Shiga Lake Hotel in Yamanouchi

Pros:
- spacious room (a rarity in Japan)
- true ski in and ski out
- breakfast with some variety
- the store on the first floor sells food / snacks / drinks / alcohol of some variety at relatively reasonable prices (will mention this in cons as well)

Cons:
- almost nothing around to eat for dinner except for 1. dinner at the hotel or 2. a store on the first floor that sells bento boxes (if you get there early) or bread or instant noodles and 3. a pizza place not too far in Club Wyndham
- could be a bit cold at night (but you can just pile on duvets)
- relatively small shower room with no shower curtain

others:
- if I think of Shiga Kogen as a strip, Hatsuke (where the hotel is) is pretty much at one end of it. It's not the most central location. For people who would like to cover all the mountains, you can ski from this side all the way to the other end and back. For those who would like to pick specific mountains to ski on, the mountain you like could be quite close or far away from you. That being said, it does not take that long to go to the farthest mountain (Okushiga Kogen) so it is generally okay.
- for the Japanese style room, you have to make your own futon bed (but you get to do it however you like)

Fantastic hospitality from the staff. They were very helpful in getting us together whenever we needed help. One can ski in and out of the hotel right onto the ski hill. It is a short walk to the main bus depot, where the rentals are. The public bath (onsen) was wonderful post ski. The food was wonderful. And, there is free laundry.

Right next to the ski resort, but it's a bit difficult for beginners to enter the ski resort. The hotel is a bit old, breakfast and dinner are OK, but the hot spring is a bit average. Overall, it's ok to stay.

A good choice for ski accommodation, close to two bus lines to Yudanaka and Nagano. Ski directly to the ski resort in the morning. Walk back from the Shiga Kogen station in the afternoon in 5 minutes.

Japanese-style rooms have tatami mats on the floor, which is a bit difficult to get used to. Fortunately, the hotel upgraded me to a twin room. This hotel is a few hundred meters away from the cable car. If you can slide, you can slide directly from the small path next to the hotel to the cable car.

The hotel is not far from Shiga Kogen Yamano Station, and the closest one is to get off at Hasuike Station. The room I booked was very big, and it felt so empty when I was living alone. When you go out of the hotel, turn right and go down a few slopes to ski to the cable car, which is suitable for skiers.

very good hotel