Travel Guide: Paying For Nagano To Ogisawa Bus Trips

If you're planning to travel from Nagano to Ogisawa by bus, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, Ogisawa Station is one of the starting points for the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, and it can be accessed from Shinano-Omachi Station or Nagano Station. The bus from Nagano Station to Ogisawa Station takes about one hour and 10 minutes, and costs JPY2600 for adults and JPY1300 for children. It's important to note that you can't reserve a seat in advance; you need to buy your ticket on the same day before boarding the bus. The bus stop in Nagano Station is located outside the East Exit, at Bus Stop No.25.

Buy tickets at Shinano Omachi Station

If you want to buy tickets at Shinano Omachi Station, you can do so at the ticket office, which is located in front of the station. Here, you can purchase bus tickets to Ogizawa Station, as well as a baggage delivery service. Tickets can be bought on the same day of travel, and both cash and credit cards are accepted.

It's important to note that the bus from Shinano Omachi Station to Ogizawa is a non-reserved bus, so you can't reserve a seat in advance. You will need to buy your ticket on the same day, before boarding the bus. If you board at a stop without a ticket counter, you can purchase your ticket onboard. On busy days, extra buses are usually added, but seats are still not guaranteed, so it's recommended to line up early if you're concerned about getting a seat.

Additionally, the bus from Shinano Omachi Station to Ogizawa Station is a one-way trip, and there is no round-trip fare available. The fare for adults is 1,360 yen for a one-way trip and 2,500 yen for a return trip, valid for seven days.

If you're travelling with a group of more than 15 people, you will need to make a reservation.

Buy tickets at Ogizawa Station

If you want to buy tickets at Ogizawa Station, you can do so at the ticket office close to the bus stop. When staff are not available at the office, you can pay the fare as you get off the bus. Please note that at Ogizawa Station, there is no baggage delivery service.

Tickets for the bus between Ogizawa and Shinano Omachi Station, or for the express bus between Ogizawa and Nagano Station, can be purchased at Ogizawa Station. It is not possible to get a refund if you purchase a full ticket but get off at an earlier stop, so be sure to buy a ticket only as far as your destination.

Tickets can be paid for by cash or credit card, but you cannot pay with 5,000 or 10,000 yen notes on the bus. No change can be given. Return tickets are available at the following places:

• In the vicinity of Nagano Station
• Alpico Transportation Information Center in front of Nagano Station
• Nagano Bus Terminal
• Shinanoki shop at the East Exit
• In Omachi City
• Reservation Counter in JR Shinano Omachi Station (Nagano to Shinano Omachi Station)
• Kuroyon Royal Hotel (Nagano to Omachi Onsenkyo and Kuroyon Royal Hotel)

Please note that the bus from Nagano to Ogizawa is a non-reserved bus; you cannot reserve a seat in advance. You must buy the ticket on the same day, before you board the bus. If you board the bus at a stop without a ticket counter, you can purchase your ticket onboard.

Extra buses are usually added on busy days, but seats cannot be guaranteed for everyone, so it is recommended that you line up to board the bus early if you are concerned.

Buy tickets on the bus

If you want to buy your bus ticket on the day of travel, you can do so at the ticket counter before boarding the bus. The ALPICO GROUP operates a non-reserved bus service from Nagano to Ogisawa, which means you cannot reserve a seat in advance. The timetable for this bus service is available on their website.

The ALPICO GROUP bus service has several boarding points in Nagano, including Zenkoji Daimon, Hotel Kokusai 21, Nagano Metropolitan Hotel, and Nagano Station (East Exit). If you board the bus at a stop without a ticket counter, you can buy your ticket onboard.

Please note that this bus service does not allow you to reserve or purchase tickets in advance. You will need to buy your ticket on the day of travel and then join the boarding queue. Keep in mind that purchasing a ticket does not guarantee you a seat, as boarding is on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition, the ALPICO GROUP advises that you line up early to board the bus, especially during busy periods. While they usually add extra buses on crowded days, they cannot guarantee a seat for everyone.

Another option for buying tickets on the day of travel is at the Shinano Omachi Station, the nearest station to Ogisawa. From Shinano Omachi Station, you can take a local bus or taxi to Ogisawa. The local bus is a convenient option if you plan to stay at Omachi Onsenkyo or Hinatayama Highlands before visiting the Alpine Route, as the bus stops at these locations.

At Shinano Omachi Station, you can purchase your bus ticket at the ticket office close to the bus stop. If there are no staff members available at the office, you can pay the fare as you get off the bus. Round-trip tickets are available for purchase at the ticket office in front of Shinano Omachi Station.

Pay with cash, not large notes

When taking the bus from Nagano to Ogisawa, it is important to note that you cannot pay with large notes such as 5,000 and 10,000 yen bills. This is because no change can be given on the bus. Therefore, it is recommended to pay with cash, but in smaller denominations.

The bus from Nagano to Ogisawa is a convenient option for travellers, as it is a non-reserved bus, meaning you can buy your ticket on the same day before boarding. This flexibility is particularly useful if you are staying in Omachi Onsenkyo or Hinatayama Highlands, as the local bus to Ogisawa stops at these locations. However, it is important to note that you cannot board the bus between Shinano-Omachi Station and Holiday Inn Resort Kuroyon. For this section, you would need to use the Shinano Omachi-Ogisawa Line.

The Nagano to Ogisawa bus is also an affordable option, with one-way fares for adults ranging from 1,010 yen to 2,600 yen, depending on the boarding and alighting points. The bus offers beautiful views of the Alpine Route, making it a popular choice for travellers.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that the bus timetable is typically updated in late March, and the schedule for the following year may not always be available immediately. Additionally, the bus has a luggage compartment with no restrictions on the number or size of items, so you can travel with ease.

Adults pay 2,600 yen, children 1,300 yen

The bus fare from Nagano to Ogisawa varies depending on the age of the passenger. Adults pay 2,600 yen, while children pay 1,300 yen for a one-way ticket. This price difference is due to the child fare, which is half of the adult fare. It's important to note that these fares may change over time, and the information provided here is based on the pricing as of the last update in July 2024.

When travelling by bus from Nagano to Ogisawa, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, these buses are non-reserved, which means you cannot book your seat in advance. You need to purchase your ticket on the day of travel before boarding the bus. If you board at a stop without a ticket counter, you can conveniently buy your ticket from the bus driver. It's recommended to arrive early and line up for the bus, especially during busy periods, as seating is not guaranteed.

The journey from Nagano to Ogisawa takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, and the bus departs from Bus Stop No. 25 outside the East Exit of Nagano Station. This bus ride offers a scenic route through the mountainous city of Omachi, which is part of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. This area is known for its stunning natural landscapes and outdoor experiences.

In addition to the bus option, you can also consider alternative modes of transportation, such as local buses or taxis, to get from Shinano Omachi Station to Ogisawa. Local buses provide a more affordable option, with adult fares starting at 1,360 yen one-way and 2,500 yen for a return ticket. Taxis, on the other hand, can accommodate larger groups and offer a more direct journey, with fares starting at approximately 6,400 yen for a standard-size taxi.

Frequently asked questions