Getting around Nagano: From Tokyo, Nagoya and into the mountains

Compare official travel-time estimates to Nagano and Matsumoto, regional rail and bus connections, JR pass limits and transfers needed for Kamikochi.

Last checked:

  • Nagano
  • Transport
  • Independent travel

For transport in Nagano, first decide whether your destination is Nagano Station, Matsumoto Station or Kamikochi. This page uses Nagano Prefecture’s official tourism information and Kamikochi’s official website (checked 2026-10-28). All times listed are overview estimates from official sources; actual journeys vary by service. Official sources do not provide the total fare actually payable for each transport mode between Nagano and Matsumoto or a pass covering the entire prefecture, so neither is given. Return to the Nagano travel guide.

Key points

  • Tokyo to Nagano Station: 90 to 100 minutes on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, about 3 trains per hour.
  • Shinjuku to Matsumoto: 150 minutes on the Azusa limited express (); 3 hours 20 minutes by express bus.
  • Nagano to Matsumoto: approximately 50 minutes on the Shinano limited express ().
  • Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass cannot be used on private railways.
  • Kamikochi: take the Kamikochi Line from Matsumoto Station to Shin-Shimashima Station, then a bus or taxi; the official site estimates 1 hour 30 minutes in total.

Getting to Nagano Prefecture

Nagano Prefecture’s official tourism information:

Route Transport and estimated time
Tokyo to Nagano Station Hokuriku Shinkansen 90 to 100 minutes, about 3 trains hourly, with some continuing to Kanazawa; express bus 3 hours 40 minutes (from Shinjuku, Ikebukuro or Akihabara, operated by Alpico or WILLER), approximately hourly, with overnight buses also available
Shinjuku to Matsumoto Azusa limited express 150 minutes; Alpico express bus 3 hours 20 minutes to Matsumoto Bus Terminal, approximately hourly
Nagoya to Nagano JR Shinano limited express 3 hours, sometimes slightly delayed; overnight bus 5 hours 30 minutes
Nagoya to Matsumoto JR Shinano limited express 2 hours; Alpico express bus 3 hours 30 minutes
Kyoto or Osaka to Nagano or Matsumoto Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya (35 to 70 minutes), transfer to Shinano for Nagano (3 hours) or Matsumoto (2 hours); overnight bus about 7 to 8 hours for Nagano or 6.5 to 7.5 hours for Matsumoto
Matsumoto Airport Domestic flights to/from Sapporo (90 minutes), Fukuoka (110 minutes) and Kobe (60 minutes); approximately 30 minutes by bus to central Matsumoto
  • The official source also lists Chuo Taxi airport transfers from Narita and Haneda (book at least 6 days ahead), with an example fare of 13,500 yen per person for Nagano City. This is an example, not a fixed fare.

Getting around Nagano Prefecture

Route Official information
Nagano to Matsumoto Shinano limited express about 50 minutes; express bus about 90 minutes (weekdays only)
Karuizawa to Matsumoto Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano (30 minutes), then Shinano (50 minutes); or Shinano Railway to Shinonoi (65 minutes), then Shinano (40 minutes)
Driving Self-driving is possible across the prefecture; in winter, four-wheel drive and snow tyres are required because of snow and ice on the roads

Railways and passes

Item Official information
JR lines Iiyama Line, Oito Line, Chuo Line, Shinonoi Line, Iida Line and Koumi Line
Private railways Nagano Electric Railway, Ueda Electric Railway Bessho Line, Alpico Kamikochi Line, Shinano Railway and Shinano Railway Kita-Shinano Line
Rail passes Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass cannot be used on private railways. The official page does not specify which JR lines are covered by each pass; check before departure
Seat tickets The Hokuriku Shinkansen and limited express services require seat and limited express tickets
Discounts Some private railways offer discounted tickets for sightseeing destinations

Kamikochi

Kamikochi’s official website:

Item Information
Train and bus Take the Kamikochi Line from Matsumoto Station to Shin-Shimashima Station, then a scheduled bus or taxi; about 1 hour 30 minutes altogether. The official page does not name the bus company
Vehicle restrictions Year-round car restrictions: private cars (including motorcycles) must stop before Kama Tunnel. Park outside and take a shuttle bus or taxi
Recommended parking For drivers from Matsumoto, the official website recommends Sawando parking, about 1 hour from Matsumoto, then about 30 minutes by shuttle or taxi to Kamikochi
Shuttle buses The official page mentions shuttle buses but does not list times, fares or routes
Opening season Not stated on this page

Further reading: Chubu travel guide, route and timetable search tools and JR Pass and regional passes.

Sources