Shiga Kogen is unique not only because it is Japan's largest continuous ski resort, with over 600 hectares of terrain, but also because it was host to the 1998 Winter Olympics, which put it on the map as a world-class skiing destination. And even better—the mountains of Shiga Kogen are home to the famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park with its hot spring-loving macaque monkeys, drawing visitors from all over the world.
However, while the ski slopes may be the main attraction during your trip to Shiga Kogen, there may be days when you and your group don't or can't ski—either due to bad weather or simply wanting a day of rest. On these days, there are many options for activities within Shiga Kogen, and amazing day-trips to nearby areas.
On this page you will find the following information:
Where is Shiga Kogen?
Shiga Kogen is a vast mountainous area in the north of Nagano Prefecture, which includes the Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, and is also a UNESCO biosphere that is part of the larger Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. It sits 45km (1 hour drive) to the east of Nagano City and 280km (<5 hours drive) to the northwest of Tokyo. Shiga Kogen is famous not only for its ski slopes, but also for its unique and diverse wildlife, beautiful hiking trails, and for having the "highest road in Japan" as part of the scenic Shiga Kusatsu Kogen route (aka Nationlal Route 292). Shiga Kogen also contains Mt. Yakebitai, the mountain that the snow monkeys are famous for living on, as well as the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park.
While most people know of Shiga Kogen for skiing, it actually has much to offer year-round. You can find more information about this area on our dedicated page: 30 Things to Do Around Shiga Kogen & Where to Stay.
What to Do in Shiga Kogen When You're Not Skiing?
If the weather takes a turn during your ski trip in Shiga Kogen—or if you simply want a break from the slopes—you’re in the perfect place to explore some of Japan’s most unforgettable attractions. Just a short distance away, you’ll find the world-famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, charming hot spring towns, historic temples and shrines, beautiful castles, and lively seasonal festivals.
Here you will find the following day-trip destinations that we recommend for your day off from skiing:
Snow Monkey Park
The Jigokudani Monkey Park, known colloquially as the "snow monkey park", is located on Mt. Yakebitai, one of the main mountains also used for skiing in Shiga Kogen. The snow monkeys are something of a treasure, not just to the people of Nagano but to all of Japan. With their distinctive silvery gray fur, bright red faces and playful nature, these gorgeous creatures really must be seen to be believed. They are perhaps best known however, not for their appearance, but for their love of 'onsen' (natural hot springs). The monkeys of Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park love nothing better than a long soak in these natural baths to escape the harsh cold of Nagano’s long winter. In this regard, they are unique. To truly understand the beauty of these animals, once must experience them in person.
Recommended
[START FROM SHIGA KOGEN] Private Snow Monkey Tour
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyShiga Kogen
- Pick-up:
- Shiga Kogen
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityHakubaNozawa OnsenShiga KogenMadaraoMyoko
Offering pick up directly from Shiga Kogen, this private guided tour will bring you to the Snow Monkey Park to get up close and personal with the famous hot spring loving snow monkeys. You will begin the day at the snow monkey park, and after enjoying a few hours there you will be treated to a Japanese-style lunch at a nearby restaurant. Afterwards, our bus will take you to Nagano city, where you will experience a guided tour of the historic Zenko-ji temple, one of Japan's oldest and most important Buddhist sites, and have a sake-tasting at a local brewery. Our private vehicle will bring you back to Shiga Kogen at the end of the day.
ICHINOSE/TAKAMAGAHARA → SNOW MONKEY PARK (3HR) → ICHINOSE/TAKAMAGAHARA (SHIGA KOGEN)
- Duration:
- 4-5 Hours
- Spots:
- Snow Monkey, Shiga Kogen
Or, if you don't need a guide and want to explore at your own pace on your day off, we also offer private transportation that can take you directly from your choice of ski resort in Shiga Kogen to the Snow Monkey Park, and then bring you back at your convenience!
For more information about how to get to the Snow Monkey Park from Hakuba, please see our "How To Get To The Jigokudani Monkey Park" page here.
Yudanaka & Shibu Onsen Towns
One of the most enjoyable parts of visiting Japan, especially in the winter, is enjoying "onsen" or natural hot springs. Shiga Kogen is very close to two of the best "onsen towns" in all of Japan—Yudanaka Onsen and Shibu Onsen. These towns are famous of course for their access to natural hot springs, which they funnel into their various bathhouses, each with unique properties such as special minerals in the water. most notably, Shibu Onsen is famous for its "nine healing hot springs", each of which is said to heal different ailments in the body. The towns themselves are also famous for their traditional Japanese aesthetic, rustic style and charm. Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen are very close to Shiga Kogen, just a bus ride away, and definitely worth a visit of your day off from skiing.
