How do I get to Madarao-Tangram from Tokyo?

The most popular route is the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Iiyama Station (about 2 hours), then the Nagaden Bus from Iiyama to Tangram Madarao Tokyu Hotel (about 45 minutes). You can also take the Shinkansen to Nagano Station and transfer to the Tangram Bus (about 45 minutes). By car via the Kan-Etsu Expressway, the drive from Tokyo takes about 4 hours. La Colina Outdoor also offers a private pickup from Iiyama, Kurohime, or Myoko Kogen stations.

How long does it take to get to Madarao from Tokyo by train?

From Tokyo Station to Iiyama Station by Hokuriku Shinkansen takes approximately 2 hours. From Iiyama Station to Tangram Madarao Tokyu Hotel by Nagaden Bus takes about 45 minutes. The total journey from Tokyo to the slopes is around 3 hours, making Madarao-Tangram one of the most accessible major ski destinations from the capital. If you take the Shinkansen to Nagano instead, add about 30 minutes for the transfer.

What is the Tangram Bus and who can use it?

The Tangram Bus is a shuttle service connecting Nagano Station or Iiyama Station to Tangram Madarao Tokyu Hotel. The ride takes about 45 minutes from either station. Important: the Tangram Bus requires a reservation and is intended for guests staying at the Tangram Madarao Tokyu Hotel. If you are staying at La Colina Retreat (a 15-minute walk from Tangram Hotel), you will need alternative transport such as the Nagaden Bus, a taxi, or La Colina's private pickup.

Do I need to reserve the bus from Nagano or Iiyama to Tangram?

Yes, reservations are required for the Tangram Bus. It is specifically for guests staying at Tangram Madarao Tokyu Hotel. If you are staying at La Colina Retreat, you can use the Nagaden Bus from Iiyama Station (also about 45 minutes to Tangram) or arrange a private transfer with La Colina Outdoor. The Nagaden Bus does not require a hotel reservation but seats are limited during peak season, so booking ahead is recommended.

Can I rent a car to drive to Madarao from Tokyo?

Yes. You can rent a car in Tokyo and drive to Madarao-Tangram via the Kan-Etsu Expressway, which takes about 4 hours. During winter, you must rent a 4WD or AWD vehicle with winter tires — snow chains may also be required depending on conditions. Rental companies like Nissan Rent-A-Car and Nippon Rent-A-Car have locations in Tokyo and Nagano. Be aware that access roads to ski areas are cleared every morning but can still be icy in winter conditions.

What is the difference between arriving at Iiyama vs Nagano?

Iiyama Station is slightly closer to Madarao-Tangram: the Nagaden Bus from Iiyama takes about 45 minutes to Tangram Madarao Tokyu Hotel. Nagano Station is a larger hub with more frequent Shinkansen service from Tokyo, but you will need to transfer to the Tangram Bus (about 45 minutes) or take a taxi for the final leg. The Hokuriku Shinkansen extends to both stations. Iiyama is more convenient if your final destination is Tangram or La Colina Retreat; Nagano offers more transport options if you plan to explore the broader region.

Does La Colina Outdoor offer private transfer to Madarao?

Yes. La Colina Outdoor offers a private pickup service from Iiyama Station, Kurohime Station, or Myoko Kogen Station for guests staying at La Colina Retreat. The transfer from Tangram Madarao Tokyu Hotel to La Colina Retreat is about a 15-minute walk. Private pickup is especially useful if you are arriving with heavy ski luggage or traveling with small children. Contact La Colina Outdoor to arrange pickup details and timing.

What about the Kurohime option?

You can reach Madarao-Tangram via Kurohime Station on the local Shinano Railway line (about 30 minutes by train from Nagano Station). From Kurohime Station, the Tangram Bus to Tangram Madarao Tokyu Hotel takes about 20 minutes. This is a good alternative if you want to avoid the crowds at Nagano or Iiyama, or if your connecting train schedule works better via Nagano-Kurohime.

How to Get to Madarao-Tangram from Tokyo

If you are planning a trip to Madarao and Tangram, you have likely wondered how to get there. It is a good question — Japan’s transport network is excellent, but knowing which leg to choose can be the difference between a relaxing arrival or having to carry ski gear across stations on a freezing evening. Here is the full rundown of your options for reaching the Madarao-Tangram ski area from Tokyo.

Getting to Madarao and Tangram: The Big Picture

The extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Bullet Train line to Iiyama Station and Joetsu Myoko Station in 2015 transformed access to what was once a remote and difficult-to-reach ski region.

Today, the Madarao-Tangram and Myoko ski area is within easy reach of Tokyo, offering convenience comparable to the Yuzawa area while providing access to some of Japan’s finest powder snow. Few destinations in Japan offer such a compelling combination of easy access and exceptional snowfall.

The nearest railway hubs are Iiyama Station and Myoko Kogen Station. From either station, a short bus or taxi ride brings you to the ski slopes. You can reach the area by Shinkansen, rental car, airport shuttle, or if you stay at La Colina, a private pickup arranged by us.

The Train and Bus Option: Shinkansen to Nagano or Iiyama

For most visitors from Tokyo, the fastest option is the Hokuriku Shinkansen. There are two sensible end stations.

Option A: Tokyo Station → Nagano Station (~2h)

Why Nagano station when you can go all the way to Iiyama station? Well, mainly it is because train frequency. There is only one train per hour stopping at Iiyama station, wheras every 10-15min you can board a shinkansen train at Tokyo station stopping at Nagano station.
From Nagano Station, you have two options for the final leg to Madarao-Tangram. The scenic and very recommended if travelling during daylight Shinano Line train to Myoko Kogen Station (about 30 minutes) followed by a not very frequent bus that only runs in Winter.

