Hello’21!: Ski & Snowboard Packages in Nagano 2020/21
Blessed with some of Japan’s best snow and around 80 ski resorts, Nagano is one of Japan’s premier winter sports destinations. Host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, the region offers world-class skiing, snowboarding and of course, fantastic snow! Among those, Shiga Kogen is the largest and highest ski resort in Japan, offering skiers and snowboarders an unmatched expanse of interconnected ski fields and thanks to its higher elevation, Nagano’s most reliable snow and longest season.
Nearby Kita-Shiga Kogen is not connected to the larger resort of Shiga Kogen however boasts some great resorts including the popular Ryuoo Ski Park. Visitors wanting to enjoy the resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen should consider staying in the Yudanaka Onsen Area – see below for details.
HELLO’21! NAGANO SPRING DEALS
Let’s face it, 2020 has been a lousy year and we’re all looking forward to 2021 in the hope that there are much better things to come! With that, our ‘Hello’21! Nagano Winter Deals’ starts from December 28th 2020 and offers our guests:
— A MINIMUM 10% DISCOUNT ON PACKAGES, TOURS & ACCOMMODATION
— A BOOKING GUARANTEE. ONCE YOU PAY, THE BOOKING IS ASSURED
Once you book a deal through ‘Hello’21!’ you can rest assured that the price and booking is guaranteed. Offers including ski packages are available to anyone in Japan with prices varying depending on which hotel you choose, the room type, your length of stay and other inclusions such as rental and lessons. To get started, let’s run through what’s included before looking at your accommodation options in Shiga Kogen:
SKI/SNOWBOARD PACKAGES: WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Based in Nagano, Snow Monkey Resorts is proud to partner with hotels in and around Shiga Kogen. Our packages come standard with the following inclusions:
— Accommodation (inc. breakfasts) at your choice of hotel
— All-mountain ski passes (for your preferred number of days)
— Transport to/from the ski resort using Nagaden bus services
In addition, the following can be arranged to fit your needs:
— Dinner/s at your accommodation
— Ski and/or snowboard rental
— Ski and/or snowboard lessons
— Private transfer to/from your accommodation
— Day tours including to the Jigokudani Monkey Park
Want to get a quote for your winter getaway in Shiga Kogen? Simply click on of the buttons above or below and we’ll get back to you asap!
CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION
As Japan’s largest ski resort, it’s important to choose carefully when booking your accommodation. Visitors wanting to stay in Shiga Kogen have accommodation options spread across the resort, while those wanting to position themselves near Yudanaka Station – the nearest train station to Shiga – have the flexibility of using public buses to access different resorts on different days, including Shiga Kogen and the resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen. We are proud to partner with the following hotels:
HOTEL GRAND PHENIX, OKUSHIGA
As the premier hotel in Shiga Kogen, Hotel Grand Phenix blends European aesthetic with Japanese service, outstanding facilities and ski in/out convenience. Boasting seven types of rooms, restaurants serving Japanese, Italian and Chinese cuisine, a spacious lounge with open fireplace, relaxing mens and womens mineral baths, sauna and heated indoor swimming pool, Grand Phenix affords guests the highest quality stay available in Shiga Kogen at the base of the Okushiga ski fields.
HOTEL SUNNY SHIGA, TAKAMAGAHARA
Offering Japanese, Western and mixed Japanese/Western-style rooms, Hotel Sunny Shiga is well-suited to longer-stay visitors. The hotel offers a range of in-house services including breakfast and dinner restaurant, in-house store and pharmacy, and most importantly, it’s own ‘onsen’ (natural hot spring) open 24-hours a day for use by guests. Located across from the Takamagahara ski fields, Sunny Shiga is a great option for visitors wanting a family-friendly hotel with all the essential facilities in an ideal location.
JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK / KANBAYASHI ONSEN AREA
Located in Kanbayashi Onsen, Hotel Senjukaku is one of the best hotel’s in the region – within easy walk of the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Unlike the hotels listed above, Senjukaku does not have direct access to Shiga Kogen – which is around 25-minutes journey by bus, taxi or private vehicle – however for many guests, the attraction of its traditional service, comfort, indulgent onsen and renowned ‘kaiseki’ (multi-course) meal service make it a very appealing option. A favourite of member of the Japanese royal family, Senjukaku is an ideal choice for visitors wanting refined comfort during their winter getaway.
