Getting from Central Nagoya to Shiga Kogen
Map
Nagoya is Japan’s 4th largest city, with a population of over 2 million. Nagoya Station is on the Tokaido Shinkansen Bullet train line that runs from Tokyo through Kyoto and Osaka, and on to Fukuoka. It is central Japan’s larges hub station. In addition to the JR Station, there are also Kintetsu Rail Co, and Meitetsu Rail Co Stations, as well as a couple of subway lines.
Nagoya Station
Buying a Ticket
JR Nagoya Station has 3 main entrances / exits. Sakuradori to the East, Taiko Dori Exit to the West, and Hirokoji Exit to the South-East. Most people will be using the Sakuradori Entrance, however if coming from Chubu Airport, then the Hirokoji Entrance is the closest.
There are ticket vending machines (multi-lingual) here as well as ticket counters.
The easiest option is to go to a ticket counter and talk to the person selling tickets. They will be able to give you the correct times.
Shinano Wide View Express
The train from Nagoya to Nagano (via Matsumoto) is called “Shinano Wide View Limited Express”. Limited Express are the 2nd fastest type of train in Japan after the Shinkansen Bullet train. They only stop at larger stations, and by-pass the commuter ones. The train from Nagoya to Nagano will only stop at about 10 stations along the way and take about 3 hours.
There are 6 carriages on the train. #1 is the front of the train heading towards Matsumoto, while 6 is the rear of the train.
Car 1 is Green Class (first class) and a surcharge is required in addition to the limited express fare.
Cars 2-4 are reserved sets. These are for people with seat assignments on their tickets.
Cars 5-6 are non-reserved, meaning these seats are on a first come basis.
There is no food or beverage service on this train so it pays to buy a few snacks at Nagoya Station before boarding.
Boarding the Train
Most of the Wide View Shinano Trains depart from platform #10, but you need to check the digital signs at the station entrance to confirm this as it can change on occasion.
The ticket sales and ticket gates are on the basement level. There are 3 pathways to the platforms (North, Central, and South). You walk along the tunnel like corridor and there are a number of staircases (and escalators on the North and Central pathways). These have the platform numbers on them. At the platform 10 sign, climb the stairs and you will be on the ground level on the platform.
There are small convenience stores on the platform where you can buy snacks and drinks.
The train will arrive 5-10 minutes before departure.
Nagoya to Nagano
The trip from Nagoya to Nagano takes about 3 hours. After leaving Nagoya the train travels through the suburbs before following a number of river valleys. Between the many tunnels, there are some great valley views on both sides of the train.
For much of the way the train follows the old Nakasendo route. This is the ancient walkway from Osaka to Tokyo through the mountains. Many of the townships you pass through on the way are the old staging towns where weary travelers would stay over night in small Japanese style lodges.
After Matsumoto the train runs through a number of tunnels and up to the Hijiri plateau. The final part of the trip offers great views of Nagano and Chikuma cities from Obasute.
Arrival at Nagano
There is no dedicated platform for Wide View Shinano arrivals at Nagano Station. But most trains arrive at either platform 2, 3 or 5.
Transfer to 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.