Nabekura Highland Forest House (Nagano Prefecture) Complete Guide | Comprehensive Explanation from Cottage Accommodation to Experience Programs
What is Nabekura Highland Forest House?
Nabekura Highland Forest House is a nature experience-based accommodation facility located on Nabekura Highland at an elevation of 500m in the northernmost part of Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture. Spanning approximately 6 hectares at the base of Nabegura Mountain, the expansive grounds preserve a rich beech forest, making it a special place where visitors can enjoy nature in all four seasons.
The facility is equipped with 10 independent cottages surrounded by forest, a tent site that opened in July 2022, a center house that can be used for cafes and training sessions, a semi-outdoor facility “Komorébi” for events, and a universally designed walking trail “Buna Satoyama Komichi” that can be explored by wheelchair or stroller.
Despite its location at the northernmost point of Nagano Prefecture, the facility is attractively accessible in about three hours from Tokyo by bullet train and car. It is a hidden gem spot supported by a wide range of people, from outdoor beginners to veterans, where visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend elegant time in a world surrounded by forest.
Enjoy Villa-Like Accommodation in Forest-Surrounded Cottages
Cottage Characteristics and Facilities
The cottages at Nabekura Highland Forest House are independent condominium-style accommodations scattered throughout the forest. Each building functions as a complete private space, providing an ideal environment for families and group stays.
Comprehensive Facilities:
- Full kitchen (cooking utensils and tableware included)
- Shower room
- Shower toilet
- Loft
- Air conditioning and heating
- WiFi
- Terrace
The kitchen is equipped with all necessary utensils and dishes for cooking, so you can prepare meals by bringing your own ingredients. You can enjoy dishes made with fresh local ingredients. With shower toilets and air conditioning and other facilities needed for comfortable stays, you can relax and spend time with a villa-like feel.
Enjoying Your Cottage Stay
The greatest appeal of staying in a cottage is being able to spend time at your own pace in a natural environment. Wake to the chirping of birds in the morning, enjoy coffee on the terrace while savoring the forest air. During the day, you can stroll along the trails within the facility, participate in experience programs, or in the evening enjoy quiet time gazing at the starry sky.
Since each cottage is positioned within the forest, you can secure private time without worrying about neighboring cottages. If using as a group, it’s also possible to reserve multiple units and gather together.
Opened in 2022! Enjoy Camping Experience at the Tent Site
Overview of the Tent Site
The tent site that opened in July 2022 is a hidden gem spot recommended for those who want to quietly enjoy camping in an environment where a rich beech forest remains. Taking advantage of the location at the northernmost point of Nagano Prefecture, you can experience the silence and oneness with nature that cannot be tasted in the city.
Two Types of Tent Sites:
- Lawn Area: Approximately 1,000 square meters of spacious open space
- Tree Area: Approximately 200 square meters of calm space surrounded by trees
Both areas are maintained while valuing the natural environment, providing a setting where even beginners can safely enjoy camping.
Tips for Camping
At the tent site, you can bring your own camping gear and freely layout the site. Rental equipment is also available, so camping without luggage is possible. You can spend relaxed time around a campfire in the silence of the forest.
This is ideal for those seeking wilder nature experiences unlike cottage stays, or beginners who want to try camping in a reassuring environment.
Satisfy All Four Seasons with Abundant Experience Programs
Private Programs to Enjoy on Your Own
Nabekura Highland Forest House offers numerous private experience programs that can be conducted on your preferred dates. Families or groups can enjoy nature experiences at their own pace under the careful guidance of instructors.
Popular Private Programs:
- Forest House Signature Tour: Leisurely Beech Forest Stroll: A luxurious walk through the primeval beech forest with a specialist guide. You can slowly savor the charm of the forest as it displays different faces in each season.
- Highland Lake Canoe Experience: A canoe program where even beginners can participate safely. The view of the forest from atop the quiet lake is spectacular.
- Snowshoe Trekking: Winter only. Explore the snow-covered beech forest by snowshoe. The contrast between the pure white snow field and blue sky creates beautiful winter-exclusive experiences.
- Igloo Building Experience: A winter favorite activity taking advantage of abundant snowfall. Enjoyable for both children and adults.
Group Programs to Enjoy Affordably
We also offer abundant group programs at reasonable participation fees where you can enjoy activities with various participants. Even solo participants can fully enjoy nature experiences while interacting with other participants.
Recommended Group Programs:
- Quick and Juicy Sausage Bread Making: A popular program with lodger discounts. The deliciousness of freshly baked bread you’ve made yourself is exceptional.
- Seasonal Nature Observation Tour: Expert guides explain the changing faces of nature by season—fresh green in spring, deep green in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter.
Season-by-Season Recommended Activities
Spring (Late April to June):
- New green trekking after snowmelt
- Mountain vegetable foraging experience
- Spring bird watching
Summer (July to August):
- Canoe experience (peak season)
- Beech forest strolling (escaping heat in the cool forest)
- Insect observation
Fall (September to early November):
- Autumn foliage trekking
- Mushroom observation tour
- Autumn flavor experience
Winter (Late December to March):
- Snowshoe trekking
- Ski shoe experience
- Igloo building and snow play
- Winter stargazing
Facility Details and Services
Center House and Mori Cafe
The center house is the central building of the facility, featuring reception, cafe space, training rooms, and more. Mori cafe offers light meals and drinks made with local ingredients. You can spend relaxed time while overlooking the forest.
