Tourist Buses

Tourist buses are a convenient way to reach Nagano’s top spots like the Snow Monkey Park, ski resorts, and onsen towns. They’re comfortable and often run directly from major stations like Nagano and Matsumoto.
If trains aren't an option, these buses are a great alternative.

Tourist Buses

Overview

Nagano Prefecture’s tourist buses provide convenient access to popular destinations that may not be easily reachable by local trains or regular buses. These buses are designed with travelers in mind, often offering luggage space, English announcements, and direct routes to major attractions.

Popular Tourist Bus Routes:

Nagano → Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen)

  • Operator: Nagaden Bus & Alpico Group

  • Route: From Nagano Station East Exit to Yudanaka Onsen, then a short walk to the Snow Monkey Park entrance.

  • Duration: Approximately 45 minutes from Nagano Station to Yudanaka.

  • Frequency: Buses depart roughly every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the season.

  • Tickets: Can be purchased at Nagano Station bus terminal or online on the operator websites:

Nagano → Kamikochi

  • Operator: Alpico Kotsu

  • Route: Direct highway buses from Nagano Station to Kamikochi, a scenic mountainous area famous for hiking and nature.

  • Duration: About 1 hour 30 minutes.

  • Seasonal: Operates mainly from April to November when the mountain roads are open.

  • Tickets: Available at Nagano Station or online at Alpico’s site.

  • Alpico Group

Nagano → Togakushi Shrine

  • Operator: Togakushi Village Local Bus

  • Route: From Nagano Station to Togakushi Shrine area, passing through scenic countryside and forests.

  • Duration: Approximately 1 hour.

  • Tickets: Purchased directly on the bus or at Nagano Station.

Additional Information

  • Many tourist buses do not accept IC cards like Suica or Pasmo, so be prepared with cash or exact change.

  • Reservations are recommended during peak seasons such as winter ski months and spring cherry blossom season.

  • Tourist buses provide comfortable seating, luggage space, and often feature multilingual support.

Bus with graphic mountain landscape and snow monkey image, labeled 'SHIGA KOGEN SNOW MONKEY PARK', parked in snowy area outside a building.
White Highland Shuttle buses parked under a wooden shelter with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and trees.
A Highland Express bus traveling along a mountain road with snow-capped peaks and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

🚌 Personal Note on Tourist & Local Buses

While I personally don’t often use city buses, tourist buses in Nagano are generally known for their comfort and convenience. If you don’t have access to a train or are unsure about how to reach your destination, I highly recommend using these buses. They’re reliable and especially helpful for visiting remote spots like the Snow Monkey Park or ski resorts.

On the other hand, local city buses can be a bit tricky to navigate, especially for first-time visitors. Many routes and timetables are not well-documented online, so I suggest using Google Maps to plan your route. In most cases, it’s the most accurate and helpful tool for local public transport in Nagano.