The limited express train Shinano runs between Nagano (長野) and Nagoya (名古屋). When you go to Japan Northern Alps, take this train to Matsumoto (松本), and transfer to a local train on Oito line bound for Shinano-Omachi (信濃大町), Hakuba (白馬) and Minami-Otari (南小谷). And also this train goes through the Kiso vallery which has some small histrical post towns, such as Tsumago, Magome
I will explain about this train in this article.
Route, schedule and trip time
It takes about 3 hours to get to Nagano from Nagoya. Most of Shinano depart from both side Nagoya and Nagano once every hour at :00.
View Limited Express Shinano in a larger map
Stations
Nagoya (名古屋) | x |
---|---|
Kanayama (金山駅) | * |
Chigusa (千種) | x |
Tajimi(多治見) | x |
Ena (恵那) | * |
Nakatsugawa (中津川) | x |
Nagiso (南木曽) | * |
Agetsu (上松) | * |
Kiso-Fukushima (木曽福島) | x |
Shiojiri (塩尻) | x |
Matsumoto (松本) | x |
Akashina (明科) | * |
Hijirikogen (聖高原) | * |
Shinonoi (篠ノ井) | x |
Nagano (長野) | x |
Seat and facilities
The Shinano is serviced by 383 series. The seat configuration is 2+2 for both Green and Ordinary. Green car is car#1. It has a huge glass window at the cockpit. If you get a seat at the very front row when you go to Nagano, you will enjoy beautiful sceneries. The seat pitch is 1,160mm in Green class and 1,000mm in an ordinary class. 1,000mm in Ordinary is bigger than the standard of an ordinary class.
*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.
Train formation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
G | R | R | R | NR | NR |
Smoking is not allowed on this train.
Extra cars may be added for peak seasons.
Images
Green seat
Ordinary seat
Sanitary space
At last
I got on this train from Nagoya to Matsumoto and dropped by Magome. Please see the link below to find my trip report:
This train is fully covered by Japan Rail Pass with no restriction.
I hope you will enjoy a trip on this train to Nagano and Matsumoto.
Comments
Planning 6n Dec 3-9,2016 flying mla-nagoya-mla to do daytrips. Is a JR pass all we need to explore some nearby towns like Mie, Inuyma, Imai, Naramachi, Kobe..
Hi Balu,
You can visit Kobe by JR pass. Inuyama is not covered by JR train. You have to take Meitetsu railway that is not covered by JR pass.
Regarding Mie, which part of Mie do you mean? And if you mean that Naramachi is southern area of Nara near Koriyama station, that is covered. If you mean just Nara, it’s covered anyway.
I don’t understand where Imai is.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi good evening.
We are planning to travel to Japan from August 9-24. And we have purchased a JR Pass already. On August 14, we will be travelling from Osaka to Nagano. From the map I have seen, and from previous discussions here, it looks like we can take the Shinano Limited Express train. Is that covered by our JR Pass?
Hi Amai,
Actually Shinano is no longer run between Osaka and Nagano. It was discontinued in this past March. It runs between Nagoya and Nagano only, so you need to transfer at Nagoya now.
Sorry for your inconvenience. I will update this article later.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Is the Shinano Limited Express (wide view) train from Nagoya to Matsumoto covered by JR rail pass?
Thank you,
Minnie
Hi Minnie,
Yes, it’s covered fully.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi
Pls advise how to go from Nagoya airport to Nagano? We will be arriving into Nagoya at 0815hrs on 16 Dec 2016. Do we need to buy our tickets in advance? If yes, how much? Where can we buy them? Does it operate hourly?
