Shiga Kogen Resort Guide
Insider tips from our team
With 18 resorts and 83 km of trails covered under one lift pass, Shiga Kogen is by far Japan's largest ski area and was one of the main venues for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. It's also its highest resort at 1,325 to 2,307m, meaning a long season and reliable snow cover. Our Shiga Kogen Resort Guide covers all the essential information, from where to ski and our top runs, to our tips on where to stay, eat, drink, and entertain yourselves during your ski holiday.
For anyone used to skiing in the large European linked resorts and clocking up the kilometres over a holiday, Shiga Kogen is a great destination. There’s no single resort base, but a number of resort hotels and small villages nestled in the valleys. At first glance, the ski trail map takes a bit of interpretation, but once you’re there, the skiing flows together very nicely. We know it well, and our Resort Guide will help you maximise your time on and off the slopes.
In March 2026, Ski Safari founder and owner Richard Rice, Sales Manager & Japan Product Manager Andy Knights, and Japan Specialist Andy Evans re-visited Shiga Kogen and have provided their top tips for getting the most out of your experience.
Skiing in Shiga Kogen
The whole 18-resort ski area is covered by the same lift pass, giving you a huge variety of skiing and snowboarding options. All the resorts are connected by lifts, except for two which are accessed by shuttle bus. The lift infrastructure is impressive - a mix of gondolas, high-speed chairs and a range of older (and admittedly slower) 2-person chairlifts, which are common in Japanese resorts and, we feel, add to their charm.
Average yearly snowfall in Shiga Kogen is 8 to 12 metres and, due to the high altitude, dry powder falls are a regular feature.
The grooming in Shiga is meticulous, and the long, top-to-bottom runs are in prime condition every morning, giving everyone an exhilarating warm-up to their day.
Note: Shiga Kogen is also covered by the Ikon Pass, giving you 7 days skiing across the whole ski area (5 days with the Ikon Base Pass). Speak to our Japan Specialists on 01273 224060 for more information.
Where to ski in Shiga Kogen
We’ll recommend that you stay in either Yakebitaiyama or Okushigakogen, the two northernmost ski areas. They offer some of the highest skiing in Shiga Kogen too, so they’re reliable for snow cover throughout the season. Once you reach the high ridge connecting the two resorts, you’ll see the whole area stretching away into the distance and will immediately get a feel for the scale of the place.
The next area along is Ichinose, which has a small village base with a few restaurants and hotels. There’s skiing on both sides of the road here, and a convenient snow bridge that skiers can cross to connect the two sides. This gives access to the southern part of Shiga - the highlight here being the slopes of Terakoya, where the views and snow quality reflect the high altitude.
From here, the resort drops away to some lower areas, Sun Valley and Giant, which are blissfully quiet and feel very Japanese. Slightly further on, and connected by shuttle bus, are the two highest areas, Yokoteyama and Kumanoyu, which are worth visiting for at least a day. These areas open first in mid-November and close last, often well into May!
Our favourite Shiga Kogen runs:
Japanese Ski resorts rarely give imaginative or evocative names to the pistes - often they’re just numbers or letters. They’re well signposted on the mountain though, and it’s very clear which are for beginners, intermediates and experts.
Beginner runs (Green):
‘Course Number 1’ (see what we mean!?) at the base of Okushigakogen is a long, mellow and wide run with its own dedicated lift and beginner area. It’s quiet and perfect for building confidence. Elsewhere, the Ichinose Diamond zone is always popular with beginners, with two chairlifts serving a wide-open, diamond-shaped area, ideal for perfecting those wedge turns. From there, it’s easy progression to the other side of the valley and the longer runs in the Ichinose Family zone.
Intermediate runs (Blue):
The pistes at the top of Terakoya (26, 27 and 28) are at around 2,100m altitude, so the snow quality up here is some of the best you’ll get. The three runs undulate as they take different paths through the trees, all served by a high-speed quad lift for quick laps. But really, the whole resort is a paradise for intermediate skiers!
Expert runs (Black):
There are steep black runs dotted across Shiga Kogen, but first turns in the morning have to be on the long, steep A4 Nagano Olympic Course, accessed from the Number 1 Gondola outside the Prince Hotel East (with early lift access for hotel guests). The Yakebi Coast course (C4) is also a firm favourite - it follows a ridgeline and gives great views in all directions. It’s left unpisted, and if it hasn’t snowed for a few days then you’ll often find some decent moguls.
Off-piste skiing:
The steep off-piste runs through the trees in the bowl between Yakebiteyama and Okushiga are where you want to be on a powder day (or even a few days after, as it doesn’t get tracked out!).
Of course, you shouldn’t enter off-piste areas without a partner and avalanche equipment.
