Transfers
There are many different ways to get to Nagano from the major airports in Japan, but it basically breaks down into two categories. Private Transfers, where you are picked up from a location and brought directly to Nagano, or Public Transfers on trains and buses.
Whichever you prefer, we will be happy to arrange it for you.
Private Transfers
Private Transfers in Japan are highly regulated, and must take into account distance traveled, hours driven, pre-departure checks etc.
A transfer is calculated from the time the driver signs in and the bus leaves the depot until the bus returns to the depot and the driver signs out.
Highway tolls are also very expensive in Japan, and must be calculated along the proposed route of travel.
Because of this we handle all charters on an individual quote basis.
Below are some sample rates for reference only.
Bus, driver(s), taxes, highway tolls and fuel on the most direct route with no detours are included in the rates.
Rates do not include parking charges, route detours, late night operation charges (10:00pm – 5:00am), meet and greet service in the airport.
Narita Airport to Nagano
| Vehicle Type | DX Car | Van | Mini Bus | Medium Bus | Large Bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 8-9 | 18 | 27 | 45 |
| Fare | 115,000jpy | 151,300jpy | 256,500jpy | 289,800jpy | 348,200jpy |
| Duration | Duration of Charter with passengers on board is 6 hours / Total charter time is 15 hours | ||||
| Distance | Distance traveled with passengers on board is 420km / Total charter distance is 710km | ||||
Haneda Airport to Nagano
| Vehicle Type | DX Car | Van | Mini Bus | Medium Bus | Large Bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 8-9 | 18 | 27 | 45 |
| Fare | 105,000jpy | 143,800jpy | 177,100jpy | 207,200jpy | 258,300jpy |
| Duration | Duration of Charter with passengers on board is 5.5 hours / Total charter time is 13 hours | ||||
| Distance | Distance traveled with passengers on board is 390km / Total charter distance is 650km | ||||
Chubu Airport to Nagano
| Vehicle Type | DX Car | Van | Mini Bus | Medium Bus | Large Bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 8-9 | 18 | 27 | 45 |
| Fare | 115,000jpy | 151,300jpy | 256,500jpy | 289,800jpy | 348,200jpy |
| Duration | Duration of Charter with passengers on board is 6 hours / Total charter time is 15 hours | ||||
| Distance | Distance traveled with passengers on board is 420km / Total charter distance is 710km | ||||
Nagano Station to Hakuba
| Vehicle Type | DX Car | Van | Mini Bus | Medium Bus | Large Bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 8-9 | 18 | 27 | 45 |
| Fare | 25,000jpy | 28,900jpy | 52,600jpy | 59,600jpy | 72,300jpy |
| Duration | Duration of Charter with passengers on board is 1.5 hours / Total charter time is 5 hours | ||||
| Distance | Distance traveled with passengers on board is 55km / Total charter distance is 128km | ||||
Public Transport
Japan, being a small country with a large population has excellent public transport services. Beginning with the world famous “Shinkansen” Bullet train, there are all sorts of way to get to Nagano. While Tokyo is the main gateway to Nagano, it is not too difficult to get here from Osaka and Nagoya by train, and Fukuoka and Sapporo by air.
Please let us know you arrival plans and we will be able to put together an itinerary that suits your needs.
To use the maps below, click on the top left of the map and check / uncheck the routes.
Narita Airport to Nagano
Narita Airport to Nagano via Tokyo Station
Narita Airport to Nagano via Tokyo Station is probably the easiest route.
At Narita Airport you purchase a ticket for the whole route (as it is JR all the way). Unless you have a good understanding of trains in Japan, it is easier to go to the counter at the stations at Terminal 1 or terminal 2 and purchase from the staff there. Tell them you are heading to Nagano and and they will find the best times for you.
You need to take 2 trains.
The first is the Narita Express. This will take you from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station in about 60 minutes. The Second train is the JR Hokuriklu Shinkansen. This will take you from Tokyo Station to Nagano in about 90-120 minutes. There are 3 different type of train on this line. The “Kagayaki” train is the fastest, followed by the “Hakutaka“, and then there is the “Asama” which is the slowest of all. The “Kagayaki” and “Hakutaka” will show the destination as Kanazawa, but all trains make a stop at Nagano Station.
Tokyo Station is a massive station, and the walk from the Narita Express platform to the Hokuriku Shinkansen platform can take some time, so allow at least 20 minutes between the Narita Express arrival and the Hokuriku Shinkansen departure (A little more if you are carrying golf equipment).
Narita Airport to Nagano via Ueno Station
The route from Narita Airport via Ueno station to Nagano can be a little quicker than the Tokyo Station, but you have to change stations in Ueno, and also make 2 ticket purchases.
