Yokoteyama

Yokoteyama (2,307 m) sits on the border of Yamanouchi Town in Nagano Prefecture and Nakanojō Town in Gunma Prefecture and is one of Japan’s 300 famous mountains; it is the highest peak of Shiga Kogen.
It is a gentle volcano, and just below the summit stand the Yokote-san-chō Hut—known as “the highest bakery in Japan”—and Yokoteyama Shrine, with a wide view reaching the Northern Alps, Mount Asama and even distant Mount Fuji. You can ride a Sky-lator and Japan’s highest chairlift from Shibu Pass to just below the summit, or walk up the Shibu-tōge trail in about 30 minutes, making it friendly even for beginners. By public transport, take the Nagaden Bus Shiga Kogen express line from JR Nagano Station to Shibu Pass or Nozoki.

The trailhead is Shibu Pass (about 2,170 m, the highest point of National Route 292) or the Yokoteyama Ski Area (near Nozoki). To reach the summit, walk the Shibu-tōge trail in about 30 minutes, or take the Sky-lator and the Shibu Pass pair-lift (Japan’s highest chairlift) from the ski area to just below the summit. The lifts usually run from Golden Week to late October (about 8:45–16:00; ¥1,800 round trip for adults); check operating days and fares officially.
The bus from Nagano Station takes about 1 hour 50 minutes, so go up on a morning service and plan with margin around the last lift (about 16:00) and the return bus. The season runs from June to October (while the lifts operate). As a volcano and a high mountain, watch for sudden weather changes. Always check the latest bus, lift and road (winter closure) conditions before you go.

*Information last verified: June 14, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Nagano Station → Shibu Pass / Nozoki (for Yokoteyama)
2. [Return] Shibu Pass / Nozoki → Nagano Station

1. [Outbound] Nagano Station → Shibu Pass / Nozoki (for Yokoteyama)

The base is JR Nagano Station. From the East Exit, take the Nagaden Bus “Shiga Kogen express line” and get off at Nozoki or Shibu Pass, the stops nearest Yokoteyama (no reservation needed). In 2026 the service runs from April 7 to December 4; the fare from Nagano Station East Exit to Nozoki or Shibu Pass is ¥3,100 each, and the ride takes about 1 hour 50 minutes. Several services run from Nagano Station, mainly in the morning; take a morning bus so you can catch the last lift. The table below shows one representative service—check the full timetable on the official site (PDF).

After getting off, from Nozoki (Yokoteyama Ski Area) take the Sky-lator and lift to just below the summit, or from Shibu Pass walk the Shibu-tōge trail in about 30 minutes to the top. By car, there are parking areas at Shibu Pass and the Yokoteyama Drive-In along National Route 292 (the Shiga-Kusatsu Kōgen Route); Route 292 has a winter night closure and a seasonal winter shutdown (roughly mid-November to late April).

Reference: [Nagaden Bus Shiga Kogen line (summer) timetable] / [Yokoteyama Sky-lator & lift]

2. [Return] Shibu Pass / Nozoki → Nagano Station

To return, take the Nagaden Bus Shiga Kogen express line bound for Nagano Station from Shibu Pass or Nozoki. The ride takes about 1 hour 50 minutes and the fare is ¥3,100 each. There are few return services and the last one is in the afternoon, so working back from the last downhill lift (about 16:00), allow plenty of margin for the return bus. The table below shows one representative service—check the full timetable on the official PDF.

Reference: [Nagaden Bus Shiga Kogen line (summer) timetable]

Routes, the summit and safety notes

Routes: Because you can ride a lift to just below the summit, Yokoteyama is friendly for beginners and families. ① Sky-lator + lift: from the Yokoteyama Ski Area (near Nozoki), ride the outdoor escalator “Sky-lator” and Japan’s highest “Shibu Pass pair-lift” to just below the summit in about 10 minutes; from the lift’s upper station, the summit and the Yokote-san-chō Hut are a few minutes on foot. ② Shibu-tōge trail: about 30 minutes on foot from the Shibu Pass car park. ③ Yokote-sandō trail: about 50 minutes from in front of the Yokoteyama Drive-In.

The summit: The top is relatively flat and broad, with the Yokote-san-chō Hut, known as “the highest bakery in Japan,” and Yokoteyama Shrine, once a site of mountain worship. On a clear day you can see the Northern Alps, Mount Asama and even distant Mount Fuji.

Lift and season: The Sky-lator and lift usually run from Golden Week to late October (about 8:45–16:00; ¥1,800 round trip for adults) and stop in bad weather. National Route 292 has a winter night closure and shutdown, so in winter the mountain can only be reached via the ski lifts. As a volcano at 2,300 m, carry warm clothing and rain gear even in summer, and do not push on in lightning or thick fog.

Emergencies: In an accident, call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Yamanouchi Town Hall 0269-33-1107 / Nakano Police Station 0269-22-0110

Photo by 663highland / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5