Night skiing:
Throughout the season, selected areas such as Yakebitaiyama and Ichinose Family open under floodlights on designated evenings. This will usually be from 6pm to 8 or even 9pm, depending on the area. Night skiing isn't included in standard lift passes, so you'll need to pay an extra fee of around £15.
Weather and when to go to Shiga Kogen
Shiga Kogen is blessed with one of Japan’s longest and most reliable seasons. All 18 ski areas are usually be open from early December through to the start of April, while the highest altitude ski areas may be open even earlier and close even later. The ‘peak season’ is January and February, but excellent powder is common in December and March too. The average annual snowfall is 8 to 12 metres.
Daytime temperatures up in the mountains during the season usually hover between -5°C and 5°C, but can dip as low as -15°C in mid-winter, at night, or during cold snaps.
Where to stay in Shiga Kogen
Given that Shiga Kogen is Japan's largest ski area, there are a lot of options! Larger resort hotels are spread out across the valleys, as well as a number of small villages, rather than there being a single resort base like you'll find elsewhere in Japan.
For our customers, we recommend staying at the Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel in Yakebitaiyama. This is one of the highest and northernmost ski areas of Shiga Kogen, with reliable snow, high-quality lifts and varied runs including the Nagano Olympic Run and the Yakebi Wall. The well-connected lift system means that you can reach the other areas of Shiga using your pass, if you want to explore further afield.
The two main wings of the hotel are both ski-in ski-out and have all you need for a comfortable stay, with various restaurants and bars, ski rental, ski school and an onsen-style bathhouse available on-site.
Where to Eat & Drink in Shiga Kogen
On-mountain dining
For lunches, there are a range of mountain restaurants across the ski area. These are mostly canteen-style, offering the usual noodles, curries and rice bowls. Our top pick is ‘Yamanouchi Taisho-ken’ at the base of the Ichonose slopes. It’s in a disused gondola station and serves authentic, delicious Nagano-style ramen. Nearby Ristorante Altopiano is highly rated for pizzas and burgers, if you're looking for something more Western-style.
Don’t miss a fondue (not very Japanese, but a ski holiday staple!) at ‘Rooftop’ restaurant, up on the top floor of the Higashitateyama Gondola terminal, with 360 views of Shiga Kogen’s ski area and the Nagano valley.
If you're staying near the resort in Yakebitaiyama Ski Area, then Yakebi Fire Head Burger is a popular lunchtime choice.
Evening and breakfast dining
At Shiga Kogen, you’ll usually eat breakfast and dinner in your hotel, and both the Prince East and West have very good options to choose from. There are both à la carte and buffet style restaurants on site, and they cater for all tastes with a wide range of Japanese and Western Cuisines.
There is also ‘Yakebi’ - an izakaya restaurant at the base of the Yakebitaiyama 2 Gondola, which is an informal pub-style restaurant. It's less than 5 minutes away from both East and West buildings with a complimentary hotel shuttle.
Snacks and drinks
There are convenience stores within the hotels to stock up on drinks and snacks, with lots of familiar favourites mixed in with more unique Japanese products to try. The always-popular Japanese vending machines can also be found on most floors of the hotel - available 24/7 and offering hot and cold drinks, a variety of snacks and even local beers!
Après-ski
It’s more about skiing than anything else at Shiga Kogen, so après is fairly limited. The East Building at the Prince Hotel has a cosy bar with a lovely view of the mountain - the bartender mixes excellent cocktails with a jazz soundtrack.
The Prince West also has a traditional bathhouse on-site for guests - perfect after a long day on the slopes.
Activities in Shiga Kogen
Although the focus is very much on the skiing in Shiga Kogen, there are some great options if you feel like a day away from the slopes.
Jigokudani Monkey Park
A short distance away is Jigokudani - home of the world-famous snow monkeys. Watching these wild monkeys bathe in natural hot springs - seemingly unbothered by visitors - is a uniquely Japanese and genuinely unforgettable experience. It’s heart-warming, slightly surreal and often a highlight for non-skiers and skiers alike.
E-snow bikes
A cross between an e-bike and a snowmobile, this is a fun and unique way to explore Shiga Kogen. After an introductory session with an instructor, you’ll be taken on a guided ride around the ski area.
Guided snowshoe tours
Exploring on foot will take you to some beautiful hidden spots. You can arrange a tour with a guide from the Shiga Kogen Guide Association.
Traditional onsens
If you'd like a change of scenery, the traditional onsen resorts of Yudanaka, Kambayashi and Shibu are located near the base of Shiga Kogen and can be reached by bus in around half an hour.
