I rode in Madarao/Tangram last Sunday. Great little resort. You can ride through the trees in Madarao to find fantastic freshies. However, off piste is forbidden on the Tangram side so watch out for the ski patrollers.
While in Shiga head up to the bakery at the bottom of Giant run quite a few monkeys hang out there. No swimming though. I think Snow junky put a video up of them some time a go.The bakery was very good also will be back there soon to check it out.
I saw the snow monkeys at the bottom of the Giant run in Shiga Kogen today. I took some great pictures and videos. I won't need to visit the monkey park now and will enjoy another full day of riding!