We’ll Be Waiting for You in Shiga Kogen! 10 Useful Websites for Traveling in Japan [Vol. 01]
2026.07.20

We’ll Be Waiting for You in Shiga Kogen! 10 Useful Websites for Traveling in Japan [Vol. 01]

Tag |#Access#Application#Foreigners#TravelJapan#UsefulInformation

A first trip to Japan comes with just as much “looking things up” as excitement. Train connections, bus times, who to contact when you’re in trouble, the mountain weather. The journey to Ichinose in Shiga Kogen, too, becomes far easier just by knowing a few sites you can rely on.

In this series, our editorial team introduces the websites and apps that help you get from the airport all the way to Ichinose, and that come in handy during your stay, in the order we actually use them. Vol. 01 focuses on what works for “getting from the airport to Ichinose” and “when you’re in trouble.” Bookmark it and use it to prepare before you set off.

First, for “Getting This Far”

01. Route Search (NAVITIME for Japan Travel / Google Maps)

Look up train and bus routes, times, and fares across all of Japan in one go. NAVITIME for Japan Travel has solid English support for visitors to Japan, while Google Maps’ strength is that you can even see station exits and the locations of bus stops. Install these two first and you won’t get lost.

A tip: For certain time slots there’s a connection at “Yama-no-Eki” on the way to Ichinose. If a transfer shows up in your search results, jotting down that time will put your mind at ease.

02. JR East / Ekinet (Shinkansen Reservations)

The Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano is the most straightforward leg of this trip. Book seats or secure a reserved seat through “Ekinet” or JR East’s English reservation site. Trains can fill up during peak periods, so we recommend booking early.

A tip: If you want to keep costs down, the “Hakutaka” and “Asama,” which have non-reserved seats, are also options. The fastest train, the “Kagayaki,” is all reserved seating.

03. Airport Access (Keisei Skyliner, Tokyo Monorail, Meitetsu)

For getting from the airport to a station in the city center, each company’s official site is your surest bet. From Narita, the Keisei Skyliner; from Haneda, the Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu; and from Chubu Centrair International Airport, Meitetsu is convenient. You’ll find times, fares, and boarding areas with photos.

04. Nagaden Bus (From Nagano Station to Shiga Kogen)

The express bus from Nagano Station to Ichinose in Shiga Kogen is operated by Nagaden Bus. The timetable changes between summer and winter, so be sure to check the latest page. You can also find the fare to Ichinose and the operating period of the direct service here.

A tip: On some days, mainly weekends and holidays, cashless-only buses run. If you prefer cash, buy in advance at the “Aruyo” ticket counter at the East Exit of Nagano Station.

05. Nagano Electric Railway (The Train from Nagano to Yudanaka)

If you like to take it slow, or want to combine your trip with the Snow Monkeys (Jigokudani) or Shibu Onsen, take the Nagano Electric Railway to Yudanaka. You’ll need a limited express ticket if you ride the limited express. The views from the window are peaceful, too, lifting the mood for your journey.

06. Shiga Kogen Tourism Association Official Site

For anything about Shiga Kogen, start here: access, bus times, lodging reservations, live cameras, events, and even trekking info. There’s an English page, too. Since you can check the “right now” of the area before you leave, taking a peek at the weather or how the autumn colors are coming along makes it easier to plan.

07. Taxis (Nagaden Hire / Ride-Hailing Apps)

There are no taxi companies within Shiga Kogen. When you want to take a taxi from Yudanaka Station or elsewhere, call Nagaden Hire. It’s a reassuring ally on days when you have a lot of luggage or the bus times don’t line up. In urban areas, ride-hailing apps (such as GO and DiDi) are handy too.

  • Nagaden Hire (Shiga Kogen / Yudanaka): TEL 0269-33-3161 (6:00 to 24:00)

For “When You’re in Trouble” and “During Your Stay”

08. Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO Hotline for Visitors to Japan)

You got lost, you fell ill, a disaster struck. This is a 24-hour, year-round help desk for times like those. It supports English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. Just keeping this number on hand makes a real difference to your peace of mind on the trip.

09. Weather and Disaster Prevention (Japan Meteorological Agency English Site / Safety tips App)

Mountain weather changes easily. Check rain clouds and warnings on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s English site, and receive emergency alerts for earthquakes and weather through the disaster-prevention app “Safety tips.” It’s multilingual and delivers Japan’s disaster information. Ichinose, at 1,700 meters, is chilly morning and night even in summer. Check the weather and bring one extra layer along.

10. Wi-Fi and Translation (Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect / VoiceTra)

“Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect,” which connects you automatically to free Wi-Fi, and “VoiceTra,” a free translation app supporting 33 languages. VoiceTra is made by a Japanese public institution (NICT); it translates what you say and then translates it back, so you can even check for any shift in meaning. Signal is weak in valleys and on mountain trails, so downloading maps and phrases in advance is a safe bet.

Coming Up Next

In Vol. 02, we plan to introduce sites useful for finding a place to stay and enjoying hot springs, for meals (including vegetarian and halal options), and for money and payments on the ground. Once you’re all set, we’ll be waiting for you up in the mountains. See you again in Shiga Kogen!

Author | ICHINOSE NAVI
Tag |#Access#Application#Foreigners#TravelJapan#UsefulInformation