And off we go! The #Nagaden starts off under the streets of #Nagano, and its first stop is… Gondo.
My brain: GONDO CALLS FOR AID
#JohnDoesJapan
My brain: GONDO CALLS FOR AID
#JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 3:46 AM
And off we go! The #Nagaden starts off under the streets of #Nagano, and its first stop is… Gondo.
My brain: GONDO CALLS FOR AID
#JohnDoesJapan
My brain: GONDO CALLS FOR AID
#JohnDoesJapan
And here’s my ride: a full front panoramic #Nagaden 1000 series, formerly the Odakyu 10000 HiSE Romancecar from 1987, retired in 2012 and starting operations with the #Nagaden in 2005.
This is SO COOL, and so 1980s boom era Japan. Absolute #JohnDoesJapan train nerd catnip.
This is SO COOL, and so 1980s boom era Japan. Absolute #JohnDoesJapan train nerd catnip.
March 18, 2026 at 2:54 AM
And here’s my ride: a full front panoramic #Nagaden 1000 series, formerly the Odakyu 10000 HiSE Romancecar from 1987, retired in 2012 and starting operations with the #Nagaden in 2005.
This is SO COOL, and so 1980s boom era Japan. Absolute #JohnDoesJapan train nerd catnip.
This is SO COOL, and so 1980s boom era Japan. Absolute #JohnDoesJapan train nerd catnip.
Some real country Japan vibes out the *side* window of the #Nagaden — spring is almost upon this lovely snow country plateau, but nothing’s popping up quite yet…
#JohnDoesJapan
#JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 6:51 AM
Some real country Japan vibes out the *side* window of the #Nagaden — spring is almost upon this lovely snow country plateau, but nothing’s popping up quite yet…
#JohnDoesJapan
#JohnDoesJapan
Snow is wreaking havoc on Japan's off-cycle Lower House election. Nagaden, a bus company serving Nagano's Hokushin region, has responded by setting up a bus as an early-voting station in the ski-resort city of Nakano.
February 4, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Snow is wreaking havoc on Japan's off-cycle Lower House election. Nagaden, a bus company serving Nagano's Hokushin region, has responded by setting up a bus as an early-voting station in the ski-resort city of Nakano.
Over here we have a #Nagaden 3000 Series, the former Tokyo Metro 03 Series from the Hibiya Line, built from the late 1980s and running there until 2020, at which point they were shortened for sale to the Nagaden.
Now they’re running local trains out here in snow country. #JohnDoesJapan
Now they’re running local trains out here in snow country. #JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Over here we have a #Nagaden 3000 Series, the former Tokyo Metro 03 Series from the Hibiya Line, built from the late 1980s and running there until 2020, at which point they were shortened for sale to the Nagaden.
Now they’re running local trains out here in snow country. #JohnDoesJapan
Now they’re running local trains out here in snow country. #JohnDoesJapan
The #Nagaden station is deeply charming, though, and includes small stalls with local produce for all your absurdly large daikon radish needs.
this is the future #JohnDoesJapan liberals want
this is the future #JohnDoesJapan liberals want
March 18, 2026 at 2:08 AM
The #Nagaden station is deeply charming, though, and includes small stalls with local produce for all your absurdly large daikon radish needs.
this is the future #JohnDoesJapan liberals want
this is the future #JohnDoesJapan liberals want
Hands up if you’re old enough for this to be your memory of arriving into Tokyo! These ex-JR East 253 series trains used to be the Narita Express, and are now in 3-car form here on the #Nagaden.
Look out for them on the schedule! #JohnDoesJapan
Look out for them on the schedule! #JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 6:49 AM
Hands up if you’re old enough for this to be your memory of arriving into Tokyo! These ex-JR East 253 series trains used to be the Narita Express, and are now in 3-car form here on the #Nagaden.
Look out for them on the schedule! #JohnDoesJapan
Look out for them on the schedule! #JohnDoesJapan
Wait, you ask, how does the driver get into that cab above the passenger panoramic front cabin of the #Nagaden 1000/Odakyu 10000 #Romancecar?
Up the ladder and through the ceiling hatch!
#JohnDoesJapan
Up the ladder and through the ceiling hatch!
#JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Wait, you ask, how does the driver get into that cab above the passenger panoramic front cabin of the #Nagaden 1000/Odakyu 10000 #Romancecar?
Up the ladder and through the ceiling hatch!
#JohnDoesJapan
Up the ladder and through the ceiling hatch!
