
The Shiga Kogen Ski Area (uêŽ, Shiga Kōgen) is a group of 18 ski resorts that have joined together to create the largest combined ski area in Japan. Shiga Kogen is so large that it would take at least two days to cover it all, yet a single lift ticket gives you access to all 47 lifts, gondolas and ropeways in the area.
Located in the highlands of Nagano Prefecture, Shiga Kogen is divided into two areas that are joined at a central intersection near the Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki bus stop. The southern area leads to the top of the 2305 meter tall Mount Yokote and has ski runs and hot springs along the way to the summit.
The northern area leads to Oku Shiga Kogen and is flanked by a number of 2000 meter high peaks providing an immense area for skiers and snowboarders to explore. The northern area's Higashidateyama Resort hosted the slalom and giant slalom events of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.

Lift tickets cost 5600 yen and give you access to all of the resorts in Shiga Kogen. Most of the ski areas are connected such that you can easily travel between them on ski or snowboard; however, there is also a free shuttle bus that connects the various resorts during the ski season.
Accommodation is provided by the many hotels located throughout the area, especially around the central intersection. Shiga Kogen does not have much of a town, so after ski activities usually take place at the hotel. Entertainment can also be found at the nearby hot spring resort towns of Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka Onsen or the Jigokudani Monkey Park, whose wild monkeys bathe in natural hot springs.

(December 5, 2020 to May 5, 2021)
(Partial opening from November 14, 2020)
Getting there and around
By local bus from Yudanaka Station
There is approximately one bus per hour from Yudanaka Station to Shiga Kogen, stopping at Shibu Onsen shortly after leaving Yudanaka. In Shiga Kogen, all buses stop at the Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki bus stop (30 minutes, 850 yen) to make a connection with a bus bound for southern Shiga Kogen and before continuing on to Oku Shiga Kogen.
From late April to early November, some buses continue as far as Mount Shirane, where travelers can transfer to a different bus down to Kusatsu Onsen (currently out of service due to a volcanic no-entry zone around Mount Shirane).
By express bus from Nagano Station
The Nagaden Shiga Kogen Express serves various stops in Shiga Kogen. During the ski season, buses depart Nagano Station about once an hour. All buses stop at the Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki bus stop (70 minutes, 1800 yen) from where the majority continue on to Oku Shiga Kogen while a few continue south. In addition, there are free shuttle buses that connect the various ski resorts with each other.
Outside of winter, express buses from Nagano to Shiga Kogen operate less frequently. From late April to early November, some continue as far as Mount Shirane, where traveler can transfer to a different bus down to Kusatsu Onsen (currently out of service due to a volcanic no-entry zone around Mount Shirane).
How to get to and around Yamanouchi

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