- Recommended
Hokusai Museum
Museum dedicated to Katsushika Hokusai, with rotating displays of paintings and sketches in nearby Obuse, an easy cultural trip from Nagano.

Save money with the JR Pass, and enjoy unlimited train travel for 7 to 21 days.
Discover the Japan Rail PassCheapest price on 20 Sept
£23
Average ticket price on 20 Sept
£23
Fastest journey on 20 Sept
4 h 10 m
Average journey duration on 20 Sept
4 h 21 m
Buses on 20 Sept
5
Distance
178 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Tokyo to Nagano is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Tokyo to Nagano will cost around £23 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £23.
On Sun 20 Sept, we found 5 buses from Tokyo to Nagano, including 5 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 178 km distance in an average of 4 h 21 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 10 m .
The slowest buses will take 4 h 40 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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83141Pick a season and we'll build your itinerary in under 2 minutes
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Our Japan Rail Pass Calculator compares JR Pass prices vs buying individual train tickets, so you can see exactly how much you'll save on your Journey
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Tokyo to Nagano among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £18 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 2m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £18, while a train costs an average of £42.
Distance: 178 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£18 Average Price Cheapest | £42 Average Price | £59 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 58m Average total duration 4h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 2m Average total duration Fastest 1h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 20m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Tokyo to Nagano:
A coach is £24 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Tokyo to Nagano costing on average £42.
Other travel options to Nagano take longer:
Coach takes on average 4h 28m.
Tickets start at around £18 compared to roughly £59 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £40. The journey takes 4h 28m versus 3h 20m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Willer Express.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Tokyo to Nagano coaches for today, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:00 Tokyo | 4h40 | 13:40 Nagano | 0 changesdirect | |
| Sunday 20 September | |||||
83141 | 13:30 Tokyo, Busta Shinjuku | 4h10 | 17:40 Nagano, Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa | 0 changesdirect | |
83141 | 13:30 Tokyo, Busta Shinjuku | 4h40 | 18:10 Nagano, Sta East Exit | 0 changesdirect | |
83141 | 13:30 Tokyo, Busta Shinjuku | 4h20 | 17:50 Nagano, Kojimada (parking lot at the Shimohikanna Elementary School East intersection) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Tokyo to Nagano run on average 10 times per day, taking around 4h 28m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £12 if you book in advance.
There are 10 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 06:00, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 178 km distance in 4h 10m.
Distance 178 km |
Average bus duration 4h 28m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Buses per day 10 |
Direct buses 10 |
Fastest bus 4h 10m |
First bus 6:00 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Nagano — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Nagano trip today.
Museum dedicated to Katsushika Hokusai, with rotating displays of paintings and sketches in nearby Obuse, an easy cultural trip from Nagano.
Small but engaging museum in Matsushiro presenting arms, armour, documents, and heirlooms connected with the Sanada family.
Modern art museum with changing exhibitions and mountain views, set in a pleasant park near Zenko-ji and popular for a quieter cultural stop.
Forest path linking the Togakushi shrine area through towering cedar trees. It offers one of the region’s most memorable scenic walks.
Historic temple approach lined with inns, souvenir shops, and small craft stores, making it one of the city’s most atmospheric walking routes.
Preserved former samurai district in Matsushiro with earthen walls, canals, and quiet streets that reveal the layout of an old castle town.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Tokyo to Nagano by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Nagano, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Tokyo to Nagano buses use the to Nagano, Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa station pair. Use this guide to compare Tokyo and Nagano bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Nagano, Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa is 8 km from Nagano city centre. Public transport options include:
Nagano, Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Dining options available within the resort.
Free wifi available at the resort. ATMs are available at Nagano, Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa.
Ticket office support is available at Nagano, Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa.
Available at Nagano, Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Nagano, Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa: Resort is wheelchair accessible.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need