Limited Express Shinano: from Nagoya & Nagano to Kiso Valley

The Limited Express Shinano is a JR express train connecting Nagano Station and Nagoya Station in about 3 hours. It's an essential mode of transportation for visiting the Kiso Valley and the post towns along the Nakasendo.

From Tokyo Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano Station (about 1 hour 30 minutes), then transfer to the Limited Express Shinano to reach Kiso-Fukushima Station (about 1 hour 20 minutes). In total, you can reach the heart of the Kiso Valley in around 3 hours. Nagoya offers a similarly quick journey, taking about 3 hours 10 minutes.

This article covers everything foreign travelers need to know about the Limited Express Shinano, from how to buy tickets and choose your seat to the actual boarding process.

For our recommendations on the Kiso Valley for visitors to Japan, see the article below.

Here's a quick overview of the key points to know before taking the Limited Express Shinano.

The Limited Express Shinano stops at the following main stations between Nagano and Nagoya. Note that not every train stops at every station — in particular, Nagiso Station, the stop used for visiting Tsumago-juku, is served by only some trains, so be sure to check when booking.

Nagano - Shinonoi - Hijiri-Kogen - Akashina - Matsumoto - Shiojiri - Kiso-Fukushima - Agematsu - Nagiso - Nakatsugawa - Ena - Tajimi - Chikusa - Kanayama - Nagoya

• Nagano → Kiso-Fukushima: about 1 hour 20 minutes

• Nagano → Nakatsugawa: about 2 hours 10 minutes

• Nagoya → Kiso-Fukushima: about 1 hour 20 minutes

• Nagoya → Nakatsugawa: about 50 minutes

The Limited Express Shinano operates roughly once an hour. Since departures are infrequent, missing your train means waiting a full hour for the next one. Be sure to build some buffer into your schedule.

The timetable below shows an example from Kiso-Fukushima Station. Times shown in red are departure times for the Limited Express Shinano, while black times are for local trains. Among the local trains, times circled in light blue indicate one-man (conductorless) trains.

For efficient travel, the best approach is to use the Limited Express Shinano between major stations, and switch to local trains for stations it doesn't stop at. See the article below for details on riding local trains in the Kiso Valley.

(Limited Express Shinano timetable: Kiso-Fukushima Station)

IC cards such as Suica are not accepted at many stations in the Kiso Valley. Major stations like Nagoya, Nagano, and Matsumoto do accept IC cards, but the section between Shiojiri Station and Nakatsugawa Station generally does not support Suica.

Because of this, unless you're using a JR Pass, you'll need to purchase paper tickets in advance — both a base fare ticket and a limited express ticket. Cash is also needed in many situations throughout the Kiso Valley, and many shops near stations don't accept credit cards, so be sure to carry enough cash.

(Limited Express Shinano train tickets: base fare ticket and limited express ticket)

The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a special rail pass that lets foreign travelers ride JR lines nationwide for a flat fee. JR Pass holders don't need to buy a separate ticket for non-reserved seats, since the base fare and limited express fare are already included.

However, if you want to use a reserved seat even with a JR Pass, you'll need to get a reserved-seat ticket (free of charge) from a ticket machine or the Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket office.

There are two main ways to purchase tickets for the Limited Express Shinano: using a ticket machine at the station, or booking online. However, we don't recommend online booking for foreign tourists, for the following reasons.

• Each booking site designates different stations where tickets can be issued, so you may not be able to collect your ticket at the station you're actually departing from.

• Some online booking systems only accept credit cards issued in Japan.

Here, we'll introduce the most reliable method: purchasing at a ticket machine. Of course, buying your ticket in advance at a station's staffed counter is also a good option.

You can buy Limited Express Shinano tickets at the green "Reserved Seat Ticket Machine" (Shitei-seki Kenbaiki) found at JR stations. Since it supports English, you can easily purchase tickets by following the on-screen steps.

Look for a green machine labeled "Reserved Seat Ticket Machine" (Shitei-seki Kenbaiki) near the ticket gates. Unlike regular ticket machines, this dedicated machine lets you purchase limited express and Shinkansen tickets.

