One trip. Two riders. Every run, transfer, bed, and yen — mapped out and ready to shred.
Built as a practical trip companion, with the key details surfaced first — where you are staying, how you are getting there, what still needs paying, and the main things to watch along the way.
The stuff that actually matters on the mountain — no scrolling, no fluff, just the notes you need when you need them.
Suginosawa has a limited Post Office ATM, open weekdays only. Withdraw at Narita or Nagano and carry ¥1,000 notes.
For Shinkansen/long-distance buses, book last-row seats where possible so board bags can sit behind the seats.
Confirm Red Fox transfer for Myoko-Kogen 07:07 arrival and Hotel Japan Shiga connection to the main terminal.
Airalo and Ubigi have been reliable. Activate before leaving Narita for maps, shuttle bookings and translation.
QF79 out and QF80 return are direct Melbourne ↔ Narita flights. Arrival is timed to reach Nagano the same evening and Myoko early the following morning.
One tight itinerary, built to share — with resort days around Akakura left flexible so you can chase the best conditions.
QF79 departs MEL 09:25 and arrives NRT 17:40. Transfer via Keisei Skyliner to Ueno, then Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano. Overnight at Hotel Livemax Premium Nagano Ekimae.
06:23 Nagano train to Myoko-Kogen, arriving 07:07. Red Fox Lodge transfer meets train. Suginohara lifts open 08:30 for a full first snowboard day.
Five planned Suginohara days plus one flexible Ikenotaira swap day using the Myoko Shuttle. Red Fox sits at Suginosawa base close to the lower lift.
Move from Suginohara to Akakura Onsen. Hire car delivered evening Sun 1 Feb and collected evening Wed 4 Feb. All four snow days are interchangeable based on weather and snow reports.
Transfer to Shiga Kogen. Hotel Japan Shiga is approximately one minute from Ichinose lifts. Breakfast and dinner included. Four-night Shiga stay.
Travel from Shiga to Nozawa via Nagano Snow Shuttle. Arrive midday for afternoon snowboarding. Seven full snowboard days from Tue 10 to Tue 16, then depart for Narita on Wed 17.
Depart Nozawa around 15:00. Nozawa Liner to Iiyama, Hokuriku Shinkansen to Ueno, Keisei Skyliner to Narita. QF80 departs 19:20 and lands Melbourne 07:45 next day.
The transfers most likely to catch you out — flagged upfront so nothing needs booking twice.
| Route | Method | Timing | Cost / action |
|---|---|---|---|
| NRT → NaganoArrival night | Keisei Skyliner + Hokuriku Shinkansen | Approx. 2.5 hrs after airport clearance | ~¥11,020 pp · Skyliner not JR Pass |
| Nagano → Myoko-KogenFirst snow day | Kita-Shinano Line | 06:23 dep · 07:07 arr | ¥850 pp · confirm Red Fox transfer |
| Suginohara ↔ IkenotairaFlexible day trip | Myoko Shuttle | 08:33 dep · 08:45 arr · last return 16:15 | ¥1,000 pp one-way · book ahead |
| Akakura → Shiga KogenMove day | Nagano Snow Shuttle | Dep/time options need final confirmation | Book with Nagano Snow Shuttle |
| Shiga → NozawaMove day | Hotel/lodge shuttle + Nagano Snow Shuttle | Allow 30 min from Hotel Japan Shiga to main terminal | Confirm hotel connection closer to date |
| Nozawa → NaritaReturn day | Nozawa Liner + Shinkansen + Skyliner | Depart ~15:00 · arrive NRT ~18:30 | ~¥12,060 pp · tight but workable buffer |
Live resort map showing the snow bases, transfer hubs and inter-resort legs in relation to each other. The inset shows the Narita/Tokyo/Nagano arrival corridor.
Click any numbered marker for details · inset shows NRT → Nagano connection
Operational notes that previously sat in different areas are grouped here for quick access.
Suginohara has Post Office ATM access only; Shiga Kogen is also limited. Withdraw enough cash at Narita or Nagano before entering resort villages.
Suginosawa Fire Station to Ikenotaira: first bus 08:33, arrives 08:45. Last return 16:15. ¥1,000 one-way pp. Book ahead.
Thirteen public soto-yu baths. Bring a small towel. No swimwear in traditional baths; some baths may have tattoo restrictions.
Yamato/Takkyubin may need two days and snow delays can occur. Avoid relying on next-day delivery for board bags between resort bases.