Shiga Kogen is a well-known name among the Japanese for many reasons; for its hiking trails, high mountains, and for it being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Most famously however, it is Japan’s largest ski area with 18 ski resorts.

The 1998 Winter Olympics largely played out in Shiga Kogen, with many of the slopes having been used as competition runs. Nowadays, the slopes are still visited by many Japanese, but foreigners are not as common. This has the effect of there being limited English in the hotels and restaurants, but also the advantage of there not being many crowds. Waiting for chairlifts in Shiga Kogen is a rarity.

Shiga Kogen has one of the longest snow seasons in Japan, with the resorts opening from the end of November and remaining open for the first week of May. Those heading to these snow resorts will enjoy some of the best snow quality. In addition to good powder, the view from the Shiga highlands is beautiful as well. As the snow resorts are some of the highest in Japan you get an amazing view from the top of the mountains. On good days you can see over the valley of Nagano, up to the Northern Alps.

In summer hiking is one of the most popular activities in Shiga Kogen. The snow melts away to reveal the many lakes and rich flora and fauna diversity. One of the most popular hikes in the mountain resorts is the Oonuma Lake Hike, a hike that take you past the most renowned lakes in Shiga Kogen.

Shiga Kogen is only 30 minutes away by bus from the Snow Monkey Park trail entrance.

Tours to Shiga Kogen

Shiga Kogen Ski Resort is a must go when you are in the area. Enjoy the fresh powder snow which you can only find at Shiga Kogen. Experience by yourself why Shiga Kogen was chosen to be one of the resorts to held many of the Olympic games in 1998.

Opening Hours:
Late Nov. to March・8:30 – 16:00
April to early May・9:00 – 17:00

Price Day Ticket:
Per adult (13+)・4,200 ~ 5,000 JPY
Per child (6-12)・2,100 ~ 2,500 JPY

Address Sunvalley (Shiga Kogen gateway):
7148 Hirao, Yamamouchi-machi Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture 381-0401

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  From/To Shiga Kogen: Snow Monkey Private Tour

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  Airports・Tokyo to/from Nagano Ski Resorts

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  Top 3 Ski Resort Areas in Japan

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  Travel to・from International Airports in Japan

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  All You Need to Know about the JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass)

Option 1: Tokyo Station → Nagano Station → Yudanaka → Shiga Kogen

1. From Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (1.5 hours):
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station.

2. From Nagano Station to Yudanaka Station (1 hour):
From Nagano Station, take the Nagano Dentetsu train to bound for Yudanaka Station, the end station.

3: From Yudanaka Station to Shiga Kogen (45 minutes)
From Yudanaka Station, take the local bus heading for Shiga Kogen.

Option 2: Tokyo Station → Nagano Station → Shiga Kogen

1. From Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (1.5 hours):
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station.

2. From Nagano Station to Shiga Kogen (2 hours):
From Nagano Station, take the Nagano Dentetsu express bus bound for Shiga Kogen..