What You Need to Know about the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)

Trains are one of the transportation staples in Japan, and the country has a comprehensive railway network that enables travellers to get around easily without hassle.

For those travelling extensively by train around Japan, a rail pass is a great option as it usually offers unlimited train rides for a fixed period. One such instance? The JR東日本鐵路周遊券（長野&新潟地區）, especially if you are exploring the Shinetsu Region (信越千地方), made up of prefectures Nagano (長野県) and Niigata (新潟県).

Say hello to the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)!

The JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) in the background. | ©Julia Yee

If you are travelling to Nagano and Niigata by train, then the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) is the rail pass for you. At ¥27,000 per adult, the rail pass enables travellers to enjoy unlimited train rides for 5 consecutive days on Shinkansen routes, JR East lines, some limited express trains and non-JR East lines such as the Hokuhoku Line by Hokuetsu Express and lines by Tobu Railways.

Seats in the Ordinary Car of an E7 series train. | ©JR East

You can also book seats for free with the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area), and you can make as many seat reservations as you like during the 5-consecutive-day period. This is especially handy if you are travelling during peak seasons or for popular train routes.

Do note, however, that complimentary reservations are only for seats in the Ordinary Car. For Green Car seats, you have to pay an additional Green Car charge.

Which areas are covered by the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)?

Areas covered by the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) | ©illustAC, ©JR East

The valid areas covered by the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) are prefectures Nagano and Niigata, and parts of the Kantō Region, which includes the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, the Narita Express (N’EX) that connects Narita International Airport and selected stations in Tokyo, as well as the Tokyo Monorail that runs between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsuchō Station in Tokyo.

The E7 series on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Jōetsu Shinkansen. | ©JR East

With the rail pass, travellers can enjoy unlimited train rides on the following Shinkansen routes:

• Hokuriku Shinkansen (北陸新幹線), Tōkyō ⇔ Jōetsumyōkō via Nagano
• Jōetsu Shinkansen (上越新幹線), Tōkyō ⇔ Niigata (branch from Echigo-Yuzawa to GALA-Yuzawa available during winter season)
• Tōhoku Shinkansen (東北新幹線), Tōkyō ⇔ Nasushiobara

Other trains covered by the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area). | ©JR East, ©photoAC (bottom-right)

Moreover, there are other trains that the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) covers as well, such as:

• Narita Express (N’EX), Narita Airport ⇔ major urban stations in Tokyo and neighbouring cities
• Limited Express Odoriko (踊り子), Tōkyō ⇔ Izukyū-Shimoda
• Selected Joyful Trains such as HIGH RAIL 1375, Oykot, Resort View Furusato, KAIRI, and Koshino Shu*Kura
• Local lines within the Tokyo Metropolitan Area such as the Yamanote Line, the Chūō-Sōbu Line, the Saikyō Line, and more

Popular destinations you can visit with the rail pass

Locations of historical landmarks and natural attractions in Nagano and Niigata. | ©Google Maps

Nagano and Niigata have their fair share of exciting attractions for visitors to discover, ranging from historical landmarks to beautiful natural sights. With the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area), visitors can fully enjoy a fulfilling experience of exploring the two prefectures by train.

Let’s have a look at some of the attractions that visitors can explore with the rail pass:

Nagano Prefecture (長野県)

Matsumoto Castle in spring. | ©photoAC

If you love castles in Japan, then you would be glad to learn that Nagano Prefecture (長野県) is home to one of the most remarkable castles in the country. In the city of Matsumoto (松本市) lies Matsumoto Castle (松本城), which is known for its facade.

What’s unique about it? It is the only castle in Japan where the castle towers feature walls covered in black lacquer. The castle has also earned the name “Crow Castle” (烏城), as it resembles a crow spreading its wings.

Matsumoto Castle (松本城)
Address: 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano 390-0873
Nearest station: JR Matsumoto Station (松本駅)

Kamikōchi in the summer. | ©photoAC

Want to get away from the city life and immerse yourself in the beauty of Mother Nature? Then make a trip to Kamikōchi (上高地), a splendorous highland region in the Northern Japanese Alps (北アルプス). The region is known for its pristine natural beauty, from vibrant greenery in the summer to vivid warm-coloured foliage in autumn.

Take note that Kamikochi is open to visitors only from 17 April to 15 November every year, and is closed for the winter due to heavy snowfall. It is accessible by bus from JR Nagano Station or JR Matsumoto Station, and private vehicles are not allowed in the region.

