Reviews,Local food,Transportation Information,and Map Information of Shiga Highlands

1.Basic Information

Shiga Highlands is a major resort area with various lakes and wetlands dotting its landscape. The area ranges in elevation from 1,500m to 2,000m and offers diverse outdoor activities throughout the year. It is also designated as a UNESCO Ecopark for its sustainable coexistence with the local community.

Kusatsu Shirane Mountain

The crater lake at the summit of Shirane Mountain is tinted emerald green due to volcanic gases. The lake’s stunning beauty is attributed to the dissolution of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, iron, and sulfur in the water.

Yokoteyama

Yokoteyama offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Shiga Highlands from its summit at 2,307m. The summit is easily accessible via lift, making it popular among tourists. On clear days, you can even see Mount Fuji.

Ski Resorts in Shiga Highlands

Shiga Highlands is one of Japan’s largest snow resort areas. It offers a total of 18 ski resorts across an area that ranges from 1,330m to 2,307m in elevation. The area is conveniently accessible by express bus from Nagano Station.

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Located about 40 minutes by car from Nozawa Onsen in Nagano Prefecture, Jigokudani Monkey Park is a valley where a troop of Japanese macaques live naturally. This unique facility, where you can observe monkeys up close without fences, is especially popular among foreign tourists as the “Snow Monkey Park.” In the cold winter, you can watch monkeys warming themselves in the hot springs.

Oonuma Pond

Oonuma Pond was formed when lava flowing from Mount Shiga blocked a river. The pond is at an elevation of 1,694m and is about 26.2m deep. The lake water is highly acidic (pH 4.4) and clear, ranking as the sixth clearest lake in Japan.

2.Reviews

Shibu Onsen Kanaguya

This historic inn dating back to the Edo period is said to resemble the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli’s “Spirited Away.” It is accessible by changing to the Nagano Electric Railway at JR Nagano Station and getting off at Yudanaka Station. It is highly recommended for anime fans and history buffs.

Fall Foliage at Ren Pond

The area around Ren Pond is surrounded by forests and tourist hotels, creating a perfect highland tourist spot. The pond features beautiful lotus flowers, and well-maintained walking paths make for a pleasant stroll. The pond is easily accessible by bus, and its fall foliage is particularly stunning.

3.Local Cuisine

Introduction to cold Japanese Soba

In Japan, there are two ways to eat soba: cold soba and warm soba. This article introduces the menu of cold soba, which represents Japan.

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Introducing distinctive meat dishes.

In Japanese cuisine, there are meats such as offal, horse meat, and whale meat, which are not commonly eaten in daily life. Each region has its own traditional meat dishes, and these are known as local specialties and famous products of the area.

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Introduction to hot pot dishes using meat from all over Japan

Japanese hot pot cuisine is a dish where various ingredients are simmered in a broth. The broth, made from kelp and bonito flakes, is flavored with soy sauce or miso. Thinly sliced beef or pork, vegetables, and tofu are added. Eating together deepens the bonds with family and friends, making it especially popular during the cold seasons.

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4.Transportation Information

■How to get to Shiga Highlands
Official website of Shiga Highlands Tourism Association (English Support)
https://www.shigakogen.gr.jp

■How to get to Jigokudani Monkey Park
Shibu Onsen Official Website (English and Simplified Chinese Support)
https://www.shibuonsen.net/yaenkoen/

5.Map Information

Shiga Highlands is located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The area is at high elevation (over 1,000m), which means summers are cool, and it rarely experiences extremely hot days or nights. The first snowfall usually occurs from mid to late October, with winter setting in by November. In areas over 2,100m in elevation, snow accumulation can exceed 4 meters in some years.