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Shiga Kogen is the biggest ski resort in Japan with a total of 18 ski areas, 52 working ski lifts and countless slopes. Due to its size it is difficult to look at Shiga as a whole, so we have simplified it and divided the region into three main areas. This is the last out of three introductions on the Shiga Kogen area.
The Third Area: Yokoteyama Area
In Shiga Kogen the area with the highest altitude is the Yokoteyama Area with Mt. Yokote at 2307m (over 7500 feet). Yokoteyama Area is not only the highest in Shiga Kogen, but is known as the ski area with the highest altitude as the whole Japan. Because of its high altitude, the area has its ski slopes open until the end of May at latest, and has some of the best views of the whole of Shiga Kogen.
The area has 15 lifts and 20 courses with 60% of the courses for beginners, 20% for intermediate and 20% for experts. The courses in this area have an incline ranging from 6° up to 33° on some of the expert courses. Compared to the other two areas, it doesn’t offer much size-wise. However, the courses are longer for those who can ski/snowboard at a higher level and the view is just great.
*Trees covered with thick snow, only seen in this area, are called “snow monster” because of their look.
Movie: The highest ski resorts in Japan: Mt. Yokote – 2307 meters
Access:
From Yudanaka Station: Take the bus heading for Okushigakogen or Hotaruonsen-Suzurikawa. If you are on the bus bound for Okushigakogen, make sure to get off the bus at Hasuike (after approximately 30 minutes) and then transfer to the bus bound for Hotaruonsen-Suzurikawa. If you are on the bus bound for Hotaruonsen-Suzurikawa already, there is no need for transfer.
From Nagano Station: Take the bus from East Exit of JR Nagano Station, heading to Shiga Kogen. Get off at the final bus stop called Hasuike, located in the central area (70 mins). Then, transfer to the bus bound for Hotaruonsen-Suzurikawa (20 mins)
Rentals:
Many of the hotels in Shiga Kogen offer rental service to their customers.For non-customers of a hotel located in Shiga Kogen, get rentals at Snow Can Shop & Rentals in Yokoteyama Area, located right at the entrance of the ski area and nearby the Hotaruonsen-Suzurikawa bus stop.
To see more information on the other areas of the Shigakogen Highlands, please click on one of the below links:
