Getting from Nagano Station to Shiga Kogen
Map
Nagano is the main gateway to Shiga Kogen and a vast majority of visitors will pass through Nagano Station on their way to Shiga Kogen.
Nagano is about 40km West of Shiga Kogen and is accessed via the route 292 which snakes it’s way up from the Snow Monkey park and Yudanaka Onsen township, gaining over 800m in elevation over a 15km stretch.
Nagano Station
Nagano Station is modern, and is quite easy to understand.
There are 2 entrances / exits to the terminal – Zenkoji (West) Exit, and Higashi (East) Exit. There is a link concourse that runs between the exits.
Apart from JR, Shinano Rail Co (to Karuizawa and Myoko Kogen), and Nagano Dentetsu (Nagaden) Rail Co (access to the Snow Monkeys) also share the station. Shinano Rail Co, uses the same platforms as JR, while Nagaden have a separate underground platform.
The Shinkansen Bullet train and the Regular JR, Shinano Lines have separate entrances/exits, but there is a transfer gate between the two.
Most people will be coming off the Shinkansen Bullet train to connect to the bus.
Bus to Shiga Kogen
Buses to Shiga Kogen Depart from Bus Stop #23 at the East Exit of JR Nagano Station.
On exiting the ticket gate turn left.
In the far left corner there is an elevator. Take the elevator to the first floor.
On exiting the elevator, do a u-turn to the left and you will see the bus stop numbers in front of you. Walk to bus stop 23.
Buying tickets
You buy tickets on the bus. Cash only. There is an international ATM across the road from the East Exit of JR Nagano Station in the Seven Eleven. Different locations in Shiga Kogen have different fares (from 1,800 – 2,100yen). Bus Stop map
The Trip
The bus route goes via the Snow Monkey park to Shiga Kogen. Most buses take the route to Oku Shiga Kogen, however a few buses turn right at Hasuike and go up to Kumanoyu and Hotaru Onsen.
All buses go as far as Yama-no-Ie.
From Nagano Station to Sun Valley takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, but from there it can take nearly an hour to get across to Oku Shiga Kogen.
Note that the bus stops at bus stops, not hotels, so check with your accommodation which is the closest bus stop. Passengers staying in Hoppo Onsen area will need to let they accommodation know when they are arriving so they can come and pick you up.