Shiga-Kogen Highlands

Nagano Shiga-Kogen Highlands | Back to the 1998 Olympics

The Shiga Kogen Ski Area is a group of 21 ski resorts that have joined together to create the largest combined ski area in Japan. Shiga Kogen is so large that it would take at least two days to cover it all, yet a single lift ticket gives you access to all 71 lifts, gondolas and ropeways in the area. Most of the ski areas are connected such that you can easily travel between them on ski or snowboard; however, there is also a shuttle bus that serves the resorts from December to early May (free for lift ticket holders). Located in the highlands of Nagano Prefecture, Shiga Kogen is divided into two areas that are joined at Hasuike. The southern area leads to the top of the 2305 m tall Mount Yokote and has ski runs and hot springs along the way to the summit.

The northern area leads to Oku Shiga Kogen and is flanked by a number of 2000 m high peaks providing an immense area for skiers and snowboarders to explore. The northern area's Higashidateyama Resort hosted the slalom and giant slalom events of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. Accommodation is provided by the many hotels located throughout the area, especially around Hasuike. Shiga Kogen does not have much of a town for entertainment, so a nice relaxing soak in the hot springs might be your best bet. nearby hot spring resort towns of ShibuOnsen and YudanakaOnsen or the Jigokudani Monkey Park, whose wild monkeys bathe in natural hot springs are popular spots for these guests.

Nagano Shiga-Kogen Highlands | Related Pages