The Ichinose area of Shiga Kogen is a cool summer retreat at 1,600 meters above sea level. People often assume it’s a remote spot that’s hard to reach, but it’s actually just about three hours from Tokyo at the fastest. During the summer holidays, there’s even a direct express bus from Nagano Station with no transfers. We’ve pulled together all three routes, plus a few things to watch out for, into this one guide.
The Bottom Line: About Three Hours from Tokyo, and No Car Needed in Summer!!
The fastest route is simple. Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station, a ride of about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. From the East Exit of Nagano Station, hop on the express bus bound for Shiga Kogen and you’ll arrive in roughly 70 minutes. Just one transfer and about three hours total, and you’re in another world at 1,600 meters.
What’s more, from July 1 to August 31 an express bus runs to Okushiga Kogen, making connections toward the Ichinose area easier as well (please check the latest timetable for stop details). There are no taxi companies within Shiga Kogen, so if you’re relying on public transport, the trick is to build your plans around the bus schedule.
Plan 1: Shinkansen + Express Bus (Fast and Easy)
Once you reach Nagano Station, head to the East Exit. The express bus for Shiga Kogen departs from bus stop No. 23. To keep things smooth, buy a round-trip ticket in advance at the Nagaden Bus information counter “Aruyo,” near the escalator on the first floor of the East Exit (you can also pay on board; there are no online sales).
The express bus isn’t reservation-based, so passengers board in the order they line up. If a bus fills up, an additional one is added. In about 70 minutes you’ll arrive at the “Yama-no-Eki” bus terminal in Shiga Kogen, the gateway to the whole area.
Plan 2: Shinkansen + Train + Local Bus (With a Stop in the Hot Spring Towns)
If you’d rather take it slow, try the Nagano Electric Railway. From Nagano Station, the limited express reaches the final stop, Yudanaka Station, in as little as 40 minutes. Right by the station you’ll find the day-use hot spring “Kaede-no-Yu” and a free foot bath, a nice treat for the trip home. From Yudanaka Station, a local bus takes you to Shiga Kogen in about 30 minutes. It’s a great route to combine with the Shibu Onsen hot spring town or the Jigokudani Monkey Park for an overnight, two-day trip.
The bus departs from the left side as you face the ticket gate at Yudanaka Station.
Driving? Just One Thing to Watch Out For!!
From the Shinshu-Nakano IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway, take National Route 292 (via the Shiga-Nakano Toll Road) to Ichinose. The Shiga Kusatsu Kogen Route has been fully open since May 29, so you can also enjoy a scenic drive toward Kusatsu Onsen.
There’s just one thing to keep in mind. Prefectural Route 502 (the Okushiga Koen Sakae Line) is closed on weekdays from June 22 to July 17 due to bridge construction (it’s open on weekends). If you’re planning to travel to or from the Nozawa Onsen or Akiyamago areas, plan your dates accordingly. You can check the latest road conditions on the tourism association’s road-opening information page.
Getting Around Once You Arrive: The “ALL DAY Ticket” Is a Great Deal
The “Shiga Kogen ALL DAY Ticket” gives you unlimited rides for one day on the local and express buses within Shiga Kogen: 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for elementary school children (on sale from June 1 to November 3). You can buy it on board the bus, at the Yudanaka office, at the “Aruyo” counter in Nagano Station, and elsewhere. It’s a reassuring thing to have on a summer trek that takes you on foot from Ichinose toward Yama-no-Eki, Kidoike Pond, and the Yokoteyama area.
The summer gondola “Shiga Kogen Golden Line,” which carries you on a sky-high ride to Higashi-tateyama, is also running. Combine it with the buses and you can get around Shiga Kogen just fine, no car required.
If You’re Staying Overnight, Choose Ichinose!! The Heart of the Resort, With 21 Inns Waiting!
The Ichinose area sits almost at the center of Shiga Kogen and serves as the resort’s hub, home to a cluster of 21 inns. Even at the height of summer the average temperature stays below 25°C, and mornings and evenings can be cool enough to want a light jacket. Waking up inside this “natural air conditioner” may just be the greatest luxury of your summer.
As the mountains draw closer outside the shinkansen window and the bus climbs the winding switchbacks, you can feel the air begin to change. That cool breeze when you open the window is Ichinose’s way of telling you you’ve arrived. Why not set off on a little three-hour journey this summer?