Thanks,
Val
Hi Valerie,
There is no direct way to get Nagano from Nagoya airport. You have to go to Nagoya station from the airport at first. Please see the link below to find the info about access to Nagoya station from the airport:
http://www.centrair.jp/en/to_and_from/access/train.html
And then take Limited Express Shinano from Nagoya to Nagano. You can find the timetable and the fare at hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
You cannot purchase a ticket for Limited Express Shinano at either online or airport. After arrival JR Nagoya station, you can purchase it at the ticket window.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
Am planning a trip to Kyoto, Kanazawa and tateyama-kurobe-alpine-route in Apr 2016. We plan to make use of the Kansai Hokuriku Area JR Pass but wondering if it covers all the routing below:
Day 1 – Kyoto – Yoshinoyama (Kintetsu)
Day 2 – Kyoto – Kagaonsen (Ltd. Express Shirasagi)
Day 3 – Kanazawa – Toyama, to start the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine tour.
Day 4 – Tour drop off at 17:00 at Matsumoto, looking to travel all the way back to Kyoto. Wondering if the Ltd. Exp Shinano and Shinkansen Hikari are covered by the Pass.
Day 5 & 6 – Kyoto – city center and Airport.
Appreciate your help!
Hi Lotus,
Unfortunately Kansai Hokuriku Pass does not cover Matsumoto to Kyoto by Shinano and Hikari, and trip to Yoshino by Kintetsu either.
The best option is single ticket.
But you may use Kyoto city deal for staying in Kyoto and use Haruka discount ticket from Kyoto to KIX.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html#Price
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Trying to get to Nagoya airport to Shiga Grand Hotel
〒381-0401 Nagano-ken Shimotakai-gun Yamanouchi-machi Hirao 7149-16 Shiga Kogen Ichinose. What is the best and fastest route.
Hi Scott,
Meitetsu railway from Chubu airport to Nagoya
Limited express Shinano from Nagoya to Nagano
Bus to Shiga Kogen from Nagano
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello.
We are hoping to catch the shinano #16 from Matsumoto to Osaka on Thursday 14th of January. Would you be able to tell us the cost of a standard seat.
Thank you very much.
Hi Jasper,
You may find it at Hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Would you mind provide me the timetable and fee table of JR Wide View Shinano Limited Express from Nagoya to Matsumoto and JR Otto Line from Matsumoto to Hakuba Valley? Thanks a lot!
Regards,
Andy
Hi Andy,
Please use Hyperdia to find it.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, we would like to take our family from Osaka to Nagano on the Wide View. It’s a long trip but that’s okay. Is there a meal service on the train or just snack foods? Also, we will have suitcases. Where do we put those on this train? Thank you.
Hi Jon,
Actually there is no meal service and no cart on board service either. You must get something to eat and drink before on board.
Luggage is always issue when you travel in Japan by train. You have to keep it in your space. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/baggage/managing-luggage-how-to-carry-your-baggage-on-board-and-how-to-store-your-baggage-at-the-station.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Tak San,
ON June 15th I arrive back from Koyasan to Osaka.
June 16th-17th I want to take the kids to see Togakushi and JIgokudani for (ninja museum and monkey onsen view)
Can you suggest possibilities if we leave early from Osaka on 16th and stay overnight in Nagano area somewhere or even in Togakushi village. http://www.ninjamura.com
DO you suggest to do this or visit another Ninja museum 2 hours from Kyoto in a day trip. The advantage of Nagano is to see Jigokudani as well.
The plan is then to goto Sapporo from Osaka on 17th or 18th. We can adjust based on your suggestion.
Thanks
Hi BSan,
I think you can take your kids to Togakushi. But it will be a long trip from Osaka. It takes about 4 hours from Osaka to Nagano by Shinkansen and Ltd Exp Shinago (Nagoya-Nagano). And then take a bus from Nagano to Togakushi for another one hour. So you will spend 5 hours to get there. If you leave Osaka around 7 am, you will be there around noon. You still have half day to enjoy Togakushi.
I cannot compare Kyoto Ninja village and Togakushi Ninja village because I have never been both of those.
If you and your kids are okay to take 5 hours trip, you can go for it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your blog. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same topics?
Hello,
I have never seen the blog that tells us about Limited express Shinano in English. But if you need some info about the rail travel in Japan, this blog shows you some info.
Takeshi / JP Rail