Japan’s largest and highest altitude ski resort can be found in the highlands of Shiga Kogen. Among its many ski areas, which are interconnected and all skiable on the same lift ticket, is Yokoteyama―with a top altitude of 2,307 meters.

At these lofty heights, cold winds roar and buffet the mountaintop trees with heavy snow, creating veritable snow monsters.

You can see them during the day by taking the lift to the top of the mountain, or, for a special treat, you can take a night tour by snowcat and see these beasts illuminated in the dark.

Ride a Snowcat to the Top of Yokoteyama

Meeting at the Akari Restaurant at the base of Yokoteyama Ski Resort, the tour departs at 16:00.

From the restaurant, you take a bus partway up the mountain before switching to a snowcat for the rest of the journey. The sleek, red Pisten Bully is equipped with a large cabin that can accommodate up to 20 people, with a warm interior and plenty of windows.

The snowcat climbs the main run of Mt. Yokote before turning onto the Shiga-Kusatsu Route, which connects Yamanouchi and Kusatsu Onsen during the summer months. It passes beautiful views around the Nozoki area before reaching Shibu Pass and the top of Mt. Yokote.

Watch the Sun Set behind the Japanese Alps

As Shiga Kogen’s tallest point, Mt. Yokote has the best views of the entire resort.

On a clear day, you can see a wall of mountains across the Nagano basin, stretching past the horizon, including Northern Nagano’s Hokushin Gogaku (Madarao, Myoko, Kurohime, Togakushi, Iizuna), the Northern Japanese Alps, and even Mt. Ontake in the Kiso Valley. To the southeast, Mt. Fuji peeks out from above the clouds—with binoculars, you can even see skytree!

As the sun sets behind the mountains, the snowy landscape is bathed in warm orange and deep blue shadows grow across the valley, revealing the glittering lights of the cities below.

After night falls and stars appear in the sky, head into a forest of snow monsters.

See Illuminated Snow Monsters at Night

Forests of snow monsters flank the sides of the road at the top of the mountain. Getting up close, you can still just make out their branches and trunks under heavy snow and frost.

While large light fixtures aren’t permitted at the top of the mountain at night, you can explore the area using an LED headlamp. Its powerful rays clearly illuminate the scenery around you, and the contrast of brightly lit snow monsters against the night sky is magical.

Warm up with Coffee and a Snack at Shibu Toge Hotel

After walking through the cold, nothing beats a nice warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate by the fire. The snowcat brings you back to Shibu Toge near the mountaintop and stops at the hotel for coffee and freshly baked bread.

This area is just on the border of Nagano and Gunma prefectures, and the hotel happens to be in both. From the exterior, you can see a line down the middle with “Gunma” written on the left and “Nagano” written to the right.

Ride back down the Mountain

Get ready for a thrill on the way down! While the snowcat takes it slow going uphill, it has no problems speeding down the mountain. And in the seat of the snowcat, the same ski slopes feel quite a bit steeper than when on skis.

The tour ends back at the Akari Restaurant around 18:30.

Access

The Yokoteyama ski area can be reached by bus from Yudanaka or Nagano Stations. The closest bus stop to the meeting point is Yokoteyama Daiichi Lift (from Yudanaka) or Hotaru Onsen (from Nagano).

By car, Shiga Kogen is 45 minutes from the Shinshu Nakano IC exit of the Joshin'etsu Expressway.

Staying the Night in Shiga Kogen

Because the tour ends after the last bus heads down the mountain from the Daiichi lift bus stop, it is highly recommended to spend the night in Shiga Kogen. The Hotaru Onsen/Kumanoyu area has several hotels very close to the tour's meeting point, as well as the Yokoteyama and Kumanoyu ski areas.

Options include Shiga Palace Hotel, Shiga Kiraku Hotel and Shiga Lodge. Make sure to let them know that you plan to take the night tour, as some hotels usually serve dinner at 18:00.

Reservations

Reservations for the snow monster night tour can be made online through the Yokoteyama Ski Resort website. Your hotel can also make a reservation for you.

Reservations should be made by the morning of the day before the tour.

Update:2024/01/11

Shiga Kogen Snow Monster Night Tour

Operating Period	Weekend evenings from January to March
Time	16:00 to 18:30
Reservations	Necessary (via Yokoteyama Ski Resort site or via hotel)
Price	Adults/4,800 yen, Children/4,000

 

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