Getting from Central Tokyo to Madarao Kogen
Map
Tokyo is a massive city, with several large transport hubs. Unless you arrange a private transfer, you will probably be transiting through JR Tokyo Station.
Above is the simplest route from Tokyo to Madarao Kogen. If you have something else in mind, then please contact us and we give you the best advice we can.
Tokyo Station
Many people prefer to use the world famous Shinkansen Bullet train as part of their transfer. This is indeed a great option, but the main issue is luggage. The bullet trains have very limited luggage space, especially for skis and snowboards. If you have a few days in Tokyo before your ski vacation, then we recommend sending all your ski gear to your ski resort accommodation, and traveling light while in Tokyo.
Tokyo Station is a massive station, the 3rd busiest in Japan (after Shinjuku and Ikebukuro). It averages over 450,000 passengers per day, and that’s just the JR lines.
There are entrances on the West Side (Marunouchi Entrance), and East Side (Yaesu Entrance).
Tokyo Station is well signposted and to get to the Shinkansen platform, you follow the signs (pictured right). The blue logo is for the Shinkansen west to Nagoya and Osaka, so follow the Green Logo which includes the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano.
There is a double ticket gate system to use the Shinkansen Bullet trains. You first enter the main concourse, follow the green signs to the Shinkansen ticket gates, where you insert your tickets into the ticket gate again. Always remembering to collect your tickets as you pass through the gates.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen departs from platforms 20-23. The departures are displayed in Japanese and English. The platforms are on level 2, so you take the escalator up to the platform from the main concourse.
Once on the platform, the carriage numbers are displayed overhead. This is exactly where the car doors will open.
Note that when the train arrives at Tokyo station, it will be cleaned and serviced before passengers are allowed to board. Boarding generally only starts 3-4 minutes before departure.
Buying Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at any JR Station in Tokyo. You can purchase from a ticket vending machine, or from a counter at a ticket office.
Larger stations may also have a travel service center for foreign visitors, where multi lingual staff are available.
Payment can be made in cash or by credit card, but there have been issues where foreign issued credit cards do get rejected, so it pays to bring a couple.
If purchasing from a counter, then tell the attendant your origin and destination (train station, not ski resort). The attendant will show you the next available train times.
Hokuriku Shinkansen via Nagano
Train Classes
There are several classes on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
- Standard Class (reserved and non reserved*) – 5 seats across the row in a 3-2 configuration (Cars 1-10)
- Green Class (superior class) – 4 seats across the row in a 2-2 configuration (Car 11) – Green Class costs about 20% more than standard class
- Gran Class (first class) – 3 seats across the row in a 1-2 configuration (Car 12). Complementary food and beverage service (Kagayaki and Hakutaka trains only) – Gran Class costs about double of standard class
- reserved seat means you have an assigned seat / non-reserved means you can sit in any seat in a “non-reserved” carriage (first come first seated basis)
Train Types
The only trains that stop at Iiyama Station are called “Hakutaka”. You cannot take the “Kagayaki” or the “Asama” trains to Iiyama.
You also need to check carefully if your train does make a stop at Iiyama, some Hakutaka trains do not.
Iiyama is the stop after Nagano.
The trip from Tokyo to Iiyama takes just under 2 hours.
Bus to Madarao Kogen
There are several different bus lines operating between Iiyama Station and Madarao.
- Community Bus #1
This bus has 5-6 services per day between Iiyama station. This is the slowest bus as it stops many times. Cost is 500yen per adult - Express Bus #14
This is the fastest bus that runs to Madarao Kogen Hotel and Tangram also. There are only 2-3 buses a day. Cost is 700yen to Madarao Kogen Hotel, and 1,000yen to Tangram - Notoma Bus #22
This is the bus from Nozawa Onsen to Madarao Kogen that runs via Iiyama Station. This is mainly a bus for day trippers, so there is one bus in the morning, and one in the late afternoon. Fare is 700yen - Express Bus #25
This bus runs twice a day from Iiyama Station to Madarao Kogen Hotel. Cost is 700yen per person
Buying Tickets
There is a vending machine inside Iiyama Station right before you exit the building. Coming down the escalator, head to the furthermost exit door and you’ll see the vending machine in the corner. It only takes cash. If you don’t have cash then head to the Seven-Eleven close to the station (exit the station on the Chikumagawa Exit and turn right. Follow the train line south for 1 block and you see the seven-eleven). The Seven Eleven has an international ATM.
Boarding the Bus
The buses leave from bus stop #1.
Arrival in Madarao Kogen
All the buses stop at Yama-no-ie (Information Center), Plaza Mae, Madarao Kogen Hotel. Ask you accommodation which bus stop is closest. Only bus #14 goes as far as Tangram.
If your host has a pick up service, then call them when you leave Iiyama Station and let them know which bus you are on, and which bus stop you will be disembarking at.