Getting your JR Train Pass

JR East Travel Service Center at Narita Airport
JR East Travel Service Centers are located in both Narita Airport Terminals 1 and 2. JR East Travel Service Centers are open every day from 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM. The service centre handles sales and exchanges of JR East passes as well as Japan Rail Passes (available for purchase only overseas). Other services include ticket sales and sightseeing information. JR accepts most major credit cards but not travellers checks.

If the JR East Travel Service Center is closed, go to the JR ticket office. They also exchange and sell tickets.

Hours of operation:
Terminal 1: 6:30 to 11:30 AM, 7:00 to 9:45 PM
Terminal 2: 6:30 to 11:30 AM, 7:00 to 9:50 PM

MapS of Narita Airport:	Terminal No. 1 & Terminal No. 2 (PDF file)

Buy your JR East pass online

You do not need a JR Rail Pass if you are only travelling to Myoko Kogen (or one of the others resorts in Niigata or Nagano). A far better choice is the JR East Pass which can be used for four non-consecutive days. These can be bought at the offices listed above (you DO NOT need to buy it beforehand) or you can now purchase a JR East Pass exchange voucher via the internet. However make sure to check the exchange rate first - it may be much cheaper to buy at the airport.

JR East Info Line

English information hotline for JR service questions - Call (050) 2016-1603 - 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM (closed during the New Year holiday)

Useful Japan train links - Find Fares, Timetables & Route

Go to this page to help calculate your train fares in Japan Use this very useful link to find time tables in Japan The train schedule and train type is listed in Japanese here Check the route and station pictures between Nagano and Naoetsu here

Tokyo Narita Airport - Left Luggage & Baggage Storage

Both terminals at Tokyo Narita Airport have luggage storage areas for left baggage. In Terminal One there are two left luggage counters - one on the Arrivals level and one on the Departures level. On the Arrivals level, (first floor) the counter is open 07:00 to 22:00 (7am-10pm) daily. On the Departures level (fourth floor) the counter is open 07:00 to 22:30 (7am-10.30pm) daily. Terminal Two has two baggage storage counters on the Arrivals level and two on the Departures level. They are open 07:00 to 22:00 (7am-10pm). One of the counters (GPA) in Arrivals is open 06:30 to 22:30 (6.30am-10.30pm). The cost is ¥500 to ¥800 per item per day depending on size.

See here re sending your luggage via courier service

From Narita Airport To Tokyo

From Narita Airport one can board the JR Narita Express train (N'EX) to JR Tokyo station. Frequent departures are available from the airport rail terminals. Once aboard the N'EX stow your bags in the luggage storage areas at the end of each car, and sit back for the one hour ride to Tokyo. Trains from Narita Airport arrive at underground platforms nos. 1-4.

Note: You can also take the Keisei Skyliner, which is a bit cheaper, but, 1) it's not covered by a JR Pass and, 2) you have to negotiate your way from Keisei Ueno Station to JR Ueno Station to get the shinkansen (see below). The Skyliner is an express train. Unless you want to save money (about 50%), do not take the local train - especially during rush hour! (see video below for a little laugh).

Video - Japanese train during peak rush hour

The JR and Keisei lines are accessible from the same concourse. Their platforms are separated but next to each other.

Tokyo Stopover

If having a stopover in Tokyo you can arrange for the cheap and easy Tokyo Airporter service to collect and/or deliver you to/from the airport/hotel.

japanese station coin lockers

If just stopping over for a few hours in any major Japanese rail or bus station it's very easy to find secure coin lockers to store your luggage. These cost from ¥100 for a small locker up to ¥800 for a very large locker. JR's large coin lockers are not only tall but deep. If your bag won't fit then you're using some really scary large luggage. There are no lockers for skis or snowboards.

In Tokyo Station the "cloak room" is open everyday (except perhaps New Year's Day) from 10am-6pm for short term storage (1-2 days) of oversized bags or ski gear. It's located downstairs in the GranSta area just near the Gin-no-Suzu meeting place and costs a very reasonable ¥500 for each piece.

Coin lockers are available by both the East and Zenko-ji Exits of JR Nagano Station (cost is ¥300-¥600).

