premium Togarintou Soft Serve" is also popular.

Togari Onsen Ski Resort is especially recommended for beginners, families, and short-term travelers, and offers day trips. With both skiing and hot springs available, it's an ideal spot for travelers seeking both active leisure and relaxation.

Madarao Kogen Ski Resort

history

Opened in the 1970s, it has developed into a popular resort for families and group travelers in northern Nagano Prefecture. Since its opening, the resort has focused on developing gentle slopes and beginner-friendly courses, and is loved not only by local residents but also by skiers visiting from all over the country. The resort is surrounded by a highland area rich in nature, and is characterized by the fact that you can enjoy the scenery throughout the seasons. In recent years, the resort has expanded to include hotels with hot springs and condominiums, making it popular not only as a ski resort but also as a place to stay.

Access

Madarao Kogen Ski Resort can be accessed by both train and car. If you are traveling by train, it is about a 30-minute drive from Joetsu Myoko Station, and a shuttle bus also runs from the station, making it convenient to travel by public transport. If you are traveling by car, it is about a 30-minute drive from Joetsu Myoko IC or Nakano IC. In winter, roads can get snowy, so it is recommended to use studless tires and chains. There is ample parking, making it safe to access by rental car or personal car. Although it is a little far from the city center, it is ideal for travelers who want to enjoy a resort-like stay.

Skiing experience, courses and lift information

Located at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,385 meters, Madarao Kogen Ski Resort is known for its abundant snowfall and light powder snow. Surrounded by forest, the slopes have consistent snow quality, making them easy and safe for beginners to enjoy. There are many gentle slopes and forested slopes for beginner to intermediate skiers, making it ideal for families. The total ski run is approximately 20 km, and by changing lifts you can experience a wide variety of runs. There are 10 lifts and one gondola, and once you reach the summit by gondola, you can easily access runs for intermediate and advanced skiers as well as long-distance runs.

Furthermore, Madarao Kogen Ski Resort offers free beginner lessons, so even if it's your first time on the slopes, you can rest assured. This is a course exclusively for beginner snowboarders, and you can receive a free one-hour lesson from an instructor, so it's especially recommended for those thinking about making their snowboarding debut. *Snowboarding beginner lessons are held three times a day. Please check the ski resort's official website for details.

Recommended accommodations and local cuisine

There are many hotels and condominiums with hot springs around the ski resort, so you can warm up in the hot springs after skiing and enjoy the luxurious time you can only experience at a resort. The accommodations are mainly spacious rooms for families and groups, and there are also Japanese-Western style rooms and condominium-style rooms available, making them suitable for long-term stays. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes using fresh local vegetables and Shinshu beef, making this a highly satisfying dining experience at a resort.

Madarao Kogen Ski Resort is recommended for families, beginners, and intermediate skiers, as well as travelers who want to enjoy nature in peace. With gentle slopes and a tranquil environment, it is a spot where you can enjoy skiing with peace of mind.

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort

history

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort opened in the 1960s and is known as one of Japan's largest ski resorts, representing the Hokushin region of Nagano Prefecture. It is linked to Nozawa Onsen, which has thrived as a hot spring town since the Edo period, and is characterized by the fact that after skiing you can enjoy touring the outdoor baths and strolling around the hot spring town. Although it is not as well known internationally as Hakuba, it is extremely famous within Japan and attracts many skiers. With its unique charm as it combines a historic hot spring town with a large ski resort, it is a spot where you can enjoy both skiing and a hot spring experience.

Access

Access is convenient by train, bus, and car. It's about a 40-minute drive from Iiyama Station, and shuttle buses run from the station and major hotels. In winter, you'll need to prepare your vehicle for snow and ice, but there's ample parking, making it suitable for long-term stays and group trips. There are also plenty of shuttle buses available for those using public transportation, making it highly convenient to access.

Skiing experience, courses and lift information

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is located at an altitude of 600-1,650 meters, and is characterized by its mainly powder snow. The total run is approximately 40km long, with plenty of steep slopes and challenging courses for intermediate to advanced skiers. On the other hand, there are also gentle slopes for beginners, so skiers of all levels can enjoy themselves. With over 20 lifts and two gondolas, the resort is equipped with the congestion management facilities you'd expect from a large ski resort. The gondola allows smooth access from the summit to long-distance courses and courses for intermediate and advanced skiers.

Recommended traveler and local cuisine

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is directly connected to the hot spring town, and its greatest attraction is that you can enjoy a tour of 13 outdoor baths. One of the joys of Nozawa Onsen is being able to experience the historic hot spring culture right after getting some exercise on a ski or snowboard. The hot spring town is dotted with inns and homely guesthouses that have been around since the Edo period, and offers a variety of accommodation options, including Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms, and Japanese-Western rooms, so it can accommodate a wide range of guests, from families to group trips and long-term stays.

The food is also excellent, with a wide variety of dishes made with local ingredients, such as pickled Nozawana, mushroom dishes, and Shinshu beef. The hot meal you enjoy after a day of skiing is exceptional, and you can also enjoy local sake and cuisine. In addition to skiing, you can also enjoy strolling around the hot spring town, touring the outdoor baths, and experiencing local festivals and culture, so there are many ways to enjoy the resort that go beyond just snow leisure.

Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort is an ideal winter resort spot for intermediate to advanced skiers, hot spring lovers, and those looking to enjoy long runs. It's the perfect place to enjoy skiing, hot springs, and local culture all at the same time.

Experience skiing, hot springs, and gourmet food all in one! Nagano's recommended winter resorts

Nagano Prefecture is dotted with unique ski resorts, though they are not as well known internationally as Hakuba or Kitashiga. The appeal of each ski resort is that you can enjoy skiing and a historic hot spring town at the same time. With easy access and the opportunity to enjoy skiing, hot springs, and local cuisine all at once, these hidden ski resorts in Nagano are a must-visit for international travelers.