Planning your trip to Shiga Kogen by public transportation?
This guide covers how to get here from Nagano Station by express bus or via Yudanaka Station, with bus timetables, boarding guides, and bus stop maps to help you plan your journey.
Getting to Nagano Station
Nagano Station is the main gateway to Shiga Kogen. From Tokyo or Kanazawa, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano Station, then continue to Shiga Kogen by bus.
Hokuriku Shinkansen
Please check the latest train schedules using the link below before your trip.
Tokyo / Kanazawa – Nagano: Travel Information 
From Other Major Cities
See Main Access page here See Main Access page here
Nagano Station to Shiga Kogen / Daytime Express Bus
No Transfers No Booking · First Come, First Served Buy Tickets in Advance
The direct express bus from Nagano Station is the easiest way to reach Shiga Kogen. The journey to Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki, the main bus terminal in the Hasuike area, takes approximately 70 minutes.
- The express bus to Shiga Kogen does NOT stop at Snow Monkey Park. To visit Snow Monkey Park, take a separate direct express bus from Nagano Station to the Snow Monkey Park bus stop.
- Round-trip tickets between Nagano Station and Shiga Kogen are available at the ARUYO Information Center near Bus Stop 23 (East Exit). Return trips are open-dated. (No online sales available)
- If you buy only a one-way ticket, the return can be purchased at the Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki ticket machine or paid on the bus when getting off. Please prepare 1,000 JPY notes or coins—5,000/10,000 JPY notes and 1/5 yen coins are not accepted. Credit cards (VISA, AMEX, JCB) and contactless payment (PayPay, Alipay) are also accepted.
- SEATS ARE NOT GUARANTEED WITH THE TICKET. IT IS ADVISABLE TO ARRIVE AT THE BUS STOP EARLY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHERE YOU ARE HEADING TO SHIGA KOGEN OR NAGANO STATION.
- The luggage space is available on the express bus.
- Additional buses may be added during busy periods. For details, please contact Nagaden Bus.
Express Bus Timetables between Nagano Station and Shiga Kogen
- These timetables for winter 2025-2026 apply until 5 April 2027.
- ▲ Operates every Saturday from 19 Dec. 2026 to 20 Mar. 2027, plus 11 Feb and 21 Mar 2027.
- ★ “Weekend Shiga” (reservation required, limited seats): Operates every Friday from 8 Jan. to 19 Mar 2027. Drop-off only beyond Nagano Station East Exit. Reservations expected to open on 1 Dec. 2026.
▼ How to Find the Bus Stop #23 (JR Nagano Station East Exit)
Via Yudanaka Station
Train + Local Bus Separate Transport Services
You can also reach Shiga Kogen by taking the Nagano Dentetsu train to Yudanaka Station and then transferring to a local bus.
This option may be useful if the direct express bus schedule does not suit your travel plans.
Step 1: Train to Yudanaka Station
Take the Nagano Dentetsu train from Nagano Station to Yudanaka Station.
Please check whether your train is a limited express or local service, as some journeys may require a transfer.
Nagano Dentetsu: Train Timetables and Information
▼ Yudanaka Station
Step 2: Local Bus to Shiga Kogen
From Yudanaka Station, take a local bus bound for Shiga Kogen.
Check Bus Fares Here │
Boarding Guide (Purchasing tickets etc.)
▼ Yudanaka Station → Shiga Kogen: Timetable
Download PDF
▼ Shiga Kogen → Yudanaka Station: Timetable
Download PDF
- These timetables for winter 2026-2027 apply until 5 April 2027.
- The areas and time periods within the blue frame indicate free shuttle bus service. (Available until Wednesday, 5 May 2027)
- Blue shading: Weekdays only. No service from 24 Dec. 2026 to 6 Jan 2027, and 18 Mar to 5 Apr 2027.
- Green shading: Kambayashi Line (Snow Monkey Park – Yudanaka Station – Shinshu-Nakano Station).
- Nagano Dentetsu timetable: Red = Limited Express; Green = Local train (transfer required).
▼ Yudanaka Station Bus Stop
Visiting Snow Monkey Park
No Transfer Combo Ticket Available
The daytime express bus to Shiga Kogen does not stop at Snow Monkey Park.
A separate direct bus service operates between Nagano Station and Snow Monkey Park.
Check the Snow Monkey Park Website
▼ Direct Express Bus Timetables between Nagano Station and Snow Monkey Park
Download PDF
- Click here for bus and park admission ticket packages.
- Please purchase your admission ticket online in advance before visiting Jigokudani Monkey Park. Admission may be denied without a ticket.
- Seats are limited. If your preferred departure is full, please take the next bus.
▼ Snow Monkey Park Bus Stop
Overnight Bus from Tokyo: Snow Story
Snow Story is an overnight bus service connecting Tokyo and Shiga Kogen, offering an alternative to traveling by Shinkansen and daytime bus.
Snow Story Information
Operating Dates: Daily / departing from Tokyo Station Yaesu Minami Exit at 23:59
Arrival Bus Stops: Snow Monkey Park, Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki, Ichinose Ski Area, Prince Hotel West (Yakebitaiyama Ski Area), Okushiga Kogen Hotel
Reservation: Japan Expressway Bus Net
Please check the latest service information and make a reservation in advance if required.
Boarding Guides
Ticket purchase methods and payment options may differ between express buses and local buses.
For the latest fares, ticket availability, reservation requirements and accepted payment methods, please refer to the official bus operator’s website.
Express Bus (Click to read more)
Before Boarding
- Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended to avoid delays.
- Round-trip tickets are recommended.
- Tickets are not available online.
- For Snow Monkey Park, please purchase a combined bus and park admission ticket package.
▼ Boarding
- Boarding is on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early during busy periods.
- Show your ticket to the staff when boarding.
- Place large luggage in the luggage compartment. Only small bags are allowed inside the bus.
▼ Getting Off
- Check your luggage carefully to avoid taking someone else’s by mistake.
▼ Ticket & Payment Information
Ticket Purchase Locations
- ARUYO Information (Nagano Station)
- Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki
Local/Shuttle Bus (Click to read more)
Before Boarding
- Advance ticket purchase is recommended at available ticket counters and vending machines. See below for locations.
- Tickets are not available online.
▼ Boarding
- Boarding through the rear door
- Take a ticket when boarding. For cashless payments, simply tap your card or device.
▼ Getting Off
- Pay the fare by inserting cash into the fare box next to the driver or tapping your card/device on the payment reader. Check the electronic display for the fare corresponding to your ticket number.
- Exit through the front door.
▼ Ticket & Payment Information
Ticket Purchase Locations
- ARUYO Information (Nagano Station)
- Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki
- Snow Monkey Park Bus Stop Information
