Getting here & getting in touch
Questions about the lodges, the area or your trip? Get in touch — we live nearby and we're happy to help.
Ask us anything
Questions about the lodges, dates or the area? Send us a note and we'll reply by email, usually within a day. We speak English and Japanese.
- Phone
- +81 80 7703 7698
Message sent
Thank you
We'll reply by email, usually within a day. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder.
By train or by car
Iiyama Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen is the gateway to Madarao.
From Tokyo
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) to Iiyama Station. It's about 1 hour 40 minutes, with beautiful countryside views.
From Osaka
Take the Thunderbird limited express to Tsuruga, then change to the Hokuriku Shinkansen for Iiyama Station. Allow about 4.5 hours.
From Iiyama Station
Take a taxi straight to the lodge, or the bus up to the Plaza Mae stop in Madarao (about 20–30 minutes). The bus leaves from stand 1 on the Chikumagawa side of the station. The lodge is a one-minute walk from the stop.
By car
It's about 16 km, or 20–30 minutes, from the Toyota-Iiyama IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway. In winter, snow tyres and 4WD are essential, and on snowy days allow extra time. Need snow chains or other winter car gear? Auto R's in Iiyama sells them.
Auto R's Iiyama on Google Maps
Where we are
- Address
- Tombi Lodge
11492-176 Hachibozuka
Iiyama, Nagano 389-2257, Japan
Get directions
Good to know
Do I need a car?
Not to get here: buses run from Iiyama Station to the Plaza Mae stop, a one-minute walk from the lodge. A rental car is great for exploring the area, though, from day trips to Nozawa Onsen, Myoko and Shiga Kogen to easy grocery runs. If you drive in winter, a 4WD with snow tyres is essential.
Which airport should we fly into?
Fly into Tokyo: Haneda or Narita is much closer than the Osaka airports (Kansai and Itami). Take the train to Tokyo Station (about 30 minutes from Haneda, or about an hour from Narita on the Narita Express), then the Hokuriku Shinkansen (the Hakutaka) to Iiyama, about 1 hour 40 minutes. From Iiyama Station it's 20–30 minutes by bus or taxi. With changes, allow about 3½ hours from Haneda, or 4 to 4½ hours from Narita.
How do I check in?
Check-in is from 3:00 pm and checkout is by 10:00 am. Check-in is self-service: you'll get a PIN code for the door, so you can arrive on your own schedule.
Where can we buy groceries?
Stock up at Tsuruya, the big supermarket next to Iiyama Station. If you're arriving by Shinkansen, you can fill the fridge for your stay before taking the bus or taxi up to the lodge. With a car, it's an easy drive down for top-ups. For fresh local vegetables, fruit and rice, try the Hana-no-Eki Chikumagawa roadside station (michi-no-eki) in Iiyama, and for household goods and some food, the Cainz Super Center in Iiyama. The roadside station also serves good food, and has a mont-bell shop for outdoor gear, handy if you've forgotten gloves or a jacket.
Can I rent skis or a snowboard?
Yes. Chill Madarao, at the top of Chair Lift #1, rents skis and snowboards for adults and kids, with English-speaking staff, daily from December to March. The resort is a 4-minute walk from the lodge.
Is there an onsen (hot spring) nearby?
Yes. We recommend Madarao no Yu, a day-visit hot spring a few minutes' drive from the lodge, with an outdoor bath and a sauna. It's usually open 10:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30) and closed on Tuesdays, except public holidays; check its calendar before you go. Nozawa Onsen, 40–45 minutes by car, has 13 public village baths to try.
Do you speak English and Japanese?
Yes. We speak English and Japanese. Get in touch through the contact form, by email or by phone, whichever suits you.