Kumanoyu

Kumanoyu is excellent for powder hunters seeking solitude and sidecountry access - it's one of Shiga Kogen's most remote corners with untouched bowls and tree runs you'll have mostly to yourself. The 12 marked runs across 260m vertical are just the gateway to serious lift-accessed backcountry terrain at 1,700m base elevation where snow stays deep and dry. What makes it special is the combination of genuine solitude (even weekends feel empty) and those legendary jade-green onsen baths overlooking the mountains.

No - Kumanoyu is not beginner-friendly despite being part of Shiga Kogen. This corner focuses on steep pitches and sidecountry access rather than groomed learning terrain, and the extremely slow lifts that staff won't help with make the learning experience frustrating. If you're new to skiing, choose one of the more accessible Shiga Kogen areas instead.

Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano (about 1.5 hours), then catch a local bus to Shiga Kogen that requires advance reservation - total journey is 3-4 hours. Note that English support is minimal here, so having your reservation details ready in Japanese will make the trip smoother.

December through February delivers the deepest powder at Kumanoyu - the 1,700m base elevation holds snow better than most Nagano resorts. Avoid visiting during low snow periods entirely, as the already limited terrain becomes even more restrictive and not worth the journey.

Yes - and it's widely considered the best hot springs in all of Shiga Kogen. The rotenburo (outdoor) and indoor baths feature stunning jade-green water in cypress tubs with mountain views, making them worth the journey alone even if the skiing disappoints.

English support is minimal - this is proper Japanese local territory where you'll struggle with basic resort navigation if your Japanese is limited. The staff can't or won't communicate in English, and signage assumes Japanese literacy, so brush up on essential phrases before visiting.

Rarely crowded - you'll genuinely have runs to yourself on weekdays, and even Sundays feel empty compared to other Shiga Kogen areas. Crowds simply aren't an issue here, which is exactly why powder hunters and solitude seekers make the journey to this remote corner.

The onsen - rotenburo baths with jade-green water overlooking the mountains, widely considered the best hot springs in all of Shiga Kogen and worth the journey alone. Combined with untouched sidecountry access and genuine solitude, it's a rare find for skiers who prioritize powder and peace over resort amenities.

The staff won't slow the lifts even when people fall loading, so practice your chairlift skills beforehand. Skip the severely overpriced base lodge food and pack your own snacks, and always check if both lifts are running before making the journey since one lift down significantly limits your terrain options. Don't expect the Shiga Kogen pass to provide value here - you're essentially forced into an expensive multi-resort ticket for such a small area.

Yes - sidecountry tree runs and off-piste zones are accessible from the lifts, and this is really the main attraction beyond the onsen. You'll need some navigation skills to find the best lines, but the lift-accessed terrain opens up serious off-piste options that you'll have mostly to yourself.