The Shiga Kogen Region
Shiga Kogen is a collection of 21 ski resorts strung out along the Shiga Plateau, making it one of Japan's largest ski areas. Located in the Joshinestu Kogen National park about 20km northeast of Nagano, the Shiga Kogen ski area comprises a wide variety of terrain within it's 21 ski fields that ensures skiers and snowboarders will never get bored. Many of the hotels in the area are located directly on the ski slopes offering ideal ski in/ski out access.
Shiga Kogen Resort information
Not far from Shiga Kogen, on the western edges of the national park is the Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park. More than 3000 wild long tailed monkeys live here and bathe in the natural hot spring water. It's an impressive sight and is not to be missed during your stay in the area. The region is also famous for Chimaki, rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo and the Inn at the Monkey Park does them particularly well. Finally, Nagano City's Zenkoji temple and Matsushiro Kaizu castle also make interesting day trips if you want a break from skiing one day.