Yurie
ShigakogenHub
Founder of ShigakogenHub and HakubaHub. Tokyo Airbnb host turned mountain-Japan researcher.
About Yurie
Yurie is the founder of ShigakogenHub and its sister site HakubaHub. A Tokyo Airbnb host (Sumida ward) and family skier, she has spent years travelling between Tokyo, Hakuba, and the Shiga Kogen / Yamanouchi area. She is not a licensed real-estate agent — she shares the honest, plain-language guidance she wishes she'd had when she started exploring Japan's mountain regions.
Articles by Yurie(225)
Ichinose Ski Area Shiga Kogen Guide: Family Slopes, Terrain Parks & Ski-In Accommodation
Ichinose sits at the heart of Shiga Kogen's linked network, offering three distinct zones, beginner-friendly terrain, terrain parks, and some of the best ski-in accommodation in the entire resort. Here's what you need to know before you go.
Maruike Pond Autumn Foliage: Best Time, Mirror Reflections & October Hike Tips
Late October turns Maruike Pond into a gold-rimmed mirror. Here's the narrow viewing window, the best morning light for reflections, and how to link it with Shiga's other alpine ponds before the lifts close for the season.
Nagano Autumn Foliage Access Guide: Shiga Kogen Larch Forests & Maruike Marsh Transport from Tokyo
Getting to Shiga Kogen's golden larch forests and Maruike Marsh in late October takes planning—here's the exact Shinkansen-to-bus routing, seasonal schedules, and rental car logistics I use every autumn.
Shiga Kogen Hiking Trails for Beginners: 5 Easy Routes with Map
Five beginner-friendly Shiga Kogen summer hiking trails you can walk in sneakers — with exact parking locations, bug reality, and the gear I actually bring every time.
How to Get to Shibu Onsen from Tokyo: Train, Bus, Luggage Forward & Timing (Complete Guide)
Getting to Shibu Onsen from Tokyo takes about 3 hours 15 minutes by train and bus—if you know the Nagaden connection window. Here's the complete step-by-step guide, including luggage forwarding, timing tips, and the one mistake I made that you shouldn't.
Yudanaka to Shibu Onsen Autumn Foliage Walking Route: Complete Guide with Distances, Timing & Best Views
Walk 3.2 km from Yudanaka Station through two onsen towns during peak autumn color — distances between Shibu's nine outer baths, the best ryokan garden views, and the 25-minute walk to Kanbayashi timed for mid-October to early November foliage.
Ichinose Ski Area in Shiga Kogen: Complete Family & Beginner Guide (2026)
Ichinose is Shiga Kogen's most welcoming zone for families and first-time skiers. Wide beginner runs, short lift lines, and onsen hotels steps from the lifts—here's everything you need to know.
Maruike Marsh Autumn Foliage Timing: Your Golden Larch Window Guide
The golden larch reflection at Maruike Marsh is one of Shiga Kogen's most fleeting spectacles—here's how to time it right, where to shoot, and how to stay close during the narrow October window.
Komayu Soba Restaurant Yamanouchi: A Perfect Post-Hike, Pre-Onsen Stop in Autumn
The smell of buckwheat flour and the sight of steaming tempura made from local autumn mushrooms—Komayu soba restaurant in Yudanaka has been our family's post-hike, pre-onsen ritual for three seasons running.
Yudanaka & Shibu Onsen Autumn Foliage: Ryokan, Bath Walks & Timing Guide
Late October to early November transforms Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen into a walkable autumn gallery. Here's how to combine ryokan garden views, the historic nine outer baths, and nearby Jigokudani scenery in a single trip.
How to Get to Shibu Onsen from Tokyo: Train, Bus, Luggage Forward & Timing (Complete Guide)
Getting from Tokyo to Shibu Onsen involves a shinkansen to Nagano, a local Nagaden train to Yudanaka, then a short walk or shuttle. Here's the step-by-step route, luggage forwarding options, and timing advice based on multiple trips.
Shiga Kogen vs Hakuba for Families: Which Resort Works Best with Young Kids?
Choosing between Shiga Kogen and Hakuba for a family ski trip? I've done both with young kids. Here's the honest terrain, ski school, lodging, and onsen comparison that'll save you hours of research.