Note: Stations close overnight! If you want to retreive your luggage make sure you get there before closing! If left after midnight extra charges will accrue.

More info on coin lockers here. See here re sending your luggage via courier service.

Keisei Ueno Station Map

A map of JR Ueno Station can be found here (or download .pdf)

From Tokyo to Nagano Station

At Tokyo Station (B5), take the up escalator, following the green signs for the Nagano Shinkansen which usually leave from Platforms 22 or 23 at Tokyo Station (see map below or Tokyo Station .pdf). Take the Nagano 'Asama' Shinkansen on the Hokuriku (Nagano) line to the Nagano station terminus. The journey usually takes between 1.5 - 2.5 hours (average is 1 hour, 50 minutes). The Nagano Shinkansen runs frequently until 10.00pm each day. The non-reserved cars are to the rear heading to Nagano (usually Car nos. 1-3). All cars are now non smoking. There are between 2-3 trains per hour. If staying overnight in Nagano City you can book hotels here.

Experience the Nagano - Tokyo Shinkansen ride on video

If you wish to use the highway bus to Nagano, you need to change at Ueno or Tokyo and head for Ikebukuro station for the Nagaden Bus Service or Shinjuku station for the Alpico Bus Service. Use the Yamanoate Circle Line for both stations. You can also catch a limousine bus direct to Shinjuku which costs approximately ¥3,000 yen and takes one hour. See this page for more non-train options

Tokyo Station (1F) Map

From NaGano Station To Narita Airport

Upon arrival at Tokyo Station from Nagano exit the Nagano Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets gate. From there follow the signs to the Narita Express that departs from Platform 4 on the Sobu Line (see map below). To get to Platform 4 on the Sobu Line take the escalators down. Alternatively, if not on a JR Pass, get off at Ueno Station and follow through to the adjacent Keisei Ueno Station to take the Keisei Skyliner. Make sure you know which terminal you are getting off at - Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. You will find lists inside the train showing which terminal each airlines uses.

Tokyo Station (B1F) Map

From Nagano For Myoko Kogen & Lake Nojiri

Nagano Station Area Map courtesy of Visit Shinshu

Upon arrival at Nagano station, take the up escalator. Staying to the right, go through the ticket gate for the JR Shinetsu Line (JR信越線), bound for Naoetsu or Arai. For Lake Nojiri alight at Kurohime station. To get to Lake Nojiri take the 'Nagaden' bus from Kurohime Station. Myokokogen is the stop after Kurohime (app. ten minutes further). The ski resorts are approximately ten minutes from Myokokogen Station (see map below). Take a taxi or bus to your destination at Myoko, or the hotel may arrange a courtesy shuttle.

Myokokogen station area and bus Stops map courtesy of Alpico Bus

An alternative is take the Joetsu shinkansen to Yuzawa, change to the Hoku Hoku line for Naoetsu, then change again from there for Nagano (see below).

Nagano to Myoko Shuttle Bus

A special shuttle bus from Nagano Station to Myoko is now available directly. More information and reservations are available here. Though not very regular one can also take a highway bus to Myoko and the ski resort areas from Nagano station. Click here for details.

From Nagano to Togakushi

For Togakushi exit the station via the Zenkoji exit (as above), then take a Kawanakajima bus from Bus Stop 7 bound for Togakushi Camp-jo / Camp World (approx. 45-50 minutes, cost ¥1,160) from outside Nagano station. If you are coming from Kanazawa or Niigata see below. You can alight at Kurohime for Togakushi and take either a taxi or a shuttle bus (during winter only and must be pre-booked).

From Nagano to Iiyama and Madarao

Upon arrival at Nagano station, take the up escalator. Staying to the right, go through the ticket gate for the JR Iiyama Line (JR 飯山線) for Togari (Nozawa Onsen) or Echigo-Kawaguchi. The journey takes about 45 minutes and costs ¥570. For Madarao alight at Iiyama station and take a local bus (about 30 minutes).

