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

Bus Services

Bus: Narita to Nagano

Japan Ski Bus now runs a direct shuttle from Tokyo Narita Airport to Madarao ski areas, as well as Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen. One way is 8,500 yen and return 15,000 yen. See the Japan Ski Bus site for more details and online bookings.

Note: The following information was passed onto this website by a reader but we have been unable to verify the details. Therefore make sure you have a Plan 'B' in place!

One can supposedly catch a twice-daily non-stop bus service to Nagano direct from Narita (Tokyo) Airport. It leaves Narita at 15.35 and 18.00, taking just over five hours (one way fare 5,500 yen). No other details are available.

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BusES: Tokyo to Nagano

There are two highway bus services to Nagano from Tokyo which generally take just over 3 1/2 hours. If you wish to use one, you need to change at Ueno or Tokyo and head for Nagaden Bus at Ikebukero (Seibu Terminal) or Shinjuku station (see map below - Keio Terminal) for the Alpico Bus Line. Tickets are Y4,000 each and schedules are as follows.

Bus - Tokyo Shinjuku to Nagano	14 dep. a day between 6:50-21:10	03-5376-2222
Bus - Tokyo Ikebukuro to Nagano	7:35 9:00 10:35 16:20 17:20 18:20	03-5910-2525

It is easiest to use the Yamanoate Circle Line for both stations (and free with a JR Pass) from either Ueno or Tokyo stations. You can also catch a limousine bus direct to Shinjuku which costs approximately 3,000 yen and takes one hour, or use the Tokyo Airporter service.

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. 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.

Tokyo Ski Buses

Between December and April Travex runs a ski bus service direct from Tokyo Station or Ikebukero to the following ski resort areas - Kurohime-Kogen, Suginohara, Ikenotaira, Akakura and Tangram Ski Circus. Madarao ski areas are also serviced by a seperate line. The cost is 4,000 yen one way or 7,500 yen return.

There is a Tokyo to Togakushi ski bus that costs 10,000 yen return. Contact Eagle Kanko Line in Tokyo on 03- 3251-3341

Between December and April Tokyo Ski Bus Club runs both night and day bus services between Tokyo Station, Shinjuku and Ikebukero to the following ski resorts: Togakushi, Kurohime, (Myoko Kogen), Suginohara, Ikenotaira, Akakura Onsen and Tangram. Ski Bus Club services run from the same locations to the Madarao ski areas. The cost for these services is also 4,000 yen one way or 7,500 yen return.

See above re the Japan Ski Bus servicing Nagano ski resorts directly from Tokyo Narita Airport (Madarao ski areas, plus Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen)

Bus: Tokyo to Iiyama And Madarao Kogen

There are direct bus services from Shinjuku (see map above) to Iiyama. The cost is 4,100yen (plus see the service above direct from Narita Airport).

Bus: Osaka & Kyoto to Nagano

A direct highway bus from Kyoto to Nagano via Osaka is available from Alpico Bus Line. There used to an online booking service for Osaka and Nagoya to Nagano but the link has disappeared. It may reappear again hopefully with the arrival of the winter ski season. Book cheap Osaka Hotels and Kyoto Hotels here

Bus: Nagoya to Nagano

There are direct highway bus services available to Nagano from Meitetsu Bus Terminal (adjacent to JR Nagoya station), as well the Matsumoto and Iida-Ina areas. The direct bus service from Centrair Airport in Nagoya to Nagano was terminated in November 2008. Book cheap Nagoya Hotels here

Bus: Nagano to Myoko

A special shuttle bus is now available directly from Nagano Station to Myoko. 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. Book cheap Nagano Hotels here

BusES: Nagano to Tangram, Madarao & Iiyama

Resort buses run to Tangram and Madarao but you need to check the times with your hotel when you make a booking. There are six-eight shuttles per day from Nagano Station to Tangram and eleven shuttles per day from Kurohime station (one stop before Myokokogen). Note: Winter schedule only.

Nagaden Bus runs two express buses to Madarao from Nagano Station each day and return during winter from the East (Higashi) exit of Nagano Station (Bus stop 3 or 4 - check map below). They also run services from Nagano to Nozawa Onsen via Iiyama. Check here and here for timetables. Costs per person 1,400 yen one way. Travelling time is approximately 80-90 minutes.

