Tokyo to Nagano

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Nagano, host of the 1998 Winter Olympics and gateway to the Japanese Alps, is barely more than an hour from Tokyo on the Shinkansen — close enough that the snow monkeys of Jigokudani and the mountain towns beyond make an easy day trip or a relaxed overnight stop. Here is how to get there and on to the monkey park.

The quickest way: the Hokuriku Shinkansen

The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo Station to Nagano in about 1 hour 20 minutes, with frequent departures through the day — often two or three an hour at busy times. This is the line that continues on toward Kanazawa and the Sea of Japan coast, so Nagano is really just the first major stop rather than the end of the route.

Reservations are not compulsory on every Hokuriku Shinkansen service, since some trains carry unreserved cars, but booking a seat is sensible in ski season (roughly December to March) and during the autumn foliage weeks, when demand for both the train and the monkey park spikes. The Japan Rail Pass covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen in full, making this one of the best-value legs to build into a wider pass itinerary.

The cheapest way: the long-distance bus

Highway buses connect Tokyo (usually from Shinjuku) with Nagano in around 3.5–4.5 hours, at a noticeably lower fare than the Shinkansen. It is a sensible option if you are not using a rail pass and are not in a hurry, though on a route this short the time saved by the train is often worth the extra cost for most travellers. For general planning of overland trips around the country, see our guide to Japan overland.

The fastest door-to-door: not really an option here

There is no meaningful flying option for Tokyo to Nagano — the distance is too short and the nearest airports are inconvenient for the city and the mountains beyond it. The Shinkansen already delivers you to the centre of Nagano faster than any combination involving a flight, so this is one route where the question of "quickest door-to-door" is settled entirely in the train's favour.

The scenic way: driving

The drive from Tokyo is roughly 220 km and takes about 3–3.5 hours via the Joshin-etsu Expressway, more in winter conditions or heavy snow. A car is genuinely useful once you are in Nagano Prefecture, since it opens up the wider mountain area — the Japan Alps, Matsumoto Castle, and ski resorts such as Hakuba — that are otherwise reached by connecting local trains and buses. See our guide to driving in Japan if winter driving and snow tyres are new territory for you.

Getting to the Jigokudani snow monkeys

The famous hot-spring monkeys are not in Nagano city itself but near Yudanaka, reached by a local train from Nagano Station on the Nagaden Line (about 45 minutes), followed by a bus and then a walk of around 30 minutes through the forest to the bathing pools. Combined with the Shinkansen from Tokyo, the whole trip works comfortably as a long day out, though staying overnight in the Shibu Onsen hot-spring town nearby makes for a much less rushed visit and lets you catch the monkeys at quieter times of day.

Which should you choose?

The Hokuriku Shinkansen is the obvious choice for speed and comfort, especially if you already hold a rail pass. The bus suits a tighter budget when time is not critical, and driving earns its keep only if you plan to explore further into the Japan Alps once you arrive. If you are flying into Tokyo first, see our Tokyo airport to the city guide, and for a different Shinkansen day trip north of the capital, see Tokyo to Sendai. Browse more journeys from the capital on our route guides hub.

Finding your platform at Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station is enormous, and the Hokuriku Shinkansen departs from a specific set of Shinkansen platforms separate from the regular JR lines — follow the "Shinkansen" signage rather than the general JR East departure boards, and allow at least 15–20 minutes to navigate the station on a first visit, particularly if you are also changing from another line to reach it. Unreserved cars fill up quickly on busy departures, so if you have not booked a seat, position yourself near the marked unreserved-car doors on the platform to improve your chances of a seat together with your group.

Luggage and comfort on board

Shinkansen carriages have overhead racks suited to standard carry-on bags, plus a small amount of space behind the last row of seats for larger suitcases — on busier trains this space fills fast, so it is worth reserving a seat in the last row if you are travelling with big luggage, or using the oversized-baggage reservation system that applies on some Shinkansen services. Nagano-bound trains are comfortable for the roughly 80-minute journey, with power outlets at most seats and a trolley service on many departures. If you are heading on to the monkey park or a ski resort with bulky winter gear, the extra luggage space near the doors is genuinely useful.

Winter and seasonal notes

Nagano Prefecture is one of Japan's premier winter sports regions, and the Shinkansen runs reliably even in heavy snow — a major advantage over driving, when the Joshin-etsu Expressway can require snow tyres or chains and conditions can slow the journey considerably. Ski season (roughly December to March) sees the heaviest demand for both the train and onward buses to resorts such as Hakuba, so booking ahead is worthwhile. The Jigokudani snow monkeys are at their most photogenic with snow on the ground, making winter a particularly popular time for that side trip despite the cold.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the train take from Tokyo to Nagano?

About 1 hour 20 minutes on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, with frequent departures throughout the day.

How do I get from Nagano to the snow monkeys at Jigokudani?

Take a local Nagaden Line train from Nagano to Yudanaka (about 45 minutes), then a bus and a roughly 30-minute forest walk to the monkey park.

Is the Japan Rail Pass valid on this route?

Yes, the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Is there a direct flight or is the train always faster?

There is no practical flight option for this route — the Shinkansen is both the fastest and most convenient way to travel.