Shiga Kogen

Shiga Kogen in Nagano is Japan's largest interconnected ski area and one of the country's most stunning winter landscapes. With more than 18 linked ski areas, Shiga Kogen offers genuine resort-to-resort skiing, allowing skiers to move through vast terrain without needing a shuttle bus. The area is known for its long, wide slopes, challenging terrain, and quiet forest runs that create a sense of escaping mass tourism. The high altitude, over 1,600 meters, ensures a stable and snow-secure winter season with light, dry Japanese powder snow, particularly appealing to experienced skiers and snowboarders. Shiga Kogen is located within the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, offering a unique nature experience both on and off the slopes. Here, visitors can observe wildlife, untouched snow landscapes, and not least the iconic Japanese snow monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park, where the monkeys bathe in natural hot springs. The atmosphere in Shiga Kogen is more authentic and tranquil compared to many other Japanese ski destinations, focusing on nature, skiing, and tradition rather than après-ski and commercial entertainment. This makes the destination ideal for travelers seeking genuine Japanese mountain ambiance and magnificent alpine skiing.