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
Konichiwa,
I am travelling on 12 November from Takayama to Yudanaka (nearest station to Snow Monkey).
I know I need to take a bus from Takayama to Matsumoto. From there, I understand that I can take the Limited Express Wide View Shinano from Matsumoto to Nagano.
I have been searching online on booking the train from Matsumoto to Nagano but I can’t seem to find anything.
Can you please advise as we are coming from Malaysia and wish to confirm all transportation arrangements prior to arriving Japan.
Also, we need to travel from Nagano station to Shinjuku / Tokyo station via Shinkansen. How and where can we buy the tickets beforehand.
Thank you . …arigato!
Hi Dee,
Unfortunately you cannot book a seat for Wide View Shinano outside Japan. You need to book it after you arrive in Japan.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
You can book and purchase a ticket for Shinkansen from Nagano to Tokyo in the site below.
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.4778995.1325107855.1421419524
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi San
Konichiwa. Thank you so much for your advice…it really helps.
Arigato and have a good day
No worries, Dee san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I wanted to ask about Shinonoi Station – I have to transfer from a Limited Express Shinano to a Shinano Tetsudo train, but the timetable doesn’t leave much time for a transfer, so I wanted to check if it is possible.
I found this map of the station http://www.jreast.co.jp/estation/stations/801.html – would you know which platforms I would be arriving (Limited Express Shinano) and departing (Shinano Tetsudo) from?
Thank you!
Hi CY,
#1 Bound for Matumoto or Bound for Komoro, Ueda, Karuizawa
#2 and #3 Bound for Nagano
So if you arrive by Shinano from Matsumoto, Nagoya or southern part of the place, you will be arriving at #2 or #3. And you will transfer to Shinano Tetsudo train at #1. If you do opposite way, you will move from #1 to #2 or #3. There are lots of signage and it will be shown in English too. You will be okay. You can change trains in even couple of minutes.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san, need your advise again..
More change to my itinerary: –
Day 1: Narita -> direct to Shibu Onsen
Day 2: Shibu Onsen -> Nagano Station
Day 3: Around Nagano
Day 4: Nagano to Kanazawa
Day 5: Kanazawa to Nagoya
Day 6: Around Nagoya (maybe go Shirakawa/Takayama)
Day 7: Nagoya to Chubu Centrair International Airport
Based on the revised plan, your advise is much appreciated.
Thanks & regards,
Jen
Hi Jen san,
If you visit Takayama and Shirakawago, you should visit there on the way to Nagoya from Kanazawa.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
It’s just wasting time if you go there from Nagoya as day trip.
Single ticket is your choice anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I see.. Do I still get the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass, on top of the single ticket in this case?
Hi Jen san,
If you make a day trip to Takayama/Shirkawago from Nagoya, you need it. But if you drop by there on the way to Nagoya, it’s not required.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Appreciate your advice on which JR Pass I should get for my itinerary: –
Day 1: Narita Int’l Airport to Nagano
Day 2 – 3: Around/day trips from Nagano
Day 4: Nagano to Nagoya
Day 5: Around Nagoya
Day 6: Day trip to Shirakawago/Gokayama/Takayama
Day 7: Nagoya to Chubu Centrair International Airport
Many thanks,
Jen
Hi Jen san,
You have two options.
1. JR Pass 7 days
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
2. Single ticket to Nagoya from Narita via Nagano, and Takayama Hokuriku area pass
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
You may not be able to get the worth of JR pass 7 days. But if you make a day trip outside Nagano on day 2 and/or 3, it may work. Otherwise take option 2.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thanks for the super quick response.
Re option 2: Single ticket to Nagoya from Narita via Nagano
a) As I would be staying in Nagano for 3 days before going to Nagoya, can this single ticket still be used on Day 4 (since I would have used it on my 1st day already)
b) Can I buy this ticket from Narita Airport Terminal 1? JR East Travel Service Centre?
c) Is there a name for this single ticket?
Thanks!
