Nagano to Yokohama train with JR East

Information about the Nagano to Yokohama train route

The train from Nagano to Yokohama is a compelling journey that links the mountain city of Nagano, famous for its role as host of the 1998 Winter Olympics and the iconic Zenkoji Temple, with Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city and one of its most cosmopolitan port destinations. Nagano Station is located at 1106 Kurita, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture 380-0921, while Yokohama Station sits at 2-16-1 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-0011.

The most efficient way to travel from Nagano to Yokohama by train is via the Hokuriku Shinkansen (also known as the Asama or Kagayaki services depending on the stopping pattern), which connects Nagano to Tokyo, followed by a transfer onto the JR Yokosuka Line, JR Tokaido Line, or the Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Tokyo or Shinjuku to reach Yokohama Station directly. The Nagano to Yokohama bullet train routing via Tokyo is the standard approach for most travelers and remains a highly reliable, well-signposted connection.

Nagano itself is well worth exploring before departure. The city sits at high altitude surrounded by the Japanese Alps, and key sights near the station include the Zenkoji Temple precinct (about a 2-kilometer walk or short bus ride from the station), the Nagano prefectural art museum, and the vibrant Chuo-dori shopping street that connects the station to the temple district. Yokohama, at the journey's end, offers a striking contrast, a modern, international harbor city with neighborhoods like Chinatown (the largest in Japan), Minato Mirai waterfront, Yamashita Park, and the historic Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse district.

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 Yokohama by train: what to expect on board

Traveling the Nagano to Yokohama shinkansen route means spending most of your journey aboard the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Nagano and Tokyo. This stretch is particularly scenic and offers some of the most rewarding train travel in the country.

Best seats for the view

The Nagano to Tokyo leg of the journey passes through dramatic mountain terrain, tunnels, and river valleys as the train descends from the highlands toward the Kanto Plain. To make the most of the landscape:

• Seats on the right-hand side of the train (E-seat window seats) when traveling from Nagano toward Tokyo offer views of open valleys and mountain ridges in the early part of the journey.
• The stretch just after departure from Nagano is especially striking, as the train threads through the foothills of the Japanese Alps before opening up onto the broader lowland scenery approaching Tokyo.

On-board experience

The Hokuriku Shinkansen is modern, clean, and extremely punctual, consistent with all Shinkansen services in Japan. The ride is smooth even through the mountain sections, and the train maintains excellent climate control throughout the year. A trolley service passes through the carriages offering drinks, light snacks, and seasonal items, but picking up an ekiben (station bento box) at Nagano Station before boarding is highly recommended. The station has several vendors offering regional specialties, including oyaki (stuffed dumplings) and soba-inspired bento boxes that reflect Nagano's culinary identity.

Seating options

• Ordinary cars, comfortable reserved and unreserved seating with ample legroom by global rail standards.
• Green Car (first class), wider seats, greater seat pitch, and a noticeably quieter carriage. A worthwhile upgrade if you prefer a more relaxed experience, particularly on busy travel days.

Best time of year to travel

• Autumn (mid-October to late November): The foliage around Nagano is extraordinary during this period, deep reds, oranges, and yellows blanket the mountain slopes visible from the train. This is widely considered the most scenic time to make this journey.
• Winter (December to February): Nagano's ski resorts are in full swing, making this a busy departure period. Snow-covered mountains along the route are visually spectacular, and the contrast between the alpine scenery and the urban arrival in Yokohama is particularly vivid.
• Spring (late March to early May): Cherry blossom season brings color to both cities and the landscapes in between. Trains can be busy during Golden Week (late April to early May), so booking ahead is advisable.
• Summer (July to August): Pleasant conditions in Nagano's elevated terrain make summer a popular escape from the coastal heat. Yokohama's summer festivals, including the Minato Matsuri, add appeal at the destination end.

Getting to Yokohama and beyond

Yokohama Station is one of the busiest and most well-connected railway hubs in the Greater Tokyo area, offering a wide range of onward options across the Kanto region and beyond.

Within Yokohama

From Yokohama Station, the city's main sightseeing areas are easily accessible:

• The Minato Mirai Line (private railway departing from Yokohama Station's underground level) connects directly to Minatomirai, Bashamichi, Chinatown (Motomachi-Chukagai station), and Yamashita Park, covering the majority of Yokohama's waterfront highlights in a single line.
• Local buses depart from multiple stops outside the station's East and West exits and cover residential and outer neighborhoods.
• Taxis are readily available at both major exits and are a practical option for reaching hotels in the central Nishi-ku and Naka-ku areas.

Day trips and regional connections

Yokohama's position at the southern edge of the Greater Tokyo area gives it excellent connectivity:

• Tokyo, the Tokaido Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, and Shonan-Shinjuku Line all offer frequent services to central Tokyo stations, making Yokohama a very viable base for exploring the capital.
• Kamakura, around 25 minutes on the JR Yokosuka Line from Yokohama Station, making it one of the easiest and most rewarding half-day trips in the region. The Great Buddha and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine are unmissable.
• Hakone, reachable via Odawara (change at Yokohama onto the Tokaido Line), giving access to the Hakone area's hot springs, mountain scenery, and views of Mount Fuji.
• Enoshima, accessible via the Shonan-Shinjuku Line or by changing to the Odakyu Enoshima Line, a popular coastal destination with a scenic island shrine.

If you hold a JR Pass, the Tokaido and Yokosuka lines from Yokohama are covered, making day trips to Kamakura and connections toward Odawara straightforward without any additional ticketing.

What to expect when you arrive in Yokohama

Yokohama Station (2-16-1 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-0011) is a large and modern transit hub that serves as the gateway to one of Japan's most distinctively international cities. The station itself is busy and multi-level, but well-signposted in both Japanese and English.

Practical information at the station

• Tourist information: The Yokohama Tourist Information office is conveniently located near the East Exit of the station and provides maps, transport guidance, and multilingual assistance for visitors arriving for the first time.
• Luggage storage: Coin lockers of various sizes are distributed throughout the station on multiple levels. For oversized luggage, forwarding services are available and can deliver bags directly to your hotel or to Haneda or Narita Airport, especially useful if you plan to spend the day sightseeing before checking in.
• Currency and connectivity: Japan Post Bank and 7-Eleven ATMs within and around the station reliably accept international cards. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the station building and across much of central Yokohama.

Arriving in Yokohama for the first time

Yokohama rewards exploration on foot once you reach the waterfront districts. The area between Yokohama Station and the bay, spanning Minatomirai, Bashamichi, and Yamashita Park, is cohesive and walkable, with the harbor always providing a clear sense of orientation.

First-time visitors often find it helpful to head to the Minato Mirai waterfront as an initial anchor point: the Landmark Tower observation deck offers a panoramic view of the city that makes it easy to understand how the different neighborhoods connect. From there, the walk east toward Yokohama Chinatown passes through some of the city's most atmospheric streets and is one of the most enjoyable routes to explore on arrival. The Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel near the waterfront is also a useful and visible landmark for navigating the broader Minatomirai area.