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Tokyo to Nagano Distance & 3 Options Comparison
Tokyo sits on Japan's eastern coast while Nagano is tucked into the mountains of central Japan, about 220 kilometers (137 miles) northwest of the capital.
If you look at a map, you'll see Nagano right in the middle of Japan's main island, surrounded by the Japanese Alps. It's basically a straight shot northwest from Tokyo - think of it like going from New York City to the Catskill Mountains, but with better trains.
Here's how your options stack up:
| Item | Shinkansen | Regular Trains | Highway Bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Time | 1 hour 20 minutes | 3.5-4 hours | 3.5-4 hours |
| Price | ¥8,340-8,910 | ¥4,620 | ¥2,500-4,000 |
| JR Pass | Yes (some trains) | Yes | No |
| Transfers | Direct | 1-2 changes | Direct |
| Best For | Best & Fastest option. Most travelers, anyone short on time | Budget travelers who don't mind transfers | Cheapest option. Backpackers, overnight travelers |
| Departure Points | Tokyo Station | Shinjuku Station | Multiple terminals |
Tokyo to Nagano Shinkansen (Bullet Train) - Fastest Way to Travel
The Shinkansen is Japan's high-speed rail system - those sleek, white trains with the long noses that whoosh past at 200+ mph.
For Tokyo to Nagano, you'll ride the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. You'll depart from Tokyo Station (not Shinjuku or Shibuya - this catches some people out) and arrive at Nagano Station right in the city center. Experience Japan at Bullet Train Speed >>
Here's the thing about this route - there are three different train types, and picking the right one matters:
| Train Type | Kagayaki | Hakutaka | Asama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Time | 1 hr 19 min | 1 hr 29 min | 1 hr 43 min |
| Stops | Only major stations | A few more stops | All stations |
| Price | ¥8,340 | ¥8,340 | ¥8,340 |
| JR Pass | No | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency | Every 1-2 hours | Every hour | Every hour |
Kagayaki is the speed demon - fastest but doesn't accept JR Pass.
Hakutaka makes a couple extra stops but takes JR Pass.
Asama is the local version, stopping everywhere but still pretty quick.
Shinkansen Tokyo to Nagano Price
A regular reserved seat costs ¥8,340 one-way. That's about $55-60 depending on exchange rates.
- Reserved seat (ordinary car): ¥8,340 - This is what you want
- Non-reserved seat: ¥7,810 - Saves ¥530 but risky during busy times
- Green Car (first class): ¥11,410 - Bigger seats, quieter car
- Gran Class: ¥16,450 - Like business class on a plane (only on some trains)
Tokyo to Nagano Shinkansen Timetable
Trains run all day, roughly every 30-60 minutes. First train leaves Tokyo at 6:16 AM, last direct train around 9:04 PM. After that, you'll need to transfer at Takasaki - annoying but doable.
Popular departure times from Tokyo:
- Early morning: 6:16, 6:52, 7:24
- Mid-morning: 8:24, 9:24, 10:24
- Afternoon: 12:24, 13:24, 14:24
- Evening: 17:00, 18:00, 19:00
The journey takes between 1 hour 19 minutes and 1 hour 43 minutes, depending on whether you catch the faster Kagayaki or the Asama service that makes a few more stops.
Shinkansen Tickets Tokyo to Nagano - How to Book & Save
Online - Book on JR East's website up to a month ahead. Gets you an e-ticket on your phone. Dead simple, plus you can pick your exact seat.
At the station - Green ticket offices (みどりの窓口/Midori no Madoguchi) have English-speaking staff. Or brave the ticket machines - they have English mode. Tip: the machines near the Shinkansen gates are less crowded than the main ones.
Convenience stores - Those ticket machines at 7-Eleven actually work for Shinkansen too. Interface is a bit clunky but it works.
Travel agency - Asia Odyssey Travel can sort your tickets from our Tokyo office. We'll make sure you get the right train and explain everything in plain English.
If you're doing a round trip within a week, ask about the "round trip discount" - saves about 10%. Planning multiple trips? The JR East Nagano Niigata Pass (¥18,000 for 5 days) pays for itself with just this round trip.
How to Take a Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo to Nagano
Getting there: Tokyo Station is on the JR Yamanote Line (the green circle line) and multiple subway lines. Follow signs for "Yaesu" side - that's where the Shinkansen lives.
Finding your platform: Once inside the station, look for blue Shinkansen signs. You want the Hokuriku Shinkansen (北陸新幹線). Platforms 20-23, up the escalator.