YUDANAKA ONSEN AREA
Want to try the resorts of Kita-Shiga Kogen including Ryuoo Ski Park in combination with Shiga Kogen? We recommend basing yourself in the hot spring town of Yudanaka Onsen and using Ryuoo’s free shuttle bus and public buses to Shiga Kogen – around 20 to 25-minutes to both ski areas by bus.
Yudanaka Onsen offers a large variety of accommodation from high-end ‘ryokan’ (traditional guesthouses), to Western-style hotels ranging from mid-range to budget. Of course, as a hot spring town many guesthouses and hotels have their own in-house ‘onsen’ for the exclusive use of guests. We can arrange accommodation at any guesthouse in Yudanaka.
It is important to note that Yudanaka Onsen is not attached to any ski resort, however its central location and bus and trains services running to and from Yudanaka Station make it a convenient base from where to visit multiple ski resorts – within 20 to 25-minutes – and Nagano Station – within 45-minutes. We can arrange accommodation at any guesthouse in the area, starting with:
RYOKAN BIYUNOYADO
Ryokan Biyunoyado is known for its spacious and indulgent ‘onsen’ (natural hot springs) including indoor, outdoor, rooftop and private baths. With a range of baths to choose from including rooftop and private onsens, Biyunoyado is a great option for visitors wanting to enjoy the relaxation of a traditional hot spring guesthouse with comfort of Western amenities.
RYOKAN HAKURA
With only nine rooms in the guesthouse, Ryokan Hakura has a welcoming and intimate atmosphere with facilities well-suited to disabled guests. The guesthouse offers both Japanese and mixed Western-Japanese style rooms with Western-bedding and private toilet and shower.
HOTEL HOUSEI
Best known for its large and indulgent hot springs, Hotel Housei offers guests total relaxation in their indoor and outdoor baths. Japanese-style rooms include ‘tatami’ matting, on-floor ‘futon’ bedding, and traditional features including low tables and amenities such as ‘yukata’ (light kimono).
HOTEL TSUBAKINO
Located only a short walk from Yudanaka Station, Hotel Tsubakino is a modern ‘ryokan’ (guesthouse) that offers both Japanese and Western-style rooms, each with its own private bathroom including shower. All guests also have access to Tsubakino’s natural ‘onsen’ (hot springs), including rooftop and private baths. Boasting some of the best views of any guesthouse in the area, unwinding in the onsen is the perfect way to relax.
YUDANAKA SEIFUSO RYOKAN
Yudanaka Seifuso Ryokan is a popular, family-run guesthouse offering all the comforts of a traditional Japanese inn. Boasting three ‘onsen’ (natural hot springs), one of which can be booked for private use, Seifuso is known for its comfort and traditional service including Japanese-style rooms and ‘kaiseki’ (multi-course) dining.
YUDANAKA YUMOTO
Yudanaka Yumoto is a traditional Japanese ‘ryokan’ (guesthouse) located approximately 10-minutes walk from Yudanaka Station. Dating back to Japan’s Edo Period, Yumoto is Yudanaka’s oldest guesthouse – known for its welcoming atmosphere, homely comforts and relaxing hot springs.
HOW CAN I BOOK A SKI/SNOWBOARD PACKAGE WITH THE ‘GO TO’ PRICE?
It’s easy! Simply send us an enquiry using the button under each accommodation with:
— Your intended dates of travel
— Total number of guests – including adults, children and infants
— Your preferred accommodation, room type and meal inclusions
— Number of full day ski passes you need
— Any optional add-ons: ski/snowboard rental, ski/snowboard lessons, private transfer and/or day tours
That’s it! We’ll get back to you asap a booking confirmation and to arrange payment.
JAPAN RAIL DEALS: DISCOUNTED TICKETS & TRAVEL PASSES
Japan Rail is currently offering discounted prices on many train services, including shinkansen lines across the country. With discounts of up to 50% available when purchasing online, our ‘Discount Shinkansen Tickets: How to Buy Online’ page includes an English step-by-step guide of how to purchase tickets online.
In addition to discounted tickets, JR East are offering a 3-day Welcome Pass for use foreign passport-holders. Only JPY12,000 for adults, the pass covers multiple shinkansen lines and other major train routes – a fantastic deal and great option for getting yourself to Nagano quickly and cheaply.
When combined with any of our travel packages, there’s never been a better time to plan, book and save on your next trip to Central Japan!
