Introducing Yokoteyama – Japan’s Highest Ski Resorts | NAGANO – JAPAN

How high is the highest ski run you have been to in Japan?

Niseko (Hokkaido) is undoubtedly Japan’s most popular skiing/snowboarding destination for international travellers.  It certainly is an incredible ski range, but today we would like to introduce to you Japan’s highest ski-resort, namely YOKOTEYAMA.

While the highest elevation of Niseko is ~1,300m above sea level, Yokoteyama skiable area starts at 1,700m and goes all the way up to 2,307m.  This makes Yokoteyama the highest ski-resort in the “Japanese Alps” as well as in the entire country.

Here is a quick 1-minute video of us going from the top of the mountain to the bottom (you can see the top of the mountain in the end of this video too).

WHERE IS YOKOTEYAMA?

Yokoteyama isn’t anywhere near Niseko.  It is in fact on a totally different island.

Situated near Nagano, Yokoteyama is a part of a Japan’s largest ski resort Shiga Kogen ski domain which comprises of 18 interlinked resorts (58 ski lifts!).  Having the lowest skiable area at ~1,300m above sea level, Shiga Kogen is a part of the Japanese Alps on the Honshu Island (main island of Japan) and is only about 1 hour drive from Nagano train station.

WHAT IS GREAT ABOUT YOKOTEYAMA?

Well, the answer is obvious—it’s high elevation.  Shiga Kogen in general has very high elevation for Japan and the quality as well as the amount of snow is incredible.  The view from the top of Yokoteyama is STUNNING, and apparently, on a good clear day, Mount Fuji can be seen.

We must say that we were very unfortunate with our travel schedule.  Once we arrived, for 2 and a half the, the entire area was raining the whole time, and the locals said that it was “the windiest we had ever experience in decades”.

However, despite all that, we must say the the amount of snow we saw there at the top was quite extraordinary.  Here are some images of the snowy Mount Yokoteyama and the spectacular view.

And for the record, this is how Yokoteyama (and most ski areas on Japanese Alps) look on a good season.

SHOULD YOU VISIT YOKOTEYAMA?

Mount Yokoteyama is a very small mountain, and going off-piste is strictly prohibited.  If you are already planning to go to Shiga Kogen on your next skiing vacation, it is definitely worth checking out Yokoteyama for a day or two.  After all, you can ski/snowboard across between the main Shiga Kogen area and Yokoteyama.

WHERE DID WE STAY?

SHIGA PALCE HOTEL at Mount Yokoteyama

We were in the area for 4 nights, and due to the bad weather we couldn’t actually went out on the mountains until our 3rd and 4th night.  A good friend recommended we to stay at Shiga Palace Hotel on our last 2 nights as it is right by the bottom of Mount Yokoteyama (almost a ski-in ski-out).

Shiga Palace Hotel is an old-western-style-built hotel which is rather well-maintained, considering how long ago the building was built (in 1970!).  What’s awesome about Shiga Palace is the fact that they are the ONLY place in Yokoteyama Ski Resort that has a convenient store!

RYOKAN BIYU NO YADO in Yudanaka

On our first two night, we based in Yudanaka Onsen town (a part of Yamanouchi, Nagano) which is a very popular place for skiiers and snowboarders to stay.  There are frequent local buses which go straight up to Shiga Kogen ski resort and the journey only takes 30 mins.

Ryokan Biyu No Yado was one of our most pleasant stays in Japan so far.  The rooms are spacious, clean, very warm and equipped with all the Japanese technology!  The breakfast was fantastic (though we got a vegetarian set!).

A full review post on Ryokan Biyu No Yado in Yudanaka to follow so subscribe to us and stay tuned!

Here are 3 main reasons people love staying in Yudanaka:

1. It is a town, so there are quite a few bars and restaurants–really, really good restaurants.
2. It is an onsen town!  There are plenty of natural onsens there.  After a long day of skiing/snowboarding in the -10/-20 degree celcius, who wouldnt’ want to be in an onsen?!
3. It’s close to… THE JIGUKODANI SNOW MONKEY PARK!  This is a MUST visit, whether you will like it or not (yep, we are dictators like that).  Even when we went it was raining (no snow!) it was STILL one of the highlights of our entire trip, and we want to go back again.

View our full post on Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park here: http://www.lifeoutloudofficial.com/experience/jigokudani-snow-monkey-park-yudanaka-nagano-japan/

Here is a video of our time in Shiga Kogen, Yokoteyama, places we stay and, of course, the snow monkeys! (The snow monkey part starts ~2.10).

#LOLTIPS

• Do visit the snow monkeys in Yudanaka nearby for a day—you will NOT regret it! 
• Have brunch or lunch at the Crumpet Cafe on the top of Mount Yokoteyama!  Not only they have the best view but also the best crumpets in the area!

In summary, if you are planning for an epic ski trip in Japan and wish to avoid the crowd, here is our recommendation.  Head to Shiga Kogen, spend a day or two at Yokoteyama, and pamper yourselves with some natural onsen time in Yudanaka…oh and don’t forget the snow monkeys too! 😉

Above: Burton snowboard | Dragon Alliance X2 Lumalens Goggles | Roxy Helmet

RECOMMENDED LINKS

•  #LOLGO experience post on Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
• #LOLSTAY experience post on Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido all-inclusive ski-in ski-our resort
• #LOLDO experience post on Aiguille Rouge – One of the Longest Runs on the French Alps, Les Arc, France
• Full article on Skiing/Snowboarding in Tomamu Ski Resort

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