Traveling by Train

Japan is renowned for its speedy, convenient, and punctual train service. Whether zooming from city to city on the Shinkansen (bullet train) or taking in the sights and sounds on a local train, Japan’s railways offer a variety of ways to see the country. Nagano can be accessed by the shinkansen and limited express trains from major cities, and the prefecture boasts a number of railways connecting its travel hubs and sightseeing destinations.

Shinkansen (bullet train) and limited express

• Passengers must have a seat ticket and an express ticket. Both tickets can be purchased together at the ticket machines and ticket counters, and some ticket machines also support credit card payment. You may also reserve online at https://www.eki-net.com/en/jreast-train-reservation/Top/Index.
• Non-reserved and reserved seating are available (although non-reserved seats are slightly cheaper). However, the Kagayaki bullet train is reserved seating only.
• Most trains have a place to leave or store luggage.

Hokuriku Shinkansen

These trains run along the Hokuriku Shinkansen (from fastest to slowest): Kagayaki, Hakutaka, and Asama. Kagayaki’s only stop in Nagano Prefecture is Nagano Station.

Main stations: Tokyo, Karuizawa, Sakudaira, Ueda, Nagano, Iiyama and Kanazawa

Limited Express Azusa

Main stations: Shinjuku, Kobuchizawa, Fujimi, Chino, Kamisuwa, Shimosuwa, Okaya, Shiojiri and Matsumoto

Limited Express Wide View Shinano

Main stations: Nagoya, Nakatsugawa, Nagiso, Agematsu, Kiso-Fukushima, Shiojiri, Matsumoto, Hijiri-Kogen, Shinonoi and Nagano

Regular (Non-Express) Trains

• Other than JR lines, a number of private railways run through Nagano Prefecture. The Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass cannot be used on private railways, so be sure to check your route and whether or not the pass is applicable in advance. Still, some private railways offer discounted tickets to sightseeing spots.
• Regular trains do not have spaces to leave suitcases or other large luggage, so plan accordingly if taking a regular train. Suitcases with locking rollers may come in handy!
• Only the train door at the front car nearest the conductor may open at smaller stations with no staff (similar to buses).
• Some train doors do not open automatically; passengers must press a button next to the door to open and close the door.
• Only collapsible bikes may be brought onto trains (however, the Kamikochi line allows for normal bikes to be brought onboard via reservation).

Train Lines and Main Stations within Nagano Prefecture

• Iiyama Line (JR East)

  • Main stations: Nagano, Iiyama, Togarinozawa-Onsen and Echigo-Kawaguchi (Niigata Prefecture)

• Oito Line (JR East/JR West)

  • Main stations: Matsumoto, Hotaka, Shinano-Omachi, Hakuba, Minami-Otari and Itoigawa

• Chuo Line (JR East/JR Central)

  • Main stations: Shiojiri, Narai, Kiso-Fukushima, Nagiso and Nakatsugawa (Gifu Prefecture)

• Shinonoi Line (JR East)

  • Main stations: Shinonoi, Obasute, Akashina, Matsumoto and Shiojiri

• Iida Line (JR Central)

  • Main stations: Toyohashi (Aichi Prefecture), Iida, Tenryukyo, Komagane, Inashi and Tatsuno

• Koumi Line (JR East)

  • Main stations: Kobuchizawa (Yamanashi Prefecture), Koumi, Sakudaira and Komoro

• Nagano Dentetsu Line (private railway)

  • Main stations: Nagano, Suzaka, Obuse and Yudanaka

• Ueda Dentetsu Bessho Line (private railway)

  • Main stations: Ueda, Shimonogo and Bessho Onsen

• Alpico Kotsu Kamikochi Line (private railway)

  • Main stations: Matsumoto and Shinshimashima

• Shinano Railway (private railway)

  • Main stations: Shinonoi, Togura, Ueda and Komoro

• Shinano Railway Kita-Shinano Line (private railway)

  • Main stations: Nagano, Kurohime and Myoko-Kogen (Niigata Prefecture)