Train Tickets from Nagano to Tokyo
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Getting from Nagano to Tokyo by train
Tokyo is easily accessible from Nagano thanks to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, a train that links the capital to Kanazawa on the Japan Sea Coast. Nagano is located among the Japanese Alps, which are traversed by the Shinkansen line as it passes across Honshu Island. Despite being relatively close to one another, the two locations are very different in terms of topography and atmosphere: Nagano is one of the largest prefectures in terms of landmass and undulating terrain, whereas Tokyo is the heavily crowded metropolitan metropolis.
Nagano as a prefecture has a number of major destinations and Shinkansen stops within it, such as Nagano City, Karuizawa, and Ueda. Nagano City is the capital of the prefecture and was home to the 1998 Winter Olympics. It is also a bastion for Japan’s more ancient history, home to Zenko-ji Temple, one of the oldest and most established Buddhist temples in all of Japan.
More information about your journey to Tokyo
Nagano is a fully landlocked prefecture, one of very few in Japan, but it is still rich in natural scenery and gorgeous views. Nagano also boasts a great food culture, known for its luxurious soba and freshwater fish. With a higher elevation and mountainous geography, its climate is much milder in the summer with relatively heavy snowfall in the winter, making it a great destination for winter sports.
Tokyo, the most populated metropolitan area in the world and the capital of Japan, has a plethora of tourist attractions. There is something for everyone, especially those who enjoy taking in the city's rich culture, whether it is in the busy urban districts of Shinjuku or Shibuya or the more refined and relaxed areas of Yoyogi Uehara or Kagurazaka. Tokyo, the most populated metropolitan area in the world and the capital of Japan, has a plethora of tourist attractions.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen traverses 222 kilometers in around 1.5 hours between Nagano and Tokyo, making travel quick and convenient. Onboard amenities make travel comfortable as well, with reclining seats, power outlets, and overhead storage. With windows on the Shinkansen as well, the beautiful scenery of the Japanese Alps is there for travelers to get lost in as they make their way to the metropolitan capital of Tokyo.
Advantages of taking the train from Nagano to Tokyo
How to book your Nagano to Tokyo train tickets?
Shinkansen information
The Hokuriku Shinkansen connects Tokyo and Kanazawa Stations, with stops at Nagano, Niigata, and Toyama. It travels through the majority of the Japanese Alps in central Honshu. Depending on the Shinkansen bullet train being taken, the trip from Nagano Station to Tokyo Station takes around one hour and twenty-four minutes.
See a breakdown of the different Shinkansen available on the Nagano to Tokyo route and where they stop:

More information about your train, Nagano, and Tokyo Station
The path goes through approximately 222 kilometers (138 miles). Reclinable seats, overhead storage, power outlets, and more are available on board! You can be sure that traveling by Shinkansen bullet train will be both efficient and comfortable.
How to get to Nagano Station
Nagano Station is situated in the center of Nagano City, connected to other major stations throughout Nagano Prefecture like Ueda and Karuizawa by Shinkansen, but also to other major destinations like Matsumoto and Jigokudani Monkey Park via dedicated bus. Many destinations within Nagano City are walkable to and from the station, along with a number of commercial spots within the station vicinity.
Where to go from Tokyo Station
The bustling, ornate Tokyo Station is a distinctive attraction for visitors to the capital. Tokyo Station is a near-unrivaled transit hub that serves as a major stop on multiple train lines around the city as well as the terminal station for many Shinkansen bullet trains. Exquisite shopping, a nearby imperial park, and upscale restaurants are all close by; nonetheless, the station is accessible from practically every JR Train Line, Marunouchi Subway Line, Hanzomon Subway Line, and more, providing access to nearly every area of Tokyo.
Why book your train tickets with Japan Experience?
How to exchange train tickets in Japan
When you purchase a train ticket with Japan Experience, you will receive a QR code via email.
To receive your usable tickets, simply scan the QR code at ticket machines located inside stations in Japan and, if asked, enter the phone number associated with your order, which Japan Experience will provide you with.
In lieu of the QR code, the five-digit registration number (beginning with the number “4”) found in the order confirmation email can also be used.
Please find more information below about ticket fares and exchanging your train tickets upon arriving in Japan, whether it is at the airport or at major stations in the city. With your QR code, you will also receive a detailed user guide to guide you through the easy and efficient process of getting your physical train tickets in Japan.
More information about the exchange process, conditions, and validity of train tickets here
How far in advance can I book train tickets?
You can book train tickets in Japan between 9 months prior to your train's departure date and 3 days before departure.
Is there a special train ticket fare for children?
Yes, there are special fares applicable for children. Ages 12 and up are considered adults, but kids aged from 6 to 11 benefit from a reduced fare. Children under the age of 6 travel for free. This free fare is limited to 2 tickets, meaning any additional child under 6 will then pay the classic child fare.
Where to exchange your train tickets in Japan depending on region
In the JR West area (blue), you can exchange your QR code for a physical train ticket at reserved seat ticket machines in stations, or at Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket windows with station staff. In the JR Central area (orange), you can exchange your QR code at reserved seat ticket vending machines at indicated stations. In the JR East area (green), you can exchange your train tickets at Shinkansen stations, major stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and Narita Airport stations.
