--- title: 10 Of The Best Restaurants In Shiga Kogen date: 2026-05-31T19:00:00+09:00 author: Armelle Frimpong canonical_url: "https://uchijapan.com/news/shiga-kogen-restaurants" section: News --- [Japan](https://uchijapan.com/news/japan)# 10 Of The Best Restaurants In Shiga Kogen May 31, 2026 - [ ](mailto:?subject=10%20Of%20The%20Best%20Restaurants%20In%20Shiga%20Kogen%20on%20Uchi&body=https%3A%2F%2Fuchijapan.com%2Fnews%2Fshiga-kogen-restaurants "Share by Email") - [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fuchijapan.com%2Fnews%2Fshiga-kogen-restaurants&title=10%20Of%20The%20Best%20Restaurants%20In%20Shiga%20Kogen&description=Finding%20great%20places%20to%20eat%20when%20visiting%20Shiga%20Kogen%20can%20be%20challenging%2C%20so%20we%27ve%20rounded%20up%20the%20Uchi%20team%27s%2010%20favourite%20restaurants%20in%20the%20area.&caption=Uchi) ![Japanese Dining GOEN LEAD](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_480x270_crop_center-center_60_line/Japanese-Dining-GOEN-LEAD.jpg)As far as Japanese ski resorts go, Shiga Kogen takes the cake. Located in Nagano Prefecture, it is the largest and highest interconnected ski resort in the country, with 18 linked ski areas spanning almost 1500 acres, amongst other impressive stats. However, unlike many of Japan's other ski resorts, Shiga Kogen doesn't have a central village—rather, different 'areas' that are essentially just groups of hotels (Ichinose being the main one). This makes eating out somewhat difficult, with dining typically done in the confines of the hotels. However, there are a handful of spots worth visiting outside of your accommodation, if you want and/or have the means to travel. We've covered both options, with our list of the 10 best restaurants in Shiga Kogen. ## Yokoteyama Drive-in ![Yokoteyama Drive in](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Yokoteyama-Drive-in.jpg) Image: Slurp noodles while soaking up views at Yokoteyama Drive-in / Tabelog Near the base of Yokoteyama aka Shiga Kogen's highest mountain, you'll find some of the area's best noodles (and naturally, some of its best views). Enter the [Yokotoeyama Drive-in](https://shigakogen.co.jp/food-shop/yokoteyama-drive-in/), a hard-to-miss spot located right beside the ski lift which doubles as a souvenir shop and restaurant. Head on up to the second storey and gorge yourself on its famous homemade soba, ramen and udon, while drinking in sweeping views of the surrounding alps. Finish with a cheeky kumasasa (bamboo grass) soft-serve from the snack counter downstairs before you leave. ## Japanese Dining GOEN ![Japanese Dining GOEN](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Japanese-Dining-GOEN.jpg) Image: Main article image above: A spread of the delicious-looking Japanese cuisine from Japanese Dining GOEN. Above: Eat exceptional Japanese cuisine at Japanese Dining GOEN / both Japanese Dining GOEN If you're after Japanese favourites done well, be sure to drop by [Japanese Dining GOEN](https://japanese-dining-goen.com/en/)—a mod, all-day eatery located right across the road from Yudanaka Station aka the gateway to Shiga Kogen. This spot offers ramen, sashimi and other classic, tourist-friendly fare prepared with exceptional produce and by that, we mean vegetables sourced from local farmers and seafood plucked fresh from the waters of nearby Niigata. If you really wanna make a meal of it, choose from the six- or seven-course set menu with an all-you-can-drink plan to match; and always opt for a table on the outdoor terrace, beneath the twinkling fairy lights. ## Crumpet Cafe ![Crumpet Cafe](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Crumpet-Cafe.jpg) Image: Enjoy housemade crumpets at Japan's highest altitude cafe / Trip Advisor If you thought crumpets were only a British thing, think again—you can find these thick and crispy, bubbly-topped treats right here in Shiga Kogen at the country's highest altitude cafe. Located a whopping 2307 metres above sea level at the top of the Yokoteyama ski lift (meaning that incredible views are a given), the [Crumpet Cafe](https://www.instagram.com/crumpet_cafe2307/) has an impressive selection of both sweet and savoury options to choose from, with toppings ranging from the predictable (butter, honey, and jam) to the downright exotic (we’re looking at you, lox, and definitely at the one flavoured like a tuna melt). ## Yudanaka Brewery Complex U ![Yudanaka Brewery Complex U](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Yudanaka-Brewery-Complex-U.jpg) Image: Desserts are serious business at Yudanaka Brewery Complex U / Yudanaka Brewery Complex U Where can you sample local beer, scoff fancypants desserts AND smash a burger bigger than your face named in honour of Mt. Shiga? The answer is [Yudanaka Brewery Complex U](https://yudanaka-u.jp/en/), a one-of-a-kind hospitality venue (which also combines hot springs with day accommodation) in Yudanaka. Take a tour of the brewery before rewarding yourself at the cafe with said burger, alongside plenty more eats, drinks, and sweet treats from the onsite chocolate boutique (be sure to grab some of its signature chocolate ganache cookies on your way out). The high teas here are also a standout. ## La Stella Alpina ![La Stella