Getting from Central Tokyo to Shiga Kogen
Map
Tokyo is a massive city, with several large transport hubs. Unless you arrange a private transfer, you will probably be transiting through JR Tokyo Station (or Ueno Station) .
Below we summarize the easiest route to Shiga Kogen from Tokyo Station by Public Transport. If you’d like advice on other routes, please do not hesitate to send us an inquiry.
Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station
Many people prefer to use the world famous Shinkansen Bullet train as part of their transfer. This is indeed a great option, but the main issue is luggage. The bullet trains have very limited luggage space, especially for skis and snowboards. If you have a few days in Tokyo before your ski vacation, then we recommend sending all your ski gear to your ski resort accommodation, and traveling light while in Tokyo.
Tokyo Station is a massive station, the 3rd busiest in Japan (after Shinjuku and Ikebukuro). It averages over 450,000 passengers per day, and that’s just the JR lines.
There are entrances on the West Side (Marunouchi Entrance), and East Side (Yaesu Entrance).
Tokyo Station is well signposted and to get to the Shinkansen platform, you follow the signs (pictured right). The blue logo is for the Shinkansen west to Nagoya and Osaka, so follow the Green Logo which includes the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano.
There is a double ticket gate system to use the Shinkansen Bullet trains. You first enter the main concourse, follow the green signs to the Shinkansen ticket gates, where you insert your tickets into the ticket gate again. Always remembering to collect your tickets as you pass through the gates.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen departs from platforms 20-23. The departures are displayed in Japanese and English. The platforms are on level 2, so you take the escalator up to the platform from the main concourse.
Once on the platform, the carriage numbers are displayed overhead. This is exactly where the car doors will open.
Note that when the train arrives at Tokyo station, it will be cleaned and serviced before passengers are allowed to board. Boarding generally only starts 3-4 minutes before departure.
Buying Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at any JR Station in Tokyo. You can purchase from a ticket vending machine, or from a counter at a ticket office.
Larger stations may also have a travel service center for foreign visitors, where multi lingual staff are available.
Payment can be made in cash or by credit card, but there have been issues where foreign issued credit cards do get rejected, so it pays to bring a couple.
If purchasing from a counter, then tell the attendant your origin and destination (train station, not ski resort). The attendant will show you the next available train times.
Hokuriku Shinkansen via Nagano
Train Classes
There are several classes on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
- Standard Class (reserved and non reserved*) – 5 seats across the row in a 3-2 configuration (Cars 1-10)
- Green Class (superior class) – 4 seats across the row in a 2-2 configuration (Car 11) – Green Class costs about 20% more than standard class
- Gran Class (first class) – 3 seats across the row in a 1-2 configuration (Car 12). Complementary food and beverage service (Kagayaki and Hakutaka trains only) – Gran Class costs about double of standard class
- reserved seat means you have an assigned seat / non-reserved means you can sit in any seat in a “non-reserved” carriage (first come first seated basis)
Train Types
There are 3 types of train that run on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line. While the train body is the same, the speed and number of stops vary. All trains will have either Kanazawa or Nagano as the destination, but all trains do make a stop in Nagano.
In all cases there are 12 carriages on the train with 12 being the front of the train heading towards Nagano.
- “Kagayaki” – This is the fastest type of train. After departing Tokyo it only stops at Ueno, and Omiya before arriving at Nagano. All seats on this train are reserved (seat assigned). The destination for the Kagayaki trains is Kanazawa. From Tokyo Station to Nagano this train takes about 90 minutes.
- “Hakutaka” – This train also heads to Kanazawa, but it stops at more stations along the way and is about 15 minutes slower than the Kagayaki Train. There are reserved and non-reserved seats on this train.
- Asama – This train only travels as far as Nagano, but it stops at most stations along the way.
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.