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 a 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 macaques, 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 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 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) that it has a shuttle bus for guests to take between the wings, each of which has its 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 organized 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 is 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 9.30 am till 3 pm. Snowboarders over the age of 12 can join in two or four-hour classes with the adults. Adult lessons start at 10 am and 1 pm.

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, a historic town with narrow streets and numerous onsens adjacent to 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 9 am to 5 pm. 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 base of the Okushiga gondola, the 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 than Hakuba and Nozawa. Okushiga is a center 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 a 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