The , branded as is a

limited express A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes. Japan The term "limited express" is a common ...

train service in Japan operated by

Central Japan Railway Company is the main railway company operating in the Chūbu (Nagoya) region of central Japan. It is officially abbreviated in English as JR Central and in Japanese as JR Tōkai ( ja, JR東海, links=no). ''Tōkai'' is a reference to the geographical ...

(JR Central), which runs between and via . Like all JR Central limited express trains, a limited express fee has to be paid, on top of the normal fare to ride this service. Until 26 March 2016, after which it was discontinued, there was a daily return service which ran from Nagano to , which travelled a total distance of 441.2 km (274.1 mi), making the ''Shinano'' the furthest travelling limited express service in Japan with the whole journey taking approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.

Route

Trains start or terminate at Nagoya Station. There was a daily return service between Nagano and Ōsaka, which travelled a total distance of 274.1 miles (441.2 km), taking approximately 5 hours 30 minutes, once making the ''Shinano'' Japan's furthest travelling limited express service. The service was discontinued on 26 March 2016, due to declining passenger numbers. In the past, some trains also ran seasonally to station but these ceased operations too. Trains stop at the following stations: - () - - - () - - () - () - - - - () - () - - Stations in brackets indicate the stations where not all ''Shinano'' services stop at.

Rolling stock

* 383 series 6-, 8-, or 10-car EMUs (since 1 December 1996)

Past

KiHa 181 series The was a diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated in Japan on limited express services between 1968 and 2010. Initially introduced by Japanese National Railways (JNR), the trains were later operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West ...

DMUs (1968–1972) * 381 series EMUs (1972–2008) File:JNRKiha181-1.jpg, Preserved JNR KiHa 181 series DMU car File:CentralJapanRailwayCompanyType381-1.jpg, 381 series EMU on a seasonal ''Shinano'' service, July 2006

Accommodation

Green car (first class) and standard class accommodation is provided, with 2+2 abreast unidirectional seating in both classes. Seat pitch is in Green class and in standard class. All trains are no smoking. Onboard catering services ceased on 16 March 2013.

History

The ''Shinano'' service was first introduced on 11 November 1953 as a "semi-express" operating between Nagoya and Nagano. This was upgraded to "express" status from 13 December 1959, and became a "limited express" from 1 October 1968.

References

External links

JR Central ''Shinano'' information
{{Use dmy dates, date=February 2021 Named passenger trains of Japan Central Japan Railway Company Railway services introduced in 1953