Additionally, the center house also houses the Shinshin Trail Visitor Center, where you can gather information about the Shinshin Trail and plan trekking itineraries.
Buna Satoyama Komichi
The universally designed walking trail “Buna Satoyama Komichi” can be explored by wheelchair or stroller, allowing everyone to easily enjoy forest strolling. You can experience the rich natural environment of the beech forest while walking on maintained wooden paths.
Small children, elderly visitors, and wheelchair users can all safely enjoy the forest air on this valuable walking trail.
Event Space “Komorébi”
The semi-outdoor facility “Komorébi” can be used for various events, workshops, group gatherings, and more. You can host special events in an open environment surrounded by forest.
Access and Surrounding Information
Basic Information
Address:
1571-15 Teruoka, Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture 389-2601
Access:
- By car: Approximately 30 minutes from “Toyota Iiyama IC” on the Joshin-etsu Expressway
- By train: Approximately 25 minutes by taxi from “Iiyama Station” on the Hokuriku Shinkansen
- From Tokyo: Approximately 3 hours by bullet train and car
Nearby Tourist Spots
Nabekura Highland Forest House is ideally located as a base for the Shinshin Trail. The surrounding area includes the following tourist spots:
- Shinshin Trail: An 80km long trail. Partial sections can also be explored
- Nozawa Onsen: A historic hot spring town approximately 40 minutes by car
- Togari Onsen Ski Resort: Skiing and snowboarding in winter
- Chikuma River: A hub for canoeing and rafting
Reservation Methods and Rates
How to Make Reservations
Reservations at Nabekura Highland Forest House can be made as follows:
- Official Website: Check latest information and room availability
- Jalan.net: Points can be used and coupons applied
- Other Accommodation Booking Sites: Agoda, Rakuten Travel, etc.
- Telephone Reservation: Inquire directly to confirm details
Pricing Structure
Since cottages are rented as whole units, the per-person rate varies depending on group size. Experience programs require separate fees, but many programs offer lodger discounts.
Accommodation plans using hometown tax donation are also available, offering economical ways to stay.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation fees apply depending on the period before cancellation. It is recommended to confirm details at the time of booking.
Summary of Nabekura Highland Forest House’s Appeal
Recommended For:
- Those who want to spend time slowly in nature: You can refresh by escaping the hustle of daily life in a quiet forest-surrounded environment
- Families with children: A safe play environment for children and experience programs that adults can also enjoy
- Outdoor beginners: Well-equipped cottages and carefully guided programs allow safe nature experiences
- Active types: Enjoy a variety of activities including trekking, canoeing, and snowshoeing throughout the four seasons
- Work-cation: Cottages with WiFi allow you to balance work and vacation in nature
Stay Tips
The highland environment at 500m elevation remains cool and comfortable even in summer. Winter brings abundant snowfall, allowing enjoyment of snow play and winter sports. The rich natural environment created by the beech forest displays different faces in each season, revealing new discoveries with each visit.
Private cottage stays focusing on privacy, affordably enjoyable tent sites, and abundant experience programs. You can satisfy your natural desires in Nabekura Highland’s nature according to your preferred style.
Enjoying “Forest House” Through Video
The official website and SNS (Instagram: @amazing_nabekura) showcase the forest through all four seasons and experience program videos. You can check the atmosphere before visiting or recall memories after your visit.
Long-Term Stay and Repeat Visitor Information
Enjoying Each Season
Nabekura Highland Forest House has different charms in each season, attracting many repeat visitors. The fresh green of spring, deep green of summer, autumn foliage, and snowy winter landscape offer completely different nature experiences when visited in different seasons.
Particularly, the transitions between seasons, such as late month to early next month periods, are special times to feel nature’s passing. Timing visits with cherry blossom blooming, changes from fresh to deep green, autumn foliage peaks, or first snowfall makes stays more memorable.
Multi-Night Stays for Deeper Nature Experiences
While one or two nights are enjoyable, multi-night stays allow deeper forest time experiences. The forest in morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Tasting the forest’s changing faces across different times of day is a luxury only multi-night stays offer.
You can participate in multiple experience programs, or spend an entire day leisurely in your cottage, designing your stay at your own pace.
Conclusion: Spend Elegant Time in a Forest-Surrounded World
Nabekura Highland Forest House is an accommodation facility that takes advantage of its location at the northernmost point of Nagano Prefecture with abundant natural environments. Surrounded by a 500m elevation beech forest, you can satisfy all four seasons through cottage stays, camping at tent sites, and abundant experience programs.
Well-equipped cottages allow comfortable villa-style stays, and even outdoor beginners feel secure. Meanwhile, experienced visitors will be satisfied with comprehensive activities including serious trekking, canoeing, and snowshoeing.
Highly recommended for those wanting to escape city bustle and spend elegant time in a forest-surrounded world, families wanting to enjoy nature experiences, and those wanting to satisfy the changing faces of highland nature through seasons.
Find your own special nature experience on Nabekura Highland in Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture.
