Nagano to Machida train with JR East

Information about the Nagano to Machida train route

The train from Nagano to Machida connects two distinctly different corners of Japan, the mountain city of Nagano, nestled in the Japanese Alps, with Machida, a lively suburban city on the southwestern edge of the Greater Tokyo area. Nagano Station is located at 1106 Kurita, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture 380-0921, while Machida Station sits at 1-1-37 Haramachida, Machida City, Tokyo 194-0013.

This route is a popular one for travelers looking to combine an alpine escape with the energy of the Tokyo metropolitan area. Nagano itself is best known as the host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics and draws visitors year-round for its proximity to Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan's most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, as well as the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild snow monkeys bathe in natural hot springs, and the ski resorts of Hakuba and Shiga Kogen. Machida, on the other hand, offers a more local Tokyo experience: a bustling city with excellent shopping streets, parks, and easy access to central Tokyo and Yokohama.

The most efficient way to travel this route by train is via the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Nagano toward Tokyo, followed by a transfer using the Odakyu Line or JR Yokohama Line to reach Machida Station. The combination of shinkansen and commuter rail makes this a straightforward journey, and both stations are well-connected and easy to navigate even for first-time visitors to Japan.

We recommend using the JR Pass for traveling in trains all around Japan to save more money if you plan to do many trips. You can check the correct prices for every station or shinkansen connection in Omio's JR Pass information.

Nagano to Machida by train: what to expect on board

Traveling from Nagano to Machida by train means you will spend a portion of your journey aboard the Hokuriku Shinkansen, a modern, smooth, and exceptionally well-maintained bullet train that connects Nagano with Tokyo's Omiya and Ueno stations before terminating at Tokyo Station. This leg of the journey alone is a highlight worth savoring.

Best seats for the scenery

The stretch between Nagano and Tokyo through the Japanese Alps is genuinely spectacular, particularly in the earlier sections of the route as the train descends from the mountains:

• Sit on the left-hand side of the train (A or B window seats) when traveling from Nagano toward Tokyo for the best views of the alpine landscape as you depart.
• The scenery is most dramatic in the first 20 to 30 minutes of the shinkansen leg, as the train passes through tunnels and valleys characteristic of the Nagano mountainous terrain.
• In winter and early spring, snow-covered peaks visible from the window make this one of the most visually rewarding shinkansen routes in Japan.

On-board comfort

The Hokuriku Shinkansen is clean, quiet, and punctual, as all JR Shinkansen services are. Seating is spacious in standard class, with ample legroom suitable for the journey ahead. If you would like an elevated experience, Green Car seats offer wider spacing and a calmer cabin atmosphere.

Before boarding at Nagano Station, consider picking up a local oyaki (stuffed wheat dumplings, a Nagano specialty) or a bento box from one of the station's retail outlets, a highly recommended way to enjoy the mountain scenery as you depart.

Best time of year to make this journey

• Winter (December to February): If you are heading to Nagano for skiing or the snow monkey experience, this is peak season. Trains tend to be busier on weekends, book ahead.
• Spring (late March to early May): Cherry blossoms in Nagano typically bloom slightly later than in Tokyo due to the higher elevation, making this a beautiful time to travel the route in either direction.
• Autumn (October to November): Autumn foliage in the Nagano mountains is outstanding and less crowded than the spring season. An excellent time to take the Nagano to Machida train.
• Summer (July to August): The mountains around Nagano offer a cooler retreat from Tokyo's intense summer heat, a practical reason many Tokyo-area residents make this trip during the warmer months.

Getting to Machida and beyond

Machida Station is one of the best-connected suburban hubs in the Greater Tokyo area, served by two major rail lines that give you excellent flexibility for onward travel.

Onward from Machida Station

• Central Tokyo, The Odakyu Odawara Line connects Machida directly to Shinjuku Station in approximately 30 to 40 minutes, putting you right in the heart of Tokyo with connections to virtually every part of the city.
• Yokohama, The JR Yokohama Line links Machida to Yokohama Station in around 30 minutes, making it easy to explore Japan's second-largest city and its waterfront Minato Mirai district.
• Hachioji, A short ride on the JR Yokohama Line brings you to Hachioji, a gateway to the Takao-san mountain hiking trails, a beloved day trip destination for Tokyo residents.
• Odawara and Hakone, Continuing southwest on the Odakyu Line from Machida, you can reach Odawara and from there the Hakone resort area, famous for hot springs, mountain scenery, and views of Mount Fuji.

Within Machida

Machida's central area is highly walkable from the station. The Machida Tenman-gu Shrine, the city's art museums, and the extensive shopping arcades along the central promenade are all within easy reach on foot. Local buses also serve the wider residential areas if you need to venture further.

What to expect when you arrive in Machida

Machida Station (1-1-37 Haramachida, Machida City, Tokyo 194-0013) is a busy and well-organized transport hub serving both the JR Yokohama Line and the Odakyu Odawara Line. The station has multiple exits, so it is worth identifying which exit leads most directly to your destination before you arrive.

Practical information at the station

• Navigation: English-language signage is available throughout the station, and the two rail lines, JR and Odakyu, are clearly separated within the building. If you are transferring between lines, follow the signs carefully as the two operators use adjacent but distinct ticketing systems.
• IC cards: Machida Station fully supports Suica and Pasmo IC cards, which can be used seamlessly across JR and Odakyu services as well as local buses. If you have been using an IC card in Tokyo, it will work here without any additional setup.
• Luggage storage: Coin lockers in various sizes are available at the station for short-term storage, practical if you want to explore the area before heading to your accommodation.
• Dining and shopping: The station building and its immediate surroundings contain supermarkets, convenience stores, cafés, and a wide variety of restaurants, ideal for a meal or quick refreshment after the journey from Nagano.

Arriving in Machida for the first time

Machida has a distinctive character that sets it apart from central Tokyo, it is lively and youthful without being overwhelming, with a strong local identity built around its covered shopping streets and weekend markets. The area around the north exit of the station is the most active, with the main shopping promenades extending outward from the station in a fan-like layout. First-time visitors will find it an easy city to explore independently, and its position between Tokyo and Yokohama makes it a practical and often overlooked base for travelers wanting to avoid the higher accommodation costs of central Tokyo.