At 1,600 meters above sea level, on a highland where the temperature never climbs above 25°C even in summer, 21 inns stand shoulder to shoulder: this is the Ichinose area. After spending many summers here, we keep coming back to the conclusion that this is the finest base from which to savor a day in Shiga Kogen. From marsh walks to fireflies, to a stroll through the sky at 2,000 meters, here’s how to spend two days and one night.
Why Ichinose Is the Base for Summer
When you go looking for a place to stay in Shiga Kogen, the first thing you’ll puzzle over is which area to choose. From Sun Valley to Okushiga, there are any number of lodging areas. And yet, when summer comes, I always find myself returning to Ichinose.
There are three reasons. First, the location. Sitting almost at the center of Shiga Kogen, it makes for easy movement to any of the sights. Second, the number of inns. As the highland’s foremost lodging hub, with 21 inns gathered together, it never leaves you short of choices. And third, that elevation of 1,600 meters. Shiga Kogen is a cool retreat where the average temperature stays below 25°C even in summer (source: Shiga Kogen Tourism Association), and Ichinose sits high even within it. On days when Tokyo records extreme heat, here you’ll want something to throw on in the morning and at night. That, more than anything, is why I keep coming back to this place.
Day 1, Afternoon: Before You Check In, Head to the Marsh Right in Front of You
Once you arrive in Ichinose, leave your bags at the inn, because there’s a place we’d like you to walk first. It’s the marshland spreading out right in front of the area.
Inns where a boardwalk marsh walk begins one step out the door are not so common, even in Shiga Kogen. We’ll leave the details of the course to the report our editorial team walked in person (The Seseragi Course, Part 1), but the time to go is the evening.
When you walk, just one promise. Shiga Kogen is home to bears and monkeys. Carry something that makes noise, such as a bear bell, and avoid going alone (source: Shiga Kogen Tourism Association safety notice).
Day 1, Evening: Fireflies, a Starry Sky, and a “Fine Bath That Isn’t a Hot Spring”
Nights in Ichinose are busy.
Once the sun sets, head first to the Genji fireflies at Ishi-no-yu. Designated a National Natural Monument, it’s a rare firefly habitat for the 1,600-meter elevation zone. The best viewing times and the etiquette for observing them are gathered in this article (*please check this year’s peak season). The ribbon of light floating in the darkness stays with you in memory even more than in photographs.
After you’ve seen the fireflies off, look up at the sky next. At 1,600 meters, hardly any city light reaches the night sky. The Milky Way is simply there.
And when you return to your inn, it’s time for a soak. No hot spring rises up in Ichinose. And yet, some inns have an artificial hot spring where the warmth after your bath lingers surprisingly long. Its true identity is “Togoal-no-Yu.” Take a look, too, at this feature, which reveals the secret behind it.
Day 2: Riding a Series of Gondolas Up to 2,000 Meters
There’s no need to rush your morning. The second day’s destination, the “Shiga Kogen Golden Line,” isn’t going anywhere.
From Shiga Kogen Yama-no-Eki, ride a series of three gondolas up to the summit of Higashi-tateyama at 2,000 meters. At the top there’s a terrace with views of the Five Peaks of Northern Shinshu and the Northern Alps, along with the restaurant “The Rooftop Dining,” and from July into August the Higashi-tateyama Alpine Botanical Garden (free admission) welcomes the Nikko day lilies at their best. Gain elevation swaying in a green gondola, then gaze at the flowers in the cool breeze. There’s no finer way to round off a summer day.
- Operating period: June 20 to November 1, 2026 (planned)
- Operating hours: 9:00 to 15:30 (last boarding at Higashi-tateyama Summit Station)
- Fare: Round-trip 1-Day Pass, adults 3,000 yen / children 1,800 yen
- Inquiries: Shiga Kogen Resort Development Co., Ltd. 0269-34-2301
(Source: Shiga Kogen Tourism Association, Summer Lift Information)
How to Choose an Inn, and How to Book
The 21 inns of Ichinose range widely in scale and atmosphere, from hotel-style to lodges and pensions. After years of visiting, we’ve settled on two things to look for. The first is the food. It’s a real virtue of this area that so many inns serve mountain ingredients with care. The second is proximity to the slopes and the marsh. If you cherish an early-morning walk, this is not to be overlooked.
For booking, you can search for vacancies through the Shiga Kogen Tourism Association’s official reservation system. The list of inns in the Ichinose area is here. Summer weekends fill up early, so it’s wise to lock in your stay while it’s still July.
You Can Get Here Just Fine, Even Without a Car
Ichinose is reachable by public transport even in summer. A local bus runs from Nagano Station toward Shiga Kogen, and we’ve gathered how to ride it, the fares, and the travel times in our Complete Access Guide. By car, it’s about 40 minutes from the Shinshu-Nakano IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway. Note, however, that Prefectural Route 502 (the Okushiga Koen Sakae Line) is closed on weekdays through July 17, so if you’re coming in from the Okushiga side, please check the restriction information first. Now, all that’s left is to choose your inn. Make Ichinose your cool escape this summer. The morning marsh, the evening stars, and the long-lingering warmth of the bath are waiting for you.
Related Links and Sources
- Summer in Shiga Kogen Is Another World: The Luxury of a “Natural Air Conditioner”
- No Car Needed in Summer! The Complete Access Guide
- The Genji Fireflies of Ishi-no-yu and a Star-Filled Sky
- Unraveling the Mystery of Ichinose’s “Togoal-no-Yu”
- The Seseragi Course, Part 1
- Shiga Kogen Tourism Association, Summer Lifts
- Shiga Kogen Tourism Association, Lodging Reservations