Tatsuno Station 120th Anniversary Train: 2026 Event & Schedule Guide
Tatsuno Station 120th Anniversary Train: 2026 Event & Schedule Guide
▶ TL;DR — Key Facts at a Glance
- Event date: Saturday, July 18, 2026 — Tatsuno Station, Nagano Prefecture
- Special train: "Tatsuno Station 120th anniversary train" departs Nagano at 08:36, arrives Tatsuno at 11:22
- Return train: Departs Tatsuno at 14:16, arrives Nagano at 16:28
- Tickets needed: Regular boarding ticket + reserved seat ticket (全車指定席)
- Festival hours: 10:00–14:30 at Tatsuno Station and surrounding areas
- Train type: HB-E300 series, 2 cars, all reserved seating
- Cancellation risk: Event may change or cancel due to weather — check JR East before you travel
The Tatsuno Station 120th anniversary train runs on July 18, 2026, marking 120 years since Tatsuno Station first opened in Nagano Prefecture. This guide covers everything you need to ride the commemorative special rapid train, attend the station festival, and make the most of the day — drawn entirely from the official JR East press release published May 28, 2026.
Who Should Ride the Tatsuno Station 120th Anniversary Train?
This guide is for anyone planning to join the celebration on July 18, 2026. That includes rail enthusiasts chasing the commemorative Tatsuno Station 120th anniversary train, families looking for a child-friendly railway day out, and general visitors to the Tatsuno area.
Specifically, this applies to:
- Rail enthusiasts and passengers wanting to ride the special rapid train "Tatsuno Station Opening 120th Anniversary"
- Travelers attending the anniversary festival events at Tatsuno Station
- Visitors to the Tatsuno area on July 18, 2026
- Anyone traveling between Nagano Station, Matsumoto Station, and Tatsuno Station on the event day
- Families with children interested in railway-themed activities and the Mini Azusa ride experience
📌 Planning your Nagano rail trip around this event?
How Do I Ride the Tatsuno Station 120th Anniversary Train? (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Mark Your Calendar & Confirm the Schedule
The festival and special train are scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026. Festival events at Tatsuno Station run from 10:00 to 14:30.
Keep in mind: the official notice (published May 2026) states all details are subject to change. Set a reminder to recheck JR East announcements in late June 2026 before booking travel.
Step 2: Check the Special Rapid Train Schedule for July 18, 2026
The Tatsuno Station 120th anniversary train operates as a special rapid service on the Chuo Main Line and Shinonoi Line. Here are the confirmed departure and arrival times:
| Direction | Route | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outbound | Nagano Station → Matsumoto Station → Tatsuno Station | Nagano: 08:36 | Tatsuno: 11:22 |
| Return | Tatsuno Station → Matsumoto Station → Nagano Station | Tatsuno: 14:16 | Nagano: 16:28 |
Intermediate stops (both directions): Nagano, Shinonoi, Obasute, Matsumoto, Shiojiri, Ono, Shinano-Kawashima, Tatsuno.
Train type: HB-E300 series, 2 cars, all reserved seating. See our HB-E300 series rolling stock guide for photos and specifications.
Step 3: Buy the Right Tickets Before You Travel
Boarding the Tatsuno Station 120th anniversary train requires two separate tickets:
- A regular boarding ticket (乗車券) — a standard JR ticket or a qualifying JR rail pass covering the route
- A designated seat ticket (指定席券) specific to this special rapid service
The official press release does not confirm when or where reserved seat tickets go on sale. Watch JR East's official website and Ekinet online booking for release dates. Seats on commemorative trains like this sell out fast — book as soon as reservations open.
Step 4: Plan Your Festival Day at Tatsuno Station
The station festival runs from 10:00 to 14:30 on July 18, 2026. Events are spread across the station forecourt, platforms, and the nearby Shimotatsuno 1-chome parking lot. Here is the full event timeline:
- 10:30 — One-day Station Master Appointment Ceremony & Opening Ceremony (Tatsuno Station forecourt)
- 11:22 — Welcome ceremony for the special train arrival at Platform 1, with local officials and mascots "Pikkari-chan" and "Arukuma"
- 11:30–14:30 — Mini Azusa (E353 series) children's ride experience (Shimotatsuno 1-chome parking lot)
- 11:30–14:00 — JR employee work introduction with exhibits and live demonstrations
- 12:30–13:30 — Children's Station Master photo opportunity (bring your own camera)
- 13:15–13:30 — Photo session with mascots Arukuma and Pikkari-chan (bring your own camera)
- 14:05–14:18 (approx.) — Departure ceremony for the return special train at Platform 2
- 10:00–14:30 — Local community hospitality zone with food trucks
Platform access note: The official notice states that an admission ticket may be required to access the platforms during events. Budget a small amount for this when planning your day.
Step 5: Collect Your Commemorative Gift on Board
Passengers riding the Tatsuno Station 120th anniversary train between Shiojiri and Tatsuno stations will receive tourism promotion materials plus a small commemorative gift. Gifts are distributed once per person per direction — so you can receive one on the outbound journey and one on the return.
The specific gift item is not described in the official press release. Expect a souvenir tied to Tatsuno Town or the railway anniversary.
🚈 Traveling from Tokyo to join the event?
Check the fastest Tokyo → Nagano Shinkansen options for July 18, 2026 →
What Are the Rules & Restrictions for the Event?
Important Notices from the Official Source
- Cancellation risk: The festival may be changed or cancelled without notice due to weather. No rain date is specified in the press release.
