Shiga Kogen is Japan’s largest interconnected ski resort, a vast highland area of linked ski slopes served by a single combined lift pass that hosted events during the 1998 Nagano Olympics, renowned for its high elevation and long, reliable snow season. Beyond winter, the same plateau is a designated UNESCO biosphere reserve, and in the green season its ponds, marshes, forests and hiking trails at over 1,500 metres offer cool highland nature, alpine plants and autumn foliage, making it a genuine year-round mountain destination.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Yamanouchi (Shiga Kogen), Nagano |
| Hours | Ski season roughly Dec–early May; trails green season |
| Admission | Combined lift pass in winter; trails free |
| Time needed | Full day to multiple days |
| Best time | Winter for skiing; summer/autumn for highland hiking |
What to Do
- Skiing across Japan’s largest interconnected ski resort on one lift pass.
- A UNESCO biosphere reserve of ponds, marshes and forests.
- Green-season hiking trails at over 1,500 metres.
- Cool highland nature, alpine plants and autumn foliage.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Jigokudani Snow Monkeys nearby.
- Pair with Nozawa Onsen for a ski-and-onsen village.
- Read our Nagano overview .
Getting There
- By train + bus: Nagano Station to Yudanaka, then a bus up to Shiga Kogen.
- By car: roughly 50 minutes from Yamanouchi up the mountain road.
Tips
Because Shiga Kogen is a huge, interconnected area of many linked ski slopes, a combined lift pass and a trail map are essential to make the most of it in winter without getting lost between areas. In the green season it becomes a completely different, quieter destination focused on highland hiking, so plan according to the season you visit.
