Restaurant Kamakura Village 2026: A Complete Guide to Dining Inside Snow Huts in Nagano, Japan
What is a Kamakura? Understanding Japan's Winter Tradition
A kamakura is a traditional Japanese snow hut that has been part of Japan's snow country culture for centuries. The most famous kamakura tradition comes from Yokote City in Akita Prefecture, where this practice dates back approximately 450 years.
Originally, kamakura were built as part of the koshogatsu (Little New Year) celebrations around January 15th on the lunar calendar. Villagers would pile up snow, compact it into a dome shape, and hollow out the interior to create a cozy space. Inside, they would enshrine a water deity (suijin-sama), and children would welcome visitors with sweet sake (amazake) and rice cakes.
The origin of the word "kamakura" remains debated among scholars. Some believe it derives from "kamikura" (seat of the gods), while others suggest it comes from "kamadokura" (hearth hut) due to its resemblance to a traditional cooking stove. The German architect Bruno Taut famously praised this enchanting tradition when he visited Yokote in 1936, later writing about it in his book "Rediscovering Japanese Beauty."
What is Restaurant Kamakura Village?
Located in Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture, "Kamakura no Sato" (Kamakura Village) is a seasonal winter destination that operates for approximately one month from late January to late February each year. At its heart is "Restaurant Kamakura Village," a unique dining experience where guests can enjoy meals inside authentic snow huts.
Iiyama City is known as one of Nagano Prefecture's heaviest snowfall areas, and the local "Kamakura Support Team" harnesses this abundant snow to handcraft more than 20 kamakura each winter. Having celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2020, this attraction has grown into a popular destination drawing visitors from across Japan and around the world.
What makes these kamakura particularly interesting is their construction method. Unlike traditional kamakura built by hollowing out a snow mound, the Iiyama team uses an innovative approach: they pack snow around a giant balloon, then deflate and remove the balloon once the snow has hardened. This efficient technique allows them to create large kamakura with walls nearly one meter thick.
2026 Event Information
Restaurant Kamakura Village 2026 will operate from January 23 (Friday) to March 1 (Sunday).
The restaurant operates in lunch and dinner sessions, all by reservation only. Weekend dinner slots are especially popular and often fill up within days of reservations opening, so early booking is highly recommended.
General admission is ¥300 for adults and ¥100 for elementary school students. Restaurant diners and preschool children enter free. Even without a dining reservation, visitors can enjoy the snow playground, souvenir shop, and a designated "free kamakura" open to everyone.
The Signature Dish: Noroshi Nabe
The star attraction at Restaurant Kamakura Village is the "Noroshi Nabe" (Signal Fire Hot Pot), a hearty dish prepared with Shinshu miso. This flavorful hot pot features local vegetables including napa cabbage, daikon radish, carrots, traditional Iiyama vegetables like Tokiwa burdock and Sakai taro, various mushrooms, and the prized local "Miyuki Pork."
The name "Noroshi Nabe" pays homage to the signal fire towers that once stood on nearby Mount Kuroiwa, used by the forces of the famous feudal lord Uesugi Kenshin during the Sengoku period. The rising steam from the hot pot evokes images of those ancient signal fires.
Accompanying the hot pot is a rice ball made from Iiyama-grown Koshihikari rice, renowned for winning numerous gold awards at national rice tasting competitions. The quality speaks for itself.
Each group gets exclusive use of their kamakura, creating a private dining experience. Despite being surrounded by snow, the interior stays surprisingly warm—many guests report feeling quite toasty while enjoying their hot pot.
Highlights and Recommendations
Evening Illumination is a Must-See
As dusk settles, all 20-plus kamakura are lit from within, creating a magical wonderland. Warm lights flickering against the pristine white snow offer a quintessentially Japanese winter scene. Enjoying your hot pot while watching snowflakes drift by is an unforgettable experience.
Diverse Plan Options
Beyond the standard Noroshi Nabe day plan, visitors can choose from a casual "Snack Plan" featuring roasted sweet potatoes with sweet red bean soup or amazake, accommodation packages with nearby hot spring hotels, and a new "Doburoku Plan" for 2026 featuring local unfiltered sake.
Winter Activities
Even without a dining reservation, visitors can enjoy snow rafting pulled by snowmobiles, snow vehicle rides, sledding, and more. It's a winter playground for all ages.
Kamakura Shrine Visit
At the far end of the venue stands a striking red torii gate marking the Kamakura Shrine. This snow shrine creates an otherworldly atmosphere, complete with a sacred altar and offering box. According to tradition, a deity descends from Mount Kuroiwa each winter to reside here.
Getting There
Restaurant Kamakura Village is surprisingly accessible from Tokyo. Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Iiyama Station (approximately 2 hours), then a 15-minute taxi ride or 20-minute bus ride on the "Express Togari Line" to the Shinanodaira bus stop. By car, it's about 25 minutes from the Toyota-Iiyama IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway.
Note that for dinner sessions, the last public bus departs at 17:07, so evening guests must either drive themselves or book a plan that includes return shuttle service to Iiyama Station.
Nearby attractions include Togari Onsen and Madarao Kogen, offering excellent opportunities to combine your kamakura experience with hot springs and skiing.
Reservation Information and Tips
Web reservations offer the best value and convenience. For the 2026 season, day trip plans opened for booking on December 19, 2025, while accommodation packages became available on November 4, 2025. Phone reservations begin January 15, 2026.
Vegetarian and halal dietary accommodations are available with advance notice. Halal meals require an additional fee.
