Name: Madarao Elm Pension
Address: 389-2257 Nagano, Iiyama, Madarao Kogen, Japan, Madarao Kogen, Nagano, 389-2257, Japan
Price range: Prices for upcoming dates start at $94 per night (We Price Match)
Rating: 8.1

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Guest reviews (34)

Guesthouse Madarao Elm Pension

389-2257 Nagano, Iiyama, Madarao Kogen, Japan – Good location – show map

“The breakfasts were really fresh and good. Excellent internet. Most of all, it's the hospitality of the owners, Toshi and his wife. They beyond expectations, got us cheap lift tickets, rental skiis, etc. and even gave us rides up to the ski ground our first day, before i rented a car.”

Peter

United States of America

“- Yoshiko san’s hospitality, she gives very good recommendations too :) - Beautiful sunrise from room’s window - Within walking distance from Ski slope, i enjoyed brisk walk to the ski slope and stopover to some local diners - Hearty breakfast”

Pingkan

Singapore

“The owner of the pension is very friendly and helpful. Due to the delay flight, we couldn’t get on the latest shuttle to the pick up point and he drove us from the JR station(which is 30mins away from the pension). Good breakfast and dinner, definitely would like to stay there again!!!!”

Chun

Taiwan

“The hosts are fantastic. Very attentive and friendly. Breakfast was nice. We also enjoyed an authentic Japanese evening meal there as well which was excellent and very reasonably priced. Toshi happily shuttles you to the ski lifts and restaurants which is good as the accommodation is quite a walk from the centre. Make sure you get the discount lift pass voucher at reception as its a decent saving.”

Jane

Australia

“TOSHI AND YOSHI WERE VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL HOSTS. THEY DROVE US TO THE RESORT EACH MORNING AND COOKED US A DELICIOUS MEAL. BREAKFAST WAS AMAZING. GREAT COFFEE. OVERALL IT WAS A REALLY AUTHENTIC JAPANESE EXPERIENCE.”

Jackson

“Elm Pension is a great place (e.g. very comfortable western beds, great breakfasts) but what really makes it special are the owners, Toshi and Yoshiko. They cannot do enough for you. They happily provide transport to and from the ski slopes and restaurants (less than 5 minute drive - although it is walkable), as well organising deals on skis and lift passes and cooking great meals. They are wonderful and engaging hosts and this made our first trip to Japan a really great experience.”

Alison

“The host Toshi and Yoshi were AMAZING!!!! So incredibly hospitable, relaxed, fun and knowledgeable about the surrounding area. They were so gracious and accommodating by picked us up/dropping us off at different location around the village I.e. restaurants, backcountry office and bus station. I would completely recommend this place and can’t wait to reunite with them both again in the future. MadaPOW is the real deal!!! Arigato”

Mark

Japan

“The staff drove my friend and I to the ski slope a couple of times during our stay. They were extremely kind and friendly. The rooms were spacious and the shared restrooms were kept very clean. I would recommend that people stay here.”

Soren

See all guest reviews for Madarao Elm Pension

Newest Reviews for Madarao Elm Pension

Reviewed: February 28, 2020

Jackson
Australia
10

“A TRULY HOMELY EXPERIENCE”
- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Stayed 3 nights
EVERYTHING WAS GREAT.
TOSHI AND YOSHI WERE VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL HOSTS. THEY DROVE US TO THE RESORT EACH MORNING AND COOKED US A DELICIOUS MEAL. BREAKFAST WAS AMAZING. GREAT COFFEE. OVERALL IT WAS A REALLY AUTHENTIC JAPANESE EXPERIENCE.

Stayed in February 2020
Reviewed: February 20, 2020

Robert
Australia
10

“awsome skiing trip and great food and hosts”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 8 nights
awsome hosts great food and location

Stayed in January 2020
Reviewed: February 18, 2020

Michael
Sweden
10

“Lovely and well priced accommodation”
- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Stayed 13 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Amazing service.

Stayed in February 2020
Reviewed: February 17, 2020

Anonymous
Australia

1 helpful vote
8.0

Very Good
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 5 nights
Would have liked a drying room for ski boots
The friendliness of the staff was exceptional . Good position however is not ski to the door as advertised. The owners however dropped off to the hill and picked up

Stayed in January 2020
Reviewed: January 28, 2020

Andrew
Australia
8.0

Very Good
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Very friendly people. Facilities are basic but clean and good value fow what we paid. 2 minute drive tto the action. Staff ferry people there. Will visit again.

Stayed in January 2020
Reviewed: January 13, 2020

Peter
United States of America
10

“Really enjoyed, would definitely recommend”
- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Stayed 2 nights
The breakfasts were really fresh and good. Excellent internet. Most of all, it's the hospitality of the owners, Toshi and his wife. They beyond expectations, got us cheap lift tickets, rental skiis, etc. and even gave us rides up to the ski ground our first day, before i rented a car.

