How to Get There

Myoko-Togakushi renzan National Park is a relatively compact park northwest of Tokyo in Nagano and Niigata prefectures. It offers majestic scenery, including mountains, highlands and lakes in the Myoko Kogen area, as well as hot springs and skiing. The park is also the setting of fascinating legends and religious- and ninja-related history, which you can explore at Togakushi Shrine, Kids Ninja Village and Togakure Ninja Museum in the Togakushi area.

From Tokyo

Nagano City is the gateway for many of the attractions in Myoko-Togakushi renzan National Park. To reach Nagano Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (80-100 min) where you can rent a car for maximum flexibility, or follow the instructions for public transportation in the Nagano section below.

From Osaka

When visiting Myoko-Togakushi renzan National Park, Nagano Station is the most convenient starting point for the southern region of the park, while Joetsu-Myoko Station is the most convenient starting point for the northern region. To reach either station, take a Thunderbird limited express train to Tsuruga Station and transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen (4 hr). The gateway to the northwestern part of the park, namely Mount Amakazari, is Itoigawa Station, which is also on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line (3 hr 30 min).    

From Nagano

From Nagano Station, the Alpico Bus company offers excellent access to popular spots in the Togakushi area, including Togakushi Shrine, Kids Ninja Village and Togakure Ninja Museum. 

Myoko-Kogen Station is the access point for many ski resorts, hot springs at Akakura Onsen, and natural highlights such as Naena Falls. It takes 45 minutes by train from Nagano Station aboard the Kita Shinano Line. 

A bus network offers access to popular skiing and hot-spring areas, but a car is necessary to explore the scenic spots fully. For example, a car or taxi is necessary to visit Naena Falls, a 15-minute ride from Myoko-Kogen Station. Keinan Bus operates buses to the Myoko Kogen area from Joetsu-Myoko Station in winter and Myoko-Kogen Station in summer (around three times a day).

Getting Around

Due to infrequent public transportation, a car is a must if you want to hike the park's less-traveled trails. However, you can find plenty of transportation options to more popular attractions. An excellent deal if staying in the Togakushi area is the Togakushi Kogen Free Kippu, which offers a round-trip between Nagano Station and the Togakushi area, as well as five days of free bus use within the region. The Mount Myoko Shuttle provides service to many of the popular ski- and hot-spring areas in the Myoko Kogen area.