Kamikōchi (上高地)
Nearest station: JR Nagano Station (長野駅) or JR Matsumoto Station (松本駅)

Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa during the summer. | ©photoAC

Karuizawa (軽井沢) is a popular city for a day trip among visitors based in Tokyo, as it is only an hour’s Shinkansen train ride away. The city is a perfect place for a getaway regardless of the season, whether it is for cool respite in the summer or snow activities during winter.

Karuizawa is home to chic restaurants and natural tourist attractions, such as Shiraito Falls (白糸の滝), a beautiful waterfall known for its 3-metre cliffs and flowing spring water that resembles white threads; and Kumobaike Pond, which is particularly stunning in autumn when it is surrounded by vivid warm shades of red and yellow.

Karuizawa (軽井沢)
Nearest station: JR Karuizawa Station (軽井沢駅)

Nozawa Onsen, another hot spring haven in Nagano. | ©photoAC

Can’t get enough of onsen (温泉 hot springs)? Then why not pay a visit to Nozawa Onsen (野沢温泉), another onsen town that also doubles as a snow resort during winter? Nagano Prefecture is known for its plentiful hot springs, and Nozawa Onsen is a perfect example to learn and experience some of the prefecture’s hot springs.

The town is home to more than 200 hot spring areas, and has over 1,000 hot spring sources, making it one of Japan’s “Onsen Kingdoms”. Nozawa Onsen’s hot spring district has 13 unique public bathhouses altogether, and you can experience them all during your stay in the town.

Nozawa Onsen (野沢温泉)
Address: 7653 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano 389-2502
Nearest station: JR Iiyama Station (飯山駅)

Niigata Prefecture (新潟県)

GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort in winter. | ©photoAC

Niigata, a prefecture that directly faces the Sea of Japan, is known for its heavy snowfall during winter, making it a great destination for winter sports and activities. One of the most popular snow resorts is GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort (ガーラ湯沢スノーリゾート) in Yuzawa, and it even has its own train station that operates only during winter, making it highly convenient among visitors who are bringing their own winter gear.

Visitors can also choose to spend the night in Yuzawa (湯沢), and enjoy one of Yuzawa’s many amazing hot spring baths and local delicacies, from the freshest seafood to its wide range of locally brewed sake.

GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort (ガーラ湯沢スノーリゾート)
Address: 1039-2 Yuzawa, Minami Uonuma-gun, Niigata 949-6101
Nearest station: JR GALA Yuzawa Station (ガーラ湯沢駅)

Bijinbayashi Forest during the summer. | ©photoAC

Ever experienced “shinrin’yoku” (森林浴) before? Translated as “forest bathing”, it is where visitors take a recreational trip to forests to relax and rejuvenate, and one of the best spots to do so is Bijinbayashi Forest (美人林) in Niigata Prefecture.

The forest’s name literally means “beauty forest”, and is filled with century-old beech trees that make it look like it comes straight out of a painting. Regarded as a “power spot” where people visit to feel spiritually recharged, the forest is a tourist attraction that is not to be missed.

Bijinbayashi Forest (美人林)
Address: 1225-1 Matsunoyamamatsuguchi, Tokamachi, Niigata 942-1411
Nearest station: *Matsudai Station (まつだい駅)
Note: Matsudai Station is operated by Hokuetsu Express, which is covered by the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)

Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県)

Aerial view of Izu. | ©photoAC

If you are looking for another getaway destination from Tokyo, then the Izu Peninsula (伊豆半島) in Shizuoka Prefecture is a splendid choice. The peninsula is known for its scenic coastlines, hot springs, and amazing seafood, making it a great holiday destination from the capital city.

One of the popular attractions among visitors is Izu Peninsula Geopark (伊豆半島ジオパーク), which is home to rich biodiversity and stunning natural spots such as Mount Ōmuro (大室山), Ryugu Sea Cave (龍宮窟), and more.

Plus, the best times to explore the Izu Peninsula are from early February to early March, when beautiful kawazuzakura (河津桜) will be in bloom; and in June, when hydrangeas (アジサイ ajisai) will be in full bloom.

Izu Peninsula (伊豆半島)
Nearest station: Several stations along the *Izu-Kyūkō Line (伊豆急行線)
*This line is covered by the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)

Last words

To explore the best that Nagano and Niigata have to offer in terms of memorable tourist destinations, then the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) is your best travelling companion! With the rail pass, you can also experience hassle-free rail travel, with unlimited train rides and complimentary seat reservations.

Get your JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) here!

The JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area). | ©JR East

Planning to get the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)? You can do so from JAPAN RAIL CLUB! Simply click here and follow the steps to get your rail pass. See you in Nagano and Niigata soon!