Nagano Dentetsu Line Timetable
Running from Nagano Station to Yudanaka Station – the nearest station to the Jigokudani Monkey Park and Shiga Kogen Ski Resort – the Nagano Dentetsu Line is one of the most convenient transport options to getting to two of Nagano’s most popular destinations. On this page you will find the following information:
— Nagano Dentestu Line Timetable
— Popular Destinations Using the Nagano Dentetsu Line
— 25 Things to Do Around the Monkey Park & Where to Stay
For visitors heading to the monkey park or a little further onto Shiga Kogen, regular services operate throughout the day to Yudanaka Station from where local bus services will ferry you onto your final destination. For more information about using the line, see our ‘Nagano Dentetsu Line’ main page.
NAGANO DENTETSU LINE TIMETABLE
Most visitors using the Nagano Dentetsu Line will use the limited express services. Two types of train – the Snow Monkey Express and Yukemuri Express – alternate through the day and are marked in blue and orange on the timetable below. They are both limited express services and stop at all A stations – as listed above – but not all services stop at B stations. Daily service information is available here:
The earliest local service from Nagano to Yudanaka departs at 06:15 and arrives at 07:32 (passengers must transfer trains at Shinshu-Nakano). The first direct/limited express service from Nagano to Yudanaka, departs at 09:53 and arrives at 10:37. There are multiple local services prior to this and a limited express train. However this train departs from Suzaka 09:09. Passengers from Nagano wanting to use that service need to board the local train departing 08:42 at and switch to the limited express train at Suzaka. There are multiple express services through the day with alternating use of the Snow Monkey Express and Yukemuri Express. The last direct/express train from Nagano to Yudanaka departs at 19:40 and arrives at 20:29. The final local service connecting those stations, departs at Nagano at 20:40 and arrives at Yudanaka at 21:57. There is however one later limited express services – departing at 22:14 that will carry passengers as far as Shinshu-Nakano, where they need to switch to a local service – arriving at Yudanaka at 23:08.
For passengers making the journey from Yudanaka to Nagano, the earliest service departs at 06:21 and arrives at Nagano at 07:34 (including a transfer at Shinshu-Nakano). The earliest direct/limited express service of the day departs Yudanaka at 09:54 and arrives at Nagano at 10:42. There are however multiple local services prior to this, several of which connect with limited express services in Shinshu-Nakano or Suzaka. Through the day, there are multiple limited express services covered by the Snow Monkey Express and Yukemuri Express. The last direct/limited express service from Yudanaka to Nagano departs at 20:40 and arrives at 21:29, with the final local service departing at 21:17 and arriving at 22:31. Again, there are partial services either side of these times.
NAGANO DENTETESU LINE MAP
Running from Nagano Station to Yudanaka Station, the Nagano Detentsu Line stops at the following stations:
Nagano / Shiyakusho-mae* / Gondo / Zenkoji-shita / Hongo* / Kirihara / Shinanoyoshida* / Asahi* / Fuzokuchugaku-mae / Yanagihara / Murayama / Hino / Suzaka / Kitasuzaka / Obuse / Tusumi / Sakurasawa / Entoku / Shinshu-Nakano / Nakano-Matsukawa / Shinano-Takehara / Yomase / Kamjio / Yudanaka
*These stations are stops for ‘B Limited Express’ services which operate at various times through the day. Not all limited express services will stop at these stations however all limited express services stop at stations marked red.
For an overview of the Nagano Dentetsu Line – including types of services including limited express and local trains, seating, fares, ticketing and travel passes, and directions to the Nagaden office and ticket gates – please refer to our ‘Nagano Dentetsu Line’ page.
THE SNOW MONKEY PASS
Valid for use for 2 days following activation, the Snow Monkey Pass allows for unlimited use on the Nagano Dentetsu line, Snow Monkey Express Bus and local buses to the park along with one entry to the Jigokudani Monkey Park*. Passes costs JPY4,000 per adults (13+) and JP2,000 (6-12). Children under the age of 6 can ride Nagano Dentetsu trains and buses and enter the park free of charge. Passes can be purchased at the following stations: Nagano / Gondo / Suzaka / Obuse. For further information, please refer to our “Snow Monkey Pass’ page.
*Please note, the pass covers non-reserved seating on limited express services only.
POPULAR DESTINATIONS USING THE NAGANO DENTETSU LINE
Using the Nagano Dentetsu line, the following popular destinations and attractions can be accessed via these stations: Zenko-ji Temple via Gondo Station / Obuse including the Hokusai Museum via Obuse Station / Jigokudani Monkey Park via Yudanaka Station / Yudanaka & Shibu Onsen via Yudanaka Station / Shiga Kogen Ski Resort via Yudanaka Station.
25 THINGS TO DO AROUND THE MONKEY PARK & WHERE TO STAY
Often referred to as the Snow Monkey Park, you’d be forgiven for thinking the park is only open and the monkeys only venture there in winter. While it’s true they are most famous for their winter antics, the monkeys come to the park all year round and there are just as many reasons to visit in spring, summer and autumn. Located in the beautiful rural enclave of Yamanouchi and within easy reach of Nagano City, visiting the park can be easily combined with plenty of nearby destinations and activities, as a day-trip or multi-day visit. Our ’25 Things To Do Around The Jigokudani Monkey Park & Where To Stay’ page has lots of tips and suggestions of what’s on offer and the best area to stay when visiting the monkeys.
