Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki Bus Station
Located in the Hasuike area of Shiga Kogen, the Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki (pronounced ‘yama-no-eh-ki’), is one the primary transport hubs for the ski resort and a stop on all express bus services from Nagano Station – see below for details. On this page you will find the following information:
— Where is Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki?
— Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki Overview
— Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki Access Information
— Shiga Kogen Ski Resort: Everything You Need to Know
— Accommodation & Ski Packages in Shiga Kogen
— Tours & Charters Around Shiga Kogen
Offering an unmatched expanse of interconnected terrain, Shiga Kogen is Japan’s largest ski resort and an ideal destination for skiers and snowboarders looking for a multi-day resort with Nagano’s most reliable snow conditions.
WHERE IS SHIGA KOGEN YAMANOEKI?
Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki sits 45KM (1 hour drive) to the east of Nagano City and 280KM (<5 hours drive) to the northwest of Tokyo. When people talk of Shiga Kogen, they are speaking of a mountainous area that includes Shiga Kogen Ski Resort and Shiga Kogen Highlands – a UNESCO Biopshere. The areas largely overlap and sit within the even larger Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. Given the size of the area, there are several ways to approach Shiga however most international visitors will do so from the west, via Nagano Station. As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, Nagano Station is easy to reach from Tokyo. Once there, express buses will take you onto the Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki (Mountain Station) – the most convenient transport hub in the area – and additional stops. Alternatively, the Nagano Dentetsu (Nagaden) train line will get you as far as Yudanaka Station, from where you can use local bus services or a taxi onto Shiga Kogen. Most famous as the largest ski resort in Japan, Shiga Kogen also boasts Nagano’s longest ski season while outside of winter, the area offers some of Central Japan’s best hiking and outdoor experiences. With the Jigokudani Monkey Park lying in the foothills of the national park, there’s plenty of reasons to visit Shiga Kogen.
SHIGA KOGEN YAMANOEKI OVERVIEW
Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki is the most convenient access point and gateway to Shiga Kogen Ski Resort and surrounding Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. Inside the building you will find a café, shops selling souvenirs, snacks and drinks, a waiting room and public toilets. In winter, ski and snowboard rental is also available inside and lift passes can be purchased here. Coin lockers and changing rooms are also available for a price, allowing you to change and store your luggage for the day. Please be aware that most shops and services close their doors around 16:00 ~ 17:00, so make sure not to arrive too late.
Located next to the building, the ‘Pulse Gondola’ is one of five gondolas in the overall resort, connecting the Yamanoeki/Hasuike ski fileds to the bottom of the Giant ski field/course. When approaching Shiga Kogen from Nagano City, this is the first gondola you will come to making it a convenient gateway into the overall resort. Prices for lift-passes are as follows:
It is important to note that there is no train station in or directly servicing Shiga Kogen. The nearest station to the resort is Yudanaka Station – the terminus of the Nagano Dentetsu (Nagaden) Railway Line running from Nagano Station. Yudanaka is also the nearest train station to the Jigokudani Monkey Park.
Visitors choosing to come to Yudanaka by train, can then switch to the local Nagaden bus line, stopping at Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki – as explained below. For further information, see the following section below. Known for its reliable snow and long season – in fact, the longest in Nagano – and its Olympic pedigree, Shiga Kogen is very much established as a winter destination. In recent years however, visitors have also been discovering all it has to offer in outside of winter including excellent hiking trails and nature photography. Bus services to and from Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki operate all year round with some variation in timetables.
SHIGA KOGEN YAMANOEKI ACCESS INFORMATION
The Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki is serviced by two bus services:
1 / Nagaden Express Bus from/to Nagano Station
2 / Shiga Kogen Local Bus from/to Yudanaka Station
We hope the following information helps with planning your visit:
NAGADEN EXPRESS BUS
Operating from Bus Stop No.23 outside the East Exit of Nagano Station, the Nagaden Snow Monkey/Shiga Kogen Express Bus connects Nagano to Shiga Kogen – via the monkey park – with various stops in the resort including Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki Bus Station. The journey typically takes around 70 minutes – slightly longer in winter due to weather and road conditions – and is the most convenient and direct way of accessing the resort. For the daily schedule to and from Shiga Kogen, please see our ‘Nagaden Shiga Kogen Express Bus Timetable’ page.
