Nagano station guide. How to catch the bus to the tourist spots. How to change between Hokuriku Shinkansen and other local trains.

Station information
Exterior of Nagano station from Zenkoji-guchi side
Exterior of Nagano station from Zenkoji-guchi side

Exterior of Nagano station from Zenkoji-guchi side

Nagano is known as Winter Olympic Game host city. That means this place has very good snow. Nagano has many ski slopes, such as Shiga-Kogen, Hakuba, Nozawa-Onsen. Nagano station is the gateway to Shiga-Kogen. In these days, the express bus runs between Nagano and Ogizawa where is the base of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. And please do not forget that Nagano is the gateway to world famous “Snow Monkey” place, “Jigokudani”, a.k.a. “Snow Monkey Park”.

In this post, I would like to explain about Nagano station’s structures with many photos of this station. And I also show you the bus stops around Nagano station and Nagano Dentetsu Nagano station.

Nagano station overview

Limited Express Wide View Shinano arrive and depart between Nagano and Nagoya.

Limited Express Wide View Shinano arrive and depart between Nagano and Nagoya.

Nagano is very accessible from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kanazawa and Toyama. Hokuriku Shinkansen connects Nagano, Tokyo, Kanazawa and Toyama. Limited Express Shinano connects Nagano and Nagoya directly. You can get Nagano from Osaka and Kyoto via either Nagoya or Kanazawa. Trains depart and arrive at Matsumoto from the following destinations:

  • Hokuriku Shinkansen to/from Tokyo, Kanazawa, Toyama
  • Shinonoi line to/from Matsumoto, Nagoya
  • Shinano Railway (a.k.a. Shinano Tetsudo line) to/from Myoko-Kogen, Ueda, Komoro
  • Iiyama line to/from Togarinozawa-Onsen, Tokamachi

And Nagano Railway (a.k.a. Nagano Dentetsu line) has the station underground. This local railway connects Nagano and Yudanaka where is the gateway to Shiga-Kogen. And also the express bus depart and arrive at Nagano station to/from Shiga-Kogen, Snow Monkey Park and Ogizawa (the base of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route).

You may find some more information about the location and route in this region in the links below:

Guide for train access to Nagano, Matsumoto and other places in Shinshu and surrounding area

Nagano station structure, tracks and platforms

There are many signage for overseas travelers. It is very tourist friendly station.

There are many signage for overseas travelers. It is very tourist friendly station.

Before I start to explain, please see the link below. JR East provides the station map in English in the following link:

JR East official site, Nagano station map

Nagano station is two levels structure. On the ground level, there are conventional lines platforms. Shinkansen platforms are a bit higher level than conventional lines, like mezzanine level.

Walkway outside ticket gate is open for public.

Walkway outside ticket gate is open for public.

Nagano station building is on the bridge. This bridge has the walkways both inside and outside the ticket gate. The walkway outside gate connects both side of the station, east side and west side. This walkway is public. Anyone can use this walkway without a ticket to access to other side of the station.

Walkway inside ticket gate

Walkway inside ticket gate

The walkway inside the ticket gate connects all platforms. You can go down to the platforms by stairs, escalators and elevators from the walkway. This walkway is divided by Shinkansen transfer gate. You have to go through Shinkansen transfer gate whenever you change the trains between Shinkansen and conventional line trains.

