Under two hours from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the Iiyama area of Nagano is a beautiful rural landscape surrounded by nature and outdoor activities. Trek along sections of the Shin'etsu Trail, cycle along the banks of the Chikuma River, visit ancient shrines and more.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city, venture into the outdoors and take in the idyllic scenery of the Japanese countryside.
Outdoor Activities in Northern Nagano
Trekking on the Shin'etsu Trail
The Shin'etsu Trail offers a unique hiking experience combining natural beauty, history, and the serene landscape of Japan's Snow Country. Extending from Mt. Madarao in Nagano to Mt. Naeba in Niigata, the trail covers 110 kilometers of beautiful beech tree forests, highland marshes, secluded hamlets and vast rice fields.
The trail is divided into ten sections, each of which can be completed in a single day. Hikers of all levels can enjoy the trail, from easier day hikes along mostly flat terrain (such as Section 2) to mountain climbing routes, like the ascent to 2,145-meter-high Mt. Naeba (Section 10).
Highlights of the trail include the pristine beech forests covering much of Nabekura Kogen, views of the rice fields of Iiyama from atop the Sekida Mountains, and the wetlands atop Mt. Naeba that seem to float above the clouds.
Many of the accommodations around Iiyama are members of the Shin’etsu Trail club and offer shuttle services to and from the trail, making access a breeze.
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Cycling through the Countryside of Iiyama
The relatively flat banks of the Chikuma River are a perfect place to go for a bicycle ride and take in the scenery of the Japanese countryside. Cycle through Iiyama’s town of temples and butsudan altar craftsmen, ride along lanes of cherry trees and pass small hamlets of red-rooved farmhouses.
Popular routes around Iiyama include loops around town, where you can visit local shops, cafes and museums, one-way trips to the hot spring village of Nozawa Onsen, as well as longer cycling routes like the 35-kilometer route to Morimiyanohara Station.
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You can rent bicycles and other equipment at the Shin’etsu Shizenkyo Activity Center inside Iiyama Station. They have a range of regular bikes as well as electric ones, so you can travel farther without having to break a sweat. You can also use one-way rentals or the Iiyama line cycle train to make the return trip much easier.
Hiking to Kosuge Shrine on a Yamabushi Experience
Tucked away in the forests above the village of Kosuge no Sato is Kosuge Shrine. It has a long history as a pilgrimage destination for mountain ascetics, known as Yamabushi, seeking enlightenment in areas removed from civilization.
Following the moss-covered stone steps leading into the forest, the trail to Kosuge Shrine passes lanes of tall cedar trees, streams, and impressive rockfaces before reaching the wooden shrine on the side of the mountain. From the top, the scenery of Iiyama’s expansive farmland and the Chikuma River poke through gaps in the trees.
You can take a trek to the shrine on your own, or you can join a tour by a practicing yamabushi and learn more about the history and culture of mountain ascetism.
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Mountain Biking in Madarao
During the hot summer weather, escaping to the highlands of Madarao is highly recommended. At an altitude of 1,000 meters, the area has an average temperature of just 22°C during August. There are two ski resorts here on the northern face of the mountain: the Madarao Mountain Resort and Tangram Madarao Tokyu Resort.
In winter, they’re a lesser known gem among powder hounds, and in summer, they have outdoor activities, flowering gardens, and beautiful views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. At Madarao, you can enjoy zip-lining, downhill mountain biking, rafting, and grass skiing. Tangram offers many of the same activities and also has beautiful lily and lavender gardens, as well as the Nojiri Terrace which looks out over Lake Nojiri and Mt. Myoko.
There are 10 unique mountain biking trails around Mt. Madarao from short downhill sprints to longer 23-kilometer loops with challenging climbs. North Nagano Outdoor Sports runs guided mountain biking tours along these trails. A local English-speaking guide takes you down one of Madarao’s old roads through small villages and forests, stopping to occasionally to take in the beautiful scenery.
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