TANGRAM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is the house?
Located just a 3-minute drive from the Tangram-Madarao Ski Resort in Nagano, Japan, about 2.5 hours north of Tokyo.
House location google map link
How many people can stay?
Up to twelve people can stay in six bedrooms, each with its own en suite sink and toilet. Please note: there are not baths/showers in the bedrooms.
What is included?
You will have the whole house to yourself. Bedding and linens will be prepared for you.
The house is self-catering, and comes with a large well-appointed kitchen for preparing meals to eat at our huge 12-person dining table.
There are also several wonderful restaurants within a 10-15 minute drive, and there is a small shop with snacks at Tangram resort. There is a large grocery store in Iiyama, which is a 25-minute drive, and a medium grocery store a 15-minute drive away in Myoko Kogen. Amazon prime offers next day delivery for most pantry items.
The house has six bedrooms (five western, one tatami). Each room has a loft area that can be used for storage.
The kitchen is generously appointed with pots, pans, serveware, and all that you need for cooking for large groups. There is a convection oven, microwave, four burners, a breadmaker, Cuisinart, spice/coffee grinder, and more.
There are two large baths, each with a private dressing room.
One 7-person Toyota minivan is included in the home rental. You may pick it up at Iiyama Station. Details will be arranged ahead of time.
The house is surrounded by greenery and has ample room for parking.
How is the skiing and snowboarding?
The combined Tangram-Madarao Ski Resort is an epic Japan powder skiing destination renowned for snowfalls in the realm of 10 to 13 meters per season. There is some very good tree skiing and reasonably steep bowls, and off-piste skiing is permitted. Check out the combined Tangram-Madarao resort map here.
Is there onsen?
The house has two large beautiful baths, though it is not connected to an onsen source.
There is a day-use onsen with a rotenburo at Tangram Resort, just a 2-minute drive away.
What is nearby?
Nestled up on a hill just across from the amazing Tangram-Madarao ski resort, the house is in a small residential street with a handful of neighboring homes. The layout of the house provides plenty of privacy.
There are twenty ski resorts within a one-hour drive, and many resorts have shuttle bus service from the Madarao Lodge. Even though Tangram is just a 2-minute drive away from the house, the road is steep, curvy, and not suitable for walking in the winter.
What is there to do in and around Tangram?
The Nagano area offers much to see and do. In addition to incredible skiing, many visitors like to see the famed Japanese snow monkeys or visit the stunning Togakushi Shrine.
How much is it to stay, and where can I book?
There is a five-night minimum in January and February and a four-night minimum in March. Prices and booking information are available upon inquiry.
What to know before booking
No parties or events allowed
No uninvited guests allowed to stay overnight
No smoking
No pets
No fireworks
The house is nestled into a hillside in the countryside, and so nature's smaller creatures occasionally make an appearance, especially during summertime
This is a self-service, self-catering house
In the snow season, some shoveling will be necessary in times of heavy snow
Should we take the train or drive?
Driving from Tokyo takes about 4 hours, depending on weather and traffic.
Transportation from Tokyo takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Iiyama Station takes about 120 minutes.
Drive from Iiyama Station to Tangram takes about 25 minutes.
We are able to leave the minivan at Iiyama Station. Large groups can also take the frequent bus service from Iiyama Station to either Madarao or Tangram lodges to be picked up closer to the house.
Here is the 2024 - 2025 schedule FROM Iiyama Station and TO Iiyama Station.
Using the 4WD Toyota Estima Minivan
The car can ONLY be picked up at Iiyama Station. It cannot be delivered to the house. Please contact us at least two weeks in advance if you have any questions.
An international license must be submitted to us via our online form at least ONE WEEK prior to your arrival.
Where can we park?
There is plenty of parking available at the house, though in snow season there might be shoveling required to clear snow during your stay.
Is snow clearing provided?
We have hired snow clearing services from Tangram Tokyu Resort, though in times of heavy snow, there might be delays in service.
Since it is a self-service house, some snow shoveling may be required around cars and the path to the road.
Can we use Yamato’s Ta-Q-Bin service to send luggage and equipment ahead of our stay?
Since the house is a private rental, we are unable to provide staffing to accept deliveries and shipments before or after your stay.
You are very welcome to send your items to the Yamato desk at Tangram Ski Lodge, which is a 2-minute drive away. They will hold your items, and you can pick them up in the minivan upon arrival. You can also ship your items from Tangram Ski Lodge at the end of your stay.
Please do not arrange any deliveries or pickups by Yamato (or other services) unless you are certain to be at the house.
Please read about Yamato’s excellent and highly recommended “Hands-Free Travel” services at their site. Imagine not lugging your ski equipment and luggage on the train. Amazing!
The address to use for Yamato deliveries to Tangram Lodge is:
TANGRAM HOTEL & RESORTS
3575-8 Furumi, Shinano-machi, Kamiminochi-gun, Nagano 389-1302 Japan
Tel +81-26-258-3511
With environmental sustainability in mind, we do not provide single-use personal care items such as toothbrushes.