Nagano Station Area Map courtesy of Visit Shinshu

Bus: Nagano to Togakushi

Exit Nagano station via the Zenkoji exit, then take a Kawanakajima bus bound for Togakushi Camp-jo or Togakushi Chusha-miyamae from the Kawanakajima bus station opposite Nagano station (Stop 7). Get off at either Hokosha-miyamae if wanting to see all three of the Togaksuhi Shrines or Chusha-miyamae if wanting to start at the middle shrine. The scenic bus trip up takes approximately 45-50 minutes through a coil of switchbacks, hairpin bends and mountain passes. Cost is ¥1350 one way and return ¥2400. See here for more details.

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).

Bus: Nagano to Yudanaka Onsen, Shibu Onsen & Jigokudani Monkeys

Nagaden express buses connect Nagano Station with Yudanaka Station in 45 minutes and for ￥1130 yen one way. From Yudanaka, take a bus or taxi to Kanbayashi Onsen (15 mins / ￥250). There are express buses between Nagano Station and the Shiga Kogen area, which stop at Kanbayashi Onsen near the trail head to the monkey park (40 mins / ￥1300 yen).

Taxi Services

Taxi: Narita to Myoko

I M Taxi provides a direct service to or from both Tokyo airports to your lodgings in Myoko or Joetsu. The cost is ¥11,000 for Narita International Airport and ¥8,800 for Haneda Domestic Airport. Phone 0255-23-3188 or 0120-23-7887 for bookings or book online using this link (Japanese only).

Taxi: Tokyo Airports to Nagano / Nagoya Airport to Nagano

Chuo Taxi provides a direct service to or from both Haneda Aiport and Narita International Airport in Tokyo, plus Nagoya Centrair Aiport, to all points in Nagano. The cost ranges from ¥8,500 to ¥12,000 depending on your final destination. Reservations are necessary (at least five days in advance) and can be made by phone (English or Japanese) at 0256-282-0232 or via this reservation page.

Alpico Taxi also offers an airport service in Nagano (Japanese info only).

Going by Car

Rental Cars in Nagano and Niigata

For ease of pre-booking online the best choice in Japan for car rental is Europacar. Europacar and Mazda car rental networks have teamed up in order to provide visitors with great car rental services in Japan. You benefit when reserving online from an automatic 10% discount throughout the Europacar-Mazda network. Europacar-Mazda also provides English speaking reservations and customer service support from within Japan. However cars generally can only be collected at large airports and in major cities.

Most major car rental companies have branches in Nagano and Niigata but these can also only be found in major cities such as Nagano, Iiyama and Joetsu City. If unable to read Japanese, another good service for car rental in Niigata & Nagano is ToCoo. This company also provides an English website and support in English. Check here to see what licence you require for driving in Japan

Driving Instructions

Follow the instructions below to get to Nagano City. From there take the local Route 18 or the Joshin-etsu Expressway between Nagano and Joetsu City and look for the turn-offs to Lake Nojiri (Nojiriko), Kurohime, Togakushi, Myokokogen, Arai, Iiyama, and/or the various resorts.

If travelling in winter check the weather and road conditions first - even if conditions are fine at your departure point. You may need to possibly equip your car with snow tyres.

A very simple (.pdf) driving guide can be downloaded here.

Driving Instructions and Distance FrOm Tokyo to Nagano

From the Shinjuku district of Tokyo go west in the direction of Hachioji and from the urban expressway enter onto the Chuo Expressway. After Kofu, look for the Okaya junction which takes you in the direction of Nagano. Alternatively take the Kanetsu Expressway to the Fujioka J.C.T and head towards Nagano on the Joshinetsu Expressway. Distance: 250-300km Time: 4.30-5.00 hours

Driving Instructions and Distance FrOm Osaka or Kyoto to Nagano

Take the Meishin Expressway to the Komki J.C.T, head up the Chuo Expressway and the follow instructions as below. Distance: 450-500km Time: 5.30-6.30 hours

Driving Instructions and Distance FrOm Nagoya to Nagano

Take the Chuo Expressway to the Okaya J.C.T and head towards Nagano on the Nagano Expressway. Distance: 250-300km Time: 4.30-5.00 hours

Driving Instructions FrOm NIigata, Kanazawa OR Toyama to Nagano

Take the Hokuriku Expressway to Joetsu I.C.(Naoetsu) and switch to Joshinetsu Expressway. Exit at Myoko Kogen I.C., Toyota Iiyama I.C., Shinano-machi I.C., Shinshu-Nakano I.C. or Iizuna. Alternatively take the local Route 18 from Joetsu.