Shiga Highlands

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Shiga Kōgen (志賀高原) or Shiga Highlands nestled in the heart of the Jōshin'etsu Kōgen National Park in the highlands of Yamanouchi, Nagano, Japan is a ski resort in the winter and a hiking spot during the other seasons.

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According to Snow Japan [1] website, Shiga Kogen

“is one of the giants of the Japanese ski areas and is actually one of the largest ski resort areas in the world. Shiga Kogen is made up of many (mostly) interconnected resorts and it may very well take you more than a few days to ride every course. One lift pass will give you access to all 71 lifts, gondola lift and ropeways in the Shiga Kogen resort area. A few of the resort areas are open to skiers-only, but the huge size of the area provides more than enough terrain for any skier or snowboarder.”

There are runs for every ability level and skiing style. Shiga Kogen seemingly endless variety of long perfectly groomed cruising runs, gentle beginner’s slopes, bottomless powder and challenging moguls are serviced by modern lifts and facilities. Host of the women’s downhill, slalom, the super Giant slalom and both snowboarding events for the 1998 Winter Olympics, Shiga Kogen has an extensive lift network. Night skiing is available at some of the areas.

Giant Ski Area

Hasuike Ski Area

Maruike Ski Area

Sun Valley Ski Area

Higashitateyama Ski Area

Ichinose Diamond Ski Area

Ichinose Family Ski Area

Ichinose Yamanokami Ski Area

Nishitateyama Ski Area

Takamagahara Mammoth Ski Area

Tanne no Mori Okojo Ski Area

Terakoya Ski Area

Okushiga Kōgen Ski Area Yakibitaiyama Ski Area

Kasadake Ski Area Kidoike Ski Area Kumanoyu Ski Area Maeyama Ski Area Shibutōge Ski Area Yokoteyama Ski Area

Shiga Kōgen is the largest ski resort complex in Japan, 4.25 square kilometres (1.64 sq mi) according to List of ski areas and resorts in Japan.

According to MT 6 (Mount Six)[2], six mountain resorts organized to create and preserve mountain resort culture in Japan [Nozawa Onsen, Zao Onsen, Shiga Kogen, Kusatsu, Hakuba Happo One, and Myoko Kogen]:

“Shiga Kogen is renowned as Japan's largest ski resort and has a long history of skiing. Since the Taisho Era, which began in 1912, before the lifts were installed its immense and richly variegated mountains and good snow quality won general favor as a suitable skiing area. In the winter of 1929, Lieutenant Helzett, vice-chairman of Norway's national ski federation and his party arrived at Shiga Kogen. Struck with awe upon seeing the grandiose mountains, he proclaimed them to be the St. Moritz of the Orient. After World War II, the Occupation Forces set up the first lift in Japan in the Maruike ski area, which enormously influenced the development of ski slopes throughout the nation. Since the curtain rising of Japan's ski history, Shiga Kogen has been undergoing large-scale developments as an international ski resort. Incidentally, it was here that Chiharu Igaya, Japan's first Olympic silver medallist, fostered his talent.”

Shiga Kogen has one of the longest ski seasons in Japan with the official ski season commencing from mid-to-late November and continuing throughout April and until the first week of May (Golden Week (Japan)). Christmas and the New Year's season is the peak period in Shiga Kogen during the Japanese school holiday break. From April 1st on, the spring ski season begins with lift ticket discounts offered and the Maruike, Hasuike, and Sunvalley ski areas cease operation (all other ski areas remain open).

There are over 100 hotel facilities within the Shiga Kogen resort, catering for all budgets, trip styles and preferences. All hotels offer accommodation and meal packages which generally include one nights stay and two meals (dinner and breakfast) within the quoted room price.

Meal package deals are a popular and convenient way of booking hotel accommodation in Shiga Kogen due to the fact that there are limited restaurants open at nighttime and shuttle services cease quite early in the evening.

Most hotel facilities offer either Japanese style or washitsu (和室), Western style or, semi-Japanese style rooms, or may even have a combination of the three types.

