Train
Suwa City is located on the JR Chuo Line, providing easy access from Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagoya.
Reserved seating and green cars are available. Tickets should be purchased in advance, but there are often open seats for same-day purchasing.
Reserved seating and green cars are available. Tickets should be purchased in advance, but there are often open seats for same-day purchasing.
Tokyo
Shinjuku → Kamisuwa (JR Chuo Line - Limited Express Azusa - 2.5 hours)
Nagoya
Nagoya → Shiojiri (JR Chuo Line - Limited Express Shinano - 2.5 hours)
Shiojori → Kamisuwa (JR Chuo Line - 20 minutes)
Osaka
Shin Osaka → Nagoya (Shinkansen - 1 hour)
Nagoya → Shiojiri (JR Chuo Line - Limited Express Shinano - 2.5 hours)
Shiojori → Kamisuwa (JR Chuo Line - 20 minutes)
Bus
Bus routes are slightly cheaper and slightly longer in duration when compared with the train routes.
Tokyo
Shinjuku → Chino, Kami-Suwa, Shimo-Suwa, or Okaya (Express bus - 3-4 hours)
https://visit-nagano.alpico.co.jp/timetable/suwa-shinjuku/
International Airport Access
If you are traveling from overseas, here are simple directions from some main airports to the nearest connection points.
Haneda International Airport
To Shinjuku: Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho; JR Yamanote Line from Hamamatsucho to Shinjuku – about 40 minutes
To Shinjuku: Keikyu-Kuko Line to Shinagawa; JR Yamanote Line from Shinagawa to Shinjuku – about 70 minutes
Narita International Airport
To Shinjuku: JR Narita Express (N’EX) direct to Shinjuku – about 90 minutes
To Shinjuku: Keisei Skyliner to Nippori; JR Yamanote Line from Nippori to Shinjuku – about 70 minutes
Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport
To Nagoya: Meitetsu μ-SKY Limited Express – about 30 minutes
Kansai International Airport
To Shin-Osaka: JR Limited Express “Haruka” direct to Shin-Osaka – about 50 minutes
To Nagoya: Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka – about 50 minutes
Domestic Airport Access
The closest domestic airport to Suwa City is Matsumoto Airport, located in Nagano Prefecture.
It offers convenient access for travelers visiting the Suwa region.
Matsumoto Airport provides direct domestic flights to several major cities in Japan:
It offers convenient access for travelers visiting the Suwa region.
Matsumoto Airport provides direct domestic flights to several major cities in Japan:
Sapporo (New Chitose) Airport
Flight time: approximately 90 minutes
Sapporo (Okadama) Airport
Flight time: approximately 90 minutes
Fukuoka Airport
Flight time: approximately 100 minutes
Kobe Airport
Flight time: approximately 60 minutes
Matsumoto Airport to Suwa City
By Car
40 minutes
By Public Transportation
Take a local bus from Matsumoto Airport to Matsumoto (approx. 30 minutes).
From there, transfer to the Limited Express Azusa, and get off at Kami-Suwa (approx. 40 minutes).