Tsumago to Nagoya train and bus (Nagiso to Nagoya + after Nakasendo Trail)

Kon’nichiwa!

The typical way to get from Tsumago to Nagoya is a combination of train and bus. It can take as little as 2 hours to get from Tsumago to Nagoya if you time it right, or it might take over 2.5 hours.

The closest train station to Tsumago is Nagiso Station, which you can get to by bus. It’s also possible to continue walking an hour on the ancient Nakasendo Trail to get to Nagiso from Tsumago, instead of the bus.

Once at Nagiso Station, there’s the JR Shinano limited express train or the regular Chuo Line train that goes to Nagoya.

You’ll pay the bus fare as you’re getting off the bus, and you can buy your train ticket once you arrive at Nagiso Station. Both are cash only.

Being in rural Japan, the buses and trains aren’t the most frequent and/or the connections may not be great, so it is best to plan ahead based on the train schedule and bus schedule.

Depending on your timing, it’s possible that going to Nakatsugawa Station instead of Nagiso Station will get you back to Nagoya quicker. Google maps can help you determine which train station is the best transit station for you based on your timing!

Below I lay out what a common route looks like when going from Tsumago to Nagoya at the end of the day. This may or may not be the best way for you, but it will give you an idea of what you can expect, when doing the bus and train combo.

 

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PLAN YOUR MAGOME TO TSUMAGO TRIP > Nakasendo Trail map

Where to stay: Nikko Style near Nagoya Station | OnnNakatsugawa | Magome Guesthouse

 

Best route for Tsumago to Nagoya

I think the easiest way to figure out the best route for you to take from Tsumago to Nagoya is to consult google maps! Based on what time you want to leave Tsumago, it will come up with options that you can consider and whether it will be more efficient to go to Nagiso Station or Nakatsugawa Station to get on the train to Nagoya. It will also give an estimate of the time it will take, as well the estimated cost.

 

👆 Use Tsumago-juku as your starting point, and Nagoya Station as your destination (map). Adjust the time to match what will be realistic for you. You will get several options that you can compare.

 

👆 Tsumago to Nagoya option 1: Tsumago to Nagiso bus, then the JR Shinano limited express train to Nagoya. This is the most standard way to get from Tsumago to Nagoya.

 

👆 Tsumago to Nagoya option 2: Tsumago to Nagiso bus, then the regular Chuo Line train to Nagoya. The Chuo Line train will have a transfer at Nakatsugawa Station. Taking the regular Chuo Line is a way to save some money.

 

👆 Tsumago to Nagoya option 3: Tsumago to Nakatsugawa bus, then a train to Nagoya. Depending on your timing, the best option may be to get on the train from Nakatsugawa Station.

 

Tsumago to Nagiso bus

Tsumago to Nagiso bus: 300 yen (US$2)

 

So in most cases, step 1 is to get to the train station from Tsumago by bus. (You can also walk 1 hour from Tsumago to Nagiso.)

Once you are in Tsumago, there will be signs for the bus stop. So it won’t be too difficult to locate. You will just follow the signs!

The bus fare is to be paid in cash with exact change. You’ll pay as you are getting off the bus. It’s about a 10 minute ride to Nagiso Station.

 

See more about the bus from Tsumago.

 

Nagiso to Nagoya train

Nagiso Station to Nagoya Station JR Shinano limited express train: 1 hour 10 minutes (3420 yen / US$23)

Nagiso Station to Nagoya Station Chuo Line regular train: 2 hours (1690 yen / $12)

 

Once you are at the train station, it is pretty straightforward. First you’ll buy your train ticket, which also needs to be paid in cash. The ticket booth has limited hours, but if there’s no one there when you arrive, you can just get on the train without a ticket and pay when you have the chance. This may be when you are actually on the train (limited express train) or once you get to Nagoya (regular train).

You can also buy your Nagiso to Nagoya train ticket ahead of time at a JR ticket office before you do the Nakasendo Trail, at the same time you buy your train ticket for Nagoya to Nakatsugawa (aka the train to get to the Nakasendo Trail).

 

👆 There’s a ticket booth where you can buy train tickets for Nagiso to Nagoya.

 

👆 The ticket window is not always manned. In that case, you can just get on a train. Also note the location of the non-reserved cars if you’re getting on the limited express train. Only non-reserved tickets can be bought at Nagiso Station.

 

👆 It also says on the outside of the train which cars are for non-reserved seats. This does say in English below. It does also say inside the train as well, but as far as I saw, that was only in Japanese. So if you’re learning kanji (Chinese characters), this would be a good one to recognize.

 

👆 Nagiso to Nagoya limited express train tickets. One is the “basic” fare, and the other is the additional fare for it being a “limited express” train. These tickets will come together if you buy the tickets at the ticket window.

 

👆 Limited express train to Nagoya Station.

 

👆 Inside the JR Shinano limited express train.

 

Nagoya day trip: Nakasendo Trail itinerary

For general planning, here’s the way to think of doing the Nakasendo Trail as a day trip from Nagoya:

• Nagoya to Magome
  • Nagoya to Nakatsugawa train
  • Nakatsugawa to Magome bus
• Hiking the Nakasendo Trail from Magome to Tsumago
• Tsumago to Nagoya
  • Tsumago to Nagiso bus
  • Nagiso to Nagoya train

 

 

JAPAN TRAVEL > NAKASENDO TRAIL ITINERARY