Tokyo and Nagoya are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. Nozomi trains require about 100 minutes to reach Nagoya from Tokyo, Hikari trains about 110 minutes and Kodama trains about three hours. The regular one way fare is 10,560 yen for a non-reserved seat on any train, and around 11,000 yen for a reserved seat. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Hikari and Kodama trains but not on Nozomi trains.
Multiple companies, including Willer Express, operate daytime and overnight buses between Tokyo and Nagoya. The one way trip takes about 5-6 hours. One way fares vary on travel date and bus type between around 2,000 and 5,500 yen. Online reservations can be made through Willer.
By local trains, the one way trip from Tokyo to Nagoya takes about six hours and typically involves about three transfers of trains. The regular fare is a relatively expensive 6380 yen, however, with a Seishun 18 Kippu you could theoretically do the trip for as little as 2410 yen.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Nagoya and surroundings are served by multiple railway companies and six subway lines. Japan Railways (JR) including the Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train), Meitetsu Railway, Kintetsu Railway, the Aonami Line and two subway lines converge at Nagoya Station.
A network of bus lines complements the rail network, but it is not easy to use for foreigners. The exception is the Meguru loop bus for tourists, which connects Nagoya Station with several of the city's main tourist attractions.
The most convenient means of getting around Nagoya for foreign visitors are the city's six subway lines. Color coded and thoroughly bilingual, they are easy to navigate and provide convenient access to most of central Nagoya's attractions.
This loop bus line for tourists connects Nagoya Station with many of Nagoya's major sights, including the Toyota Techno Museum, Noritake Garden, Nagoya Castle, the Tokugawa Art Museum and Sakae. Buses operate every 20-30 minutes on weekends and every 30-60 minutes on weekdays, but they do not operate on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday) when the museums are closed. The fare is 210 yen per ride or 500 yen for a day pass for unlimited rides on one calendar day.
JR connects Nagoya via the Tokaido Shinkansen with Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Other JR lines commencing or passing through Nagoya are the Tokaido Main Line, Chuo Line (to Kiso Valley, Nagano), Kansai Line (in the direction of Ise) and Takayama Line (to Takayama). While they are useful for side trips out of Nagoya, the JR lines are not very useful for getting around the city.
Meitetsu Railway operates numerous railway lines from Nagoya Station into Nagoya's suburbs and surrounding regions. Meitetsu's main station, Meitetsu Nagoya Station, is located in the basement below JR Nagoya Station. Of interest to foreign travelers are the Inuyama Line (to Inuyama), Toyota Line (to Toyota) and the Airport Line (to Central Japan Airport).
Kintetsu Railway connects Nagoya Station with Ise and various cities in the Kansai Region, including Nara and Osaka.
The Linimo started service as Japan's first maglev train in March 2005. It operates between Fujigaoka and Yakusa Stations and provided access to the Expo 2005 site.
Toica (by JR) and Manaca (by Meitetsu and Nagoya Subway) are the prepaid IC cards that can be purchased in Nagoya and used on virtually all trains, subways and buses in the Greater Nagoya region (and most other major cities in Japan) instead of cash. Furthermore, eight IC cards from other major cities of Japan can also be used on the trains and buses of Nagoya, including Suica, Pasmo, Icoca, Pitapa, Sugoca, Nimoca and Hayakaken.
Alternatively, there are several one-day passes available for getting around Nagoya:
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