Hello!
I have a trip this upcoming February 2025 and was considering getting the JR East Nagano Pass for 5 days since a big portion of the trip will be in the Nagano area. But I wanted to ask for advice if it would be more cost efficient. I wanted to ask also if my current plans on how to use the pass are correct.
Note: Also not considering renting a car as I have never driven on ice/snow in the past hehe
Current Itinerary is:
Day 1 - Arrival in Tokyo -> Hakuba
Day 2 - Hakuba
Day 3 - Hakuba -> Karuizawa
Day 4 - Karuizawa -> Tokyo
Day 5 - Tokyo surrounding areas
Current plans to use the JR East Nagano Pass:
Day 1 (check-in day in Hakuba)
- Use Narita Express from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station
- Use Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station
- Use Alpico Bus from Nagano Station to Hakuba
- Use Shuttles to get around Hakuba
Questions for Day 1:
Is there a more cost efficient and time efficient to get from Nagano Station to Hakuba using the JR Pass?
Are there any discounts for the Hakuba Valley Pass thru JR Pass?
Day 2
- Use Hakuba Valley Pass to get around Hakuba
- Skiing Day
Day 3 (check out day from Hakuba, checkin Day in Karuizawa)
Option 1
- Chill around Hakuba until Lunch time, checkout
- Use Alpico Bus from Hakuba to Nagano Station
- Use Hokuriku Shinkansen from Nagano Station to Karuizawa
Option 2
- Use Oito Line from Hakuba to Matsumoto
- Use Shinano or Shinonoi Line from Matsumoto to Nagano Station
- Use Hokuriku Shinkansen from Nagano Station to Karuizawa
Questions for Day 3:
Is the Oito Line covered by the JR East Nagano Pass?
I also saw that there is a limited express Chuo Line from Hakuba to Matsumoto but it only passes once a day at ~3PM, is there no other JR Pass trains we can take earlier in the day?
What is the fastest and cheapest way to get from Matsumoto to Karuizawa using the JR East pass if possible?
Day 4
- Go around Karuizawa
Questions for Day 4:
Are the buses and trains around Karuizawa covered by the JR East Nagano Pass?
Day 5
- Use Hokuriku Shinkansen from Karuizawa to Tokyo Station
- Use JR East Pass to get around Tokyo
Hope I can get some advice on my itenarary!
