I received so many messages asking how to get there from Nagano Station, so I figured—why not just write a blog post about it? If you’re planning to visit, here’s everything you need to know!
Getting To Togakushi Shrine From Nagano Station
Take The Nagano Togakushi Line Bus
- From Nagano Station, head to Platform 7 (right in front of Don Quijote).
- The first bus leaves as early as 7:00 AM, so you can plan a day trip or adjust your schedule accordingly if you're coming from another city.
- Travel time is about an hour, though it may vary depending on the weather. During our visit, a snowstorm had just hit the area the day before!
Which Bus Stop Should You Get Off At?
- Spring, Summer, Fall: Get off at Koshimizugahara Stop, as suggested by Google Maps.
- Winter: I highly recommend getting off at Togakushi Chusha Stop, where you’ll find the main shrine and an information center. This is a much better starting point, especially if you're trekking in the snow.
The Trek To The Shrine
- From Togakushi Chusha, there’s a 1+ hour trek to the shrine.
- Google Maps led us in the right direction (thankfully!), but we also double-checked with a restaurant owner along the way.
- After what felt like an endless walk, we finally reached the famous Zuishinmon (Red Gate)—the iconic entrance to Togakushi Shrine!
What to Expect
Bring Cash For The Bus
- Pasmo/Suica cards do NOT work on the bus! We had to pay in cash, so make sure you bring enough yen just in case.
- The one-way fare is 1,450 yen.
Arrive Early For The Best Photos
- Like any other popular tourist spot, early mornings are your best bet for that perfect Instagram shot. We were lucky to be the first ones there and had the place to ourselves for a good while!
- But even if you arrive later, the area is wide enough to avoid the crowd and still snap great photos.
Warm Up With Nagano's Famous Soba
- Before heading back, make room for a hot bowl of soba! We saw two big restaurants near the shrine serving Nagano’s specialty soba noodles, and trust me—it’s the perfect meal after a cold trek.
Where to Stay in Nagano
For convenience, I recommend staying in Nagano proper so you can get an early start. We stayed at Hotel Courtland Nagano, and it was literally right in front of Nagano Station—perfect for easy access!
Book Your Hotel Here: HOTEL COURTLAND NAGANO
Final Thoughts
Visiting Togakushi Shrine was an unexpected highlight of our Nagano trip! Honestly, it wasn’t even on my original itinerary, but I’m so glad my friend @projectgora planned this for us.
If you're heading to Nagano (or anywhere in Japan) and booking activities or accommodations through Klook, you can use my Klook Code: KENNETHSURATKLOOK for discounts!
Happy travels and enjoy your trip to Togakushi Shrine!
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