Here and There-Local Stops
Food scene
Shiga Kogen Beer on tap, great food and atmosphere. Open for lunch and dinner depending on the day
The Farmhouse
1403-2 HiraoShiga Kogen Beer on tap, great food and atmosphere. Open for lunch and dinner depending on the day
羅臼庵
Great soba noodle restaurant 30 seconds away from the property. Only open for lunch.
Great cafe and restaurant near the entrance to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Only open until around 4:00 PM
Enza Cafe
1421-1 HiraoGreat cafe and restaurant near the entrance to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Only open until around 4:00 PM
Local diner open for lunch and dinner. 5-minute drive from the property,. Hours vary and can be checked on Instagram.
Sekiei Drive-in Restaurant
Local diner open for lunch and dinner. 5-minute drive from the property,. Hours vary and can be checked on Instagram.
仲よし食堂
Great ramen, not always open though.
Hakko is a play on words. It means 8 and also fermented in Japanese. This restaurant features 8 different kinds of fermented ingredients (a speciality in Nagano) in their cooking. Vegetarian options available.
HAKKO YAMANOUCHI
Hakko is a play on words. It means 8 and also fermented in Japanese. This restaurant features 8 different kinds of fermented ingredients (a speciality in Nagano) in their cooking. Vegetarian options available.
Sightseeing
Great town to walk around and enjoy Japanese culture including sake breweries, gardens, art and food. About a 30 minute drive from the property.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Obuse
Great town to walk around and enjoy Japanese culture including sake breweries, gardens, art and food. About a 30 minute drive from the property.
Beautiful hot spring village with lots of shops and things to see. Check out the hot springs eggs and the footbaths
Shibu Onsen station
HiraoBeautiful hot spring village with lots of shops and things to see. Check out the hot springs eggs and the footbaths
日本国道最高地点碑
IriyamaA beautiful drive up to the highest highway in Japan up 292. About 30 minutes each way
World famous and only a 5-10 minute walk to the entrance of the park from the property (30 minutes each way from there).
36 recommandé par les habitants
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
6845 HiraoWorld famous and only a 5-10 minute walk to the entrance of the park from the property (30 minutes each way from there).
Cafe in a sea of clouds. Ride the gondola up for a great view of the surrounding landscape.
SORA terrace
YomaseCafe in a sea of clouds. Ride the gondola up for a great view of the surrounding landscape.
Ski Resorts
A guide to the best ski resorts in the area.
In my opinion, this is the best powder snow in Japan. 20 minutes by car or 30 minutes by bus from the property
Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki station
HiraoIn my opinion, this is the best powder snow in Japan. 20 minutes by car or 30 minutes by bus from the property
Best tree skiing in the area, along with Tangram Ski Circus (one lift ticket). 50 minute drive from the property.
Madaraokogen
Best tree skiing in the area, along with Tangram Ski Circus (one lift ticket). 50 minute drive from the property.
Best Japanese culture at a ski resort. Big resort with a nice new gondola. 40 minute drive from the property.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Nozawaonsen
Best Japanese culture at a ski resort. Big resort with a nice new gondola. 40 minute drive from the property.
Family friendly ski resort (kids under 12 ski free). Short but wide runs that are good for beginners. 30 minute drive from the property.
Kita Shinshu Kijimadaira Ski Resort
3876-2 KamikijimaFamily friendly ski resort (kids under 12 ski free). Short but wide runs that are good for beginners. 30 minute drive from the property.
Large ski resort 20 minute drive from the property. Great views from the Sora Terrace.
Ryuoo Ski Park
11700 YomaseLarge ski resort 20 minute drive from the property. Great views from the Sora Terrace.
Tons of snow right after a big dump but it melts quickly so you have to go on the day of. Good for families too, no covered lifts though.
Togari Onsen Ski Resort
Tons of snow right after a big dump but it melts quickly so you have to go on the day of. Good for families too, no covered lifts though.
Seki Hot Spring Ski Area
Some of the most snow in all of Japan. 1 hour each way from the property.
There is Akakura Family and Akakura Onsen ski resorts. Akakura family is more family friendly while Akakura Kanko contains more difficult terrain. 1 hour drive each way from the property.
Akakura
There is Akakura Family and Akakura Onsen ski resorts. Akakura family is more family friendly while Akakura Kanko contains more difficult terrain. 1 hour drive each way from the property.
Ikenotaira
Wide open runs that are good for beginners.
Great variety of terrain with a large vertical. Good for families and advanced skiers/snowboarders. 1 hour drive each way from the property.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort
Great variety of terrain with a large vertical. Good for families and advanced skiers/snowboarders. 1 hour drive each way from the property.