#JohnDoesJapan
My favourite winter train journey in Japan: the Wine Valley nonbiri train runs on the Nagaden line, between Nagano and Yudanaka. As the name implies, there’s all you can drink Nagano wine 🍷
In winter there’s stunning views of snow-covered vineyards and it’s an easy way to get to the snow monkeys 🐒
In winter there’s stunning views of snow-covered vineyards and it’s an easy way to get to the snow monkeys 🐒
November 21, 2024 at 4:19 AM
My favourite winter train journey in Japan: the Wine Valley nonbiri train runs on the Nagaden line, between Nagano and Yudanaka. As the name implies, there’s all you can drink Nagano wine 🍷
In winter there’s stunning views of snow-covered vineyards and it’s an easy way to get to the snow monkeys 🐒
In winter there’s stunning views of snow-covered vineyards and it’s an easy way to get to the snow monkeys 🐒
That’s a wrap for my day out on the #Nagaden to #Obuse, featuring #Hokusai and a lovely, welcoming temple.
Any questions? Curious about how to incorporate this into your #Japan trip? Ask away!
#JohnDoesJapan
Any questions? Curious about how to incorporate this into your #Japan trip? Ask away!
#JohnDoesJapan
March 19, 2026 at 3:00 AM
That’s a wrap for my day out on the #Nagaden to #Obuse, featuring #Hokusai and a lovely, welcoming temple.
Any questions? Curious about how to incorporate this into your #Japan trip? Ask away!
#JohnDoesJapan
Any questions? Curious about how to incorporate this into your #Japan trip? Ask away!
#JohnDoesJapan
Again! Again! Quick half an hour back on the #Nagaden, from Yudanaka Onsen to Obuse, home to the Hokusai Museum and many of the works of the great artist’s final years.
#JohnDoesJapan
#JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Again! Again! Quick half an hour back on the #Nagaden, from Yudanaka Onsen to Obuse, home to the Hokusai Museum and many of the works of the great artist’s final years.
#JohnDoesJapan
#JohnDoesJapan
And then it was back to #Obuse station to get back on the #Nagaden to Nagano — and one of the ex-Narita Express trains pulled up just as my ex-Romancecar did as well. Train kismet! #JohnDoesJapan
March 19, 2026 at 2:51 AM
And then it was back to #Obuse station to get back on the #Nagaden to Nagano — and one of the ex-Narita Express trains pulled up just as my ex-Romancecar did as well. Train kismet! #JohnDoesJapan
Today operating a #Nagaden local, this is an 8500 series — a former Tokyo commuter train on the Tokyu lines, dating back to 1975 — and the winner of the 1976 Laurel Prize, which celebrates Japan’s best trains.
#JohnDoesJapan
#JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Today operating a #Nagaden local, this is an 8500 series — a former Tokyo commuter train on the Tokyu lines, dating back to 1975 — and the winner of the 1976 Laurel Prize, which celebrates Japan’s best trains.
#JohnDoesJapan
#JohnDoesJapan
On the final curves into the end of the #Nagaden line at Yudanaka, and they sure could do with some anti-wheel squeal technology!
Doing a quick turn here — Yudanaka Onsen is on my list for a winter trip, but I’m bound for Obuse and an afternoon with Hokusai.
#JohnDoesJapan
Doing a quick turn here — Yudanaka Onsen is on my list for a winter trip, but I’m bound for Obuse and an afternoon with Hokusai.
#JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 9:25 AM
On the final curves into the end of the #Nagaden line at Yudanaka, and they sure could do with some anti-wheel squeal technology!
Doing a quick turn here — Yudanaka Onsen is on my list for a winter trip, but I’m bound for Obuse and an afternoon with Hokusai.
#JohnDoesJapan
Doing a quick turn here — Yudanaka Onsen is on my list for a winter trip, but I’m bound for Obuse and an afternoon with Hokusai.
#JohnDoesJapan
This is what I mean: get off the beaten path in Japan! Nagano is by no means remote — it’s on the Shinkansen.
But this is down the #Nagaden, away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima. I was by no means the only visible (or audible) foreigner.
But the vibe was so different.
But this is down the #Nagaden, away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima. I was by no means the only visible (or audible) foreigner.
But the vibe was so different.
March 19, 2026 at 2:47 AM
This is what I mean: get off the beaten path in Japan! Nagano is by no means remote — it’s on the Shinkansen.
But this is down the #Nagaden, away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima. I was by no means the only visible (or audible) foreigner.
But the vibe was so different.
But this is down the #Nagaden, away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima. I was by no means the only visible (or audible) foreigner.
But the vibe was so different.
The #Nagaden 1000/Odakyu 10000 Romancecar is such an icon, with this panoramic front end car and its squashy seats with the incredible view.
Why #Romancecar? Spot the lack of armrests between the seats, perfect for cuddling your special someone on the way to #Romancetown.
#JohnDoesJapan
Why #Romancecar? Spot the lack of armrests between the seats, perfect for cuddling your special someone on the way to #Romancetown.
#JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 3:09 AM
The #Nagaden 1000/Odakyu 10000 Romancecar is such an icon, with this panoramic front end car and its squashy seats with the incredible view.