Jen
Hi Jen san,
1. Yes, you can. You can purchase a ticket for Narita airport – Tokyo – Nagano – (via Matsumoto) – Nagoya route. You can make a stopover at Nagano. It’s valid for 4 days if you take this route.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
2. Yes, you can.
3. No. It’s just a regular ticket.
I want to tell you one more thing. When you go to Nagoya from Nagano, sometimes Nagano-Tokyo-Nagoya route is faster than Nagano-Matsumoto-Nagoya route. In the distance, Nagano-Matusmoto-Nagoya route is much shorter, but if you take Nagoyan-Tokyo-Nagoya route, you will take two Shinkansen trains which are much faster. If you take this route, trip time may be shorter. But in this case, JR pass is your choice because of distance and Shinkansen surcharge.
If you are overwhelmed and it’s too complicated, you can use JR pass 7 days. Takayama Hokuriku area pass covers bus to Shirakawago but JR pass does not cover. If you use JR pass, you need to add bus fare.
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Yes, it does get a little complicated..
If I get the JR pass 7 day,
– I saw from Hyperdia: from Nagano to Nagoya, there is a direct train LTD. EXP (WIDE VIEW) SHINANO 8
– Can the JR pass be used on the Ltd Exp trains?
Thanks & regards,
Jen
Hi Jen san,
Yes, you can. But if you use this train, single ticket + Takayama Hokuriku area pass is cheaper than JR pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail
Hi Takeshi san,
There is a slight change in my itinerary:
Day 1: Narita -> direct to Shibu Onsen
Day 2: Shibu Onsen -> Nagano city
Day 3: Around Nagano
Day 4: Around Nagano
Day 5: Nagano to Nagoya
Day 6: Around Nagoya
Day 7: Nagoya to Chubu Centrair International Airport
I am not sure if I will go to Shirakawago/Gokayama/Takayama.. If I don’t, is it still worthwhile to get the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass?
Thanks & regards,
Jen
Sorry, I forgot to also ask..
If I decide to go to Takayama/Shirakawago from Nagano, can I use the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass?
Thanks & regards,
Jen
Hi Jen san,
If you don’t go to Takayama and Shirakawago, Takayama Hokuriku area pass is not required. JR pass is not required either. Just use regular ticket.
If you go to Takayama and Shirakawago from Nagano, Takayama Hokuriku area pass and JR pass are not required either. If you do this, your route is the following:
Nagano (train) Matsumoto (bus) Takayama (bus) Shirakwago (bus) Takayama (bus) Nagoya
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/matsumoto.pdf
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/nagoya.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san. We are thinking of traveling to Japan in June. I wanted to go up to Matsumoto for 1-2 nights. Will the 7 day JR pass cover the Shinkansen Hikari (Osaka to Nagoya) and the Shinano 3/10 (Nagoya to Matsumoto)?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Ashish san,
Yes. Those trains are covered fully.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
Apologies for my late reply! Your mail ended up in my spam folder. Thank you very much for answering my question re Osaka to Matsumoto.
Apologies,
Ashish
No worries, Ashish san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Which Japan Rail pass should I buy from Nagoya to Takayama and Komagane (in Nagano)?
Hi Vivique,
If you have round trip to Takayama from Nagoya and intend to visit Shirakawago, you can use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
But it’s too expensive for one way trip. Single fare is cheaper.
Komagane is not covered by any deals.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good morning,
could you please help me to find timetable of this train “shinano” limited edition? I need it to plan my roundtrip from Nagoya to Nakatsugawa in march/april 2017.
Thanks a lot in advance
Dario
Hi Dario,
All trains schedule can be found at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
However JR will revise timetable in March 4th. The revised timetable is not available in Hyperdia yet. I don’t think it will be a big change. You may use the result by Hyperdia now. And recheck the schedule sometimes in late February. You will find the update info.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Stopped at Shiojiri from Otsuki to board Shinano to Nagano unfortunately the station was limited in English info so I boarded Shinonoi line instead, which is 30 minutes slower. Damn does the Shinano use different line than Shinonoi Line? I should have stopped at Matsumoto which is larger station than Shiojiri, since obviously larger stations do have more English info than smaller ones.
Is Limited Express Shinano, from Matsumoto to Nagano cover under JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)?
Hi Crystal,
Yes, it is.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
What is schedule of Shinano train leaving form Osaka to Matsumoto
Hi Satyajit,
As I mentioned in the link above, Osaka to Matsumoto/Nagano direct trip was discontinued. You have to transit at Nagoya. Please find the timetable 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