Mount Madarao (Madaraoyama, 1,382 m) sits on the border of Iiyama City in Nagano and Myōkō City in Niigata, and is one of Japan’s 300 Famous Mountains.
One of the Five Peaks of Northern Shinano and the western end of the Shin’etsu Trail, its appeal lies in the views of Lake Nojiri, Mount Myōkō and the Northern Alps from Daimyōjin-dake near the summit, and the gentle highland walking. From Iiyama Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, a bus takes you up to Madarao Highland for a beginner-to-intermediate day hike to the summit and back.
For public-transport access, take a Nagaden bus from JR Iiyama Station to Madarao Highland.
The trailhead is Madarao Highland (about 1,000 m), with a lodge, ski facilities and parking. The main route is Madarao Highland → Mount Madarao (1,382 m) → Daimyōjin-dake and back, a beginner-to-intermediate route with a standard time of about 3 hours. The summit itself is wooded, but neighbouring Daimyōjin-dake gives wide views of Lake Nojiri, Mount Myōkō and the Five Peaks of Northern Shinano.
The best season is fresh greenery to autumn colour (May–November); in winter it becomes a ski area with snow. Always check the latest bus operating days and trail conditions before you go.
*Last checked: June 6, 2026
How to access the trailheads
1. [There & Back] Iiyama Station ⇄ Madarao Highland (Nagaden Bus)
Iiyama Station on the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen and Iiyama Line is your base. Take a Nagaden bus from the station up to Madarao Highland and start from the highland trailhead.
① Iiyama Station → Madarao Highland (Nagaden Bus, summer)
Take the express bus toward Madarao Highland / Tangram from Iiyama Station. Departures are Iiyama Station 10:00, 12:27 and 15:15, reaching Madarao Highland (Yama-no-Ie-mae / Madarao Kogen Hotel) in about 30 minutes for 800 yen. No reservation is needed.
② Madarao Highland → Iiyama Station (return)
Buses back to Iiyama Station are Tangram Madarao dep. 11:00, 13:17 and 16:05 (via the Madarao Kogen Hotel).
③ Note on operating days: this summer bus runs only on selected days such as Golden Week, the summer holidays and long weekends. Check the operating days on the official site, and on other days use a taxi (below).
④ Taxi: on days without the bus, take a taxi from in front of Iiyama Station to Madarao Highland (about 25 minutes).
By car: there is parking at the Madarao Highland facilities. It is about 30 minutes from the Toyota-Iiyama IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway.
References: [Nagaden Bus Iiyama–Madarao line] ／ [Madarao Highland Tourism]
Trail Guide and Safety Notes
Route: Madarao Highland → summit junction → Mount Madarao (1,382 m) → Daimyōjin-dake and back. The standard time is about 3 hours, a beginner-to-intermediate route. From Mount Madarao you can also follow the Shin’etsu Trail toward Mount Hakama. There is a somewhat steep climb just below the summit.
Views and route notes: the summit of Mount Madarao is wooded with limited views, so it is worth continuing to neighbouring Daimyōjin-dake. Follow the signs and check your direction at the junction with the Shin’etsu Trail.
Season and vegetation: the highland offers fresh greenery, alpine flowers and autumn colour. The summit and Daimyōjin-dake give views of Lake Nojiri, Mount Myōkō and the Five Peaks of Northern Shinano. In winter it becomes a ski area with snow and ice.
Equipment and emergencies: wear comfortable shoes and carry warm clothing, rain gear, water and a map. In an accident or emergency call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/ambulance).
・Iiyama Police Station 0269-62-0110
Photo by Apple2000 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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