Shiga Kougen

Posted by richie on 3 July, 2009

The location for the Nagano Winter Olympics, Shiga Kougen is a string of separately run ski fields which are all linked. Because Shiga Kougen is a bunch of mountains which are higher up than many of the ski fields in Tokyo surrounds, it often has the driest and most powdery snow. One of the big attractions is the monkeys who bathe in the onsens.

Shiga Kougen monkeys

The Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani, near Shiga Kogen in Nagano Prefecture in Japan. This video was taken on 17th February 2008.

Shiga Kougen Documentary

Good skiing footage and description of what you can expect to find at Shiga Kougen.

Shiga Kougen chair lift and skiing

Skiing at Shiga Kougen to the soundtrack of 'Don't Lie'

Powder snow at Shiga Kougen

Powder snow skiing at Shiga Kougen ski resort

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Shiga Kougen

Posted by richie on 13 May, 2009

Shiga Kougen is actually a string of separately run ski fields which are all linked together. This was the site of many of the events for the Nagano Winter Olympics. Because Shiga Kougen is a bunch of mountains which are higher up than many of the ski fields in Tokyo surrounds, it often has the driest and most powdery snow.

Due to the large number of skifields there is a variety of options for boarders and skiers alike. Because it is so high up there is no villiage attached to Shiga Kougen and most of the accomodation and eateries tend to be hotels built before the bubble burst in 89.

This is a great place to explore the terrain and will oftern provide reliable skiing when other slopes are getting wet snow.

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