Temples & Shrines
1 / ZENKO-JI TEMPLE
Nagano City, which you will most likely pass through on your way to Shiga Kogen, is the namesake of the larger Nagano prefecture, and the city itself is built around the historic Zenko-ji Temple. While the current temple building is about 300 years old, the temple itself has existed in some form for nearly 1,400 years, making it one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan. The story of this temple revolves around the first Buddhist statue to have ever been brought to Japan, which now resides in a secret part of the temple as a "hidden Buddha statue" that is not allowed to be seen. However, you can walk into a dark room underneath the temple where the statue is said to be stored. This experience is called "kaidan-meguri" and is definitely worth a try on your day off from skiing.
ICHINOSE/TAKAMAGAHARA → ZENKOJI (2HR) → ICHINOSE/TAKAMAGAHARA (SHIGA KOGEN)
- Duration:
- 5-6 Hours
- Spots:
- Nagano, Shiga Kogen
We offer private transportation to and from Shiga Kogen to Zenko-ji temple, giving you plenty of time and freedom to enjoy the temple grounds, kaidan-meguri, and the various shops and restaurants nearby.
2 / TOGAKUSHI SHRINE
Togakushi Shrine, often referred to as the "five shrines", is a compound of shrines north of Nagano City, the most famous part of it being the "okusha" or upper shrine, which sits deep in the forest at the end of a path of 400-year-old ancient cedar trees. This magical place is rooted in the deep history of Japanese mythology, with an origin story that revolves around the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu. Togakushi shrine has quite a different atmosphere than Zenko-ji temple, and is absolutely worth seeing on your day off skiing.
For a guided tour of the Togakushi area, this is the perfect option. You'll start with family-friendly snow play—or optional skiing at Togakushi Ski Resort (skiing not included in the tour price)—before heading into the tranquil, sacred forests to explore the area's historic mountain shrines. With convenient pickup available directly from all areas of Shiga Kogen, this tour offers a unique chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty, culture, and spiritual heritage of the Nagano region.
ICHINOSE/TAKAMAGAHARA (SHIGA KOGEN) → TOGAKUSHI (2HR) → ICHINOSE/TAKAMAGAHARA (SHIGA KOGEN)
- Duration:
- 5-6 Hours
- Spots:
- Shiga Kogen, Togakushi
Or, if you don't need a guide and wish to explore on your own, we also offer private transportation to Togakushi that will pick you up from your accommodation in Shiga Kogen, and take you back at the end of the day.
For more information about how to get to the Togakushi area, please see our "How To Get To Togakushi" page here.
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle is located south of Nagano City, about a 2 hour drive (100km) from Shiga Kogen, and is a must-see when you are visiting Nagano. It is one of only 12 remaining original castles in all of Japan, and one of only 5 that are considered national treasures. Built in the 1590s, just before the start of the Edo period, this castle was built for war, but luckily was never attacked nor burned down, leaving it in great condition. Venturing inside the castle walls will give you a firsthand experience of what it was like to live in the time of the Shogunate. If you're into Japanese history, or just interested in unique historical places, this iconic castle should definitely be on your list of day-trips from the ski resorts.
ICHINOSE/TAKAMAGAHARA (SHIGA KOGEN) → MATSUMOTO CASTLE (3HR) → ICHINOSE/TAKAMAGAHARA (SHIGA KOGEN)
- Duration:
- 7-8 Hours
- Spots:
- Matsumoto, Shiga Kogen
We offer private transportation that can take you to and from Matsumoto Castle, with pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation in Shiga Kogen. This is a great option, considering that public transportation would take nearly 4 hours one-way from the ski resorts to the castle, while driving takes only 2 hours.
For more information about how to get to Matsumoto Castle, please see our "How To Get To Matsumoto" page here.
Tomyo Lantern Festival
The Tomyo Lantern Festival takes place in Nagano city, at Zenko-ji Temple, and commemorates the 1998 Winter Olympics that took place here and brought well-deserved attention to the Nagano area. In celebration of the Olympics and the temple, the festival takes places over one week each February with a series nightly events including the lighting-up of the temple in spectacular colors, as well as decoration of the street leading up to the temple with hand-made "kiri-e" (cut-paper) lanterns.