Dress warmly—ski wear and proper winter footwear are strongly recommended. Temperatures drop significantly during evening sessions, so thorough cold-weather preparation is essential.
The venue has seen growing international interest, with visitors from Taiwan, Australia, and other countries increasingly discovering this authentic Japanese winter experience.
Does your country have traditional winter structures made from snow, or special cold-weather food customs? What do you think about the Japanese kamakura experience? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
References
Reactions in Japan
Finally fulfilled my son's 2-year dream of experiencing a kamakura! Once inside, you can't hear the outside world—it felt like another dimension. The hot pot was amazing! This became a precious family memory.
The Noroshi Nabe exceeded my expectations. The Miyuki Pork was so tender, and the miso seasoning was perfect. The Koshihikari rice ball was divine too. Great value at ¥6,300.
The kamakura village at night was truly magical✨ All the snow huts lit up, snow sparkling everywhere... Perfect for Instagram! But it's cold, so bundle up!
Honestly, the portion size is a bit small for the price. It says 2 servings, but it might not be enough for two adults. Fair if you factor in the experience, but not ideal for those focused only on food.
The kids were so excited! Eating hot pot inside a kamakura is an experience you can only have here in Japan. They also loved the snow rafting—fell asleep in the car on the way home lol
I've slept in snow caves while mountaineering, but this was my wife's first time. The inside was surprisingly warm with no wind. Great atmosphere. Only downside is difficulty getting reservations.
Wanted to go for the evening session, but no public transport back is disappointing. There's a shuttle plan but costs extra. Tough for those without cars. The lunch session was still enjoyable though.
Came here for my girlfriend's birthday surprise🎂 Found out you can order a cake and booked immediately! Celebrating inside a kamakura became a lifetime memory. Staff were very kind too.
Proud as a local resident. The Kamakura Support Team works hard every year. More foreign tourists are coming—it's nice to see Iiyama getting known worldwide. Making good use of our snow.
Was worried about the late snow this year, but glad they opened. With climate change, wonder how long snow-based events like this can continue... makes you think.
Went for photography and the village at dusk was stunning. The moment orange lights come on during blue hour is magical. Bring a tripod. Battery drains fast in cold—bring spares.
The new 'Doburoku Plan' this year sounds interesting! Since Iiyama is a doburoku special zone, drinking local unfiltered sake with oden in a kamakura... perfect combo? Definitely trying this next time.
Went on a weekday and it was peaceful. Weekends apparently get crowded with foreign tourists. Recommend weekdays for a relaxed experience. The snack plan was satisfying enough.
Heard pets are allowed and went, but they can't enter the kamakura which was a bit disappointing. At least we enjoyed the outdoor snow area together. Leash required, pick up after your pet.
Was moved to hear they offer halal options. Extra charge, but they replaced pork with halal chicken and used separate cookware. So grateful for this consideration in Japan.
Stopped by after skiing at Nozawa Onsen. The charm of Iiyama area is combining kamakura with skiing. There are hot spring plans too—perfect for a winter Nagano trip.
Came from Taiwan! For us who rarely see snow, dining inside a kamakura was like a dream come true. The Noroshi Nabe was delicious and we fully enjoyed Japanese winter. Definitely coming back!
In Australia we have Christmas in summer, so this winter experience was truly special. The kamakura structure is fascinating—never heard of the balloon method before. Impressed by Japanese craftsmanship.
France has snowy regions too, but the idea of operating a restaurant in snow is creative. Similar feeling to eating fondue but more exotic! The evening illumination was truly romantic.
Became interested after hearing Bruno Taut praised Yokote kamakura in 1936. As a German architect, I respect the tradition of using snow as building material. Iiyama's method is very efficient.
From Minnesota and used to snow, but never thought of dining in a snow hut. Interesting difference from Inuit igloos. Love how it's connected to the Japanese tradition of enshrining water deities.
Traveler from Korea. Japanese winter events are high quality. Good reservation system and vegetarian options are appreciated. Wish Korea had experience facilities like this.
Canada has igloo culture too, but elevating it into such a refined restaurant experience is uniquely Japanese. Price felt a bit high though. Still, worth it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
As an Italian with high food standards, the Noroshi Nabe was genuinely delicious. Deep miso flavor combined with fresh vegetables was excellent. Eating hot pot in the snow—unforgettable experience.
Singapore never sees snow, so our whole family was thrilled. Kids were obsessed with sledding while adults loved the hot pot. Amazing that this experience is just 2 hours from Tokyo.
Poland has harsh winters too, but there's much to learn from how Japan utilizes snow as a tourism resource. Wonderful how the local community collaborates to create this.
Mexico doesn't get snow, so I'd only seen kamakura in movies and anime. Surprised how warm it was inside! So happy to experience Japanese traditional culture firsthand.
Came from the UK and was moved by Japanese winter hospitality. Staff were so kind and English communication wasn't a problem. An experience that makes me want to return to Japan.
Came from Dubai. Living in a desert country, this was my first time seeing such beautiful snowy scenery. Relieved to hear there are halal options. Recommended for Muslim travelers too.
We ski in New Zealand too, but this cultural snow experience was a first. Interesting fusion of 450-year-old kamakura culture with modern restaurant experience. A uniquely Japanese concept.
Sweden has ice hotels, but the kamakura restaurant is more casual and approachable. Great that families can enjoy it. The contrast between hot pot and cold snow was amazing.
Coming from Brazil, snow itself was a rare experience. Inside the kamakura felt like another world! Showed off to friends on social media and everyone was jealous. Japan winter travel is the best!