At Narita Airport Station, purchase a ticket to Keisei Ueno Station on the “Skyliner“. This is the fastest train from Narita Airport to central Tokyo. The trip takes 35-40 minutes and only makes one stop at Nippori before arriving in Keisei Ueno.
At Keisei Ueno Station you make the short walk to JR Ueno Station. (Exit the ticket gates and turn left, take the escalator up and turn left again, and you can see JR Ueno Station about 100m away).
Once you get to JR Ueno Station, go to the JR ticket counter and purchase a ticket to Nagano. All the trains that run from Tokyo to Nagano make a stop at Ueno.
If it is your first time in Japan, then the JR route on the left is probably the preferred option.
Haneda Airport to Nagano
Haneda Airport to Nagano via Hamamasu Cho and Tokyo Station
While closer to downtown Tokyo than Narita Airport, Haneda Airport requires a minimum of 2 transfers to get to Nagano.
The basic route is:
- Haneda Airport to Hamamatsu Cho – Tokyo Monorail
- Hamamatsu Cho to Tokyo Station – JR Yamanote Line
- Tokyo Station to Nagano – JR Hokuriku Shinkansen Bullet train
Tokyo Monorail
The Tokyo Monorail has stations at all 3 Haneda Airport Terminals. At Terminal 1 and 2, the stations are below ground level, while at terminal the station is on the 2nd floor (arrival lobby floor) or 3rd floor (departure lobby). Terminal 3 is quite convenient, as there is a JR East Service counter there, where you can book your JR tickets at the same time as you get a monorail ticket. If using terminal 1 or 2, then you need to purchase your JR tickets at Hamamatsu Cho Station.
The monorail starts at Terminal 2 (ANA terminal) then heads to Terminal 1(JAL terminal), before going to Terminal 3. Most international flights arrive at Terminal 3, but some now arrive at Terminal 2.
The Tokyo Monorail runs several types of service from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsu Cho. If at all possible get the “” Service which does not stop at any stations except airport stations and Hamamatsu Cho. The “Haneda Express” only takes 13 minutes from Terminal 3 to Hamamatsu Cho Station.
There is also a “Rapid Service”, which stops at a few more stations between the airport and Hamamatsu Cho. This train takes about 15 minutes and makes 3 extra stops along the way.
The slowest train is the “Local” Service which stops at all stations along the way.This train takes 18 minutes from Terminal 3 to Hamamatsu Cho
Transfer at Hamamatsu Cho Station
There are direct connection gates at Hamamatsu Cho Station, but they require that you already have a JR ticket (purchases can be done from Terminal 3). If you do not have a JR ticket, then you need to go out of the exit, then purchase a JR ticket, then go back through the JR ticket gates.
Once in the JR Station, head to platform 1 & 2. Any train that stops at either of these platforms will get you to Tokyo Station. Platform one is the Keihin Tohoku Line (light blue stripe on train), while platform 2 is the Yamanote Line (green stripe on train).
Hamamatsu Cho to Tokyo Station
These trains take about 6-7 minutes to get to Tokyo Station. Most trains will stop at Shinmbahsi and Yuraku Cho along the way, but some trains on the Keihin Tohoku line go direct, without stopping.
Tokyo Station
You will arrive at Tokyo Station at platform 3 or 4. You need to go down the escalator and follow the signs to the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. these trains leave from platforms 20-24. The platform is clearly displayed on the many digital signs.
Tokyo to Nagano
Trains to Nagano have 12 cars. 1-10 are standard cars. Car #11 is Green Glass (grade up), while car #12 is gran class, which is a full service first class service. Heading to Nagano car #12 is the front of the train.
Chubu Airport (Nagoya) to Nagano
Chubu Airport to Nagano via Nagoya City
While is may not seem so, getting from Chubu Airport (Centrair), just south of Nagoya to Nagano is quite easy. It only requires one transfer.
Chubu Airport – Nagoya Station
The Meitestsu Rail Co runs the line between the airport and Nagoya Station. The express train is called the “Myu-Sky”, which runs at up to 120km/h. The “Myu-Sky” takes about 30-40 minutes to cover the distance.
There are also regular commuter trains. Which take between 45 minutes and 60 minutes to make the trip. The “Myu-Sky” is much more comfortable.
Meitetsu Nagano Station to JR Nagoya Station
All Meitetsu trains arrive at Meitetsu Nagoya Station, which is very close to JR Nagoya Station. You can walk indoors the whole way in about 5 minutes. It is well signposted. We recommend leaving about 15 minutes between arrival at Meitetsu Nagoya, and departure from JR Nagoya.
Nagoya Station to Nagano Station
The “Wide View Shinano” runs directly from Nagoya to Nagano. As of writing this, trains leave on the hour, every hour between 7AM and 4PM, then runs at 40 minutes past the hour from 5PM to 8PM.
