Shiga Kogen Snow Holiday
Shiga Kogen is part of Nagano prefecture, the largest winter resort in Japan with 19 unique ski fields and the most excellent snow quality in the mountains ranging from 1,300 to 2,300 metres. Some areas such as Okushiga Kogen are strictly limited to skiers only, which makes this resort pretty unique.
We would like to show you our little journey to Shiga Kogen.
The good looking wooden sign welcomed us to Shiga Kogen.
This is where we stayed. Villa Ichinose. Our room was a tatami room with futon beds and a private bathroom. Even though we had a private bathroom, we used the communal bathroom because it was so good after a long day snowboarding. The large communal lounge area has a wood fire, table and chairs, sofas, plenty of space for the guests to relax or meet new friends. Yuichi the manager is very helpful and speaks good English. We loved to stay at Villa Ichinose!
Hmmm. It doesn't seem easy to live with wild monkeys...
Watch out!!
Tannenomori Okojo ski area. This is right behind Villa Ichinose. The runs are short but there is a very fast quad chairlift. We quite enjoyed the tree runs!
An overnight snow fall berried our car...
We were recommended to go check out the Yokoteyama area. You can catch mountain shuttle buses to move around the mountains or you could even ski or snowboard from one side to the other end if you are keen. We had our own car so we drove to an area called Kumanoyu Onsen.
Wow wow wow! I had never seen anything like this already at the car park... beautiful blue skies and just white trees covered with snow.
Took two chairlifts up to right at the top of Mt. Yokoteyama. All the trees were frozen white.
The coldest looking chairlift station ever.
These towers are usually ugly but beautiful in this white world.
The run coming down from Mt. Yokoteyama is limited to skiers only so being snowboarders we had to go down on the chairlift. But you know what? I think that worked out great because we got to see this beautiful scenery from up there!
If you have a nice sunny day with blue skies while visiting Shiga Kogen, Yokoteyama is a "must" spot to go!! We miss the beautiful Shiga Kogen...