Stayed in January 2020
Reviewed: January 6, 2020

Anonymous
Japan

4 helpful votes
8.0

“Warm owners, bit far from slopes, basic room.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Stayed 2 nights
The location is a bit far from the slopes, had to drive to/from the slopes everyday. We had to request for towels and hairdryers. They didn't have a dry room for our wet ski wear and gear. The room was sparse and basic (no TV, closets, table, etc), a bit narrow for 4 people.
Great service, very warm and welcoming owners. We checked in around 8pm and were greeted warmly by the owners. Our room was ready and they were very helpful and welcoming. They offered to drive us to the slopes, gear rental and discounted lift passes. They were also helpful with recommendations for restaurants.

Stayed in January 2020
Reviewed: January 6, 2020

Long
Australia
10

Exceptional
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Fantastic family run hostel... Thank you so much for looking after us.

Stayed in January 2020
Reviewed: December 21, 2019

Pingkan
Singapore

1 helpful vote
9.2

“Great Hospitality”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
- Yoshiko san’s hospitality, she gives very good recommendations too :) - Beautiful sunrise from room’s window - Within walking distance from Ski slope, i enjoyed brisk walk to the ski slope and stopover to some local diners - Hearty breakfast

Stayed in December 2019
Reviewed: March 3, 2019

Alison
Australia
9.6

“Elm Pension provides an authentic Japanese experience with just a dash of western comfort.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 7 nights
Elm Pension is a great place (e.g. very comfortable western beds, great breakfasts) but what really makes it special are the owners, Toshi and Yoshiko. They cannot do enough for you. They happily provide transport to and from the ski slopes and restaurants (less than 5 minute drive - although it is walkable), as well organising deals on skis and lift passes and cooking great meals. They are wonderful and engaging hosts and this made our first trip to Japan a really great experience.

Stayed in February 2019
Reviewed: March 2, 2019

Chun
Taiwan
9.6

“Great value and you won’t regret!!!!”
- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The owner of the pension is very friendly and helpful. Due to the delay flight, we couldn’t get on the latest shuttle to the pick up point and he drove us from the JR station(which is 30mins away from the pension). Good breakfast and dinner, definitely would like to stay there again!!!!

Stayed in March 2019
Reviewed: February 24, 2019

Matthew
Australia
9.6

“Perfect hospitality - the best hosts for a week in our new favourite ski town!”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 5 nights
Toshi and Yoshiko run Elm Pension as if they are welcoming you into their own home. Their hospitality, care for their guests, and knowledge of the area are an asset!! Toshi picked us up from the Madarao Kogen hotel when our bus arrived. The lodge is only a 3 minute drive from the main slopes and restaurants - about a 10 minute walk, with amazing valley views. Madarao itself is easily connected by bus to Iiyama and sever othr amazing resorts. Even though the location of Elm itself is central, Toshi and Yoshiko drove us to and from dinner each night, and the slopes each day. They were more than happy to phone up and book us spots at local restaurants. Toshi speaks wonderful English and loads of stories to tell about the local area, and Yoshiko shared Sake and chatted with us in the evenings. We had a simple room with western beds and plenty of space to store our gear. There is an area at the front to store skis, boots etc, which whilst not a typical drying room, has an extra heater which did the job perfectly. Despite HUGE amounts of powder our boots were always nice and dry the next day. The view into the snowy trees and beyond to the mountains was a pleasure. Toilets and bathrooms were shared, but very close to rooms, showers were Japanese style - all were tidy. Local onsens were the best experience, and at the end of each day skiing our hosts were happy to drive us to the onsen with them. The breakfast each morning was plentiful and hearty, with Yoshiko's home-made jams which were delicious. Overall Elm Pension is a local, simple accommodation experience that feels like a home away from thanks to the kindness and service offering by it's owners. If we return to Madarao, we wouldn't hesitate to stay again!!!! We can't thank Toshi and Yoshiko enough for a beautiful experience - if you are thinking of a ski trip to Madarao and wondering about where to stay, a locally built, owned and run pension is the way to go.

Stayed in February 2019
Reviewed: February 19, 2019

Mathew
Australia
8.3

“Classic Japanese accomodation with a western touch.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Nil
The hospitality of Toshi and Yoshiko is exactly why I like Japan and chose their lodge.

Stayed in January 2019
Reviewed: February 4, 2019

Jane
Australia

3 helpful votes
7.5

“We really enjoyed our stay and were very well looked after.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 7 nights
The facilities are a little dated and could be cleaner.
The hosts are fantastic. Very attentive and friendly. Breakfast was nice. We also enjoyed an authentic Japanese evening meal there as well which was excellent and very reasonably priced. Toshi happily shuttles you to the ski lifts and restaurants which is good as the accommodation is quite a walk from the centre. Make sure you get the discount lift pass voucher at reception as its a decent saving.

Stayed in February 2019
Reviewed: February 3, 2019

Anonymous
Australia
8.8

“Great pension in Madarao”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
there was no designated ski room and no communal area to sit either.
Toshi and his wife were lovely hosts. They were very accommodating and friendly. The breakfast they served was delicious and plentiful. The rooms were a good size and were quite comfortable. They will drive you to the hill each day and can arrange lift passes too. We really enjoyed our stay here

Stayed in January 2019

Sleeps	Room Type
Max adults: 4	Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom 2 twin beds and 2 sofa beds
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Madarao Elm Pension This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!

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