SHIGA KOGEN LOCAL BUS
Visitors heading to Shiga Kogen via Yudanaka Station, will need to switch to the local Nagaden Shiga Kogen Bus line upon arrival at the station. Regular services connect Yudanaka Station to Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki in approximately 30 minutes – slightly longer in winter due to weather and road conditions – and costs JPY900 one-way*. Information about using local bus services can also be found on our ‘Nagaden Local Bus’ page including timetables and fares.
*local buses can be used free of charge within Shiga Kogen between the Sun Valley and Okushiga stops, including to/from Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki. In winter, this service allows skiers and snowboarders to move quickly between distant areas of the resort.
PRIVATE TRANSPORT OPTIONS
Alternatively, a variety of private options are also available for access to Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki. Most taxis will be able to take you directly there, and can be easily found outside of major stations such as Nagano Station or organized by your hotel. The other convenient option would be to book a private charter service, which will offer door-to-door transport and is especially cost-effective for larger groups. For more information about our charter services, please see our ‘Tours and Charters Around Shiga Kogen‘ section below.
SHIGA KOGEN SKI RESORT: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Located around 45km to the east of Nagano City, Shiga Kogen is Japan’s largest and highest ski resort, boasting an unmatched expanse of interconnected terrain and Nagano’s longest ski season. All the ski fields of Shiga Kogen are covered by an all-mountain pass and best enjoyed on a multi-day visit. Shiga’s ski fields lie between 1340 and 2307 metres and as such, are notably higher than any other resort in the region and ideally-suited to beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. For a complete run-down of what’s on offer in Shiga, see our ‘Shiga Kogen Ski Resort’ page.
ACCOMMODATION & SKI PACKAGES IN SHIGA KOGEN
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Ski Tour Package from Nagano Station | |
| Period | December, January, February, March |
| Time | 07:40 ~ 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥40,000 / 32,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥28,000 / 22,000 |
Based in Nagano and operating all year round, we are a registered travel agent, tour and charter operator offering a full-suite of winter services including ski/snowboard packages, accommodation, lift passes, private charters and a range of tours including both group and private options covering Shiga Kogen. Accommodation is dotted across the resort’s expansive 600ha of terrain with the nearby hot spring villages of Kanbayashi Onsen, Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka Onsen offering a great alternative for visitors wanting to enjoy Japan’s ‘onsen’ culture – for more information, please inquire through the button below to check what options are available to you.
TOURS AND CHARTERS AROUND SHIGA KOGEN
Headquartered in nearby Nagano City, Snow Monkey Resort is ready to service all of your tour based needs in the area. With a number of options for both group and private tours, we are sure that we can make your vacation one you will remember forever!
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun In Shiga Kogen | |
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| Period | December to March |
| Time | 08:45 – 17:30/18:00 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Snow Monkey Park Area |
| Adult Rate | ¥21,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥13,300 |
With the Snow Monkey Park and Shiga Kogen being so close together, it makes perfect sense to combine the two for a day trip, and with this tour that’s just what we’ve done! Starting with a trip to a snow field in Shiga Kogen for a chance to have fun with some snow based activites (sleddding and more!), the group will then head on to the Monkey Park to watch as these furry primates relax in the hot spring water. With lunch and transport included, this tour is a complete day of activities for you and your group to try.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:35 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only) |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Operating year round, this tour will bring you to the Jigokudani Monkey Park, right in the foothills of Shiga Kogen. In the morning, your group will start with a guided tour of Nagano City’s historic Zenkoji Temple including a Sake tasting, with lunch afterwards closer to the monkey park. Once you have finished eating, everyone will be off to the Snow Monkey Park to see what all of the fuss is about! Although there is no snow in the seasons outside of winter, the monkeys will still be in the park, and in Spring and Summer you can even see the cute newborn baby monkeys.
Of course, we also offer options for those who do not need a guide or are only looking for a way to reach Shiga Kogen and their accommodation. Our private charter services are just what you need for door-to-door service, with pickup available from as far away as Tokyo or Osaka. All of our vehicles are clean, safe, and modern and our friendly drivers are certified and well trained in compliance with all Japanese laws regarding road safety. You can even add a guide to create your own private tour. To start making your plan and to get information on availability and pricing, please contact us HERE.
