Getting to Nagano Japan
Tokyo to Nagano | Narita to Nagano | Haneda to Nagano
Tokyo to Nagano | Getting to Nagano
Getting to Nagano region from Tokyo and other major Japanese cities via public transport is straightforward. If you are wanting to travel Tokyo to Nagano via taxi, bus service or Nagano shuttle please see the information here. Wanting to travel around Nagano Prefecture? Go here for maps, schedules and fares.
Where is Nagano?
Nagano is the capital city of Nagano Prefecture based in central Honshu Island, Japan. The area is easily accessed from both international airports in Tokyo (Narita & Haneda) by shinkansen (bullet train), airport shuttle, taxi, rental car or bus. The total travel time from Tokyo to Nagano is usually between 1.5 – 2.5 hours via shinkansen bullet train.
How long to get to Nagano?
The total travel time from Tokyo to Nagano is between 70-85 minutes via shinkansen from Tokyo Station. Coming from Narita or Haneda airport will add about another 90 minutes, depending on connection. It’s around 5 hours via private direct transfer. There are also several options from the airports in Nagoya and Osaka (Kansai). This usually takes between 5-6 hours.
Travel times to Nagano
Getting to Nagano: Directions
How to get to get from Narita to Nagano
After your arrival, passport and customs clearance, head downstairs to the train stations at the basement levels, located in Terminals 1 & 2 of the airport. The most convenient train is the JR Narita Express (N’Ex), which leaves roughly every half hour for a 53-minute trip to Tokyo Station. Tickets for the entire trip up to Nagano Station can be purchased at the airport whilst JR East passes and JR Passes can also be exchanged at the JR East Travel Service Centres (see below).
Alternatively visitors can take the private Keisei Line to Keisei Ueno Station and change to the shinkansen at nearby JR Ueno Station (roughly 7-9 minute walk). Please note that, when getting to Nagano, if you are travelling on from Nagano City, some local railways are private lines (inc. the line to Myoko Kogen and Snow Monkeys/Yudanaka Onsen) and the JR Pass is not usable.
Here’s how you change trains to the shinkansen in Ueno
The Skyliner is usually a cheaper option than the N’Ex and a little quicker (44 minutes). However visitors can buy a ticket at the airport all the way through to Nagano Station if riding the N’Ex. For more information see below.
If you are wanting to travel Tokyo to Nagano via taxi, bus service or ski shuttle please see the information here.
If you are wanting to rent a car in Nagano or Tokyo go here for information on car rental.
From Tokyo Station to Nagano
At Tokyo Station, head upstairs for the shinkansen platform (the station is always busy, but all lines are well marked – just follow the signs). The walk is roughly 7-10 minutes at regular pace. These trains depart from platforms 20 through 23; all trains stop at Nagano Station, and some terminate. You can check your schedules at Ekispert for getting to Nagano by train.
Here’s how you change trains to the shinkansen in Tokyo
Tokyo to Nagano: JR Pass information
You can buy JR Passes online here
JR East Travel Service Centres at Narita Airport
When getting to Nagano, JR East Travel Service Centres can be found at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Narita Airport. The centres are open every day from 11:30 am to 7 pm, and handle the sale and exchange of the JR East Pass (available only to visitors from overseas on short-term visas of no longer than 90 days) as well as the Japan Rail Pass (covering all six JR regional companies, and which can only be pre-purchased overseas). Other services include ticket sales and sightseeing information.
Hours of operation: 10 am to 6 pm (closed during the New Year holidays)
If the JR East Travel Service Centre is closed, go to the JR ticket office.
Hours of operation: 6:30 to 11:30 am, 7:00 to 9:45 pm
Coming by train from Haneda Airport
Make your way from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station via one of the following options:
- Take the Keikyu Airport Line from Haneda Airport to Shinagawa Station (14-20 minutes, 410 yen) or Shimbashi Station via Sengakuji (24 minutes, 570 yen)
- Take the Tokyo Monorail (13-26 minutes, 490 yen) to Hamamatsucho Station.
From there transfer to the JR Yamanote or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line to Tokyo Station.
Alternatively, limousine buses depart from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station every 30 to 60 minutes (20 minutes, 580 yen).
From Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya
There are two choices for getting to Nagano.
1) From both Osaka or Kyoto, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya. At Osaka, go to Shin-Osaka Station to catch the train; the trip to Nagoya will take 55 minutes. From Kyoto Station, the trip to Nagoya will take 40 minutes. At Nagoya Station, transfer to the Chuo Line for the Shinano Limited Express train, a roughly three-hour trip that travels through the delightful Kiso Valley.
2) Take the express train to Tsuruga Station and then change to the Hokuriku Shinkansen. This journey goes via Toyama and Kanazawa on the Japan Sea coast and is a more expensive option.
Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto to Nagano Map
Where are the Nagano Ski Resorts?
There are numerous ski resorts in Nagano. The most popular of these are Hakuba, Shiga Kogen, Madarao Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, Togari Onsen, Togakushi and the nearby Myoko Ski Resorts. The map below provides a snapshot of how to get to the Nagano ski resorts.
Nagano to Ski Resorts Map
Tokyo to Nagano Video
Private Transfer to Nagano
Don’t want the hassle of carrying bags, herding children and changing trains? Let us organise a taxi transfer for you. For medium-large groups we can help organise a direct private transfer from the airport to Nagano (or return) at reasonable cost. This chartered direct service from the Tokyo airport to your most hotels in the area would be up to 119,000 (for 2-3 in regular taxi), up to 139,000 (for 4-8 in a van) and then up to 330,000 for large buses.
These prices are for one way and will vary depending on availability, passenger numbers & bus/van/taxi type. Check here for more details. Taxi/charter journeys will usually take 5-6.5 hours depending on destination, traffic and weather conditions. Comfort stops are included.
Tokyo to Nagano: Station maps
Getting To Nagano by Car
Driving to Nagano
From Tokyo
From the Shinjuku district of Tokyo go west in the direction of Hachioji and from the urban expressway enter onto the Chuo Expressway. After Kofu, look for the Okaya junction which takes you in the direction of Nagano. Alternatively take the Kanetsu Expressway to the Fujioka J.C.T and head towards Nagano on the Joshinetsu Expressway. Distance: 250-300km Time: 4.30-5.00 hours
Osaka or Kyoto to Nagano
Take the Meishin Expressway to the Komki J.C.T, head up the Chuo Expressway and the follow instructions as below. Distance: 450-500km Time: 5.30-6.30 hours
Nagoya to Nagano
Take the Chuo Expressway to the Okaya J.C.T and head towards Nagano on the Nagano Expressway. Distance: 250-300km Time: 4.30-5.00 hours
