Train Tickets from Tokyo to Nagano

Tokyo, the capital city of Japan and the most populous metropolitan area in the world, offers a wealth of sights and activities for tourists. Whether in the more laid-back and elegant neighborhoods of Yoyogi Uehara or Kagurazaka or in the bustling urban districts of Shinjuku or Shibuya, there is something for everyone, especially those who like soaking in the city's diverse culture. 

There are a number of Shinkansen train stations to get off at within Nagano due to this large landmass, including Karuizawa Station, Ueda Station, and Nagano Station. It’s the latter that stops directly in the prefecture's capital, Nagano City, the site for the 1998 Winter Olympics. There are plenty of sites to check out in commemoration of the games that closed out the last century at the Nagano M Wave Building. Also, be sure to check out the iconic Zenkoji Temple, right in the city center, to see one of the oldest religious establishments in all of Japan!

Types of Shinkansen

Reclinable seats, overhead storage, power outlets, and more are available on board! You can be sure that traveling by Shinkansen will be both efficient and comfortable. The Hokuriku Shinkansen Line is operated by Japan Railways (JR), the largest rail company in Japan. Tickets booked with Japan Experience are issued through an official partnership with JR West, meaning you are dealing directly with the train operator that will take you from Tokyo to Nagano. The Shinkansen trains that go out to Nagano on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line include the Kagayaki, Hakutaka, and Asama.

How to get to Tokyo Station

The main Shinkansen train departure point in Tokyo, Tokyo Station, is located in the heart of the city at the intersection of several public transportation routes. The Chuo, Keiyo, Sobu, and Yamanote Lines are among the JR lines that stop at Tokyo Station. In addition, Tokyo Station serves as the terminal for several bus routes, the Marunouchi Metro Line, and airport transfers.

Where to go from Nagano Station

Nagano Station is at the center of Nagano City, making it the primary point of transportation within the city and for much of Nagano Prefecture as a whole. There are a number of buses that depart from the station, moving throughout the city and to other locations in the region. The Gururin Bus Route goes around Nagano City, and the Binzuru City Bus Line goes out towards Zenkoji Temple. Out to the temple from the station, it takes only 15 minutes via bus. A bit farther out, the trip to Jigokudani Monkey Park takes about 1.5 hours with a direct bus, home to a large number of Japanese Macaque monkeys that use the onsen hot springs of Nagano to stay warm in winter. Nagano Station is a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen that goes between Tokyo and Kanazawa. Other stops within Nagano Prefecture include Ueda and Karuizawa.

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 Tokyo 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 Nagano, insert the ticket again at the gates upon exiting Nagano Station, and the city is now yours to explore. 

Modification and Cancellation

Order cancellation

Customers have up to 3 working days prior to their departure date to cancel their train ticket orders as long as they have not scanned the corresponding QR code and exchanged for their physical train tickets. A 15% cancellation fee will be charged, and the QR code will be instantly deactivated upon order cancellation. Cancellation of only a portion of the booking is not possible. 

For train ticket orders that have already had the corresponding QR code scanned and where the tickets have been received, or orders in less than 3 working days before departure, orders may be canceled at JR Station offices in the departure city up to 10 minutes before your train departure, where a refund will be issued with a 5%-10% cancellation fee, depending on the station and office. This refund will be made in cash in Japanese yen. 

Cancellation cannot be done at ticket machines. Please note JR Central offices can only cancel routes running through JR Central lines. 

Past the day and time of departure, refunds cannot be issued, regardless if the corresponding QR code has been used or not, and regardless if customers have received their physical tickets or not. Note that however, if you missed the departure train of the time, you can still board the next trains within 1 hour, in non-reserved seats.

These cancellation conditions still apply after one modification, according to the modification conditions below.

Order modification 

If you want to modify:

• Departure time on the same day OR seat for another seat except luggage seat:

Japan Experience can modify one time, free of charge, your booking if the corresponding QR code has not been used AND if it is NOT within 3 working days of the departure date. 

You will then be sent a new QR code to use at JR stations to exchange for your new tickets.

Otherwise, you will need to go to JR station machines to exchange your QR code to receive your tickets and then change the departure time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to your train departure.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information.

• Departure date, route, seat for luggage seat, number of seats in the booking: 

Japan Experience cannot modify your booking. You will need to go to JR station machines to exchange QR code to receive your tickets and change time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to departure. There may be a difference in fare to be paid on the spot.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information. 

• If you have made a mistake in your departure date or number of seats, you have to make a new booking online. Japan Experience will allow you to cancel your previous order free of charge. Kindly note that modifications for the new issued tickets won't be possible.

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 Tokyo to Nagano route.