(Ticket machine for Limited Express Shinano tickets)

After switching the display language to English, press the button outlined in red in the photo below. Reservations for Shinkansen and limited express trains are made from this dedicated screen.

(Ticket machine screen)

Choose from the following options. On weekends and holidays, we strongly recommend buying a reserved seat. On weekdays, a non-reserved seat is usually fine.

• Reserved Seat (指定席): Guarantees you a seat (recommended for weekends and holidays)

• Non-Reserved Seat (自由席): No assigned seat — sit in any open seat

The price difference is only about 500–850 yen. Given the risk of having to stand during busy periods, a reserved seat offers peace of mind.

(Ticket machine screen: select ticket type)

Select your departure station (e.g., Nagano) and arrival station (e.g., Nagoya, Kiso-Fukushima).

(Ticket machine screen: select departure and arrival stations)

Select your travel date and an approximate departure time. The machine will display available trains around the time you selected. Even for non-reserved seats, you must select a date, and the ticket is valid only for that day.

(Ticket machine screen: select date)

In addition to the limited express ticket, you'll be asked whether to purchase the basic fare ticket (jōshaken) as well. Since Suica cannot be used at most stations — aside from major ones like Nagano Station — you'll need a paper ticket. We recommend always purchasing both together.

(Ticket machine screen: choose whether to purchase a basic fare ticket)

Payment can be made with cash, credit card, or an IC card (Suica/Pasmo).

• Cash: 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 yen bills accepted

• Credit card: Accepted at most machines

(Payment screen on the ticket vending machine)

Two tickets will be issued:

1. Base Fare Ticket (Josha-ken): Covers the basic fare

2. Limited Express Ticket (Tokkyu-ken): Covers the limited express fare and seat information

You'll need both tickets — present them together when passing through the ticket gate and again during onboard ticket checks. Keep them safe so you don't lose them.

(Limited Express Shinano train tickets — base fare ticket and limited express ticket)

Here's what to expect inside the Limited Express Shinano, along with a few key points to keep in mind.

The Limited Express Shinano is known for its large windows. Standard cars have a 2+2 seating layout with a central aisle. Some seats have power outlets, but not all of them do, so bring a portable battery if you plan to use a smartphone or tablet.

(Inside the Limited Express Shinano)

Seats A and D are on the window side, while seats B and C are on the aisle side.

• Seats A and B: left side (2 seats)

• Aisle

• Seats C and D: right side (2 seats)

• Nagano to Nagoya (southbound): Seat C on the left side is recommended

• Nagoya to Nagano (northbound): Seat D on the right side is recommended

You'll catch views of the Kiso River gorge and the peaks of the Central Japan Alps (Chuo Alps).

(Limited Express Shinano: view from the window)

There is a restroom in every car, or at least one per every two cars. They're located at the end of the car and marked with directional signage.

This is the single most important thing to know about the Limited Express Shinano — many foreign travelers run into trouble here.

Each seat has an overhead luggage rack, but it's smaller than those on the Shinkansen — just barely large enough to fit a carry-on-sized suitcase (up to 55cm x 40cm x 25cm).

(Overhead rack on the Limited Express Shinano)

Each car has a small space behind the last row of seats. No reservation is needed—it's first-come, first-served and open to anyone. However, it fills up quickly during busy periods.

(Luggage space on the Limited Express Shinano)

Unfortunately, the Limited Express Shinano does not offer on-board sales. Food and beverage service on the train was discontinued in 2013. There are also no vending machines.

Here are some tips for taking the Limited Express Shinano from Nagano Station to the Kiso Valley.

The Limited Express Shinano departs from Nagano Station's Platform 7 or 8. If transferring from the Hokuriku Shinkansen, take the stairs or escalator down to the conventional line platform—10 to 15 minutes is enough time to make the connection. There's an ekiben (station bento) shop in the station where you can pick up local specialties like Shinshu soba bento or oyaki (stuffed dumplings).

• A conductor will come to check tickets 10 to 15 minutes after departure, so have your ticket (or JR Pass plus seat reservation) ready

• Eating on board is perfectly fine—many Japanese passengers enjoy ekiben during the ride too