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Nagano Station is the starting point for trips to Zenkoji Temple, Snow Monkey Park, Hakuba, and other destinations. With Shinkansen, local rail, buses, ticket services, and luggage facilities in one place, it is a convenient base for onward travel.
This guide helps you understand the station quickly, choose the right exit, and continue your trip with confidence.
Nagano Station is a Hokuriku Shinkansen stop and a regional transport hub for Nagano City and the wider region.
Nagano is in central Japan, northwest of Tokyo. Unlike Kyoto and Osaka, it is not on the Tokaido Shinkansen corridor. From Tokyo, Nagano Station is directly connected by the Hokuriku Shinkansen, while travelers coming from Kyoto or Osaka generally need to make a connection.
Once you arrive, Nagano Station is a useful gateway to destinations across Nagano Prefecture. From the station, you can continue by train, bus, or a combination of both to destinations such as Zenkoji Temple, Snow Monkey Park, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen, and Matsumoto.
Nagano Station is centered around the main concourse on the second floor, which connects the East Exit and Zenkoji Exit. Most JR ticketing, information, and transfer facilities are located around this level.
Use the official station map to confirm exact gate, bus-stop, and connecting-route locations, especially if you have a tight connection.
Nagano Station has two main exits. Use the Zenkoji Exit for Zenkoji Temple and the East Exit for direct buses to Snow Monkey Park, Hakuba, and Shiga Kogen.
Exit | Main Use | Examples |
East Exit | Express and long-distance buses to mountain and sightseeing destinations | Snow Monkey Park, Hakuba, Shiga Kogen |
Zenkoji Exit (west exit) | Local buses for Zenkoji and Togakushi, taxi stands, and direct access to the station building | Zenkoji Temple, Togakushi, MIDORI Nagano |
Use the East Exit for express and long-distance buses to Snow Monkey Park, Hakuba, and Shiga Kogen. These buses depart from stops 21–26 outside the East Exit.
Confirm your exact stop number on station signs or with the bus operator before boarding.
Use the Zenkoji Exit for Zenkoji Temple. You can reach the temple by local bus or on foot along the main approach. If you prefer to walk, allow about 25–30 minutes from the station.
Local buses toward Togakushi also leave from this side. Check the current bus stop and timetable before traveling to Zenkoji Temple or Togakushi.
The Zenkoji Exit side also has taxi stands and direct access to MIDORI Nagano. Nagano Electric Railway uses a separate underground station area on this side.
Nagano Station is on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Shinkansen trains use platforms 11–14, and no special seat reservation is required for oversized baggage.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen connects Tokyo, Nagano, Kanazawa, and Tsuruga. Three main Shinkansen services operate through or to Nagano Station:
Train | Stop Pattern | Seating |
Kagayaki | Fewer stops, mainly at major stations | Reserved seats only |
Hakutaka | Stops at more stations than Kagayaki | Reserved and non-reserved seating |
Asama | Mainly serves stations between Tokyo and Nagano | Reserved and non-reserved seating |
Hokuriku Shinkansen trains use platforms 11–14 at Nagano Station.
Platform assignments can change depending on the train. Always check the departure board at the station or your ticket before boarding.
Unlike the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Hokuriku Shinkansen does not require a reservation for a seat with an oversized-baggage area.
Item | What to Know |
Advance reservation | No special oversized-baggage seat reservation is required. |
Where to put luggage | Use the available luggage racks or overhead shelves when your luggage fits safely. |
Large suitcases | Check the luggage-storage areas on your train and board early enough to find suitable space. |
Nagano Station has a JR Ticket Office and reserved-seat ticket machines for buying JR tickets and making seat reservations. The JR EAST Travel Service Center can also assist travelers with eligible rail passes and ticketing services.
You can also use eligible rail passes, including the JR PASS, on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Kagayaki trains have reserved seats only, so you need to reserve a seat before boarding. Hakutaka and Asama also have non-reserved seating.
