The Area                                Click here for a Map

Located in the center of Joshin-etsu Highlands National Park, Shiga Kogen Heights is surrounded by Mt. Shigayama, Mt. Yokoteyama and other mountains nearly 2,000 meters high. More than 70 lakes and marshes of varying sizes dot the highlands, which is home to many alpine plants, wild birds and animals.

Alive with skiers in winter and early spring, the area is one of Japan's largest ski resorts with 21 ski slopes. Shiga Kogen Heights was the venue for the giant slalom, slalom, combined slalom and snowboard giant slalom events during the 1998 Winter Olympics.

In terms of ski area size and availability of equipment, it is said to be the #1 ski resort in all Japan.

Skiing

• 21 ski areas in and around Shiga Kogen
• Well-known for 1998 Winter Olympic Games
• #1 ski resort in Japan for size, facilities and equipment
• Nearby skiing: Mt. Yakebitai, Gorin Kogen, Myoko Suginohara, Tsubame Onsen ski areas.

Hiking

• Mt. Shigayama
• Mt. Yokoteyama

Onsen Spa Districts (Hot Springs, Aroma Therapy)

• Shin-Yudanaka
• Hoshikawa
• Honami
• Kakuma
• Andai
• Shibu

Sightseeing

• Zenkouji Temple - Popular site for the Hot Spring Treatment prayers.
• Shinshu Joshin-Etsu Highland National Park
• Higashitateyama Botanical Garden - More than 500 types of Alpine plants can be found along the 30-minute garden walk.

Events Calendar

Spring

• Shiga Kogen Nature Observation Tour - Nature trail tour, the Genji Firefly watching tour. (April - October)
• Mt. Iwasugeyama Opening Festival - Popular mountain hike on one of the main mountains in Shiga Kogen. (May)
• Mountain vegetable picking - (June)

Summer

• Daija (Giant Snake) Festival - Based on legend, the tragic love story involved the Daiji who lived in Lake Onuma and the daughter of Lord Nakano. (August)
• Miss Shiga Kogen Contest - (August)

Fall

• All Japan Fireworks Competition - One of the biggest national competitions. Gorgeous scrollwork by more than 30 famous experts. (October)
• Ski Area Opening Festival - (November)

Winter

• Ski Races - (January)
• Sendayaki - Celebrates the 260-year history of the Fudoson Temple in Kanbayashi. (February)