Alpine route from Kanazawa to Nagano

Hi! We are planning to do the Alpine Route in mid-/end-April. We are staying in Kanazawa the night before and would take an early train to Dentesu-Toyama-Station. After handing over our luggage (outbound to Nagano) we would start the Alpine Route. After completing it in the evening, we'd pick up our luggage in Nagano and stay there for the night.
Does that make sense? I'm a bit unsure.
- How do we get to Nagano after completing the Alpine Route?
- I've read that the luggage counter in Nagano closes at 8pm. We don't want to rush trough the Alpine Route and/or be afraid not to get our luggage because we miss a train/bus.
Is there any way to make this a bit easier and less stressful? ;-)

Your plan will be fine, it won't be stressful.

The Alpine Route website has lots of helpful information.

http://www.alpen-route.com/en/

When you finish the Alpine Route at Ogizawa, there is a bus to Nagano Station where you will collect your luggage. The bus timetable is here
http://www.alpen-route.com/en/timetable/others01.html

You just have to finish the route in time to catch the last bus at 4.30pm, which gets you to Nagano at 6.15pm with plenty of time to get your luggage (map of where to go for this is also on the Alpine Route website Access page (access from Toyama surrounding area)
http://www.alpen-route.com/en/access_new/local.html

Hi,

We did the exact same route last year (but we stayed and went back to Kanazawa the same day)
Check out the details, pros and cons, timings here
http://jrvacation.com/tateyama-kurobe-alpine-route/

Ill be doing similar thing, from Kanazawa and heading to Matsumoto instead of Nagano.

just make sure you buy the Option Ticket, it covers from Dentetsu Toyama all the way to Nagano, cheaper for tourists.

I did the east to West version of this great route. Remind that the station mentioned in not a JR station. Only few minutes from each other.
Luggage transport was great. Enjoy and smile to the tourists who though carry their luggage through the Alps.....

- I've read that the luggage counter in Nagano closes at 8pm. We don't want to rush trough the Alpine Route and/or be afraid not to get our luggage because we miss a train/bus.

It would be better to have the luggage delivered to your hotel in Nagano.