The Heart of Japan: Local Transport
Local Transport Options: Bus, Train and Taxi
Hint: Print these directions out and put it safely in your carry-on luggage
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Note: 1. For highway bus, taxi and car access information click here. 2. For transport by train to the local ski areas click here. 3. For Myoko map links click here 4. For Tokyo to Nagano access click here. 5. For Osaka to Nagano access click here. 5. For transport options to and in Hakuba click here
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Regional Bus Shuttle: Myoko to Nozawa Onsen / Hakuba to Myoko
Keinan Bus provides convenient shuttle bus service between Myoko and the major resorts of Hakuba, Nozawa and Shiga in Nagano, a well as to and from Nagano City. Schedule and prices are listed here.
Ski Resort BuSES
Free Myoko shuttle buses are available at a number of stops stretching from Akakura Onsen Ski Area to Suginohara Ski Area. Buses run hourly during the winter, with a reduced number running at other times of the year. For full schedules and bus stops, please talk to your hotel or travel agent.
There is also a daily shuttle between Akakura Onsen and Seki Onsen on certain days. The bus will leave the Akakura Bus Terminal at precisely 8.30am - so don't be late! The shuttle returns from the Seki Onsen Ski Area parking lot at 4pm. The service will operate daily during the season and the cost will be 1,000 yen each way.
There are eleven shuttles per day from Kurohime station (one stop before Myokokogen) to Madarao and Tangram. Note: Winter schedule only.
Local Buses - mYoko
Buses in Myoko-kogen and Lake Nojiri run quite regularly from outside the stations as well. Some routes differ slightly according to seasons. A special bus runs to Sasagamine (see Suginohara line) during the summer climbing season. A special tour shuttle runs during the warmer summer months to some of the scenic tourist spots in Myoko. An all day pass is only 500 yen. See the Alpico site for further information on Myoko buses.
Fare: Myoko-Akakura
Schedule: Myoko-Akakura
Fare: Myoko-Ikenotaira-Suginosawa (Suginohara)
Schedule: Myoko-Ikenotaira-Suginosawa (Suginohara)
Myokokogen station area and bus Stops map courtesy of Alpico Bus
Taxis
Taxis are available from the front of most railway stations. Chuo Taxi and Alpico Taxi provide taxi services within Nagano Prefecture, along with a number of smaller local operators.
Day Tours
During winter there are a number of local tours offered. See here for more details.
Car Rental
This is generally not possible unless you make arrangements with a major company for local pick-up. Cars can be hired in or near rail stations in major cities such as Nagano and Joetsu.
Nagano train pass
Try the new Shinshu Nagano 2-day (consecutive) 'free area' pass. For 2,500 yen it will get you from Nagano to Yudanaka, Nozawa and Myoko as well as the bus from the station to Zenkoji Temple. You can also get to Matsudai, Obasute, Shinano, Ueda and Togura. Unfortunately no Hakuba or Matsumoto (although you never want to catch the slow train there anyway).