Why #Romancecar? Spot the lack of armrests between the seats, perfect for cuddling your special someone on the way to #Romancetown.
#JohnDoesJapan
Why #Romancecar? Spot the lack of armrests between the seats, perfect for cuddling your special someone on the way to #Romancetown.
#JohnDoesJapan
The #Nagaden quickly turns from a two-track city line serving Nagano into a single-track rural line trundling between fruit trees and small villages, just how I like a good small railway.
#JohnDoesJapan
#JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 4:23 AM
The #Nagaden quickly turns from a two-track city line serving Nagano into a single-track rural line trundling between fruit trees and small villages, just how I like a good small railway.
#JohnDoesJapan
#JohnDoesJapan
Literally me today, overshooting my destination by half an hour for more of this train!
March 18, 2026 at 6:43 AM
Literally me today, overshooting my destination by half an hour for more of this train!
The #Nagaden offers mostly local trains, with a sprinkling of limited expresses (limited like a NYC bus, as in “limited stop”) on special trains throughout the day.
Here’s the full timetable. #JohnDoesJapan
Here’s the full timetable. #JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 2:18 AM
The #Nagaden offers mostly local trains, with a sprinkling of limited expresses (limited like a NYC bus, as in “limited stop”) on special trains throughout the day.
Here’s the full timetable. #JohnDoesJapan
Here’s the full timetable. #JohnDoesJapan
Let’s #Nagaden!
One of the GREAT things about the Nagano Electric Railway for people who love rail travel (like me!) is that they take second-hand trains from other railways across Japan.
So you get to ride incredible old trains dating back to the 70s — like these.
#JohnDoesJapan
One of the GREAT things about the Nagano Electric Railway for people who love rail travel (like me!) is that they take second-hand trains from other railways across Japan.
So you get to ride incredible old trains dating back to the 70s — like these.
#JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Let’s #Nagaden!
One of the GREAT things about the Nagano Electric Railway for people who love rail travel (like me!) is that they take second-hand trains from other railways across Japan.
So you get to ride incredible old trains dating back to the 70s — like these.
#JohnDoesJapan
One of the GREAT things about the Nagano Electric Railway for people who love rail travel (like me!) is that they take second-hand trains from other railways across Japan.
So you get to ride incredible old trains dating back to the 70s — like these.
#JohnDoesJapan
Welcome to the #Nagaden, short for #NaganoDentetsu — with Dentetsu meaning “electric railway” in Japanese.
It’s the original private sector railway in this region, and its city terminal is in quite the subterranean bunker, which isn’t unusual for a Japanese private railway.
#JohnDoesJapan
It’s the original private sector railway in this region, and its city terminal is in quite the subterranean bunker, which isn’t unusual for a Japanese private railway.
#JohnDoesJapan
March 18, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Welcome to the #Nagaden, short for #NaganoDentetsu — with Dentetsu meaning “electric railway” in Japanese.
It’s the original private sector railway in this region, and its city terminal is in quite the subterranean bunker, which isn’t unusual for a Japanese private railway.
#JohnDoesJapan
It’s the original private sector railway in this region, and its city terminal is in quite the subterranean bunker, which isn’t unusual for a Japanese private railway.
#JohnDoesJapan
Tickets for the #Nagaden are both simple for basic stuff — buy them at the station of departure from the machine, ¥100 limited express train surcharge — and deeply irritating… you can only buy them from your departure station, and you can’t reserve the good seats on the limited expresses in person.
March 18, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Tickets for the #Nagaden are both simple for basic stuff — buy them at the station of departure from the machine, ¥100 limited express train surcharge — and deeply irritating… you can only buy them from your departure station, and you can’t reserve the good seats on the limited expresses in person.
Between the #Hokusai Museum in #Obuse and the #Nagaden is the fascinating Takai Kozan museum, covering the life and art of the wealthy farmer who was Hokusai’s patron at the end of his life.
Lest this all sound very serious, there is an impressive artistic representation of extensive flatulence.
Lest this all sound very serious, there is an impressive artistic representation of extensive flatulence.
March 19, 2026 at 1:51 AM
先日は日帰りで長野でございました
地獄谷凄かった、いつかまた行こ……
I went to the Snow Mokey Park in Nagano, Japan.
OMG!! It's many cute monkeys!?!?♨️♨️
地獄谷凄かった、いつかまた行こ……
I went to the Snow Mokey Park in Nagano, Japan.
OMG!! It's many cute monkeys!?!?♨️♨️
February 17, 2024 at 6:14 AM
先日は日帰りで長野でございました
地獄谷凄かった、いつかまた行こ……
I went to the Snow Mokey Park in Nagano, Japan.
OMG!! It's many cute monkeys!?!?♨️♨️
地獄谷凄かった、いつかまた行こ……
I went to the Snow Mokey Park in Nagano, Japan.
OMG!! It's many cute monkeys!?!?♨️♨️