Japan's Shiga Kogen aims to draw overseas tourists to slopes

Foreign-owned hotel plans renovation, new activities for upscale clients

Jigokudani Monkey Park, which is famous for its “snow monkeys,” welcomed over 250,000 visitors in fiscal 2023, about 60% of whom came from overseas. (Photo by Hiroki Akahori）

YUI USUI, Nikkei staff writer

January 19, 2025 07:37 JST

NAGANO, Japan -- Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort, located in the town of Yamanouchi in Japan's Nagano prefecture, aims to attract foreign visitors for longer stays. This winter, a growing number of businesses have started services targeting overseas customers, and a foreign-affiliated hotel has also begun operating there.

Boasting 18 ski resorts, Shiga Kogen, north of Tokyo, drew 810,000 visitors in fiscal 2023. Yamanouchi is also home to Jigokudani Monkey Park, which is famous worldwide for its "snow monkeys," which enjoy bathing in hot springs.