Shinano Railway to add extra Myoko Kogen rapids for seasonal travelers

Shinano Railway will add three temporary rapid trains per day in each direction on its Kita-Shinano Line during January and February 2026, increasing rail capacity between Nagano and the Myoko Kogen area during the winter season.

The railway announced on November 25th that the additional services will operate daily from January 1st through February 28th, 2026.

Shinano Railway’s published timetable shows the first rapid service leaving Nagano at 9:09 a.m. and arriving at Myoko Kogen at 9:51 a.m., a journey of 42 minutes.

Two further rapid services will depart Toyono at 10:41 a.m. and 12:54 p.m., arriving at Myoko Kogen at 11:09 a.m. and 1:23 p.m., respectively.

The rapid trains stop at Kurohime, while the Nagano-originating service also stops at Toyono.

Mount Myoko from the north-east, courtesy of Wikipedia. 

In the opposite direction, temporary rapid trains will leave Myoko Kogen at 9:56 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 1:44 p.m.

The first and third services terminate at Toyono, while the 11:15 a.m. departure continues to Nagano, arriving at 11:55 a.m.

Shinano Railway’s timetable also shows connections with JR East’s Iiyama Line at Toyono, giving passengers additional options for onward travel.

For international visitors, the extra services add more rail capacity on one of the main public-transport approaches to Myoko Kogen during the peak winter period.

Myoko Kogen’s wider tourism development

The additional winter capacity comes as Myoko Kogen attracts growing international hospitality investment.

In October 2025, Six Senses and IHG Hotels & Resorts announced an agreement with Patience Capital Group (PCG) to develop Six Senses Myoko, a slopeside hotel and branded-residence project at Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort.

Patience Realty is a proud group firm of Patience Capital Group and Capital Brain.

The announced development includes 57 hotel rooms and suites and 21 branded residences, with construction scheduled to begin in April 2026.

IHG described the project as part of a broader vision to develop Myoko Kogen as a year-round mountain destination.

Against that backdrop, additional winter rail services are significant beyond the immediate ski season. Improved public-transport capacity can help support visitor access as accommodation and tourism infrastructure in the area expands.

Further Reading:

Shinano Railway Kita-Shinano Line temporary winter trains timetable, November 25, 2025 (Japanese only)

PCG & Six Senses Myoko announcement (October 24, 2025)