Yurie

ShigakogenHub

Founder of ShigakogenHub and HakubaHub. Tokyo Airbnb host turned mountain-Japan researcher.

Shiga Kogen ski and tourismYudanaka and Shibu Onsen cultureSnow Monkey Park accessYamanouchi-machi lifestyleHakuba lifestyle (sister-site coverage)International visitor hospitalityFamily ski travelJapanese property research from a buyer perspective

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(204)

a snowy landscape with trees and mountains in the background
Ski Resort Guide

Hakuba vs Myoko Kogen: Which Resort Actually Suits International Skiers? (2026 Honest Comparison)

Hakuba and Myoko Kogen both promise epic powder, onsen towns, and fewer crowds than Niseko — but they suit very different skiers. Here's what I learned across three winters splitting time between them.

Yurie
July 2, 2026
11 min
a sign in the snow
Ski Resort Guide

Shiga Kogen vs Nozawa Onsen: Which Nagano Ski Resort & Onsen Town Is Right for You?

Choosing between Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen? One's the largest interconnected ski area in Japan with spread-out lodging; the other's a tight onsen village with ski-in access. Here's the honest breakdown.

Yurie
July 1, 2026
15 min
a wet dog standing on a rock next to a body of water
Snow Monkey Park

Nagano to Snow Monkey Park Bus: The Complete 2026 Guide (With Summer Schedules)

Getting from Nagano Station to the Snow Monkey Park involves either the express bus via Yudanaka or a local connection through Kanbayashi — and the schedules flip completely between winter and summer.

Yurie
June 30, 2026
14 min
Mount fuji overlooks traditional japanese houses and a pond.
Yudanaka & Shibu Onsen

Shibu Onsen's Nine Outer Baths: A Complete Walking Guide (2026)

The nine outer baths of Shibu Onsen aren't open to day visitors — you need to stay at a ryokan to walk the loop. Here's the real layout, mineral properties, and which inn to book.

Yurie
June 29, 2026
16 min
a person skiing down a snow covered mountain
Ski Resort Guide

Ichinose Ski Area Shiga Kogen: The Complete Family-Friendly Guide (2026)

Ichinose is the most beginner-friendly base in Shiga Kogen, with gentle slopes, immediate hotel access, and year-round appeal. If you're bringing first-timers or kids, this is where you start.

Yurie
June 28, 2026
15 min
a group of people walking down a snow covered road
Yudanaka & Shibu Onsen

Shibu Onsen Nine Public Baths Walking Guide: Complete Soto-yu Meguri Route 2026

Master Shibu Onsen's historic nine-bath pilgrimage with our detailed walking route, including exact distances, access keys, and onsen etiquette that locals wish visitors knew.

Yurie
June 15, 2026
9 min
green tree on mountain during daytime
Summer Hiking & Nature

Yokoteyama Summer Lift, Hiking Trails & Japan Alps Views: Complete 2026 Guide

Yokoteyama transforms from Shiga Kogen's highest ski resort into a spectacular summer hiking gateway, with lift-accessed trails and panoramic Japan Alps views.

Yurie
June 14, 2026
8 min
Mountains and trees frame a river in nature.
Summer Hiking & Nature

When to Visit Shiga Kogen for Autumn Foliage: The 2026 Timing Guide

From late September's alpine peaks to October's golden larch forests, here's when to catch Shiga Kogen's most stunning fall colors — and why Maruike's reflections are worth the extra climb.

Yurie
June 13, 2026
8 min
Mountains and trees frame a river in nature.
Summer Hiking & Nature

志賀高原秋季賞楓最佳時機:2026 年時間指南

從九月下旬的高山峰頂到十月的金色落葉松森林,這裡告訴你何時能捕捉志賀高原最令人驚艷的秋色 —— 以及為何丸池的倒影值得你額外攀登。

Yurie
June 13, 2026
2 min
Mountains and trees frame a river in nature.
Summer Hiking & Nature

志贺高原秋季赏枫最佳时间:2026 年时机指南

从9月下旬的高山峰顶到10月的金色落叶松林,这里是捕捉志贺高原最绚丽秋色的最佳时机——以及为什么丸池的倒影值得额外的攀登。

Yurie
June 13, 2026
2 min
A group of people walking through a snow covered forest
Summer Hiking & Nature

Togakushi Day Trip from Shiga Kogen: Cedar Shrines, Soba & Cool Summer Escape

The towering cedar avenue at Togakushi Shrine creates a completely different mountain experience just 90 minutes from Shiga Kogen — perfect for beating summer heat or adding cultural depth to your ski trip.

Yurie
June 12, 2026
9 min
A group of people walking through a snow covered forest
Summer Hiking & Nature

從志賀高原出發戶隱一日遊:杉木參道、蕎麥麵與夏日避暑勝地

戶隱神社高聳入天的杉木參道,距離志賀高原僅 90 分鐘車程,為您帶來截然不同的山岳體驗——無論是夏日避暑或滑雪行程的文化深度之旅,都非常理想。

Yurie
June 12, 2026
2 min