Shiga Kogen
Shiga Kogen is Japan’s largest ski arena with 18 linked ski areas – including Nagano, site of the 1998 Winter Olympics – located throughout 5 adjoining valleys. One ticket accesses all areas and lifts, and a shuttle service running non-stop shuttle during the day links the entire network. The region’s geographic diversity and heavy snowfalls produce superb conditions, somewhat drier snow than found in resorts closer to the coast, and one of Japan’s longest ski seasons running from late November and often into May.
A big plus for visitors is having Japan’s world-renowned tourist attraction of the snow monkeys, on their doorstep. About 200 of the snow monkeys called macaques can be seen playing in the snow and bathing in natural hot springs, or onsen, in the special park about a half hour drive from Shiga Kogen. Tourists can enjoy soaking just as much as the macques, with dozens of onsen all over Shiga Kogen and located in hotels and lodges.
Skiing here started in 1923 when an adventurous couple brought skis to the Kanbayashi Hot Spring and laid tracks around the farms and valleys. Their skiing piqued the locals’ curiosity and soon the youth in the area had followed suit. About a decade later, a group of skiers from Norway declared the area ‘the Saint Moritz of Asia’.
Shinga Kogen Accommodation
Shiga Kogen has several lovely hotels most of which have their own natural onsen thanks to the region’s concentration of geothermal activity. Larger hotels will have good restaurants, concierge, ski school services and equipment rental stores. The plushest hotels in Shiga Kogen are The Grand Hotel Phenix Okushiga and the Okushiga Kogen Hotel. The latter sits at 1600m making it one of the highest hotels in Japan. The Okushiga Kogen is ski-in ski-out, with modern Japanese/Western style rooms most of which overlook Shiga National Park. The The Grand Hotel Phenix Okushiga is also built to appeal to Western tastes. Rooms are more generous than usual and the common lounge area has high ceilings, a fireplace and good alpine views.
Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel South & East Wing is so large (as well as sumptuous) it has a shuttle bus for guests to take between the wings, each of which have their own mini base with lifts. The Prince also has an on-site outdoor spa and hot spring area, massage facilities, a few convenience stores, a nursery, no less than 6 restaurants and bars and on-site equipment rental and storage. The hotel’s West wing was former athlete accommodation for the Nagano Olympics.
Shiga Kogen Statistics
| Average Snowfall | 1100 cm (433 in/36 ft) |
| Beginner Terrain | 45% |
| Intermediate Terrain | 40% |
| Advanced Terrain | 15% |
| Parks | 1 |
| Pipes | 1 |
| Winter lifts Total | 50 |
| Gondolas Trams | 5 |
| Mountain Restaurants | 5 |
| Season Opens | December |
| Season Closes | April |
How To Get To Shiga Kogen
The total trip to Shiga Kogen Ski Resort takes about 4.5 hours from Narita Airport in Tokyo. The first leg involves a bus or bullet train to Nagano and then a car or shuttle transfer is organised to take you to the door of your chosen lodging.
Shiga Kogen Snowsports & Ski School
The Sugiyama Ski & Snow Sports School is the place to head for private lessons in English, while The Shiga International Ski School (SISS) is the main teaching facility for group lessons and located at Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort.
With SISS, adult skiers can take two hour or four hour classes, and children either two and a half hour morning classes or from 9.30am till 3pm. Snowboarders over the age of 12 can join in two or four hour classes with the adults. Adult lessons start at 10am and 1pm.
The free shuttle bus service from anywhere in Shiga Kogen can drop visitors at the ski school. (Take any bus bound for Okushiga Kogen Hotel and hop off at the last stop. Shiga Ski School is located inside the main building of the ski area (Centre House) on the second floor. SISS also provides a pick-up service for those staying at certain hotels, and this can be arranged in advance.
Shiga Kogen Things To Do, Activities and Tours
It is an easy day trip to the most popular off-snow attraction here, the Jigokudani Monkey Park, a 30 minute drive away. This park is the only place in the world to view these kinds of monkeys who live in the snow and love soaking in the hot natural pools.
Enjoy the water as much as the monkeys at Shibu Onsen, an historic town with narrow streets and numerous onsens adjacent the monkey park.
Okushiga is the place to book a horse drawn carriage ride through the surrounding forests and fields. Carriages can accommodate both couples and groups, and rides are scheduled 9am to 5pm. Don some snow shoes and tour the area around the Okushiga Kogen Hotel, or hire a sled.
