Finnishcookie 0 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 a few months ago I couldn't decide on Nagano or Hokkaido for a trip at the end of this month, but decided on Nagano because it was cheaper. looking through this site, seems like the best places in Nagano are Shiga Kogen and Hakuba.. but having a hard time deciding between the two. I never skiied or snowboarded in my life! need a place that's beginner friendly! Unfortunately I can't stay too long either, I'm thinking of a one or two night thing. do you guys think its better or cheaper to find accomodations in Nagano city then commute over to the ski area.. or to simply just find a place in the skiing area? one thing for sure, I'm definitely going to go see the snow monkeys! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 If you are going to see the monkeys, and with such a short time, I would say surely you should choose Shiga Kogen as they are at the base of Shiga Kogen. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Monkeys then Shiga Kogen from what I have heard. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 +1 If monkeys are a must then Shiga. Link to post Share on other sites
Finnishcookie 0 Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 thanks for the replies guys! i'm still worried about the timing of it since I'm there at the last week of March.. I just realized that its cherry blossom time for half of Japan!! Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Never understood the fascination with a few monkeys soaking in water but from what I understand Shiga has some of the highest lifted points in Japan and by the end of March you'll have better conditions the higher you can get. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 The monkeys are wonderful, you sound like you want to see them --- I'm sure you'll love them. Late March weather, unfortunately we can't do anything about that. Think spring and you'll be ok. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Monkeys are cool but really don't base your trip around them. Go to the highest point to try to get the best snow. Seemore Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 ....unless you want to of course.... Have fun wherever you end up. Link to post Share on other sites
Finnishcookie 0 Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 thanks for the reply everyone! unfortunately I hit an obstacle. I was thinking of going to Shiga Kogen as everyone suggested but one of my japanese friends who's coming along is pushing for Nozawa Onsen.. i guess she's not too keen on snow monkeys. looking at the plan she suggested, its an overnight bus.. looks like its just a day trip and get home at night. doesn't sound so interesting the schedule is: 日程 スケジュール 食事 宿泊 1日目 渋谷 = 池袋=== その他各集合場所（池袋までの無料シャトルバス） 途中2時間程度の間隔で停車・休憩を取ります。 朝× 昼× 夕× （バス車中泊） 2日目 ＝スキー場（06：35頃）着 利用施設で着替え、スキー・スノーボードでお楽しみください。 スキー場16：45（日曜は15：45）出発＝＝＝＝新宿（21：50頃）着 朝× 昼× 夕× I'm looking on nozawa sites.. is it even connected by train? was thinking of just going ahead and meeting them there. not keen on the whole over night bus thing (i can't sleep on it) Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 The closest train is the local Iiyama line station Togari Nozawa Onsen which is about 10-15 minutes drive away from Nozawa itself. Many people get off the train at Nagano and get a bus from there rather than go to Togari. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I made this map for you which is actually going from the Togari Onsen ski resort but you can see the Togari Onsen train station on the left there, just to get an idea http://www.snowjapan.com/e/route-finder/japan-resort-directions-large.php?addresses=Togari%20Onsen(resort%3D41)ANDNozawa%20Onsen(resort%3D40)&avoidHighways=false&avoidTolls=false&travelMode=DRIVING 1 Link to post Share on other sites
7-11 2 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Day trip to Nozawa doesn't sound great to me. Get more time! Link to post Share on other sites
Finnishcookie 0 Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 Thanks for the map and replies.. however I managed to convince my friend to stick with Shiga Kogen instead.. so that's where we're going to go however some questions remain. 1. Accomodations: Just staying for 1 night. Is it better to find a place in Shiga Kogen? or stay in Nagano (where i think its cheaper?) 2. Where to snow board in Shiga Kogen: I'm looking at the snow japan main site, and there seems to be many ski areas.. which one to go to? does it matter for snow boarding? does lifts also matter for snow boarding? Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 its even better to stay in yudanaka if you also want to see monkeys. http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/blog/11/entry-25-ipps-tries-to-explain-shiga-kogen/ Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Nagano is an hour or 2 shuttle bus ride from Shiga Kogen slopes......for a day, you'd def be better staying overnight in the resort. I liked the resort from Takamagahara over to the Prince hotel (about middle all the way to the left when looking at a course map). Terakoya and Tannenomori, Ichinose and the Prince hotel bit (can't remember the name of the resort) all have a lot of terrain to explore.....more than plenty for a day Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Say hi to the monkeys if you go. Prince hotel bit is Yakebitaiyama. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Yes you'll probably be in the Yakebitaiyama >>> Giant kind of area. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 As I type this I am at shirakaba kogen kokusai in Nagano. I was going to go to Gunma yesterday but decidex against it as it was raining.,lnstead will go during the spring break! The snow here ranges from surprisingly good at top to sticky crap at the bottom even at this altitude! Real spring conditions today feels like summer compared to what im used to around these parts. Good fun all the same! No time to write more time to get back on te slopes! Link to post Share on other sites
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