- Getting there: Visitors are asked to use public transportation. Check the Tatsuno Town official website for any event parking arrangements.
- Photography consent: Organizers will photograph and film the event for records and PR. Attending is taken as consent to appear in such materials.
- Reserved seating is mandatory: The special train is 全車指定席 (all reserved). You cannot board with a boarding ticket alone — a designated seat ticket is required.
- Gift limit: One commemorative gift per person per journey direction.
- Children's ride: Children not yet of school age must be accompanied by a guardian aged 18 or older for the Mini Azusa experience.
- Information currency: All details are based on the official announcement as of May 2026 and may change.
What Should I Bring to the Tatsuno Station 120th Anniversary Festival?
The official press release calls out a few specific items. Here is a practical packing list:
- Camera (essential): The notice explicitly states guests must bring their own camera for the Children's Station Master photo opportunity and the mascot photo session. Smartphone cameras are fine.
- Both tickets: Boarding ticket plus designated seat ticket if riding the Tatsuno Station 120th anniversary train.
- Small cash amount: For platform admission tickets and food truck purchases. Card acceptance at food trucks is not confirmed.
- Comfortable walking shoes: You will be on your feet across the station forecourt, platforms, and the nearby parking lot event area.
- Rain gear: July in Nagano can bring summer showers. The event has no confirmed rain-cancellation protocol, so a compact umbrella is wise.
Ticket prices for designated seats, platform admission, and the Mini Azusa ride are not published in the May 2026 press release. Check JR East's official channels as July approaches for updated pricing.
💡 Pro Tips for Riding the Tatsuno Station 120th Anniversary Train
- Book the reserved seat the moment sales open. HB-E300 series trains run only 2 cars, meaning total capacity is roughly 100 seats. Anniversary runs sell out in hours.
- Board at Nagano for the best experience. The outbound train originates at Nagano (08:36), giving you the full journey through the scenic Obasute switchback section.
- Arrive at Tatsuno Station by 10:30 to catch the opening ceremony and secure a good spot for the 11:22 train arrival welcome ceremony on Platform 1.
- The return train departs at 14:16 — the departure ceremony begins around 14:05. Leave the food truck area by 13:50 to reach Platform 2 in time.
- Check JR East Nagano Branch announcements in the week before July 18 for any schedule adjustments or weather-related changes.
Official Source & Data Transparency
Source type: Official Organization (官方机构)
Original Japanese headline: 辰野駅開業120周年記念フェスタを開催します!!
Published: 2026-05-28 at 05:07 UTC
Source domain: jreast.co.jp (East Japan Railway Company)
Direct link: Read the official JR East press release (PDF) →
Joint publishers: 長野県辰野町 (Tatsuno Town, Nagano Prefecture) and 東日本旅客鉄道株式会社長野支社 (JR East Nagano Branch)
Every factual claim in this guide comes directly from this press release. Where the source does not specify details (prices, exact parking arrangements, seat ticket sales dates), that gap is noted explicitly.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tatsuno Station 120th Anniversary Train
1. Do I need a special ticket to ride the Tatsuno Station 120th anniversary train?
Yes. Riding this special rapid service requires two tickets: a standard boarding ticket (乗車券) and a designated seat ticket (指定席券) for this specific train. The train runs entirely as reserved seating — no standby or unreserved options exist.
The May 2026 press release does not confirm when seat tickets go on sale. Monitor JR East's official website and Ekinet booking portal for the release date.
2. What happens if I arrive without a designated seat ticket on July 18, 2026?
You will not be permitted to board. The train is 全車指定席 (all reserved), so even a valid JR pass or regular ticket does not grant access without the specific reserved seat ticket for this service. There is no walk-up boarding option.
3. Can I attend the festival without riding the special train?
Yes. The festival events are open from 10:00 to 14:30 on July 18, 2026 and do not require a train ticket. Activities include ceremonies, mascot photo sessions, the Mini Azusa children's ride, JR employee demonstrations, and food trucks.
Note that accessing the platforms during the arrival and departure ceremonies may require a separate platform admission ticket (ホーム入場券).
4. Is there parking at Tatsuno Station for the anniversary festival?
The official notice asks all visitors to use public transportation and refers to the Tatsuno Town official website for event parking details. No specific parking area or capacity is confirmed in the press release. Assume parking will be very limited and plan your journey by train or bus.
5. Could the Tatsuno Station 120th anniversary train event be cancelled?
Yes — the official notice states the event may be changed or cancelled without prior notice due to weather or other circumstances. No alternative date is specified. Check JR East and Tatsuno Town announcements in the days leading up to July 18, 2026 before finalizing non-refundable travel bookings.
Conclusion: Is the Tatsuno Station 120th Anniversary Train Worth the Trip?
In short: yes, if you move fast on tickets. The Tatsuno Station 120th anniversary train on July 18, 2026 combines a scenic HB-E300 run through the Nagano highlands with a genuine community festival — ceremonies, mascots, children's activities, and local food. That combination is rare even by Japanese railway event standards.
The catch is capacity. With only 2 cars on the HB-E300 series and all seats reserved, this is not a train you can turn up for on the day. The moment JR East opens reservations, book both the seat ticket and your Shinkansen connection from Tokyo or Osaka.
For background on the station itself, read our Tatsuno Station history and access guide. To plan your full Nagano rail itinerary around the event, see our Chuo Main Line Nagano section route planner.
🏢 Ready to plan your July 18, 2026 rail trip?
Compare JR Pass options for the Nagano–Matsumoto–Tatsuno route →
Bookmark this page — we will update it when JR East announces reserved seat ticket sales dates.
