Japan★Osaka→Nagano★Shinkansen & Limited Express Shinano★Soba Trip

Japan★Osaka→Nagano★Shinkansen & Limited Express Shinano★Soba Trip

A scenic train journey from Osaka to Nagano to enjoy authentic Togakushi Soba, one of Japan’s finest buckwheat noodles.

There are two main routes from Osaka to Nagano.
The fastest option is via Kanazawa, using the Limited Express “Thunderbird” and the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which is about 40 minutes quicker.

However, this time I chose the longer but more scenic route — taking the Limited Express “Shinano” from Nagoya to Nagano, sitting in the front-view seat.
It takes a bit more time, but the panoramic views from the observation seat made it a very relaxing and memorable trip.

If you board the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka, you can usually find a seat in the non-reserved section.
But if you board from Kyoto, I recommend reserving a seat in advance.

The observation seats on the Limited Express Shinano are part of the Green Car (first-class), and tickets often sell out immediately after reservations open one month in advance.

The total fare from Osaka to Nagano is about ¥20,000 when using the Green Car on the Shinano,
or about ¥14,000 when taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen via Kanazawa.

〇About Soba
　Soba is a traditional Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour.
　It has a light, nutty flavor and is commonly served cold with dipping sauce or in a warm broth.
　The Nagano region is especially famous for its pure water and high-quality buckwheat, producing 　　　　　　some of Japan’s best soba.

Togakushi Soba “Bocchi”
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