Getting Around Nagahama
Nagahama is a compact city on the shore of Lake Biwa, and for most visitors the practical answer to "how do I get around?" is simply: on foot. The city's main tourist destinations and its hotels sit within easy walking distance of the station, so a car or a bus pass is rarely necessary for a typical sightseeing day.
Arriving by Train
Nagahama Station sits on the Hokuriku Main Line, and the rail network is the backbone of any trip here. The station is served by Special Rapid services that run toward Maibara, the nearest Shinkansen stop, and these same trains continue on to destinations across the Kansai region, making Nagahama a convenient base for day trips.
One practical detail matters a great deal when boarding: these trains often arrive as long formations, but only the front portion of the train continues through to Nagahama. If you are heading to Nagahama, make sure you are sitting in the front cars, or you may find yourself changing trains along the way.
For longer journeys, Nagahama is also served by Shirasagi Limited Express trains running between Maibara and Kanazawa, some of which continue beyond Maibara toward Nagoya. Additional trains pass through the area without stopping, so on those services you would need to change at Maibara or Tsuruga. If you prefer to avoid Limited Expresses entirely, local and rapid trains can get you to the same places, though connections are less frequent and may require a change.
Rail Passes
Nagahama is covered by several JR West area passes, including the Kansai Area Pass, the Kansai WIDE Area Pass, the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass, the Sanyō-San'in Area Pass, and the Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass. These are available to Temporary Visitors travelling on foreign passports. Note that none of them cover the Tōkaidō Shinkansen east of Shin-Osaka, so a Shinkansen leg on that stretch is paid for separately.
The Hokuriku Arch Pass also covers Nagahama and allows travel from Tokyo, but only the long way round via Kanazawa. If you are weighing up a Japan Rail Pass against these regional options, the regional passes are worth comparing for a Kansai-focused itinerary.
Buses
Buses do run in Nagahama, but they are mostly used by locals commuting to places on the outskirts of the city proper. For a visitor whose plans centre on the station area and the main sights, they are unlikely to be needed.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful and wait right outside the station, so if you need to reach somewhere a bit farther away, hailing one is straightforward. This is the simplest fallback when a destination is beyond comfortable walking range.
Bicycles
Bikes can be rented, which is a pleasant way to cover a little more ground around the lake and the city. Be aware that the rental process is conducted in Japanese, so you would need some language ability to arrange it. The rental place is located near the west exit of the station.
Ferries
Ferries connect Nagahama to the island of Chikubu in Lake Biwa, giving visitors a way to reach the island without a car.
Getting There from the Airport
Nagahama, and Shiga Prefecture more generally, is not well served by airports. The nearest airport is Nagoya-Centrair, but Osaka's two airports, Itami and Kansai, are at least as convenient, and often more so.
- From Centrair or Kansai: take a train toward Nagoya or Osaka respectively, then continue on to Nagahama by rail. Two morning Haruka trains run direct to Kansai Airport from Maibara, returning in the evening.
- From Itami: the best option is to take a bus to either Shin-Osaka or Kyoto station, then continue from there by train.
Whichever airport you choose, the journey into Nagahama is essentially a two-stage trip: get to a major rail hub, then ride the train onward to Nagahama Station.