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Zenkoji Tomyo Lantern Festival
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyHakuba
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityHakuba
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityHakuba
If you would like to see this festival as part of a guided tour, we would love for you to join us! This tour combines the Tomyo Lantern Festival with a visit to the Snow Monkey Park, Japanese-style lunch, and guided tour of Zenko-ji temple, making it the perfect option for your day off of skiing. Please note that this tour does not offer pick-up from Shiga Kogen; we recommend taking a bus or train to Nagano Station, or meeting the group directly at the entrance to the Snow Monkey Park in the morning.
How to Get to Shiga Kogen
The fastest way to get to Shiga Kogen from major cities and airports is to take the Shinkansen (or "bullet train"). The bullet train line that connects Tokyo to Nagano is called the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, and the closest station on this line to Shiga Kogen is Nagano Station. For more information about the Hokuriku Shinkansen, please see our 'Hokuriku Shinkansen' main page.
Once you have arrived in Nagano Station, you can take the Nagaden Express Bus to Shiga Kogen. The bus departs from Bus Stop 23, and takes 70 minutes to reach the Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki Bus Station (the main stop for the ski resort) and 90 minutes to reach Okushiga (the most distant area of the resort). The bus costs ¥1,800~¥2,300 per person depending on where you get off, and tickets are bought on the bus - directly from the driver with no reservation required - with numerous services each day during winter.
Or, you can take a private charter from Nagano Station to your accommodation in Shiga Kogen:
NAGANO STN → ICHINOSE/TAKAMAGAHARA (SHIGA KOGEN)
- Duration:
- 1-2 Hours
- Spots:
- Nagano, Shiga Kogen
If you are heading to Shiga Kogen from Tokyo, please see our How to Get to Shiga Kogen from Tokyo page for detailed directions. Or, if you are coming from another part of Japan, see our ‘How to Get to Shiga Kogen – Nagano Ski Resort Info’ page.
ICHINOSE/TAKAMAGAHARA (SHIGA KOGEN) → TOKYO (SHINJUKU)
- Duration:
- 4-5 Hours
- Spots:
- Tokyo, Shiga Kogen
We also offer private charter services that can pick your group up directly from areas like Tokyo, Narita Airport, or Haneda Airport, and take you directly to Shiga Kogen. This is a great option if you are traveling with a large group, small children, or large amounts of luggage—private transportation takes away the hassle of changing trains, getting on crammed buses, and maneuvering through confusing train stations.
★Please note that our instantly-bookable charter services (like the one above) will be the same price in either direction, so please feel free to book the service either coming or going to Shiga Kogen. For information about getting to Shiga Kogen from the Tokyo Airports (Narita Airport or Haneda Airport), please see our dedicated page here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I do in Shiga Kogen when I'm not skiing?
A: You can visit the Snow Monkey Park, enjoy local "onsen" or hot spring towns, visit temples and shrines, see Matsumoto Castle, and enjoy local festivals! There are plenty of options in and around Shiga Kogen for non-skiing activities.
Q: Is Shiga Kogen worth visiting if I don’t ski?
A: Shiga Kogen is best known as a ski resort, but there are plenty of day-trip activities in the area for those who don't wish to ski. Shiga Kogen does not have a local village (like Nozawa Onsen or Hakuba) and there are few restaurants or stores, so there isn't a "nightlife" scene on the mountain. However, nearby Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen towns have much to offer, and Nagano City with all of its attractions is not far either.
Q: Can I visit the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park from Shiga Kogen?
A: Yes! The Jigokudani Monkey Park is located within Shiga Kogen, and is easily accessible by bus or car.
Q: When is the best time to visit Shiga Kogen?
A: The ski season runs long in Shiga Kogen, beginning in December and lasting until April or May in some areas. The peak season in December-March, but visiting later in the season can help you avoid crowds.
Q: Are there hot springs (onsen) near Shiga Kogen?
A: Yes, Yudanka Onsen and Shibu Onsen are very close to Shiga Kogen!
Q: How to find accommodation in Shiga Kogen?
A: There is a wide variety of accommodation in Shiga Kogen, with major hotels such as Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel and Hotel Sunny Shiga as great options. You can find a list of our partner hotels in Shiga Kogen here. Please contact us for a personalized quote!
Q: How do I get to Shiga Kogen?
A: You can take public transportation or private transportation to get to Shiga Kogen. For public transportation, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagano Station, and then the Nagaden Express Bus from Nagano Station to Shiga Kogen. For detailed directions, please see our "How to get to Shiga Kogen" page. For private transportation, we offer private charter services that can take your group directly to Shiga Kogen.
We hope to see you here in Nagano this winter season! Please feel free to contact us here if you have any questions.