戸隠スキー場
3682-3 TogakushiGreat powder snow after a big dump. Not huge but a fun hill. Can be very cold.
Activities
Best place to try soba making. Eat your soba noodles after learning about them and making them. Limited English. 20 minute drive from the property.
そば打ち体験民宿はちのこ
11017 YomaseBest place to try soba making. Eat your soba noodles after learning about them and making them. Limited English. 20 minute drive from the property.
内山和紙体験の家
1143 HotakaWashi paper making. Great for kids, familes or groups. Take home what you make
Tamamura Honten
1163 HiraoFree sake tasting. 20 minute walk or 3 minute drive from the property.
Shinshu Fruitsland
1356-1 KusamaFruit picking or tasting, fruits depend on the season.
Get in touch with your adventurous side! Enjoy stand up paddle boarding and shower climbing (canyoning) with the great guides. Located in Shigakogen and accessible by bus and car. Green season only. Reservations required. Great for all!
SHIGAKOGEN MOUNTAIN DISCOVERY
志賀高原琵琶池Get in touch with your adventurous side! Enjoy stand up paddle boarding and shower climbing (canyoning) with the great guides. Located in Shigakogen and accessible by bus and car. Green season only. Reservations required. Great for all!
Take a ride on the crumpet express up to this cute cafe in Shigakogen. It is on a high peak and features great views on a clear day. And guess what they serve? You got it...crumpets!
Crumpet Cafe
7149-17 HiraoTake a ride on the crumpet express up to this cute cafe in Shigakogen. It is on a high peak and features great views on a clear day. And guess what they serve? You got it...crumpets!
Hiking
A beautiful, fairly easy hike in Shiga Kogen. 20 minute drive from the property to the entrance. 4km hike each way.
Onumaike Iriguchi station
HiraoA beautiful, fairly easy hike in Shiga Kogen. 20 minute drive from the property to the entrance. 4km hike each way.
Biwa-ike Pond
5 Chome-53 JingumaeEasy 1-hour hike around Biwa Pond. 20 minute drive from the property to the entrance.
松川渓谷温泉滝の湯
3681-377 OkuyamadaShort hike, really good in the Autumn when the leaves change colors.
Challenging but rewarding hike in Shiga Kogen. About 30 minutes each way from the property. Make sure you have proper hiking equipment though.
Mt. Iwasuge
Challenging but rewarding hike in Shiga Kogen. About 30 minutes each way from the property. Make sure you have proper hiking equipment though.
Short hike up to Shibuike pond. You can keep going all the way to Laku Onuma but it is not a loop so make sure you have a way to return.
Shibuike
HiraoShort hike up to Shibuike pond. You can keep going all the way to Laku Onuma but it is not a loop so make sure you have a way to return.
Hot Springs (Onsen)
Closest onsen to the property. 10 minute walk or 2 minute drive. Outdoor bath only but there are showers, shampoo, soap etc.
Waku Waku Onsen
821 HiraoClosest onsen to the property. 10 minute walk or 2 minute drive. Outdoor bath only but there are showers, shampoo, soap etc.
Best onsen views in the area. Outdoor bath only but there are showers, shampoo, soap etc. 15 minute drive from the property.
Tomi Hot Spring
6995 YomaseBest onsen views in the area. Outdoor bath only but there are showers, shampoo, soap etc. 15 minute drive from the property.
One of the best hot spring views in all of Japan. Outdoor bath only, no soap or shampoo. 30 minute drive from the property.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Maguse Onsen
往郷One of the best hot spring views in all of Japan. Outdoor bath only, no soap or shampoo. 30 minute drive from the property.
Cheapest hot spring in the area (300 yen). Outdoor and indoor bath, mostly locals. Shampoo and soap available. 5 minute drive from the property.
Yudanaka Station Front Kaede Hot Spring
3227-1 HiraoCheapest hot spring in the area (300 yen). Outdoor and indoor bath, mostly locals. Shampoo and soap available. 5 minute drive from the property.
Shopping (Food and Goods)
A shopping center with a grocery store, clothing stores, 100 yen shop and mini arcade. Fun to look around and convenient if you don't want to make multiple stops. About 5 minutes away by car.
AEON Nakano station
A shopping center with a grocery store, clothing stores, 100 yen shop and mini arcade. Fun to look around and convenient if you don't want to make multiple stops. About 5 minutes away by car.
Tsuruya Ippongi
Best grocery store in the area. They have everything you will need.