Until season 25-26 there was a regular bus service connecting Kurohime station in the Shinano line with Tangram that stopped services in April 2026, to become a private route for Tokyu Tangram Hotel guests that requires advance reservation.

Alternatively, and only if you stay at Tokyu Tangram Hotel, you can take the Tangram Bus from Nagano Station. It requires advance reservation, so book ahead if you plan to use it.

nagano station shinshu soba - La Colina Outdoor — One of the perks of transfering at Nagano Station Shinshu Soba standing restaurant next to the shinkansen tracks

Option B: Tokyo Station → Iiyama Station (~1h40min)

Iiyama Station is the closest railway hub to the Madarao-Tangram ski area. From there the Nagaden Bus takes you to the slopes of Madarao in about 30 minutes, or to the slopes of Tangram in 45 minutes. The bus departure and arrival times are sync with shinkansen arrival and departure times, so the frequency is limited to the own shinkansen’s frequency. It doesn’t require advance reservation.

From the Stations: Taxi or Private Pickup

Once you are at Iiyama, Kurohime, or Myoko Kogen Station, the final leg is short — and you have real choices depending on how much convenience you want.

Taxi from Iiyama, Kurohime, or Myoko Kogen Station – a door-to-door option if you want to skip the bus-and-walk. For a couple or a small group, splitting a taxi is simple and comfortable, and especially appealing on heavy snow days when the access road is freshly cleared but still slippery.

Iiyama station also serves Nozawa Onsen, which makes taking a taxi challenging. During 25-26 season, Uber trialed a shared-take riding service to reduce congestion, but in general, it may be easier to get a taxi at Myoko Kogen station.
Private transfer from Iiyama or Myoko Kogen Station. Many lodges including La Colina Retreat organize private pick-up and drop-off for their guests. This is ideal for travellers with lots of ski gear, families with young children, or anyone who wants to skip the bus-and-walk and be greeted on arrival. It is especially useful in peak season when taxi seats are tight, and you just want the smoother way to get into your accomodation.

If you would like to arrange a pickup from Iiyama or Myoko Kogen Station, just let us know your arrival station, train time, and number of guests — drop us a line at through our contact page.

Airport Options: Shuttles and Taxis

If you are flying into Tokyo’s airports (Narita or Haneda) or to regional airports in Niigata or Toyama, there are a few well-established options.

MyokoKogen Shuttle (MKK Shuttle) – direct services from Narita and Haneda to Myoko, Madarao, and Shiga Kogen, with English support and online booking. One of the most straightforward ways to arrive with your ski gear and head straight to the mountain.
Nagano Snow Shuttle – the largest ski shuttle operator in Central Japan, connecting Narita and Haneda (and other airports) to Hakuba Valley, Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen, Madarao Kogen, Myoko Kogen, and Nagano City. Offers standard shuttle routes, private charters for groups, and combined bus-and-train packages — a flexible choice if you want to combine a Madarao stay with a few days elsewhere in the region.
Airport taxi – for a door-to-door arrival from Narita or Haneda to the Madarao-Tangram area, a private airport taxi is the premium option. It costs more than the shuttle — roughly in the ¥14,000–18,000 range per person for the full trip from Narita — but it is the simplest way to get from the terminal to the slopes with your gear, no transfers, no waiting at a bus meeting point. Excellent for small groups or late arrivals.

Car Rental: When Driving Is the Right Call

Renting a car is a very practical option for the Madarao-Tangram area — especially if you want to explore the wider region, visit Lake Nojiri in summer, or split gear among several guests. The key thing to know: in winter, AWD or four-wheel drive, winter tyres, and/or snow chains are strongly recommended, and the area is not immune to heavy snow. The access roads are cleared, but on rough days better to not to travel long distances.

For a full guide to renting a car in Japan during snow season — including what to look for in a vehicle, winter-driving tips, ETC cards, and the main rental companies with outlets near Nagano and Iiyama stations — read our post on renting a car in Japan during snow season. It covers the practical details that make or break a winter road trip. If you would rather not drive in snow yourself, the bus, shuttle, and pickup options above are the simpler choice.

Which Option Is Right for You?

A quick way to think about it for a Tokyo-based trip to Madarao-Tangram:

Solo or couple, light luggage – Shinkansen to Iiyama, then the Nagaden Bus. Simple, cheap, reliable.
Arriving at Iiyama or Myoko Kogen Station, tired after a long haul – the local bus is fine; a La Colina pickup is the easier call.
Couple or family with lots of gear or kids – a La Colina pickup or a private airport taxi removes the transfer hassle and is worth the small extra cost.
Group of several people – splitting a private transfer or a taxi from the airport is often best; seating together on the shuttle can be harder.
Want to explore the wider region – a rental car gives you the most freedom; just accept the winter-driving responsibility, and read our car rental in snow season guide first.
Flying into a regional airport (Niigata, Toyama) – unless your lodge offers transportation, be prepared to pay for a expensive taxi service. Booking in advance required.

Two practical tips: book the airport bus or shuttle ahead of time and tell us your arrival plan early so we can line up a pickup if you want one. The ski season fills fast, and the smoother your arrival, the more energy you have left for the first powder day. A car gives you freedom and it is a must if you want to take full advantage of La Colina location and easy access to more than 20 ski resorts.

If you would like to talk through the options for your own trip — or want us to arrange a pickup from Iiyama or Myoko Kogen Station find our contact details here. We are a Japan based friendly team, and we are glad to help you get to Madarao and Tangram smoothly.