Shinano Limited Express service from Kyoto was discontinued on March 26th, 2016. Passengers traveling from Kyoto to Nagano can take the Thunderbird to Tsuruga and then change to the Hokuriku Shinkansen for Nagano. Another route is to take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya and change to the Shinano there.
The Shinano Limited Express is a service operated by JR Central that connects Nagoya Station and Nagano Station. The name “Shinano” comes from Shinano Province, a historical name for the Nagano region. From Nagoya Station, the route follows the Chuo Main Line until Shiojiri Station and then joins the Shinonoi Line to reach Nagano Station. When the direct service operated from Kyoto and Osaka, Kyoto Station signage referred to this route as the Tokaido / Chuo Line. That direct Kyoto service has ended, so travelers from Kyoto should board the Shinano at Nagoya or use the Hokuriku route via Tsuruga.
Japan Rail Pass users should check the route carefully. Hikari or Kodama services to Nagoya and the Limited Express Shinano can be used without a Nozomi surcharge, while Nozomi requires an additional NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket. The Hokuriku route via Tsuruga is another JR route to compare.
The Limited Express Shinano bound for Nagano
Key Destinations
The direct Limited Express Shinano #9 from Osaka and Kyoto stopped at the following stations until service ended in 2016:
Osaka > Shin-Osaka > Kyoto > Maibara > Gifu > Nagoya > Chikusa > Tajimi > Nakatsugawa > Kiso-Fukushima > Shiojiri > Matsumoto > Shinonoi > Nagano
Kyoto/Osaka-Nagano Shinano route map
This map shows the route used by the direct Osaka and Kyoto Shinano service before it ended in 2016.
The main reason to transfer to the Limited Express Shinano at Nagoya is to get quickly and conveniently to Nagano Prefecture. Here are the key destinations in that area.
Fares and journey times from Kyoto vary by transfer point, train type and seat type. Use the JR West Timetable & Route Finder or the relevant JR reservation service for the route on your travel date.
Kiso-Fukushima Station
The town of Kiso is your gateway to the picturesque Kiso Valley and the popular Nakasendo hiking trail. The Nakasendo, which means “central mountain way”, is a historic highway between the cities of Kyoto and Edo (present-day Tokyo), which runs inland through the modern prefectures of Shiga, Gifu, Nagano, Gunma and Saitama. The section of the route that runs through the Kiso Valley is said to be particularly beautiful with many well preserved post towns, pristine forests, mountain views and old fashioned ryokan style inns in which to rest along the way.
Shiojiri Station
Within the city bounds of Shiojiri is the historic post town of Narai-juku, a Nationally Designated Architectural Preservation Site, which has many original Edo era buildings.
Matsumoto Station
Matsumoto is Nagano Prefecture’s second largest city and justly famous for magnificent Matsumoto Castle, a designated National Treasure and one of only 12 original castles in the country (the others are post-war reconstructions). Other historic sites are the Meiji era Kaichi School building, a museum, the well-preserved merchant buildings of the Nakamachi Dori area, and the wooden court building at Rekishi no Sato which dates from 1908. From Matsumoto you can also easily reach the beautiful mountain trails of the Kamikochi area.
Nagano Station
Nagano City’s most popular attraction is Zenkoji Temple, known for its gigantic Sanmon and Niomon gates. Nagano is better known though as a jumping off point for the Japan Alps, and the popular ski resorts of Hakuba, Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen (also known for its hot springs). Other nearby attractions include the town of Obuse, the former home of famed ukiyo-e painter Katsushika Hokusai, and the snow monkeys of the hot spring town Yudanaka.
Shinano is a historical name for the Nagano region
Useful Links
To look up connection times quickly and easily use the JR West Timetable & Route Finder. For travel between Kyoto and Nagano, compare routes via Tsuruga on the Hokuriku Shinkansen with routes via Nagoya on the Limited Express Shinano.
Kyoto Station Platform 0
Article and photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 18-Jun-2026.
