With its excellent selection of slopes and stunning scenery, Madarao makes for an excellent skiing trip. Visitors get to enjoy the range of slopes while also enjoying a warm Japanese welcome, it is easy to see why visitors return in their droves year after year.
Madarao has more to offer than just skiing, though. In addition to taking in the splendid natural beauty of the region, visitors can also visit a range of other attractions that will help to make their stay a memorable one. After making the most of their stay visitors will leave with fond memories of a truly inspiring location.
Hot Springs
One of the main attractions of the area is the hot springs. Japan is an island that is located on major tectonic faults and, as such, sees a lot of tectonic activity. This means earthquakes, volcanoes, and hot springs. The hot springs are naturally formed pools of water that have been heated by magma that lies deep beneath the surface. Even on the mountain slopes that are covered in snow and ice, these pools will stay hot all year round.
In addition to the springs themselves, visitors will also get to spot one of the region’s most famous denizens. Snow monkeys come along to bathe in the springs to warm up on a cold day. The monkeys can entertain visitors all day with their antics as they relax and play in the hot water.
Zenkoji Temple
Japan is a nation that is steeped in culture, history, and mysticism. As such, the country is peppered with ancient temples that stand as a testament to their past. The Zenkoji temple located in Nagano is among the most important of them all. Buddhism was first introduced to Japan in the 6th century and, in the 7th century, the first Buddhist statue was brought into the country. The Zenkoji temple, which was found in the 7th century, houses this statue. The statue is so precious that it is hidden away where it is safe, and every six years a copy of the statue is put on display.
While the chances of seeing the statue are slim, the temple and surrounding facilities still have plenty to offer. The site itself is historic and beautifully adorned, and also houses the so-called key to paradise. It is said that anybody that touches the key receives salvation. In addition, there is also a museum that gets a glimpse of how life would have been and educates on just how influential the temple was on the region in its heyday.
Iiyama Town
If you feel you’ve done enough skiing and would like to escape back to civilization for a while, a trip to Iiyama town could be just what you need. Here, you get the opportunity to do some shopping for genuine Japanese goods to take home to friends and family. It is also the opportunity to try out the restaurants for some authentic Japanese cuisine. The restaurants do have menus that have been adapted with the tourist’s palate in mind. Iiyama also has a reputation for being the snowiest place in Japan. This makes for some stunningly beautiful scenery with crisp white snow blanketing the town and surrounding area. Visitors will find plenty of opportunities for postcard-perfect photographs as they enjoy the pretty views. The town is also home to an annual snow festival, which includes snow carvings, displays, fireworks and other activities. The festival takes place on the 2nd Saturday and Sunday of February.