Kiso Valley: Getting there and around

Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya (100-110 minutes) and transfer to the JR Shinano limited express train for access into the Kiso Valley. The Japan Rail Pass covers the entire train journey if using Hikari trains along the Tokaido Shinkansen, but a supplement fee is required on Nozomi trains.

To access Magome, take the Shinano limited express from Nagoya to Nakatsugawa Station (50 minutes). The entire journey from Tokyo to Nakatsugawa takes about three hours and costs around 13,000 yen one way. From Nakatsugawa, Magome can be reached in a 30 minute bus ride (570 yen one way, not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, see timetable).

To access Tsumago, get off at Nagiso Station. Some limited express trains stop at Nagiso Station, but most do not, in which case you should transfer to a local train at Nakatsugawa Station. The entire journey from Tokyo to Nagiso takes about three hours and costs around 13,000 yen one way. From Nagiso, Tsumago can be reached in a short taxi (about 2000 yen one way) or bus ride (300 yen one way, not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, see timetable).

To directly access Narai from Tokyo, it is recommended to travel by limited express train via Shiojiri (see below).

Take the JR Azusa limited express train from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Shiojiri Station south of Matsumoto (2.5 hours) and transfer to a local or limited express train into the Kiso Valley. The train journey is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

To access Narai, take a local train from Shiojiri Station to Narai Station (20 minutes). The entire one way trip from Shinjuku to Narai takes about three hours and costs around 7,000 yen.

To access Tsumago, take the JR Shinano limited express train from Shiojiri to Nagiso Station (50 minutes). Note that many limited express trains do not stop at Nagiso, in which case you should transfer to a local train at Kiso-Fukushima Station or use a local train from Shiojiri. The entire journey from Tokyo to Nagiso by limited express trains takes about four hours and costs around 9,000 yen one way. From Nagiso, Tsumago can be reached in a short taxi (about 2000 yen one way) or bus ride (300 yen one way, not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, see timetable).

To access Magome, take the JR Shinano limited express train from Shiojiri to Nakatsugawa Station (60 minutes). The entire journey from Tokyo to Nakatsugawa via Shiojiri takes about four hours and costs around 9,500 yen one way. From Nakatsugawa, Magome can be reached in a 30 minute bus ride (570 yen one way, not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, see timetable).

Daytime highway buses between Shinjuku and Nagoya stop at the Magome bus stop, which is located in the Misaka parking area along the Chuo Expressway. From the bus stop, Magome can be reached in about a 20 minute walk. The one way journey between Shinjuku and Magome takes about 4.5 hours and costs 4,900 and 7.700 yen depending on the day of travel. Online reservations can be made via Willer.