The mountains around Kijimadaira take on a different character in every season — blanketed in powder through winter, alive with trails, rivers, and open skies as the weather warms. Whatever brings you here, The Kichi Collective sits right in the middle of it all.From Deep Powder to Open Trails
Take a break from the city. The Kichi Collective sits in the mountain village of Kijimadaira, Nagano — where four seasons of skiing, hiking, onsen, and open trails invite you to step outside, breathe slowly, and stay a while.
What to Expect
Spring
Spring in Kijimadaira, Nagano arrives in a burst of colour — cherry blossoms, peach blossom, and vivid rapeseed fields along the Chikuma River. Trails open for hiking, cycling, and waterfall walks; forage for sansai mountain vegetables as the snow retreats.
Summer
Summer unlocks the region's full activity range — white-water rafting on the Chikuma River, SUP on Lake Hokuryu, hiking through Nabekura Kogen's buna forest, and fireflies after dark. Fresh-picked tomatoes and local soba are the taste of the season.
Autumn
Autumn in Kijimadaira is harvest season — rice paddies turn gold, apple orchards flush red, and the koyo foliage rivals anywhere in Japan. Pick apples, forage for matsutake mushrooms, and soak in Nagano's outdoor onsen as the air turns crisp.
Winter
Winter brings world-class powder skiing to our doorstep, with famous resorts Nozawa Onsen, Madarao, Shiga Kogen and Myoko Kogen within a 15-60 minute drive. Away from the slopes, snowshoe Nabekura Kogen's beech forests, visit the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, and dine inside a traditional kamakura snow hut in Iiyama.
春は花 夏ほととぎす 秋は月 冬雪さえて すずしかりけり
道元
年間行事Annual Events
Kijimadaira and the Iiyama region of Nagano offer something special for international visitors — deeply rooted local festivals and traditions shaped by the harvest, the seasons, and the communities that have kept them alive. From rapeseed fields in bloom at Golden Week and koinobori streamers on Children's Day, to Bon Festival lanterns drifting down the Chikuma River — this is the heart of Japan.
Below is a calendar of annual events in and around Kijimadaira, Nagano. Exact dates vary each year, but the seasons are consistent — worth checking ahead if you'd like to time your visit around one.
SpringGolden Week Celebrations ( 3 - 5 May)
Nanohana Festival, Iiyama (During Golden Week)
Gosoku Daidaikagura, Togari (mid May)
Hinaichi (Clay Doll) Market, Nakano (end Apr)
SummerSekiyama Jinja Fire Festival, Myoko (mid July)
Bon Festival, Iiyama (August)
AutumnHarvest Festivals (September Weekends)
Gosoku Daidaikagura, Togari (mid Sep)
WinterDosojin Fire Festival, Nozawa Onsen (15 January)
Narazawa Daitengu Festival, Iiyama (early February)
Senda-yaki Ritual, Yamanouchi (February)
Iiyama Snow Festival (Early February)