If you prefer to arrange your Shinkansen ticket before arriving at the station or spend less time at ticket counters, online booking is another option. Japan Bullet Train is one online booking service for international travelers and foreign residents. Its website and customer support are available in multiple languages.
Nagano Station has coin lockers on both sides of the station, including near the East Exit and Zenkoji Exit. Nagano Electric Railway also has lockers and a luggage storage service.
Nagano Station has several coin locker areas. The two main JR station locations are near the East Exit on the second floor and the Zenkoji Exit on the first floor.
Locker sizes and payment methods vary by location. Some lockers accept transportation IC cards or other cashless payments, while others accept cash. If one area is full, check another location.
If your luggage does not fit in a coin locker, a luggage storage service is another option.
Nagano Electric Railway offers luggage storage at Nagano Station, which can be useful for large suitcases or when coin lockers are full.
Nagano Station offers a range of dining and shopping options, including local food, ekiben, and souvenirs from across Nagano.
Nagano Station is a convenient place to try local specialties or pick up food for your train.
MIDORI Nagano and other shops inside the station sell specialties from across Nagano Prefecture. Popular souvenirs include apple-flavored sweets, Nozawana snacks, and Raicho no Sato butter cookies.
You can also find local sake and Nagano wines made with grapes from the surrounding highlands. Many products come in compact, travel-friendly packages, making them easy to pack or give as gifts.
From Nagano Station, you can continue to destinations such as Zenkoji Temple, Snow Monkey Park, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen, and Matsumoto by bus, train, or a combination of both.
Destination | Main Transport | Where to Go First |
Zenkoji Temple | Walk / local bus | Zenkoji Exit |
Snow Monkey Park | Direct bus / train + bus | East Exit bus area / Nagano Electric Railway station |
Hakuba | Express bus | East Exit bus area |
Nozawa Onsen | Shinkansen + bus | Hokuriku Shinkansen platforms |
Shiga Kogen | Express bus | East Exit bus area |
Matsumoto | Limited Express Shinano | JR conventional-line platforms |
Start from the Zenkoji Exit. Take a local bus to the Zenkoji Daimon bus stop, which takes about 10–15 minutes. From there, walk for approximately 5–10 minutes to the temple’s main hall. Alternatively, you can walk along the main approach from Nagano Station in about 25–30 minutes.
Walking is a good option if you want to explore the streets between the station and the temple.
There are two main ways to reach Snow Monkey Park from Nagano Station.
The Snow Monkey Pass may also be useful because it combines transportation with admission to the park. Check the current pass conditions and transport schedules before traveling.
Direct express buses to Hakuba depart from Nagano Station’s East Exit.
Services can be busy during the peak winter season, so advance booking is recommended when available. Check the current timetable and reservation requirements before traveling.
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Nagano to Iiyama Station. The journey is one stop and takes about 11 minutes.
At Iiyama Station, transfer to the Nozawa Onsen Liner bus, which departs from outside the station. Check the current bus timetable before traveling.
Express buses to Shiga Kogen depart from the East Exit.
Schedules can differ significantly between the winter ski season and green season. Check the current timetable and departure stop before traveling.
Take the JR Limited Express Shinano from Nagano Station to Matsumoto. These trains usually depart from platforms 2 or 3 in the JR conventional-line area, but platform assignments may change.
If you are arriving by Shinkansen, follow the signs to the JR conventional-line area. You can use an eligible JR Pass or buy a ticket before boarding. Check the departure board for your actual platform and departure time.
Nagano Station is a convenient gateway to Zenkoji Temple, Snow Monkey Park, Hakuba, and other destinations across Nagano. With Shinkansen, regional trains, buses, coin lockers, and other useful facilities in one transport hub, it is a practical base for exploring the region.
If you prefer to arrange your Shinkansen ticket before arriving at the station, booking in advance can make your travel day easier. This is especially useful when taking an all-reserved Kagayaki service, which requires a seat reservation.
Japan Bullet Train is an online Shinkansen ticket booking service designed for international travelers visiting Japan. Its multilingual website and Japan-based customer support team can assist travelers in English, Chinese, Korean, and other languages.