Located in the center of Nagoya City, Nagoya Station is one of the region's main transport hubs and a convenient place from which to explore east, west and central Japan.
A convenient transit point with multiple train lines, it's a excellent launching point from where to explore the region. The station is worth enjoying in its own right as the three tower complexes offer a range of facilities including offices, shops, restaurants, and hotels—making it quite possible to spend an entire day in Nagoya and never leave the station!
About JR Nagoya Station
Located in the center of Nagoya City, JR Nagoya Station (operated by JR Central) is one of the region's main transport hubs and a convenient place from which to explore east, west and central Japan.
At an astonishing 446,000 square meters and 53 floors, Nagoya Station holds the record as the world’s largest and tallest train station. And with roughly 177,000 passengers a day, Nagoya Station is one of the busiest stations in Japan.
With the enormous size and the number of passengers, it is easy to imagine the difficulty in finding family or friends at Nagoya station. Thankfully, the Gold and Silver Clock towers, standing at opposite ends of the Nagoya Station serve as meeting spots for locals and travelers alike. For travelers looking to join a tour of Nagoya with Snow Monkey Resort, our guides will be waiting to meet you at the Silver Clock Tower in Nagoya Station.
The following information is intended for visitors coming through Nagoya on enroute to Nagano and Central Japan. It only touches the surface of everything we could cover about the station but we hope it assists in making your transfer there, as easy and smooth as possible.
Train Lines & Services at JR Nagoya Station
JR Central Lines connected to Nagoya Station include the Tokaido Shinkansen line, Tokaido Main line, Chuo Main line, Kansai Main line, Higashiyama line, Sakura-dori line, and the Aonami line.
Additionally, Nagoya Station is connected to Meitetsu Nagoya Station with access to stops on the Meitetsu Line and the Kintetsu Line. The Meitetsu line provides direct access to Chubu Centrair International Airport.
As a major railway station, Nagoya has many train lines and services running to it however for international visitors seeking to explore Central Japan, including the Limited Express Shinano heading to the Kiso Valley and Nakasendo, Matsumoto and Nagano; along with the Limited Express Hida bound for Gero Onsen, Takayama and Toyama.
Tokaido Shinkansen Service at Nagoya Station
Nagoya is a stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen line – running from Tokyo to Osaka – which includes the following stations:
Tokyo / Shinagawa / Shin-Yokohama / Odawara / Atami / Mishima / Shin-Fuji / Shizuoka / Kakegawa / Hamamatsu / Toyohashi / Mikawa-Anjo / Nagoya / Gifu-Hashima / Maibara / Kyoto / Shin-Osaka
Nagoya can be reached from: Tokyo 95 to 100 minutes / JPY10,560; Shin-Fuji 90 min / JPY7140; Kyoto 35 to 55 min (depending on the service) / JPY5170; and Shin-Osaka 50 to 70 (depending on the service) / JPY5940. For the train schedule please refer to our 'Tokaido Shinkansen Timetable' page. The Japan Rail (JR) Pass covers services on the Tokaido Shinkansen – other than the Nozomi – and all services on the Hokuriku Shinkasen - see below for details.
Limited Express Shinano (Nagoya <-> Nagano)
Running from Nagoya to Nagano Station, the Limited Express Shinano connects two of Central Japan's major cities and travel hubs and stops at the following stations:
Nagoya – Kanayama – Chikusa – Taijimi – Ena – Nakatsugawa – Nagiso – Agematsu – Kiso-Fukushima – Shiojiri – Matsumoto – Akashina – Hijiri-Kogen – Shinonoi – Nagano*
*Please note, stations marked in bold / red on the map are stops on all services. Those not marked in bold are only serviced by certain services throughout the day.
The Limited Express Shinano operates approximately once an hour and makes the journey between Nagano and Nagoya in approximately 3 hours and costs JPY6930. For the train schedule, please refer to our ‘Limited Express Shinano Line Timetable’ page. The Japan JR Pass covers this service - see below for details. Using the Limited Express Shinano provides access to some of Japan’s most attractive destinations including the Nakasendo Trail via either Nakatsugawa or Kiso-Fukushima; Matsumoto Castle and Kamikochi via Matsumoto; and many others via Nagano Station including the Jigokudani Monkey Park and Nagano's many ski resorts.