How to use your train tickets in Japan
To use your train tickets once you have exchanged them, simply head to Nagano Station, insert your train ticket into the automatic gates (don't forget to take it back), and head to the right platform to hop on your train. On board the train, find the seat number that is on your ticket if you have a seat reservation, and enjoy the ride! Once you've arrived in Tokyo, insert the ticket again at the gates upon exiting Tokyo Station, and the city is now yours to explore.
You can find the conditions of modification and cancellation of our train tickets in our “Frequently Asked Questions” section at the bottom of the page.
Eligibility
All persons above the age of 12, with no restrictions on residence status or nationality, are eligible to purchase individual train tickets (unlike the Japan Rail Pass and some JR regional passes, for example). Japanese individuals as well as foreigners living in Japan can thus purchase train tickets online. Under the age of 12, the aforementioned child fare conditions apply.
Validity of train tickets
Train tickets issued are only valid for the date and time indicated on your booking and are to be used only on the Nagano to Tokyo route.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Train Tickets in Japan
Up to 72 hours before departure, you can modify your booking one time free of charge or cancel your booking (with a 15% cancellation fee). Please find more details below.
- How can I cancel or modify my booking?
You can cancel or modify your tickets by contacting Japan Experience by phone or email.
Modifications and cancellation are not possible in stations, neither at ticket machines (even those with a QR code reader) nor at JR counters (except when mentioned by our assistance*).
- What are the cancellation conditions?
You can cancel your train tickets up to 72 hours before departure, with a 15% cancellation fee applied. Past 72 hours before departure, no cancellation can be done.
- What if I miss my train?
If you have missed your train, your tickets allow you to board any train on the same route in the same day – in non-reserved seat cars only.
- What are the modification conditions?
You can modify your booking for free one time up to 72 hours before departure. Any extra modification will result in booking cancellation to make a new order, with a 15% cancellation fee applied.
Past 72 hours before departure, no modifications can be done.
If you want to modify:
- Seat and/or departure time (for e-tickets or e-voucher before paper tickets issued): Japan Experience can modify your booking for free, one time per booking.
- Departure date and/or ticket class: Japan Experience allows you to change your departure date/ticket class free of charge by canceling your order without fees in order to make a new booking. Please note that a new date in a higher travel season or an upper class will result in a price difference.
- Adding or removing passengers from the booking: Adding a passenger is free of charge, you only need to pay the extra ticket price. Removing a passenger equals to canceling the booking for that passenger only, cancellation conditions apply for the removed passenger ticket (15% fee).
- Departure station/arrival station: This change equals a cancellation, with a 15% cancellation fee applied.
*For the rare and only case of cancellation for e-voucher after paper tickets have been issued, you need to request a cancellation at Japan Railways counters (not machines) in stations, up to 10 minutes before departure. JR will refund you around 70% of your order, in cash (JPY ¥). Modifications at JR machines or counters in stations are also possible up to 10 minutes before departure (some fees may apply).
The Shinkansen is the premier form of travel in Japan. “Shinkansen” is the Japanese word for “bullet train,” whose name is derived from the locomotive’s high speeds and shape. They are commonly used for traversing longer distances in Japan.
- There are different types of carriages on the Shinkansen, with different levels of accommodation. The Ordinary Car is the most general seating option, but Shinkansen bullet trains are, by default, more luxurious than other types of trains due to them being built for long-distance travel. These accommodations include reclinable chairs, overhead storage, hooks for outerwear, deployable trays, and electrical outlets.
- The Green Car is the next step up in luxury from the ordinary car, featuring even deeper reclining chairs and more legroom. All seats in these cars need a reservation. The oversized luggage area is also included with a seat on the Green Car.
- The Gran Class Car is much like the Green Car but with even more elevated accommodations. Seats are formatted 2x1, optimizing room, and often, snacks and refreshments are included. Gran Class cars exist only on JR East lines, such as Tokyo <-> Nagano and Tokyo <-> Kanazawa.
Reserving seats on the Shinkansen bullet train isn’t a necessity; however, we do suggest making a reservation during peak travel times, specifically during Spring (sakura season) and during New Year's, for example. Trains may also be crowded during major holidays and events, such as large festivals. You’ll also need to make a reservation for oversized luggage on the Shinkansen.
With over 40 years of dedicated experience dealing specifically with Japan travel and tourism, you can rest assured that we will have the best knowledge and familiarity with getting around the country. Our train tickets are acquired through an official partnership with JR West. We also offer reliable and expert assistance thanks to our onsite team in Japan, flexible modification options, and a fully digital booking experience with no hidden fees.
If your train's departure date is more than one month away from the date of booking, you will receive your QR code approximately a month before departure.
If your train's departure date is less than one month away from the date of booking, you will receive your QR code within 48 hours.
Reminder : you can book train tickets in Japan with Japan Experience between 9 months and 3 days prior to train departure.
If you're traveling with baggage measuring less than 160 cm (length + width + height), you don't need to make an additional reservation, and you can store your baggage in the overhead compartment above your seat.
For baggage measuring more than 160 cm and up to 250 cm (length + width + height), you need to make an advance reservation before you can take your baggage on board the Shinkansen. On board, you'll need to stow your baggage in the areas reserved for bulky luggage, generally located behind the last seats in the car, and in special compartments located between the cars. This includes luggage such as sports equipment, musical instruments and strollers.
Luggage measuring more than 250 cm (length + width + height) is not permitted on board the Shinkansen. Each passenger can take up to two pieces of luggage on board the Shinkansen.
You can find more details about luggage rules aboard the Shinkansen here.
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