Temari-sushi making

The most direct and efficient way to reach Tokyo from Nagano is by Shinkansen, via the Hokuriku line. Trains depart from Nagano Station and arrive at Tokyo Station. Tickets can be purchased at JR ticket offices (Midori-no-Madoguchi), at vending machines in stations, or online. For Japan Rail Pass holders, a reservation is required and can be made at the same ticket offices or via certain online services. We advise you to reserve your seats, especially during peak hours or holiday periods. Shinkansen trains are renowned for their punctuality, comfort, and orderly baggage management. Specific compartments are sometimes available for oversized luggage by reservation.

The cost of a Shinkansen ticket between Nagano and Tokyo generally ranges between 8,000 and 9,000 yen for a reserved ordinary class seat. The price may slightly differ depending on the seat type (non-reserved, reserved, Green Car) and any promotions. Children benefit from reduced fares. It is important to note that the Japan Rail Pass covers this journey, offering an economical option for travelers planning several long trips in Japan.

The duration of the Shinkansen journey between Nagano and Tokyo depends on the service taken.
The fastest service, the Kagayaki, completes the trip in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The Asama service, which serves more intermediate stations, generally takes between 1 hour 40 minutes and 2 hours.
We recommend checking schedules and specific stops at the time of booking to choose the train that best suits your needs.

To minimize intermediate stops and optimize your travel time between Nagano and Tokyo, we recommend choosing the Kagayaki service. This service is designed to be the fastest, with a limited number of stops between the two cities.
The Asama service, on the other hand, stops at more stations along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. Although it offers more flexibility in terms of schedules, its travel time is slightly longer due to these additional stops. The choice between Kagayaki and Asama will therefore depend on your priority between speed and a wider choice of schedules.