Shinano Railway to add extra Myoko Kogen rapids for seasonal travelers

On December 2nd, the Nikkei Shimbun reported that Shinano Railway, based in Ueda, Nagano Prefecture, announced it will operate special rapid trains on the Kita-Shinano Line (Nagano–Myoko Kogen) during the upcoming ski season.

The line normally runs 17 trains per day in each direction, including local services and fee-based rapid trains.

From January 1 to February 28, 2026, three additional rapid trains will be added daily in both directions.

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

The move is part of efforts to strengthen transportation access ahead of a planned 2028 opening of an international hotel, linked to development in Myoko Kogen by Singapore-based investment fund, not named in the original article but well-known to be Patience Capital Group. 

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

The temporary rapid services can be used with regular tickets, multi-ride passes, and commuter passes.

Each day, one rapid train will run between Nagano and Myoko Kogen, and two between Toyono and Myoko Kogen.

The Nagano–Myoko Kogen service will make the trip in just over 40 minutes, stopping at Toyono Station in Nagano City and Kurohime Station in the town of Shinano.

Southbound trains arriving at Myoko Kogen Station will operate in three time slots - around 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. - targeting passengers heading to the slopes early in the day as well as hotel guests arriving for check-in.

Northbound trains departing Myoko Kogen will also run between the late-morning and early-afternoon hours, from around 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in anticipation of demand from hotel guests.

The timetable is designed to ensure smooth transfers with JR’s Iiyama Line at Toyono Station.

Source:

Nikkei Shimbun (Japanese only; paywalled)