How to Get to Komagane (Senjojiki Cirque) by Train from Tokyo
I recently traveled to Komagane (Senjojiki Cirque) in Nagano Prefecture. A magnificent view of the Japanese Alps can be seen.
I went there by public transportation, such as trains and buses, and I’ve summarized the route below.
• Total travel time: Approx. 5 hours (one way)
• Total cost: 9,620 yen (one way)
1. Shinjuku → Okaya
Limited Express Azusa: Approx. 2 hours 24 minutes, 6,290 yen
Take the Limited Express Azusa bound for Matsumoto from platform 10 at JR Shinjuku Station on the JR Chuo Line.
While you can purchase tickets at the station platform, it’s better to reserve them in advance, as the train was fully booked even on a weekday morning.
It can be a bit confusing as all seats are reserved. However, you can board without a seat assignment by purchasing a non-reserved seat ticket. In that case, you’ll sit in any seat with a red light above it.
• Red light: Available seat
• Yellow light: Reserved from the next station
• Green light: Currently reserved
If no seats are available, you may have to stand in the vestibule.
2. Okaya → Komagane
JR Iida Line: Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes, 770 yen
Transfer to the JR Iida Line at JR Okaya Station.
Note that Suica (IC card) cannot be used at Komagane Station. If you entered with Suica, you’ll need to exit the station and buy a paper ticket.
Sometimes a conductor may allow you to settle the fare on the train, but it’s safer to buy a ticket in advance.
3. Komagane → Shirabidaira
Bus: Approx. 45 minutes, 1,050 yen
From the bus stop in front of JR Komagane Station, take the bus bound for Shirabidaira on the Komagatake Ropeway line.
Buses run about every 30 minutes. You don’t need to buy a ticket in advance; you can pay when you get off, just like a regular bus. However, IC cards are not accepted, so make sure to have cash ready.
4. Shirabidaira → Senjojiki Cirque
Ropeway: Approx. 7 minutes, 1,510 yen
At the Shirabidaira Ropeway Station, you can purchase a round-trip ropeway ticket and a return bus ticket.
• Total travel time: Approx. 5 hours
• Total cost: 9,620 yen (one way)
The timings depend on transfers, but I left at around 10 AM and reached Senjojiki Cirque by 3 PM.
If you’re just walking around the nature trail without hiking, an hour is more than enough.
It’s possible to make this a day trip if you start early enough.
Return Journey
The last ropeway departs at 5 PM, and the earlier ropeways tend to be crowded.
There are sometimes extra ropeway trips, but the timing of the transfers can be inconvenient, so it’s better to allow plenty of time for your return.
Note
The information in this post is current as of September 2024. Schedules and fares may change, so I recommend checking the latest details before your trip.
This version should be easy to understand for travelers from abroad while keeping all the essential details. Let me know if you need any adjustments!