Nagano
Nagano City is the gateway to the mountains, nestled in a valley surrounded by the Japanese Alps. Its history can be traced back some 1,300 years and there's plenty to see. We recommend a visit to Zenkō-ji Temple - a large and peaceful temple which sees barely any visitors compared to other similar sites in Tokyo or Kyoto.
Kids in Shiga Kogen
Families will enjoy the quiet atmosphere, all-ability runs and easy mountain access in Shiga Kogen. The ski schools are also very good, and the free Family Snow Park outside Prince West provides a safe and fun environment for younger skiers. In the Snow Park, there's a magic carpet and plenty of fun equipment on offer.
Staying in the Yakebitaiyama area has plenty of benefits for family skiing. The ski-in ski-out hotels mean there's no need for lugging your skis around or catching buses to the slopes - you can just get out there and start skiing! You'll rarely find big queues at the lifts, and when it comes to lunch or snacks or quick changes of gear, popping back to your hotel is quick and simple. There are also 3 or 4-bed rooms suitable for families.
Yakebitaiyama has a good selection of beginner and intermediate runs, and it's also a simple journey to Ichinose Diamond and Family zones - known for their wide groomers and varied beginner runs.
Beyond the skiing, there isn’t a huge amount for younger kids to do, but the nearby Jigokudani Monkey Park is a popular day trip for families.
Recommended Ski School in Shiga Kogen
Shiga International Ski and Snowboard School offers group and private lessons for all ages with internationally-qualified instructors. They cater for both skiers and snowboarders, from beginner-level right up to advanced. The instructors are from all over the world and can offer lesson in English and multiple other languages.
They’re based in Okushigakogen and group lessons meet there - there's a shuttle bus from Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel. If you’ve booked a private lesson, your instructor can meet you at your hotel.
Shiga Kogen Travel Tips
Getting to Shiga Kogen
When you land in Tokyo, take the monorail and rail link to Tokyo Station (or if you have ski/snowboard bags, we can arrange a taxi transfer for you). From Tokyo Station, the bullet train (Shinkansen) to Nagano Station takes a little over 90 minutes. From there, it’s about an hour’s road transfer to your accommodation in Shiga Kogen.
There are also direct coach transfers to Shiga Kogen from both Toyko Haneda and Narita airports, but these road journeys take longer (around 6 hours). Your ski specialist will explain the options and help you decide what’s best for you.
Getting around Shiga Kogen
Your Shiga Kogen lift pass gives you access to all lifts and gondolas across the 18 ski areas. Many of these are also linked by interconnected ski runs, making Shiga a fun place to explore. Make sure you know the lift closing schedule so you can get back to your base easily.
Your pass also gives you access to the regular resort shuttle buses that run between the major ski and accommodation areas, and you'll need these if you want to visit the two highest areas at Yokoteyama and Kumanoyu. Services run throughout the day but are much more limited in the evening, so check ahead.
For evening journeys, transport options are generally limited. It's best to ask your hotel if you need to arrange an evening journey.
If you want to go further afield to the Snow Monkey Park or Nagano, local buses are available. These aren't covered by your lift pass, so you'll need to pay directly or use an IC Card (Japanese travel card). Again, you can ask your hotel for local advice here, and they will usually be able to offer a taxi booking if needed.
Shiga Kogen as part of a wider Japan holiday
Shiga Kogen's location near the centre of Japan's main island (Honshu) makes it a good option for a ski and city holiday. A few days in Tokyo is a logical choice since you'll likely be flying in and out of there, and it's a truly remarkable city to visit. Kyoto is a little further out to the west, but Japan's former capital is ancient, endlessly fascinating and well worth a visit if time allows.
And if you want to see another side of Japanese ski culture, then the country's oldest resort of Nozawa Onsen offers more of a traditional village feel, along with an active après-ski scene and a great number of natural onsens.
Most of our Japan travellers choose to explore more than just a single ski resort during their holiday, and our ski specialists are experts in building varied Japan itineraries. We've created a selection of ski safaris to inspire your Japan travel plans, all of which can be tailored just how you want them.
Have a question about Shiga Kogen?
Take a look at our Shiga Kogen FAQs, or call our team on 01273 224060 to speak to someone who has skied and stayed here.
Maps
Resort Map
Trail map
Resort Stats
Season
Nearest airport
Flight time
Direct flight
Transfer time
Transport
Elevation
Vertical drop
Average snowfall
Ski area
Ski lifts
Runs
Grade system
Insider Tips
See our latest Shiga Kogen Resort Guide blog posts.
Interested?
Let’s start crafting your perfect tailor-made ski holiday
Every holiday is tailor-made, just for you. Our ski specialists will look at your enquiry and will be in touch within a day or two. We promise it's worth the wait!