Shinkansen platfrom

Shinkansen platfrom

Platforms

Track#Lines/TrainsDestination
2Local and Rapid on Shinonoi lineMatsumoto
Local and Rapid on Shinano Tetsudo lineUeda, Komoro, Karuizawa
Local and Rapid on Shinano Tetsudo Kita-Shinano lineToyono, Myoko-Kogen
3Local and Rapid on Shinonoi lineMatsumoto
Local and Rapid on Shinano Tetsudo lineUeda, Komoro, Karuizawa
4Local and Rapid on Iiyama line
Seasonal Rapid, Oykot
Togarinozawa-Onsen Tokamachi
5Local and Rapid on Shinonoi lineMatsumoto
Local and Rapid on Shinano Tetsudo lineUeda, Komoro, Karuizawa
Local and Rapid on Shinano Tetsudo Kita-Shinano lineToyono, Myoko-Kogen
Seasonal Rapid Resort View Furusato via Shinonoi line and Oito lineMatsumoto, Hakuba, Minami-Otari
Local and Rapid on Chuo line (east) via Shinonoi lineMatsumoto, Kamisuwa, Kobuchizawa
Local and Rapid on Iida line via Shinonoi lineMatsumoto, Tatsuno, Iida
6Limited Express Wide View ShinanoMatsumoto, Kiso-Fukushima, Nakatsugawa, Nagoya
Local and Rapid on Shinonoi lineMatsumoto
Local and Rapid on Shinano Tetsudo lineUeda, Komoro, Karuizawa
Local and Rapid on Chuo line (east) via Shinonoi lineMatsumoto, Kamisuwa, Kobuchizawa
7Local and Rapid on Chuo line (east) via Shinonoi lineMatsumoto, Kamisuwa, Kobuchizawa
Local and Rapid on Shinano Tetsudo lineUeda, Komoro, Karuizawa
Local and Rapid on Shinano Tetsudo Kita-Shinano lineToyono, Myoko-Kogen
11,12Hokuriku ShinkansenToyama, Kanazawa
13,14Hokuriku ShinkansenTakasaki, Omiya, Tokyo

Nagano station does not have many tracks. It is not hard to find the platforms and tracks. Most of you take Hokuriku Shinkansen and Limited Express Shinano.

Limited Express Wide View Shinano depart from track #6. All conventional lines tracks, from #2 to #7 are used for all conventional trains of both JR and Shinano Tetsudo line (Shinano Railway). If you intend to take local or rapid train, please check the departure information board to find the track.

Shinano Tetsudo line is not JR. You have to add single fare if you use JR pass. JR Pass does not cover this railway line.

As you see, there are four tracks, #11 to #14, and two platforms for Hokuriku Shinkansen. It has only two directions, bound for Tokyo or bound for Kanazawa. Please make sure which direction you will go before proceeding the platform.

Ticket gate/Exit

Conventional line and Shinano Railway ticket gate

Conventional line and Shinano Railway ticket gate

There are three ticket gates and one Shinkansen transfer gate in Nagano station.

All ticket gates are located on the second level. There are one gate each for Shinkansen and Conventional line to connect to main walkway outside gates. If you stay in Nagano or transfer to other transportation, you will use these gates to exit Nagano station.

Shinkansen ticket gate

Shinkansen ticket gate

There is Shinkansen transfer gate inside ticket gate. This gate divide into walkway inside ticket gates, conventional lines part and Shinkansen part. You will go through this gate when you change Shinkansen and conventional trains.

Shinkansen transfer gate

Shinkansen transfer gate

And there is one more gate in conventional lines part. This gate is called “Midori ticket gate”. It is connected with shopping mall, “Midori”. You can exit the station at this gate too.

The signage of Zenkoji-guchi exit

The signage of Zenkoji-guchi exit

Nagano station has two exit at both east and west sides. West exit is called “Zenkoji-guchi” and this is the primary exit of Nagano station. Zenkoji is very famous temple in Nagano. This is the “Icon” of downtown Nagano. You may visit this temple if you can spend a couple of hours. So most of travelers to visit Nagano use this side.

East side exit

East side exit

Other exit at east side does not have any specific name. It is called just “East exit”. This side is much quieter than Zenkoji-guchi side. But many of express bus depart from this side. If you go to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Shiga-kogen or Snow Monkey Park, you can catch the bus at the bus stop in East exit side. I will explain about bus stops later.

Nagano Dentetsu (a.k.a. Nagano railway or “Nagaden”), Nagano station

The entrance to Nagaden Nagano station is located just beside Zenkoji-guchi exit.

The entrance to Nagaden Nagano station is located just beside Zenkoji-guchi exit.


There is one more station underground Nagano station Zenkoji-guchi side. This is Nagano Dentetsu’s station. Nagano Dentetsu is officially called Nagano Electric Railway. But local residents call this train company, Nagano Dentetsu or “Nagaden” (NAGAno + DENtetsu).

