Ski resort
At 4.25 square kilometres (1.64 sq mi), Shiga-kōgen is arguably the largest ski resort in Japan, as well as the second highest in elevation. The resort is made up of 21 smaller, interconnected ski fields, with 70 lifts in total. Starting in winter 2015-16 all of Shiga-kōgen became open toSki season
Shiga-kōgen has one of the longest ski seasons in Japan, with the official ski season commencing from mid-to-late November and continuing throughout April and until Golden Week, the first week of May. Christmas and the New Year's season is the peak period in Shiga-kōgen during the Japanese school holiday break. From April 1 onward, the spring ski season begins with lift ticket discounts offered and the Maruike, Hasuike, and Sunvalley ski areas cease operation.Transportation
During the ski season, the free Shiga-kōgen Ski Shuttle Bus is provided for transportation across the ski resorts and various ski fields and hotel areas. The buses are usually quite punctual to the minute but this can vary with the weather conditions so it is recommended that guests take an earlier bus where possible. During the season, the shuttle bus between resorts operates Monday to Sunday unless there is a severe snow or other weather warning, which can often see services terminate early. There are also buses that travel to and from Nagano station and Iiyama Station to both Shiga-kōgen and Yudanaka. Several convenient car parks are also available near the resorts for those who are travelling with their own vehicle.Driving conditions
During the winter season, the road leading to Shiga-kōgen is often wet and icy and roads into resorts are often covered with snow. The road is steep and rough, and flanked by larger dropoffs. Snow tires are mandatory, and four wheel drive is recommended.Convenience stores and groceries
Shiga-kōgen does not have any supermarkets or major grocery stores. There are a few small convenience stores mostly located inside hotels including the Hotel Shiga Sunvalley. There are larger stores (part of a chain of convenience stores called "Yamakazi Store") inside Hotel Japan Shiga, Olympic Hotel and Villa Ichinose which has bread, other baked goods, sandwiches, cold beverages, beer, sake and other alcoholic beverages, chocolate, biscuits, ice-cream, band-aids and sports tape. At the Yokoteyama area, there's Yamazaki Store inside Shiga Palace Hotel. It is also complete with the usual goods with the addition of stuff for daily necessities, personal hygiene, souvenir items, Shiga Kogen local beers, wine and sake and vending machines for beers, softdrinks and ice cream.Onsen hot springs
Shiga-kōgen was famous as an '' onsen'' (hot spring) location before skiing became popular. Shiga-kōgen ski resort is home to over seven natural hot spring sources. Many hotels are sourced by the Shiga Mountain hot springs and there are numerous ''onsen'' bath facilities located within the hotels across the resort.Other activities
According to the book National Parks of Japan, published by Natural Parks Foundation:"Shiga-kōgen has more than 40 lakes and ponds" and "Joshinetsu National Park is a habitat for Japanese Macaques and Japanese Serows. "Also, "the vegetation in the park area changes as the altitude becomes higher, from beech (''All these characteristics made Shiga-kōgen an interesting spot toFagus crenata ''Fagus crenata'', known as the Siebold's beech, Japanese beech, or buna, is a deciduous tree of the beech genus, ''Fagus'', of the family Fagaceae. Distribution and habitat It is endemic to Japan, where it is widespread and often one of the do ...'') and Japanese oak (''Quercus crispula'') woods to coniferous forests. In many mountains, communities of alpine plants can be seen. Woods ofJapanese larch ''Larix kaempferi'', the Japanese larch or karamatsu () in Japanese, is a species of larch native to Japan, in the mountains of Chūbu and Kantō regions in central Honshū.Farjon, A. (1990). ''Pinaceae. Drawings and Descriptions of the Genera ...es (''Larix kaempferi'') and White Birches (''Betula platyphylla ''Betula platyphylla'', the Asian white birch or Japanese white birch, is a tree species in the family Betulaceae. It can be found in subarctic and temperate Asia in Japan, China, Korea, Mongolia, and Russian Far East and Siberia Siberia ...var. japonica'') which cover the plateaus are especially beautiful."
Sightseeing
Unjō no Yado Yokote Sanchō Hyutte (mountain hut) is a restaurant, bakery, and hotel. Located at above sea level, the bakery claims to be the highest in Japan. The Nagano Prefecture Shiga Kogen Nature Preservation Center is housed in Shiga Kogen Sogo Kaikan 98. The main focus is the "Relationship between Nature and Human Being", which exhibits the nature of Shiga-kōgen. The Commemorative Hall of the Nagano Winter Olympics andSee also
* Jigokudani Monkey ParkGallery
References
*National Parks of Japan, published by Natural Parks Foundation (pages 28–29External links