Welcome to Iiyama City, Your Gateway to Adventure!
Iiyama City is nestled in the foothills of the mountains of northern Nagano Prefecture, host of the 1988 Winter Olympics. Nearby, experience skiing, trekking, and cycling, just a few of the many outdoor activities available year-round in this beautiful setting. With accommodations featuring delicious home-cooked meals and healing hot spring baths, Iiyama is the perfect getaway for action and relaxation.
Natural beauty and history combine for stunning results along the “Tera Meguri Yuhodo”, a walking path connecting over 20 shrines and temples in the foothills of Iiyama-city. These ancient shrines and temples have stood for hundreds of years among the natural landscape. In the autumn, the colors of fall explode around them, creating a scenery as beautiful as Kyoto but without any of the crowds.
Across the valley, the village of Kosuge and its ancient shrine sit on the hill, waiting to be explored. A 300-year-old row of cedar trees flanks ancient stone steps leading up the mountain to the shrine, a hike that is as mysterious as it is lovely.
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Day Trips to Snow Monkeys
Less than an hour from Iiyama city is one of Japan’s most famous winter sites: the Jigokudani Monkey Park in the mountains near Shibu Onsen. The highlight of the park is the hot springs baths that the monkeys use to clean and warm themselves in the winter months. There are no barries between you and the monkeys, so if you love getting close to nature, a visit to the monkey park is a must.
Trekking in Brilliant Fall Colors
Trekking in Brilliant Fall Colors
Trekking in Brilliant Fall Colors
Trekking in Brilliant Fall Colors
Trekking in Brilliant Fall Colors
Trekking in Brilliant Fall Colors
Trekking in Brilliant Fall Colors or Exciting Snow Cycling Down at a Ski Resort
In the mountains above Iiyama is the starting point of the Shinetsu Trail, a path that follows the ridge of the mountain range from Iiyama up to neighboring Niigata Prefecture 80 kilometers away. It is an ancient mountain path that connected Niigata and Nagano since the Edo period. You will need 6 days to complete this trip, with many local accommodations offering pickup and drop-off at the breaks in the trail. In the summer, enjoy the cool shade of the forest and beautiful blooms of flowers along the route and in the fall, walk among the brilliant hues of yellow and red leaves that will take your breath away.
For a burst of adrenaline, try snow cycling at the only location in Japan that has a dedicated snow cycling course. Even beginners can ride comfortably with skilled instructors and guides available and all the equipment you need is available to rent on site.
If you prefer something a little more relaxing, learn to make the local style of washi handmade paper at Uchiyama paper workshop or stay at a farmhouse and experience the Japanese countryside.
Iiyama City’s bounty of fresh locally produced foods
With pristine waters running down from the mountains to the Chikuma River, Iiyama city has a bountiful harvest of locally grown fruits and vegetables year-round as well as locally produced meats like Miyuki pork. Pick huge, sweet apples right from the trees during the autumn harvest. An unforgettable winter experience is eating a hot pot of nabe in an igloo under the stars at Iiyama’s Kamakura Village restaurant.
The Local Cuisine of Iiyama
Dine in an Igloo at Restaurant Kamakura Village
Stay in affordable family-run accommodations or a secluded cottage in the forest
Family-run yado, a cheaper alternative to ryokan are plentiful around Iiyama. Here you can get a private room, delicious home-cooked meals using local seasonal ingredients, and sometimes even a hot springs bath on-site. If you prefer a little more adventure, Mori-no-ie offers private cottages tucked into the forest on the outskirts of Iiyama. Here, you can stay and rent equipment to explore the nature located just outside your door: mountain bikes, snow shoes, and hiking gear.
Iiyama City has plenty of outdoor activities that are perfect for enjoying with low risk for exposure to coronavirus. At public facilities including restaurants, shops, accommodations and sightseeing locations, masks are mandatory, and hand sanitizer is available at entrances to all locations. Some locations may require you to have your temperature taken using a no-contact thermometer before allowing you to enter.
About Iiyama City
Conveniently accessible in less than 2 hours using the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo, Iiyama city is a perfect place to enjoy outdoor activities, sports and onsen hot springs away from the city. When you arrive at Iiyama station, visit the Shinshu-Iiyama Tourism Center where you will find brochures in English and staff members who are eager to help you with accommodations, tour bookings, and information about the area.
