Last Train to Nozawa Connection info: (current as at 2/7/09)

Dep - Arr
19:15 – 20:17: Narita Express from Narita airport to Tokyo
20:32 – 22:16: Nagano Bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano
22:44 – 23:44 Latest train on the Iiyama line from Nagano to Togari Nozawa.

When the train arrives at Togari Nozawa Onsen Station there will be taxis available to take you to Nozawa. (the last bus from the station to the village leaves at around 7pm)

You must also account for buying tickets which can sometimes take a little while. Getting the JR East rail pass can take up to half an hour to purchase at the view plaza if you are made to wait in line.

Travelling to Nozawa by Train, if you do not make that 19:15 train from Narita, it would be impossible to get to Nozawa on the same day – unless you take a taxi from Nagano to Nozawa which would cost around 20000 yen. There is a taxi service doing direct transfers from the airport to accommodation anywhere in Nagano called Chuo Taxi. There is a link to their site on the access page of our website.

Taking the Chuo Taxi
Pros:
You get there on the same day, and dont have to worry about transfers.
Cons:
The downside is that the taxi usually waits at the airport for passengers on other flights, and drops people off in different places on the way to Nozawa. This can make the trip take a very long time and an arrival in Nozawa before midnight would be a rarity..

Its definitely a toss up which way to do it. Here is a suggestion of possible itinerary for those in a hurry to get to Nozawa:

- Take the Keisei Skyliner from Narita to Ueno (this train is not included on the JR East pass)
- Stay the night near Ueno station. Get train tickets for the next day sorted out. Take it easy if tired, or if time permits take a look around Kanda (area with lots of ski shops) or Akihabara (electronics town) which are nearby.
- The next day, travel by bullet train from Ueno station to Nagano, and then on to Nozawa. If you leave Ueno at 630 in the morning then you can get to Nozawa by 10am, and theoretically be on the slopes before lunch.
***No responsibility excepted if following this advice and results in missing first tracks on a powder day!