Alpina](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/La-Stella-Alpina.jpg) Image: The grand dining room at La Stella Alpina / Hotel Grand Phenix There are times when only a bowl or plate of carbs will do. When such a time arises, you'll want to head on over to Shiga Kogen's best Italian restaurant, [La Stella Alpina](https://www.hotelgrandphenix.co.jp/en/restaurant/italian.html), located inside the Hotel Grand Phenix in Okushiga. Here you'll be treated to pizza and pasta crafted from the finest quality ingredients along with beautiful cuts of steak, fresh fish, and a well-considered wine menu. The dining room is a delight unto itself, featuring wooden panelling, wrought-iron lanterns, and huge floor-to-ceiling windows through which to peep the surrounding Shiga Kogen landscape. ## Izakaya Time ![Izakaya Time](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Izakaya-Time.jpg) Image: Enjoy hot pot and other classic izakaya fare at Izakaya Time / Izakaya Time Izakaya (Japanese taverns) can be a great choice for tourists, offering hearty food and drinks at a cheap price point along with friendly, laidback vibes. Such is the case with [this spot in Ichinose](https://www.instagram.com/timeshiga?igsh=c3NyandwNWhscmw0&utm_source=qr), which is always bustling but is quite a lot larger than its peers, thereby upping the chances of snagging a table (brownie points for the English menus, too). Tuck into classic Japanese pub grub in the form of hot pot, yakitori, noodles, omelettes, dumplings, and some more acquired-taste type dishes like horse sashimi. ## Traveler's Bar Shigakogen Tacos ![Travelers Bar Shigakogen Tacos](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Travelers-Bar-Shigakogen-Tacos.jpg) Image: Smash back vegan tacos at Traveler's Bar Shigakogen Tacos / Traveler's Bar Shigakogen Tacos Some people like to re-fuel after a day on the slopes with noodles and hot pot, others prefer vegan tacos. For those of you who fall into the latter category, [Traveler's Bar Shigakogen Tacos](https://www.instagram.com/shigakogentacosz/) in Ichinose will see you right. Found on the ground floor of the Olympic Hotel, this is a hugely popular spot that pumps out handmade tortillas stuffed with fresh, flavoursome goodies, including (but not limited to) soy meat. Meaty options are of course also available, along with nachos, fried chicken, and margaritas aplenty. Ole! ## Yakiniku Otenma ![Yakiniku Otenma](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Yakiniku-Otenma.jpg) Image: Cook your own wagyu at Yakiniku Otenma / Hotel Japan Shiga Meat is on the menu at [Yakiniku Otenma](https://www.japanshiga.com/en/restaurant/#1117169)—locally-sourced wagyu in an assortment of cuts, to be precise. Find this eatery on the ground floor of Hotel Japan Shiga in Ichinose, where in typical yakiniku/grilled meat fashion, you'll be required to sing for your supper (read: cook your own meal). Don't be alarmed, the restaurant has made this as painless as possible by installing grills directly into the tables that use smokeless infrared tech to make your meat unbelievably juicy (and won't leave you smelling like a BBQ). If you're finding all that wagyu a little too much, there are assorted veggies, jugs of ice-cold beer and even other cuts of meat to balance things out. ## Miku Izakaya Merge ![Niku merge](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/niku_merge.jpg) Image: The interior of Miku Izakaya Merge / Miku Izakaya Merge [Miku Izakaya Merge](https://www.instagram.com/niku_merge/) is a trendy little izakaya in Diamond Shiga serving up a version of pub grub that's unlike anything else in the area. Case in point: the signature wagyu beef stew, which gets its incredibly complex flavour from being simmered for not one, but five whole days (this spot has also been known to do a black detox curry, infused with edible charcoal—call us intrigued!). If stew ain't for you, no problem: Spanish-style meatballs, ginormous burgers and sushi topped with wagyu beef are also on the menu... plus vanilla ice cream with yuzu compote for afters. ## Burger & Pizza Altopiano ![Burger Pizza Altopiano](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Burger-Pizza-Altopiano.jpg) Image: Chow down on Neapolitan-certified pizzas at Burger & Pizza Altopiano / Hotel Japan Shiga The slopes of Shiga Kogen may seem like an unlikely place to pick up a slice of authentic Neapolitan pizza (that's pizza just like what you get in Naples, Italy and certified by the prestigious Neapolitan Pizza Association), but here we are. [Burger & Pizza Altopiano](https://www.japanshiga.com/en/restaurant/#1117170), also located inside Hotel Japan Shiga, is where you’ll find it, smothered in gourmet toppings and baked to a blistering 500 degrees-plus inside a woodfired pizza oven. Their burgers are also the stuff of local legend and are so stacked with ingredients (including patties made with local apple-fed Shinshu beef), you almost need an extra pair of hands just to eat 'em. All that's missing is a pint of crispy beer—oh wait, they have that too. Fallen in love with Nagano Prefecture? We don't blame you. Browse the [latest properties around Nagano](https://uchijapan.com/properties?search%5BrefinementList%5D%5Barea.title%5D%5B0%5D=Nagano&search%5BsortBy%5D=date_desc) available right now on Uchi.