How To Travel From Tokyo To Nagoya: The Fastest And Cheapest Ways

If you’re staying in Tokyo but want to experience more of Japan, you might wonder how difficult it is to get out of the city.

The city of Nagoya is another popular Japanese destination to visit, but trying to get out of the bustling greater Tokyo area can be challenging.

So how long does it take for you to get from Tokyo to Nagoya? If you’re wondering about this question then you’ve come to the right place.

In this article we’re going to be taking you through everything there is to know about traveling from Tokyo to Nagoya (see also ‘Nagoya Vs Tokyo: What’s The Difference?‘).

We’ll take you through how far away it is, some of the transport options you have available to you, and how you can plan a trip that works for you (see also ‘Why Is Tokyo’s Transport System So Efficient?‘). 

How Far Away Is Nagoya From Tokyo?

Nagoya is the fourth most populated urban area in Japan and the central capital of the Aichi Prefecture.

It is known to be one of the most industrial cities in Japan and is home to the Nagoya Stock Exchange, making it one of the country’s most important financial locations. 

Thankfully, if you’re looking to go travel to Nagoya for work or experience, then you’ll be pleased to know that it’s not all that far away from Tokyo.

Nagoya is approximately 340km west of Tokyo, and because of this, there are a lot of options to help you get there quickly. In the section below, we’re going to give you a list of all the different transportation options you’ll have available to you. 

Fastest Ways To Travel 

Traveling From Tokyo To Nagoya Via Shinkansen

If you haven’t heard the word Shinkansen before, don’t worry, it’s just the Japanese word for the bullet train. Boarding the Shinkansen is one of the fastest ways you can choose to travel.

Japan has one of the most advanced railway systems and best-designed trains in the world, so if you’re looking to get to Nagoya (see also ‘Nagoya City Guide: What Is Special About Nagoya?‘) quickly and easily, this might be the option for you. 

So let’s take you through some approximate stats for what your experience will be like on a Shinkansen train from Tokyo to Nagoya.

First off, the ticket price range is going to be around 120-140 US dollars per one-way trip, however, you can find off-peak tickets for a few 100 yen less.

This is much higher than other options you’ll have, but it’s a good trade considering the speed. Average travel time on a Shinkansen will take around 1.5 hours to get you through the 341km or 212-mile distance. 

The one downside when with the Shinkansen is the availability of tickets. As we’re sure you can imagine – the fast nature of these trains means that they get sold out fast.

So then, if you are set on the Shinkansen as your method of transportation, you’re going to want to prebook tickets ahead of time. 

Traveling From Tokyo To Nagoya Via Plane

The next option you have available to you is surprisingly cheaper on average than taking the Shinkansen.

Flying from Toyko to Nagoya can be a cost-effective way to get there quickly, but it does come at the cost of higher carbon emissions and having to deal with general airport trials and tribulations. 

You’ll be able to catch a flight from either Narita or Haneda, and the whole experience will take around 1 hour and thirty minutes from one runway to the other.

You do however have to add on the time it takes to stand in line at the airport, as well as retrieve luggage. 

The general cost of a flight from Tokyo to Nagoya usually costs somewhere around 65 US dollars for a one-way flight, however additional airport costs can raise this slightly.

If you’re looking for a return, expect to pay up to 140 US dollars, or maybe more depending on the deal, you’re able to find. 

We’d recommend this mode of transportation if you’re used to/don’t mind dealing with airport transfers and want something that is fast but not quite expensive as the Shinkansen. 

Cheapest Ways To Travel

Traveling From Tokyo To Nagoya Via Regular Trains

Next up is a slow but cost-effective way to get from Tokyo to Nagoya. Japan also has a network of much slower but still useful regular trains that give you a great option for travel if you want to pay less and don’t mind a more scenic route. 

This is a particularly cheap way to travel if you’re in Japan during the Seishun 18-ticket season.

This ticket can only be purchased during three distinct times of the year during the spring, summer, and winter school holiday seasons, and offers unlimited nationwide travel on both rapid and local Japan Railways trains.

It is extremely cost-effective, costing around 80 dollars. 

You can purchase a Seishun 18 ticket from most Japanese Railway stations across Japan, but you’re going to need to make sure that it’s during one of the holiday periods we mentioned above.

With each day you use the ticket you’ll get a stamp, and once you get all five the ticket will no longer be valid.

It’s worth mentioning that you can share this ticket between five people, with a stamp added for each person taking the journey.

For example, if all five people use the ticket on the same day, then it will be valid for one day’s worth of travel. 

Traveling From Toyko To Nagoya Via Highway Bus 

Our final method of transportation is the standard highway bus. This is the cheapest way you’ll be able to travel, but it can be testing for your patience.

A simple bus from Tokyo to Nagoya can take up to 8 hours, though most journeys are more likely to take from 5-6 hours. 

The best thing about taking the highway bus is that you can get a one-way trip for as little as 14 US dollars.

While the majority of buses will take you through a night-time journey, there are also daytime trips that you’ll be able to book providing you look in the right places.

If you’re really traveling on a budget, then this is the best option you have for cheap travel from one city to the next – just make sure to prepare for a long journey! 

Final Note About The Japan Rail Pass

If you’re going to be doing a lot of traveling, one of the best options you can go for is purchasing a Japan Rail Pass. You can buy one of these, with options to pick a 7, 14, or 21-day series of trips.

These vary in price and the types of train you can use, but here are some estimates:

• 7-Day JR Pass: 44,810 Yen (312.05 USD)
• 14-Day JR Pass: 72,310 Yen (503.55 USD)
• 21-Day JR Pass: 91,670 Yen (638.37 USD)

This is an expensive option but works out as much cheaper if you’re taking a lot of trains over the course of your stay in Japan. If you’ve already purchased a Japan Rail Pass, we’d recommend utilizing it for your trip from Tokyo to Nagoya.