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: other small operators have begun services but please check for reputation before using such services.

Learn Japanese on your iPod or add a phrasebook

From Haneda Airport to Tokyo (non-train options)

The Airport Limousine Bus departs frequently for Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, the city centre hotels and Disneyland. For short distances, ie Ginza, the Tokyo Station area, Shibuya and Shinjuku, taxis are reasonably affordable.

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.

A cheapie hint - there is a bus from Tokyo to Togura for only 1,700 yen. You can catch that, then take a train the next day to your Nagano ski area. Or why not stay a night in one of the many local onsen inns? See here for details (Japanese only). Or take the cheap bus all the way to Nagano City for 1,900

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

Direct bus services from Shinjuku (see map above) to Iiyama have been suspended. We will update if we become aware of a replacement service.

Bus: Osaka & Kyoto to Nagano Plus Kansai Ski Buses

A direct highway bus from Kyoto to Nagano via Osaka is available from Alpico Bus Line. During winter there are a number of ski buses that take skiers directly from the Kansai area (Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya) to Nagano ski resorts, including Hakuba, Myoko Kogen (Akakura), Nozawa Onsen, Tangram/Madarao Kogen, Togakushi and Shiga Kogen. Tickets can be prebooked but service is only in Japanese. Check this E-Ski Bus link (supplied via Google translate) for more details.

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 only) 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 for timetables. Costs per person 1,400 yen one way. Travelling time is approximately 80-90 minutes.

There is a Nozawa Onsen - Togari Onsen - Madarao Kogen shuttle operating from December 2010

Bus: Nagano to Nozawa Onsen

Exit Nagano station via the East exit (see below), then take an Alpico bus bound for Nozawa Onsen. There are five buses a day during the winter season. To read the timetable - the top character is "Nagano Station east exit" and the bottom character is "Nozawa Grand Hotel". Reverse around for the return trip

Nagano Station Area Map

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).

Osaka/Nagoya to Hakuba by Bus

See here for information on getting to Hakuba from Osaka and Nagoya.

Taxi Services

Taxi: Narita to Myoko & Tokyo-Myoko Shuttle

I M Taxi provides a direct service to or from both Tokyo airports (Narita or Haneda) to your lodgings in Myoko (or Joetsu). This can be done via the regular Narita Tokyo-Myoko shuttle (there is no regular shuttle from Haneda) or by private arrangement.

• Bookings can be made through Myoko Tourist Office: stay@myoko.tv
• Must be made two weeks in advance at the latest
• One taxi shuttle can be chartered (min. 4 people) on guests requested departure time besides the scheduled journeys (as below)
• The driver meets the guests at the arrival floor either in the Terminal 1 or 2 depending on his guest’s flights. The taxi shuttle comes to each hotel for pickup in Myoko

• Scheduled taxi shuttles from Narita are available as follows:
• 1. NRT / DEP: 17:00 pm > Myoko / ARR: 23:00 pm
• 2. NRT / DEP: 21:00 pm > Myoko / ARR: 03:00 am
• 1. MYOKO / DEP: 01:00 am > NRT / ARR: 07:00 am
• 2. MYOKO / DEP: 10:00 am > NRT / ARR: 16:00 pm

• Fees per person:
• Adult: JPY 13,200
• Child: 12 yrs. and
• Under: JPY 9,200
• Preschool Child: JPY 4,300

Alternatively phone 0255-23-3188 or 0120-23-7887 for bookings or book online using this link (Japanese only).

Please note that the popular Chuo Taxi service (see below) does not have rights to deliver guests to Myoko. However guests can take a taxi to the parking lot at the Shinetsu Ohashi bridge on Nagano side in Shinano-machi. The taxi driver will call the guest’s hotel or the tourist office an hour before arriving so that a pickup will be waiting. The fee is JPY 12,000 per adult.

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 a rental car online and great selection Tocoo is the only one real choice. This company provides an English website and support in English, plus some cars can come with English GPS*. Most major car rental companies have branches in Nagano and Niigata but these can also only be found in major cities such as Nagano, Joetsu City and Tokyo. Check here to see what licence you require for driving in Japan.

Remember to book snow tyres and make sure your radiator has anti freeze. *If you can only get a Japanese GPS here are video instructions to help you: Part 1 and Part 2

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.