🚄 JRJapan Rail Pass
Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Tokyo → Nagano
Tokyo to Nagano
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus
From Tokyo to Nagano, the Hokuriku Shinkansen takes about 1 hr 20 min–1 hr 45 min with no transfers. The Kagayaki is the fastest, while the Asama runs more often and has non-reserved seats. If cost matters most, a highway bus from Busta Shinjuku is also an option.
Compare
Compare your options
Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki
- Travel time
- Approx. 1 hr 20 min (example timetable: Kagayaki 501)
- Transfers
- None
Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama / Hakutaka
- Travel time
- Approx. 1 hr 35 min–1 hr 45 min (example timetable: Hakutaka 551 and Asama 601)
- Transfers
- None
Highway Bus Shinjuku–Nagano Line
- Travel time
- Approx. 4 hr
- Transfers
- None
| Compare your options | Travel time | Fare | JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki | Approx. 1 hr 20 min (example timetable: Kagayaki 501) | — | Covered by the JR Pass (reserved seats can be booked at no extra charge) |
| Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama / Hakutaka | Approx. 1 hr 35 min–1 hr 45 min (example timetable: Hakutaka 551 and Asama 601) | — | Covered by the JR Pass |
| Highway Bus Shinjuku–Nagano Line | Approx. 4 hr | — | — |
Fares and times are as of the date shown. Airfares vary by season and booking date. Check the operator’s official website before you travel.
Recommended
Best option for…
Fastest option
→ Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki
Flexible non-reserved seats / stopping at Karuizawa
→ Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama / Hakutaka
Using the JR Pass
→ Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama / Hakutaka
Lowest cost
→ Highway Bus Shinjuku–Nagano Line
How to Ride
How to ride each option
Shinkansen
Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki
- Depart from
- Tokyo Station (also stops at Ueno and Omiya)
- Arrive at
- Nagano Station
- Travel time
- Approx. 1 hr 20 min (example timetable: Kagayaki 501)
- Transfers
- None
- First / last
- First 6:16 (weekdays, example as of October 2026)
- Tickets
- Reserved-seat ticket machines or ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) at stations, or JR-EAST Train Reservation (online)
- Large luggage
- Luggage up to 250 cm in total dimensions, 2 m in length and 30 kg can be brought on free of charge. Oversized baggage storage is first come, first served with no reservation needed (not available on some trains)
- JR Pass
- Covered by the JR Pass (reserved seats can be booked at no extra charge)
- Note
- All seats reserved
Shinkansen
Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama / Hakutaka
- Depart from
- Tokyo Station
- Arrive at
- Nagano Station
- Travel time
- Approx. 1 hr 35 min–1 hr 45 min (example timetable: Hakutaka 551 and Asama 601)
- Frequency
- 2 or more trains per hour during the day (example weekday timetable)
- Transfers
- None
- First / last
- First 6:28 / Last 22:08 (weekdays, example as of October 2026)
- Tickets
- Reserved-seat ticket machines or ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) at stations, or online booking. Non-reserved seats also available
- Large luggage
- Luggage up to 250 cm in total dimensions, 2 m in length and 30 kg can be brought on free of charge. Oversized baggage storage is first come, first served with no reservation needed (not available on some trains)
- JR Pass
- Covered by the JR Pass
- Note
- The Asama stops at Karuizawa, Ueda and other stations and terminates at Nagano. Non-reserved cars available
Highway bus
Highway Bus Shinjuku–Nagano Line
- Depart from
- Busta Shinjuku
- Arrive at
- Nagano Station
- Travel time
- Approx. 4 hr
- Transfers
- None
- First / last
- First from Busta Shinjuku 6:45 (example from the timetable revised August 1, 2026)
- Tickets
- Reservations required. Buy on Highway Bus.com (online) or at the Busta Shinjuku counter up to 15 min before departure
- Note
- Jointly operated by Alpico Kotsu, Keio Bus and Nagaden Bus. Fares vary by date and booking method. Some services are suspended, so check the operating status in advance
Tips
Good to know
- ✓The Kagayaki is all-reserved. For non-reserved seats, take the Asama or Hakutaka
- ✓The Asama is convenient for stopping at Karuizawa (Tokyo → Karuizawa approx. 1 hr 12 min, example: Asama 601)
- ✓The JR EAST PASS and Hokuriku Arch Pass also cover the Tokyo–Nagano Shinkansen
Travel Passes
Travel passes you can use on this route
🚄 JR
🚄 JR
🚄 JRTickets you can book in advancePR
PRKlookHokuriku Shinkansen Tokyo–Nagano TicketBook Shinkansen tickets from Tokyo to Nagano onlineView on Klook- PRKlookJR EAST PASSUnlimited rides on JR East Shinkansen and limited express trains for 5 or 10 consecutive days. Good for the Nagano and Tohoku areasView on Klook
- PRKlookJR Hokuriku Arch PassUnlimited rides on JR lines in Tokyo, Nagano, Hokuriku and Kansai for 7 consecutive daysView on Klook
Map
Map
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near NaganoPR
PR9.0ホテルメトロポリタン長野
★★★★Check rates on Agoda9,314 reviews0.2 km from center
PR9.1天然温泉 善光の湯 ドーミーイン長野
★★★★Check rates on Agoda4,112 reviews0.2 km from center
PR8.8相鉄フレッサイン長野善光寺口
★★★★Check rates on Agoda4,286 reviews0.2 km from center
PR8.8長野東急REIホテル
★★★Check rates on Agoda4,076 reviews0.2 km from center
PR8.4ホテルJALシティ長野
★★★Check rates on Agoda4,992 reviews0.6 km from center
PR8.8ホテル ニューナガノ ネクスト
★★★Check rates on Agoda2,316 reviews0.2 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Other Routes
Other routes
Tokyo → Sendai
Fastest: Approx. 1 hr 30 min (example timetable: Hayabusa 5)
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus🌙 Overnight bus
Travel times, fares and boarding points are based on official information from rail, airline, bus and ferry operators. Fares and timetables can change, so check the official websites before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-08