This train company is a local private railway lines. Any of JR deals, such as JR Pass, JR East Pass do not cover this train.

This train connects Nagano and Yudanaka. Yudanaka is one of hot springs towns in mountain side of Nagano. Yudanaka is located on the way to Shiga-Kogen and Snow Monkey Park. You may get these places by this train and local bus from Yudanaka.

I used this train on the way back to Nagano from Snow Monkey Park in February, 2016. Please see the link below to find more information. I shared my experience and how to buy Snow Monkey Pass at Nagano station.

Trip to Tohoku, Chubu and Chugoku in 2016 winter – Part 9, Visit Snow Monkey Park in Nagano

Nagaden ticket window. You can purchase Snow Monkey pass there.

Nagaden ticket window. You can purchase Snow Monkey pass there.

Station structure, ticket gate and platform

Nagaden station ticket gate

Nagaden station ticket gate

This station is small and very simple. There is only one ticket gate. You need to go down one more floor to get the platforms. There are escalators between ground level and ticket gate, and also another elevator connect ticket gate level and platform.

Nagaden station platfom

Nagaden station platfom

There are three tracks and two platforms. You can find the destination at the departure information board.

You may find the detailed information of Nagaden Nagano station at the link below.

Nagaden Group official site, Station information, Nagano Station

Nagano station bus stops

Bus stops at Zenkoji-guchi side

Bus stops at Zenkoji-guchi side

There are many bus stops at both Zenkoji-guchi (west) and East side. At Zenkoji-guchi side, many of city bus arrive and depart. If you intend to visit Zenkoji temple, bus depart from bus stop #1. There are many express bus depart from this side. But express bus to Shiga-Koge, Snow Monkey Park and Ogizawa depart from other side.

At East exit, all bus stops are used for mostly express bus. Very few city bus depart from this side but I do not think you will take a local bus from East exit.

Express bus to Snow Monkey Park and Shiga-Kogen

Nagaden Express Bus to Snow Monkey Park

Nagaden Express Bus to Snow Monkey Park

If you visit Shiga-Kogen or Snow Monkey Park, the bus depart from bus stop #23 and sometimes #24. If you go to Snow Monkey Park, Snow Monkey Pass is highly recommended. It includes return fare between Nagano station and Snow Monkey Park, and admission for Snow Monkey Park. You may choose either express bus or Nagano Dentetsu train + local bus to get Snow Monkey Park. It is much cheaper than purchasing a ticket separately. I put this link above. But I just want to let you know about this link one more time. You will find how to use and purchase Snow Monkey Pass in this link.

Trip to Tohoku, Chubu and Chugoku in 2016 winter – Part 9, Visit Snow Monkey Park in Nagano

Express bus to Ogizawa (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route)

If you intend to take a bus bound for Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, express bus depart from bus stop #25. You may find the timetable at the link below:

Alpico Express Bus bound for Omachi-Onsenkyo, Ogizawa

If you use baggage delivery service of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, you can drop off or pick up at Yamato Transport, Midori Nagano Station Building Depot Center. Please check JR Nagano station map again.

You can find “Midori” at Zenkoji-guchi side in lower part of the map. This place is located in “Midori” at lower right part on second floor. The following link is in Japanese. But you can find the photo of this place. It may help you to find this place easier.

Midori official site

I hope this post will assist you to make a plan to visit Nagano.

Comments

  1. Danielle says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I was wondering where to buy bus tickets at the Nagano station to get to Hakuba?

  2. Tip says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I have read all above comments and there are very useful info.

    Anyway, I will travel from Nagano to Shibu onsen. on 24-Dec’17
    I have 12 min of transit time from Nagano st. to Nagaden line (arrival at Nagano st. on 10.20 and departure on 10.32).

    1. Do you think is it possible for me to catch the Nagano Electric Railway Ltd. Exp. at 10.32?

    2. Can I use SUICA for Nagaden line?

    Please advise.
    Thank you.

