Iiyama ~ Japan’s Hometown or “Little Kyoto of Snow Country”
Iiyama is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan and about 2 hours by Shinkansen from Tokyo.
During your stay at Mori-No-Ie, located in the Nabekura Kougen Heights in Iiyama City, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful nature. This place is located at a 550-meter altitude, and is surrounded by an old and well-preserved beech forest. You can enjoy walking through the forest and other outdoor activities.
Our 3 days package allows one to enjoy snow shoe activities at the different areas around Nabekura Kogen Heights where you are staying. We offer many different course options for trying out snow shoe walking, tailored to your ability and fitness level. You can choose for a day or half day snow trekking guided program depending on your level.
You will also enjoy a nice “Onsen” hot spring and delicious local cuisines at the Onsen. Before your departure, you will visit Iiyama Snow Hut Village which is open for around one month, from the end of January to the end of February, and is made up of over 15 to 20 huts created from snow. You can enjoy a piping hot bowl of Noroshi Nabe (Hot Pot), served with locally grown Iiyama rice-balls inside the Snow Hut Village Restaurant.
- Period: From 25 Jan -28 Feb
- Start days Sunday to Thursday
- Pax: 2 to 5 pax only
- Program: 3 days
BASIC ITINERARY (Subject to changes) Day 1 Arrival Iiyama City [D] 0932 Depart from Tokyo Station for Iiyama by Hokuriku Shinkansen/ Hakutaka 557 1119 Arrive at Iiyama Station (*Please bring lunch box or buy at Iiyama Station) 1130 Visit Tourist Information at Iiyama Station 1F for orientation
You can also rent winter gears (winter boots, etc) at the station (Shinetsu Activity Center) at your own cost
(You do not need to rent a snowshoe)
1200 Pickup by Morinoie Staff and transfer to Morinoie
1230 Arrive at Morinoie for early check in. Rest of day is free at leisure.
You can enjoy the snow activity by your own (Sled is free)
1630 Assemble at front desk (*Bring towel from Morinoie)
1645 Transfer for dinner & Onsen
1700 Onsen time
1800 Dinner at Onsen Area (Japanese)
1930 Transfer back to Morinoie Day 2 Snow Trekking [B/L/D] 0800 Enjoy your western breakfast
0930 Assemble at Morinoie front desk to meet guide for your 1-day or half-day Snowshoe tour with lunch box
For half-day tour, lunch box is at Morinoie
1630 Assemble at front desk (*Bring towel from Morinoie)
1645 Transfer for dinner & Onsen (Minshuku)
1700 Onsen time
1800 Dinner at Onsen Area (Japanese)
1930 Transfer back to Morinoie Day 3 Departure [B/L/-] 0800 Enjoy your western breakfast
1000 Check out
1015 Transfer to Restaurant Kamakura Village (*Luggage deposit is one per person)
1040 Arrive at Restaurant Kamakur Village and enjoy Snow Car/ sled at own cost
1145 Enjoy lunch / hot pot and onigiri (one each)
1328 Take local bus to Iiyama Station (own cost at JPY300 each)
1350 Arrive at Iiyama Station to return your rental product if any
1411 Leave for Tokyo by Hokuriku SHinkansen/ Hakutaka
1552 Arrive at Tokyo Station Or if leaving for Kanazawa 1409 Leave for Kanazawa by Hokuriku SHinkansen/ Hakutaka 1523 Arrive at Kanazawa Station
3 Days Iiyama Winter Snow Trek
Tour Code: JPN-IIWST-03
Price Per Person Price in SGD
Snow Trek Plan: You can choose 1 day or half-day snow trek.
Please contact us for the latest price.
Price includes
- 2 Nights at Nabekura Kogen Morinoie with complimentary pick up at Iiyama Station as per scheduled time
- 2 Breakfast, 2 Lunch, 2 Dinner
- 1 or half day guided snowshoe trekking as per choice with snow shoe
- Transfer as per itinerary
Price excludes
- All airfare + taxes
- All Rail Pass
- Other transport not mentioned
- All other meals not mentioned
- All optional tour
- Travel insurance
Getting There
It takes 107 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen
From Tokyo Station, take the Nagano Shinkansen to Nagano Station and transfer to the JR Iiyama Line. Recommended to take the 0932hrs train Hokuriku Shinkansen/ Hakutaka 557 and alight at Iiyama Station.Hotel Information
There are 10 cabins in total. Each cabin is right next door to the beautiful forest and during winter they are blanketed in heavy snow. There are 3 types of cabin: Western style (western beds), Japanese style (“Tatami” mats and “Kotatsu” heated table in winter time), and a rustic cabin (Japanese “Futon” mattresses). Each cabin has a loft area with Japanese “Futon” mattresses and fully prepared with a wide range of cooking supplies, tableware. A refrigerator and a microwave.
- Self-catering: There are no restaurants in walking distance.
- Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby area
- There are two kinds of beds : －Japanes-style beds (the mattresses, sheets, and futons are supplied and guests will make their own beds) －Western-style beds (pre-made)
Optional Activities/ Tours
- Cross-Country Ski Lesson (Dec-Apr only; ski gear rental not included): S$ 35 (2hrs)/ S$ 65 (4hrs)
- Stream Canoe (2hrs by the beautiful forest; beginner) : S$ 65
- Pond Canoe: S$ 70
- River Canoe (For those with experience): S$ 115 (3hrs)/ S$ 140 (4hrs)
- Slingshot making (1.5hrs; using forest materials and take home as souvenir): S$ 15
- Ice making (1.5hrs): S$ 20
- Charcoal Bread Making (2hrs): S$ 25
- Baumkuchen making (3hrs): S$ 30
- Plant dye (2hrs): S$ 25
- Tie-dye (2hrs – Dye a bandana using seasonal plants.): S$ 25
- Soba “buckwheat noodles” making (2hrs; take home to cook): S$ 35
- Pachinko Making (1.5-2 hrs): S$ 15
- Stone paint (1.5-2hrs): S$ 15
- Tree keychain (1.5-2hrs): S$ 15
- Twigs of photo frame (2hrs): S$ 25
- Pencil stand (2hrs): S$ 25
- Rattan leave building (2hrs): S$ 35
- Walnut Pin Making (1.5-2hrs): S$ 15