Boarding: Your ticket shows a car number and seat (like 7-8A). Each car has its number displayed on the platform floor and the train itself. Stand behind the lines - people actually queue here. Experience Japan at Bullet Train Speed >>
Trains from Tokyo to Nagano - (Non-Shinkansen)
There's no direct regular train from Tokyo to Nagano. You'll need to transfer at least once, sometimes twice. But if saving 4,000 yen matters more than saving two hours, here are your options.
Unless you're really counting pennies or want to see Matsumoto Castle along the way, just take the Shinkansen.
Route 1: Via Matsumoto (Most Popular)
- Shinjuku → Matsumoto: JR Azusa Limited Express (2 hours 35 minutes)
- Matsumoto → Nagano: JR Shinonoi Line (50 minutes)
- Total: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Cost: ¥4,620
Why start from Shinjuku? That's where the Azusa Limited Express begins its journey - you get a seat before it fills up. Plus, Shinjuku might be closer to your hotel than Tokyo Station.
Route 2: Via Takasaki
- Tokyo Station → Takasaki: JR Takasaki Line (1 hour 50 minutes)
- Takasaki → Nagano: JR Shinetsu Line Limited Express (1 hour 30 minutes)
- Total: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Cost: ¥4,510
Can you go from Tokyo Station? Sure, take Route 2 via Takasaki. It's actually 10 minutes faster and 110 yen cheaper. The downside? The Takasaki Line gets packed with commuters, and the connection is tighter. Experience Japan at Bullet Train Speed >>
Tokyo to Nagano Bus - Budget Travel Alternative
Highway buses offer the cheapest way to reach Nagano. Choose the bus if you're on a tight budget or want to save on a night's accommodation with an overnight bus. However, remember that you'll arrive tired, which might affect your first day in Nagano.
Here's who runs buses on this route:
| Bus Company | Price | Travel Time | Schedule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpico (アルピコ) | ¥2,700-3,100 | 3.5 hours | 6:30 AM - 7:30 PM (8 daily) | Most frequent, reliable |
| Keio Bus | ¥2,500-3,500 | 3.5-4 hours | 7:00 AM - 11:30 PM | Night buses available |
| Willer Express | ¥2,000-4,000 | 4 hours | Various times | Prices vary wildly by date |
| JR Bus Kanto | ¥3,000-3,600 | 3.5 hours | 7:40 AM - 6:10 PM (5 daily) | Can use JR Pass (rare!) |
Go with Alpico - they run this route most often and rarely cancel. Willer's super cheap seats sell out fast and their pricing is all over the place. JR Bus is solid but only useful if you've got a JR Pass that includes buses (most don't).
Where to Catch Your Bus in Tokyo
Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku) - 4th floor of the building above Shinjuku Station South Exit. This is where most buses leave from. You're right at a major train hub.
Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit - Good if you're staying near Tokyo Station or coming from the east side of Tokyo. Fewer departures than Shinjuku though.
Ikebukuro Station East Exit - Only a couple buses daily, but handy if you're staying in north Tokyo. Skip it otherwise.
Shibuya Mark City - Limited service, mostly night buses. Only use if you're literally staying in Shibuya.
Tokyo Airport to Nagano - Access from Narita & Haneda
Let's start with the regular routes. From either airport, you'll need to get to Tokyo Station first, then catch the Shinkansen to Nagano.
From Narita, take the Narita Express (60 minutes, ¥3,070), from Haneda, hop on the Tokyo Monorail (20 minutes, ¥500). Then it's the usual Shinkansen ride to Nagano.
But here's what you really want to know - during ski season (mid-December through early March), there are direct buses to Hakuba, saving you the whole train shuffle.
Hakuba sits in a stunning valley below the Northern Japan Alps, about 40 kilometers west of Nagano city. This narrow valley - literally called "White Horse Valley" - packs in over 10 ski resorts, including Happo-One where they held the 1998 Winter Olympics.
It's 275 kilometers from Tokyo, but during winter, you can get there directly from both airports. Ski Japan's Legendary Powder Snow >>
From Narita Airport
Alpico runs one bus daily from December 23 to March 9. Heads out at 10:55 AM from Terminal 3, swings by T2 and T1 to grab more passengers.
Takes about 6 hours 10 minutes total. Heads up - they start this service pretty late in December, so early season skiers need to use the train route.
From Haneda Airport
Same dates (December 23 - March 9), one bus daily leaving at 7:40 AM from Terminal 3. This one's faster at 5 hours 40 minutes since Haneda's closer to the mountains.
Both buses drop you at Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. From there, catch the local shuttle buses that connect all the ski resorts, grab a taxi, or check if your hotel runs pickups. Most places in Hakuba offer some kind of shuttle service - just ask when you book.
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