Shiga Kogen was famous as an onsen (hot spring) location before skiing became popular. Shiga Kogen ski resort is home to over seven natural hot spring sources. Many hotels are sourced by the Shiga Mountain hot springs and there are numerous onsen bath facilities located within the hotels across the resort.

Nestled deep within the Joshinetsu National Park in Nagano Prefecture, Shiga Kogen is 250 km west of Tokyo and 460 km north of Osaka.

During the busy ski season a shuttle bus service is provided for transportation across the ski resorts and various ski fields and hotel areas. The Shiga Kogen Ski Shuttle Bus can be accessed during ski lift opeerating hours(08:30-16:30) for free with a Shiga Kogen IC lift pass.

According to the book National Parks of Japan, published by Natural Parks Foundation:

"Shiga Kogen Highlands has more than 40 lakes and ponds." and "Joshinetsu National Park is a habitat for Japanese Macaques and Japanese Serows."Also, "the vegetation in the park area changes as the altitude becomes higher, from beech (Fagus crenata) and Japanese oak (Quercus crispula) woods to coniferous forests. In many mountains, communities of alpine plants can be seen. Woods of Japanese larches (Larix kaempferi) and White Birches (Betula platyphylla var. japonica) which cover the plateaus are especially beautiful."

All these characteristics made Shiga Kogen a interesting spot to hiking and enjoy the nature all seasons of the year.

Hiking

trekking

flower viewing

Shinryoukusai (Spring Festival)

Hike trek Watch fireflies

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It’s possible to fish in Shiga Kogen at Maruike (Maru Pond) and Biwaike (Biwa Pond). Rental fishing gear is available.

Iwana (Char) Fishing

You can also fish at Zako River, but you have to purchase a fishing license at Okushiga Kogen Kanrijimishyo. Zako River is one of a few habitats for char. Fishing is prohibited from October 1st till April 5th.

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Boats are available for rent at Biwa Pond, Maru Pond, and Kido Pond.

Bicycles are available for rent at Okushiga.

Horse riding for beginners is available at Maru Pond.

Golf course (3 hours course) and Putter-golf course (18 holes) at Ogushiga.

There is many tennis courts situated around Yakebitai and Okushiga Area.

Hike trek Autumn leaves viewing or Momijigari

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You can visit the highest bakery in Japan at the summit of Mt. Yokote, 2305 m above sea level. Unnjyo no Yado Yokote Sancho Hutte is also a restaurant and hotel.

Housed in Shiga Kogen Sogo Kaikan 98, the main focus is the "Relationship between Nature and Human Being", which exhibits the nature of Shiga Kogen. In the “Nature Salon” visitors can enjoy handicraft, using natural materials and in the Lecture Room they can study the nature.

Commemorative Hall of the Nagano Winter Olympics and Paralympics in 1998. Medals and other memories are displayed.

With a wonderful view from the top of the Mt. Higashitateyama (2,030m), visitors can observe nearly 500 species of alpine plants along the 30 minute trail in the garden.

Located in the primeval forest surrounding Mt. Shigayama, where the soil is the result of a swirling stream of lava, makes it a rare area in the world. A Nature Observation Trail is opened to the public.

Jigokudani Monkey Park is a very popular tourist attraction in the Shiga Kogen area. Located in the Kambayashi Onsen area at the foot of the Joshinetsu National Park, Jigokudani Yaen Koen is a must-see for every visitor to Shiga Kogen. The monkeys bathing in the natural hot springs, sleeping on the rocks, and playing amongst the snow all within their natural environment and habitat.

Snow Japan - The Japan Winter Sports Guide & Community

• SNOW JAPAN – SHIGA KOGEN

Mt. 6 - Best of the Classic Mountain Resorts

• MT 6 – Best of the Classic Mountain Resorts – Shiga Kogen

National Parks of Japan, published by Natural Parks Foundation (pages 28-29)

• Ministry of the Environment

• SHIGA KOGEN OFFICIAL HOME PAGE
• Shiga Kogen Blog
• Monkey Park Webcam
• Monkey Park
• Zeno's Guide - Guide of Snow Monkey (Jigokudani Monkey park) and the area around