Shiga Kogen is Japan's largest linked ski area, sprawling across 21 interconnected resorts high in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture. At elevations reaching 2,307 metres, it boasts some of the most reliable natural snowfall and longest seasons in the country — often staying open well into May.
Beyond winter, Shiga Kogen is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, blanketed in alpine wetlands, pristine ponds, and virgin beech forests. Summer hiking trails wind through landscapes that feel untouched, while the nearby Jigokudani Monkey Park — home to the famous snow bathing macaques — is a year-round draw just down the valley.