Shiga Kogen Restaurants, Bars & Nightlife
Highlights of the on-mountain eating scene include the freshly baked bread at Crumpet Cafe (Tokoteyama ski area), freshly baked pastries at St Christoph next to the bae of the Okushiga gondola, apple pie at Restaurant Aspen (Giant ski area), real coffee at Restaurant Green (Sun Valley ski area) and the spicy curry at Prince Hotel South (Yakabitaiyama ski area).
When it comes to nightlife, Shiga Kogen is a quieter option to Hakuba and Nozawa. Okushiga is a centre for good dining, excellent French and Japanese and friendly apres spots. There are a number of small restaurants and vibey bars around the valley with delicious eats that are popular with both locals and visitors.
In the Ichinose area, the traditional izakaya in the Hotel Dairoku has tasty yakitori and Restaurant 101 in Villa Ichinose is noted for its gyoza.
The Teppa Room in Chalet Shiga is the place to go for beer and the Hotel Japan Shiga has an authentic Nepalese restaurant called Kamoshika.
Rest House Temple Hut
Location: Nishi-kan, Mt. Higashi-kan, Templehouse · Buna Plain area
Food: Japanese/Western cuisine
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-3017
200 ° Cafe (Higashi-Tozan Observation Deck)
Location: Nishi-kan, Mt. Higashi-kan, Templehouse · Buna Plain area
Food: European cuisine/Burgers
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-2231
Shiga Ikooso
Location: Nishi-kan, Mt. Higashi-kan, Templehouse · Buna Plain area
Food: American dishes
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-2005
Aspen Shiga
Location: Nishi-kan, Mt. Higashi-kan, Templehouse · Buna Plain area
Food: omelet, burgers
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269 – 34 – 3700
Restaurant Monte More
Location: Nishi-kan, Mt. Higashi-kan, Templehouse · Buna Plain area
Food: Traditional Japanese
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-2721
Holiday Plaza Shiga Kogen
Location: Higashigahigahara · Iseose Area
Food: Homemade Japanese dishes
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-3330
Bell Ringing Hill
Location: Higashigahigahara · Iseose Area
Food: Chinese/Japanese
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-2706
Okushiga Takahara center house
Location: Yushanzan / Okushiga Kogen area
Food: Japanese style curry
Bar: Yes
Phone: +81 0269-34-2225
La Stella alpine
Location: Yushanzan / Okushiga Kogen area
Food: Italian cuisine
Bar: Yes/Wine only
Phone: +81 0269-34-3611
Le Chamois
Location: Yushanzan / Okushiga Kogen area
Food: Italian cuisine
Bar: Yes/Wine only
Phone: +81 0269-38-1250
Restaurants Saint Christophe
Location: Yushanzan / Okushiga Kogen area
Food: Japanese/European cuisine
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-2551
Chinese food lion
Location: Yushanzan / Okushiga Kogen area
Food: Chinese cuisine
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-3116
New York
Location: Shibu-To · Kuma no Yu · Hotaru hot spring area
Food: American cuisine
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-2106
Yokote Mountain Hutte
Location: Shibu-To • Kuma no Yu • Hotaru hot spring area
Food: homemade bread and soup
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-2430
Restaurant BELDOR
Location: Shibu-To • Kuma no Yu • Hotaru hot spring area
Food: Japanese cuisine
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-2166
Yokote Mountain Rest House
Location: Shibu-To • Kuma no Yu • Hotaru hot spring area
Food: Japanese ramen
Bar: No
Phone: +81 0269-34-2600
Shiga Kogen Shopping
Shopping in Shiga Kogen is the domain of ski area base facilities and hotel convenience and gift stores.
Phenix ski shop
Location: Hotel Grand Phenix
Shop: Phenix outerwear and accessories for adults and kids
Phone: +81 0269-34-3611
Okushiga Kogen * Skiing, snowshoeing
Location: Okushiga Center House Rental/Okushiga Kogen Hotel
Shop: ski and snowboard rentals
Phone: +810269-24-2007 / +81 0269-34-2034
Snowcake Hayashike Mountain Station Store
Shop: ski and snowboard rentals, outdoor apparel, souvenirs
Phone: +81 0269-24-2521
Snow Can Takahagahara store
Location: Takahagahara
Shop: ski and snowboard rentals
Phone: +810269-24-2100
Snow Can Ichinose Diamond Store
Location: Ichinose
Shop: ski and snowboard rentals
Phone: +810269-24-2755