SkiingJapanShiga Kogen

Shiga Kogen

Also known as: Shiga Kogen (Joshinetsu Kogen NP)

High plateau; Snow Monkey Park nearby

Difficulty 3 (Intermediate)Japan's largest linked area, high-alpine~18 interconnected areas, one all-mountain pass
Vertical drop
982 m
Top elevation
2,307 m
Lifts
48
Runs
~176
Experience the excitement of skiing through the snow-laden forests of Japan. Perfect for winter sports enthusiasts.

Can the whole group come?

Who in your group gets a good week at Shiga Kogen - the terrain split, the ski school, and what the people not skiing do.

Beginner 50%Intermediate 30%Advanced 20%
Terrain split

Beg ~50 / Int 30 / Adv 20

Group split options

Giant/Hasuike/Sun Valley/Ichinose family zones; easy regroup

If you are not skiing

On-mountain onsen hotels, Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen, Snow Monkey Park

Childcare

Takamagahara T-Kids center (9:30-16:00)

Ski school & rental

Shiga Kogen International Ski School (English, Okushiga); rental

Accessibility & group fit

Excellent for beginners/families; highest resort in Japan

Snow & season

Very high; dry high-elevation powder ~12 m/season

Open window

Typically late Nov to early May (one of Japan's longest)

Best season

Jan-Feb

Peak vs quiet

Peak Jan-Feb

Snow & surface

Vast groomed alpine

Weather risks

Cold, whiteout at altitude

The mountain

Skiable area

~607 ha

Runs & pistes

~176; ~83 km

Off-piste & backcountry

Some off-piste; mostly groomed

Crowds

Large capacity absorbs crowds

Getting there & lift pass

All-mountain adult day ~JPY 8,000 online / 9,000 counter (2025-26)

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Getting there

Tokyo -> Nagano Shinkansen ~80-100 min -> express bus ~70 min; airport Tokyo Narita/Haneda

Transfer & shuttle

Shinkansen + Nagaden bus

On-mountain dining

Extensive

Facilities

On-mountain hotels/services

Operators

Yamanouchi / Nagano hub

Patrol & safety

Ski patrol & avalanche

Patrolled; Shiga Kogen Winter Clinic on-site

Hazards

Altitude cold, whiteout

Emergency & rescue

Winter Clinic; facilities in Yamanouchi/Nakano

This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand ski resort report. Coordinates are approximate.

Also in Japan

Ski Shiga Kogen with your crew
Manta plans the resort, the lessons and the non-skiing days so a mixed-ability group all get a great week.
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