Shiga Kogen is Japan’s largest single ski resort, covering an immense amount of terrain. The main area of Shiga Kogen runs along a North – South axis, from the Sun Valley slopes through to Okushiga Kogen. This part of Shiga Kogen is all inter linked by lifts, but such is the scale, that traversing from one end to the other can take the best part of the day. There is also a separate area higher up to the West that includes the Yokoteyama and Kumanoyu ski areas.

Shiga Kogen is located in the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, and is one of the highest resorts in Japan, with the base areas sitting at about 1,500 meters above sea level. Being so high, the snow quality is some of the best in Japan, and with climate change making some places a bit on and off, Shiga Kogen is a very safe bet for a ski vacation from Late December until Late March, even thought the season runs through to the first week of May.

Accommodation in Shiga Kogen is general larger scale than other resorts in the Nagano area, with many ski in – ski out hotels with over 50 rooms. The area does accommodate a lot of school groups, so get a room for a longer stay can be an issue, as the hotel may take booking for the entire hotel for several nights a week. There are more hotels that have stopped taking these types of bookings and are more focused on the inbound market.

While the on-slope side of your vacation will be fantastic, there is very little in the way of après ski entertainment, and very few places to eat out. This will change over the coming years as Shiga Kogen is currently seeing a large increase in international visitors and is moving towards services to cater for them.

Shiga Kogen is also the most remote resort in the Nagano Area, and only has a single access road. This road is quite steep and has a lot of curves. On occasion this road can be cut off by avalanches.

People looking at a map may get the impression that the Hasuike area, where the road forks, is the center of Shiga Kogen, however this is not the case. Most people will find the Ichinose area to be the most convenient as it does have a few bars and restaurants within walking distance.

Unless you are OK eating in at your hotel most nights, Shiga Kogen is often best done as part of a multi resort trip, and staying for 3 to 4 nights is ideal.

While most parts of Shiga Kogen can be access by connecting lifts, it is often faster and easier to take a shuttle bus if wishing to use a resort some distance away.

It is also important to note that there is a major fork in the road at Hasuike, so making sure your bus is heading the right direction is hugely important.

There are both free and fare-based shuttle buses in Shiga Kogen.

The free shuttle buses are open to anyone with a valid lift pass and cover every ski area. These run frequently and stop at convenient locations near lift ticket counters, and lifts.

The fare-based buses are those coming from Yudanaka, about 40 minutes below Shiga Kogen. These buses either have Yokoteyama, or Oku Shiga Kogen as the destination, but stop at other places along the way.

There is no night shuttle service in Shiga Kogen, so it can be difficult to get around. There are also no taxi services based in Shiga Kogen. So getting to / from restaurants is only possible by walking, or if your accommodation gives you a ride.

You can order taxis from Yudanaka, but you will need to pay the fare up from Yudanaka, as well as the fare for the trip you take.

Cash is king in Shiga Kogen, so make sure you plan in advance and carry enough for your whole vacation.

Shiga Kogen only has one ATM that accepts international credit cards. It is located at the Post Office at Hauike, and has very limited hours.

It is open on weekdays from 9:00 – 17:30, and on Saturdays from 9:00 – 12:30. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays. It pays to carry extra cash in Shiga Kogen.

The next closest ATM is located down on route 292 just outside Yudanaka Station. This is a 24/7 Seven eleven, but it will take about 30 minutes by taxi to get there.

There is a currency changing machine located in the Ichinose Diamond Base Center. Head to the SnowCan rental outlet, open daily from 10:00 – 16:00. Note that if your country has updated your currency recently, new notes may not be accepted.

As almost all of Shiga Kogen is located in a National Park, there are very few shops, bars, and restaurants.

There is a very small convenience store in the Olympic Hotel in Ichinose, but for full supplies, you need to head down to Yudanaka (about 30 minutes) for full convenience store (7/11 and Lawson), or Nakano City (about 40 minutes) for a supermarket (Closest is in the Aeon Mall).

Tourist Information is located in the Shiga 98 Building near Hasuike, which also houses a post office and AMT (limited hours).

There are no rental car services in Shiga Kogen or surrounds. If wishing to hire a rental car it is best done at either Nagano Station (most major chains have a branch near the station), or Iiyama station which offers Eki Rental Cars, and Nissan Rental Cars.

It pays to book in advance, and always request a 4WD/AWD car, with snow tires. Snow tires are standard on rentals in winter on cars in this area, but not for cars rented at Narita or Haneda Airport, where a surcharge may apply.

There is a small medical clinic located at the Ichinose Diamond Ski Area. This clinic offers basic orthopedic services, but all major injuries will require and ambulance trip.

There are ambulance and fire services in Shiga Kogen.

In case of sickness or injury, ambulances with transfer patients down to one of several large hospitals located within a one-hour radius of the resort.

Please note that at the time of departure, the ambulance may not know where it is heading as it will be contacting hospitals to find where the nearest specialist, depending on the nature of the sickness / injury.

There is a police residence in Hasuike, but this is a one-man operation, with day light hours only. After hours will require the issue be dealt with at the Nakano Police Station.

Closest Dental Practice and Pharmacy is located in Yudanaka, about 30 minutes’ drive from Shiga Kogen.
It pays to bring any medication with you when coming to Shiga Kogen as you will waste the best part of a day trying to find what you need in the Shiga Kogen area.