Kiso Valley (木曽谷, Kiso-ji) is located in the southwestern part of Nagano Prefecture and stretches north to south along the Kiso River. This area is famous for being part of the historic Nakasendo (中山道) - one of the five main roads that connected Edo (old Tokyo) to Kyoto during the Edo period (1603-1868). Today, you can still find historic post towns (宿場町, shukuba-machi) such as Narai-juku (奈良井宿), Kiso-Fukushima (木曽福島), Agematsu (上松, famous for Nezame-no-Toko), and Tsumago-juku (妻籠宿). Surrounded by deep mountains and rivers, this area preserves the traditional Japanese landscape.
The most common question first-time visitors ask is "How do I get to Kiso Valley from Tokyo?" Actually, it's quite straightforward - once you know the route, you won't get lost. This guide explains the easiest ways to travel from Tokyo to Kiso Valley.
By Train (Most Convenient Method)
First, let's look at the most recommended way to reach Kiso Valley by train.
About the Railway Line in Kiso Valley
If you're visiting Kiso Valley, trains are your best option. The area is served by the JR Chuo Main Line (JR中央本線, Chuo Honsen), also called the Chuo West Line (中央西線, Chuo Saisen). This railway line connects all the main tourist destinations. The central hub is Kiso-Fukushima Station (木曽福島駅). Other convenient stations include Narai Station (奈良井駅) for Narai-juku, Agematsu Station (上松駅) for Nezame-no-Toko, and Minami-Kiso Station (南木曽駅) for Tsumago-juku.
There are two main routes from Tokyo to Kiso Valley.
2 train routes to Kiso-valley from Tokyo
There are two routes to Kiso Valley. If you're heading to Narai, use the Shinjuku route with the Limited Express Azusa (特急あずさ). If you're going to Tsumago, go via Nagoya. Both routes take roughly the same time.
Via Shinjuku Route (Chuo Main Line)
Take the Limited Express "Azusa" (特急あずさ) from Shinjuku Station towards Matsumoto, arriving at Shiojiri Station (塩尻駅) in about 2 hours 30 minutes. Then change to the Limited Express "Shinano" (特急しなの) for about 35 minutes to Kiso-Fukushima. Total journey time is approximately 3 hours 10 minutes. With only one change, this is an easy route to follow.
Via Tokyo/Nagoya Route (Shinkansen + Chuo Main Line)
Take the Tokaido Shinkansen (東海道新幹線) "Nozomi" (のぞみ) from Tokyo Station, arriving at Nagoya Station (名古屋駅) in about 1 hour 35 minutes. Then change to the Limited Express "Shinano" to reach various stations in Kiso Valley. From Nagoya to Kiso-Fukushima takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, for a total journey time of approximately 3 hours 10 minutes. This route is recommended if you want to experience the comfort of the shinkansen (bullet train).
The best route depends on your destination. For Narai-juku, the Shinjuku route is more convenient. For Tsumago-juku, the Nagoya route is closer. If you're using Kiso-Fukushima as your base, either route works fine.
Journey Time
Journey times from Tokyo to main destinations in Kiso-valley:
Station | Via Shinjuku | Via Nagoya |
|---|---|---|
Narai Station | 3 hours | 3 hours 20 min |
Kiso-Fukushima | 3 hours and 10 min | 3 hours and 10 min |
Agematsu | 3 hours and 20 min | 3 hours |
Nagiso | 3 hours and 40 min | 2 hours and 50min |
How to Buy Tickets
We explain how to purchase train tickets for Kiso-Valley.
Types of Tickets Needed
One is the basic fare ticket (乗車券, joshaken), and the other is the limited express ticket (特急券, tokkyuken) - an additional fee for faster service.
You can buy both tickets together at JR ticket machines or at the "Midori-no-Madoguchi" (みどりの窓口) - JR's ticket office. Just tell the staff "To Kiso-Fukushima, by limited express" and they'll sort you out.
For the shinkansen route, buy "Tokyo→Nagoya (shinkansen)" and "Nagoya→Kiso-Fukushima (Limited Express Shinano + basic fare)" separately.
If you have a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) (ジャパンレールパス), you can use it for these trains, but it's wise to reserve seats in advance. The Limited Express "Azusa" and "Shinano" are covered by the JR Pass at no extra cost. However, when using the shinkansen "Nozomi" with a JR Pass, you'll need to pay an additional fee.
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Can I Use Suica IC Cards?
Suica is a prepaid IC card that's commonly used in Tokyo, but many small stations in Kiso Valley don't accept IC cards.
For example, Narai Station, Agematsu Station, and Minami-Kiso Station don't have IC card readers at their ticket gates. You'll need to use paper tickets, so please be aware of this.
Kiso-Fukushima Station has a ticket office where you can buy return tickets for peace of mind. If you accidentally board with Suica, tell the station staff and they can exchange it for a paper ticket.
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[link id=mobile-suica]
Stay at Kiso-Fukushima as your base
If you're visiting Kiso Valley for the first time, we recommend using Kiso-Fukushima Station as your base. From here, you can take day trips to Narai-juku and Tsumago-juku, and there are accommodation and dining options near the station.
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[link id=tsumago-juku]