  3. Yee Mun says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Nice reading the information above.
    I’ll be travelling this end of December from Narita (by JR) -> Nagano (by Nagaden) -> Yudanaka. I found this timetable on the website. (http://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/nagaden_tt_2015.pdf), if its still in use, there are some timing of trains with red dot, which requires *Change train* at Shinshu-Nakano station. Noticed that the interval given for the change of train is only 2 to 4 minutes. Which means the next train departure time is only 2 to 4 minutes after my train arrival at Shinshu-Nakano. How is that possible?
    How do commuters usually change between Nagaden trains at this station?
    Can we board other timing trains if I miss the next immediate train after my arrival at Shinshu-Nakano?

    Thanks.

    • Hi Yee Mun,

      This transfer time is on purpose.
      It’s very small station and you can go anywhere in this station within 2 minutes. In most cases, you can change trains at same platform.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Trang says:

    Hi,
    Our group will travel from Tokyo to Nagano via shinkansen, then transfer to the Ogizawa-bound express bus. The problem is that the shinkansen arrives at 13:56, while the bus departs at 14:05. Do you think we have enough time to make the transfer? If we miss the bus, we’ll have to wait for 2 hours at the station.

    Actually there’s another shinkansen that arrives at 13:53, but I don’t like it because it’s a little slower than the one I mentioned above. On the other hand, it’s a safer choice… What do you think?

    • Hi Trang,

      You need to hurry but you can do it. But you must understand the direction before arrival. You MUST go to East exit. You will find the bus stops on your left at East exit. I believe there are line up to take a bus for Ogizawa. You can find it easily.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Jacqueline says:

    Hi
    If I am transferring from Nagano station to the express bus to go to Ogizawa. How much time do I need to do the transfer . Is 5 min enough for me to get from the train station to the bus stop? Is the express bus time table accurate? As I like to confirm the departure time to Ogizawa is 1605 or 1620 so I can plan the timing to reach the station . Thank you

  6. Larry Beldner says:

    If taking the bus from Nagano to the Alpine Route, where do you buy the bus ticket, or any of the other bus ticket for travelling around Nagano? I do not see a bus ticket sales office in or near the train station

    • Hi Larry,

      You may purchase it at the gift shop “科の木東口” beside the stairs at east side. The following link is Japanese site but you may find some idea.
      https://www.alpico.co.jp/access/station/nagano_sta_navi_04.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

    • Larry Beldner says:

      Thanks for the help. You have a great site full of good information not available anywhere else. One more question. I will be using the Alpico bus system for several other routes in the area. Is there an Alpico bus center where I can by these, or do I have to buy them at the beginning of each route? Thanks.

      • Hi Larry,

        This retail store is just an agent. This is not the ticket window of Alpico bus. They sell a ticket for the bus which depart from Nagano station east exit only. And also they just sell a ticket and they don’t have the detailed info.

        Cheers,

        Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Amelia says:

    Hi. If i have a couple hours in near nagano station before i go to ashikaga city, what place do you recommend to see near nagano station ? Thanks

  8. Sandra Broom says:

    I want to thank you for your help and have to say this blog is absolutely incredible. It is extremely informative . I would recommend and will share it from my blog.

  9. Sandra Broom says:

    Is there a JR pass that covers Narita airport to Tokyo train station and the shinkansen from Tokyo station to Nagano? I can see there is 2 passes the NEX and the JR EAST but I don’t have a need for the JR EAST pass except to travel from Tokyo to Nagano.

  10. Tricia says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you for your helpful posts!
    I have a few questions:

    If I have the JR-East (Nagano, Niigata) pass, will I be able to travel from Nagano to Matsumoto and Shiojiri on the Limited Express Wide View Shinano? I am assuming that since the pass covers local JR lines to Matsumoto and Shiojiri, it doesn’t matter which train I take to get there after I show the gate attendant my pass?

    Also, would you know what time does the ticket office that sells the Snow Monkey 1 day pass opens?

    Thank you so much!

    Cheers,
    Tricia

    • Hi Tricia,

      You can take any trains to get Matsumoto and Shiojiri. Of course you can take Wide View Shinano.

      Nagano railway office opens around 6:00 because the first train departs at 6:21.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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