Iiyama Kamakura Village in Nagano
The snowy season is upon us, and that means dazzling illumination, thrilling winter sports, and breathtaking sights to behold as regions in Japan are blanketed by snow. But if you prefer nestling indoors, the Iiyama Kamakura Village in Nagano has individual snow huts where you can get warm and cosy while feasting on steamy hot pots.
Ethereal winter village with cosy snow huts
Image credit: @iiyama_kanko
Every year, around 20 igloos will pop up in Iiyama, a small town in Nagano, in the peak of winter. Located in the northern part of the prefecture, the snowy town experiences high average snowfall in the winter months. What better way to make use of fresh powdery snow than to build huts against the backdrop of Japanese Alps?
Image credit: Kamakura no Sato
Painstakingly constructed from scratch by the locals, the snow village will be open for a month from 20th January 2023 to 26th February 2023.
Image credit: @iiyama_kanko
Serving as a pop-up restaurant, the huts are dotted across a white pristine plain, illuminated by warm yellow lights when night falls. In the middle of the area runs a pathway that’s lined with adorable snow lanterns, leading visitors to the bright vermillion torii gate of Kamakura Shrine.
When weather conditions are right and the area is bestowed with snow fluttering down from the sky, it makes for an otherworldly winter wonderland experience.
Enjoy steamy regional hot pot
Image credit: Shinshu-Iiyama Tourism Bureau
The cosy igloos serve as havens for travellers looking for a unique dining experience. Surrounded by walls of snow, up to 4 guests can huddle around a steamy pot of noroshi nabe (のろし鍋), a miso-based hot pot that’s native to the region.
Image credit: GoNAGANO
In the savoury broth, you’ll find a medley of local vegetables, mushrooms, and locally bred Miyuki pork bubbling away. Rice balls are served on the side for a more filling meal.
Image credit: GoNAGANO
Dining reservations will open on 20th December 2022. Opt for the meal plan (¥2,600-¥4,600, ~USD19.00-USD33.62) for the hot pot experience. Alternatively, get the snack plan (¥1,200-¥1,800, ~USD8.77-USD13.15), which comes with either a daifuku (大福; mochi with sweet filling) or shiruko (汁粉; red bean soup with mochi). Both plans come with the use of a private snow hut.
Image credit: GoNAGANO
An additional fee of ¥300-¥500 (~USD2.19-USD3.65) is chargeable for bookings made via telephone or on the day of visit, so we recommend making reservations and payments in advance via the Iiyama Kamakura Village website instead.
How to get to Iiyama Kamakura Village
Image credit: @iiyama_kanko
Iiyama Kamakura Village is best accessible via a 15-minute drive from Iiyama Station, which you can reach by taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo. The ride will take around 2 hours. If you’re driving from Iiyama Station, be sure to equip your car with snow tires to ensure safe driving in snowy conditions. Alternatively, hop on a taxi.
Image credit: GoNAGANO
Visitors who are coming by public transportation can catch a 20-minute bus ride, which departs at a frequent intervals from Iiyama Station. Alight at the Shinano Taira bus stop (信濃平バス停) – the snow huts are just a short walk away.
One-way trips on the bus cost ¥300 (~USD2.19) for adults and ¥150 (~USD1.09) for elementary school students. The bus schedule can be found on the official website of Iiyama Kamakura Village.
Address: Kotobuki, Iiyama, 389-2418 Nagano
Contact: 0269-62-3133 | Nagano Iiyama City website
Meal plan
Lunch: ¥4,100 (~USD29.96) for adults, ¥2,600 (~USD19.00) for elementary school students
Dinner: ¥4,600 (~USD33.62) for adults, ¥3,000 (~USD21.92) for elementary school students
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-1.30pm & 6pm-7.30pm | Sat & Sun 11am-12.30pm, 1.15pm-2.45pm & 4.30pm-5.45pm, 6.30-7.45pm (20th January 2023-26th February 2023)
Snack plan
Rates: ¥1,800 (~USD13.15) for adults, ¥1,200 (~USD8.77) for elementary school students
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 3pm-4pm (20th January 2023-24th February 2023)
Also check out:
- Onsen villages in the Tōhoku region
- Lotte Arai resort in Niigata
- Neko Yokujo, cat cafe in Osaka where you can sleep with rescued cats
- Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, historic canal area in Okayama
- Award-winning garden since 2003 in Adachi Museum of Art
Cover image adapted from (clockwise from left): GoNAGANO, GoNAGANO and GoNAGANO
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