Popular
1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Hiking the Historic Nakasendo Trail
- Spots:
- NagoyaKiso Valley
- Pick-up:
- Nagoya
- Drop-off:
- Nagoya
Limited Express Hida (Nagoya <-> Takayama / Toyama*)
Running from Nagoya to Takayama (with some services continuing directly on to Toyama Station - a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line), the Limited Express Hida service is another convenient and picturesque train line that connects Nagoya to some of Central Japan’s most enjoyable destinations, stopping at the following stations:
Nagoya – Owari-Ichinomiya – Gifu – Unuma – Mino-Ota – Shirakawaguchi – Hida-Kanayama – Gero – Hida-Hagiwara – Kuguno – Takayama – Hida-Furukawa* – Inotani* – Etchu-Yatsuo* – Hayahoshi* – Toyama*
*These stations are only stops on services to and from Toyama Station. Most services start and finish at Takayama Station so if you are intending to board or disembark at one of these stations make sure to check the specific service includes a stop at your preferred station.
For the train schedule, see our ‘Limited Express Hida Timetable’ page. The Japan JR Pass covers this service - see below for details. Using the Limited Express Hida provides access to popular destinations including Gero Onsen via Gero; Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, and Kamikochi via Takayama; and the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, Kurobe Gorge and the northern Japanese coast via Toyama. It takes approximately 145 minutes and costs JPY5610 to travel between Nagoya and Takayama. The Japan JR Pass covers this service - see below for details.
Meitetsu Limited Express Line (Chubu Central Airport)
For visitors flying in or out of Chubu Centrari International Airport, the station can be reached using the Meitetsu Limited Express Line running from the airport to Meitetsu-Nagoya Station (connected to Nagoya Station) to Central Japan International Airport (NGO) Station.
We recommend using the μ Sky Limited Express which takes 28 minutes and costs JPY1250 between Nagoya and the airport. This service only includes first-class, reserved seating. Alternatively, the Meitetsu Limited Express takes 35 minutes and costs JPY890 and has both first-class and ordinary carriages. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket machines or window at Nagoya Station and Meitetsu-Nagoya Station – departing from Track No. 3 or 4. Please note, the Japan JR Pass does not cover this line.
Nagoya Station Tourist Information Center
For visitors traveling to and from Nagoya, the Nagoya Station Tourist Information Center is located at the east end of the Central Walkway and open daily from 08:30 to 19:00. Full-time English, Chinese and Korean-speaking staff are on-hand to assist with general any tourism, accommodation and transport-related enquiries.
JR Pass Exchange Offices in Nagoya
Once you are in Japan and prior to using your pass, you must actually get your hands on it by exchanging the order/proof of purchase you received online. This can be done a numerous JR Pass Exchange Offices found at any major train station or airport, including Narita Airport and Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Kansai International Airport in Osaka, and Chubu Centrair International Airport serving Nagoya at the following office:
- Central Japan Travel Center: 09:00 to 20:30
Passes can also be exchanged/activated at these offices in/around Nagoya Station:
- Japan Rail Pass Exchange Office: 10:00 to 19:00
- Ticket Office: 06:00 to 10:00 & 19:00 to 23:00
- JR Tokai Tours Nagoya Office: 09:00 to 19:30
- JR Tokai Tours Nagoya Station Hirokoji Entrance Office: 11:00 to 19:00 (weekdays) & 11:00 to 18:00 (weekends)
To exchange/activate your pass you will need your exchange order and passport. Make sure you allow adequate time to exchange and activate your pass if you are intending to use it on the same day or do so a day or two before you plan to start using it (you can always nominate a later activation date). Once you have your activated pass you are free to ride however you can’t insert your pass into the ticket gates. Simply walk through the side booth (permanently attended by station staff) and show your pass. You will be waved through and you can make your way to the platform.
Private Charters to / from Nagoya
Of course, we also offer private tours and transport in and around the Nagoya area, and other regional destinations. We can also arrange for both custom tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter.
Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule. All vehicles are well-maintained and in good condition, allowing you to relax and enjoy your ride to wherever you are going.
With door-to-door service, we can pick you up from where you are and take you to where you want to go anywhere in Central Japan and the neighboring regions.
For more information, please check our standard charter rates or contact us for a custom trip. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Central Japan and help you discover even more!