From Nagano to Yudanaka Onsen (Jigokudani Monkey Park)

Upon arrival at Nagano, exit the JR station and go to the Nagano Dentetsu lines. The limited-express train to Yudanaka takes 45 minutes (￥1,230). A JR Pass cannot be used on this line. From Yudanaka, take a bus or taxi to Kanbayashi Onsen (15mins / ￥250 / 6km) for the Monkey Park.

From Kanazawa, Toyama or Niigata City

Take a train to Naoetsu station then swap to a train on the Shin-Etsu Line for Nagano. The stop before Myokokogen is Sekiyama. Myokokogen is followed by Kurohime (for Lake Nojiri), Furuma and Mure (for Iizuna). The trip from Naoetsu takes approximately 30-45 minutes. Use this very useful link to find time tables and fares.

From Osaka & Kyoto to Nagano

From Shin-Osaka or Kyoto station, catch the Tokkaido Shinkansen to Nagoya (usual travel time - 40 - 55 minutes). Transfer at Nagoya Station to the Chuo Honsen line and catch the Shinano Limited Express to Nagano Station (normal transit - 3 hours) that travels through the scenic Kiso Valley. Once at Nagano follow the instructions as above. If staying overnight in Nagano City you can book hotels here. There was previously also an overnight train from Osaka to Nagano via Nagoya and Matsumoto but now appears to be discontinued. Some special trains may run during peak times however and in winter there are 'special ski' trains and buses that run from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and some other major cities. Ask at the tourist information offices in any of the above train stations.See this very useful link to check fares and timetables.

Returning to Osaka from Nagano there is one train a day that goes all the way to Osaka from Nagano. The train leaves at 2.00pm and takes five hours and twenty minutes to Osaka station with no need to change trains the whole way through.

From Nagoya to Nagano

Centrair Airport in Nagoya is served by Meitetsu trains but not JR. Some Meitetsu trains go to Nagoya station whilst others terminate at Kanayama station (see below). If you are taking the JR Express Shinano for Matsumoto and Nagano, you need to change to the JR line either at Kanayama station or Nagoya station. However, Shinano does not stop at Kanayama, so you need to catch a local train to Chikusa and transfer to the Shinano Limited Express (as above).

Luggage Services

Japan has a well-developed courier service, commonly known as takkyubin. Luggage, including skis and snowboards, can be delivered anywhere in Japan, usually overnight. The courier companies operate out of the airports, so you can send your luggage as soon as you pass through customs. Look for the many service counters that are usually sited at the end of the departure lounge (for collection) or arrivals hall (for sending). Many convenience stores also handle takkyubin service. The company's name is Yamato Transport symbolised by a black cat logo. A luggage forwarding FAQ can be found here and a ski/snowboard forwarding FAQ here.

The cost depends on the destination but is usually around 2,000 yen. The service is safe and reliable, and highly recommended. A It allows guests to travel to their destination without having to try to negotiate luggage up and down stairs and in crowded train stations. There is no restriction on taking luggage on board the shinkansen (bullet train), but in practice these trains are designed with quite a lot less luggage space than most other train services. Nonetheless, all trains in Japan have very limited luggage space; overhead storage and a small luggage shelf at either end of the carriage are standard on all trains.

The larger train stations in Japan have escalators, but smaller ones usually do not. There are no luggage trolleys available at train stations, although there is a porter service available at Tokyo Station. For example, the porter can meet you at your carriage and take your luggage to your next train, or to the taxi rank, depending upon your destination. The cost is 500 yen per piece of luggage. The porter needs to be advised of the train and carriage number in advance. Small suitcases and bags can be stored in lockers at the larger stations, however there is no storage for skis and snowboards.

Important points to remember about luggage delivery services

When sending luggage to the airport, sufficient time must be given to guarantee your luggage arrives on time. Luggage sent from the Myoko area to either Narita or Kansai airports requires luggage to be sent two days before departure. Luggage will be stored up until the date of your departure and this information is specified on the luggage tag before it is sent. The luggage will be held by the luggage courier company at the airport and must be collected from there and then checked in to the flight departure counter by the owner of the luggage. Luggage cannot be stored at the airport if customers have onward flights and are wishing to collect luggage on their return flight home via Japan