Development of transport infrastructure
The upgrading of road and rail links in and around the city before the Olympic Winter Games improved access for visitors and spurred the region’s economic development.
Given the fact that Nagano does not have its own airport, the upgrade of the local transport system was a much-needed development that continues to bring benefits to the area more than 20 years on.
Completed five months before the Games began, the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet-train line to Nagano cut journey times between the city and Tokyo from three hours to less than 80 minutes, a development welcomed by local businesses. The route now carries more than 10 million passengers a year. Nagano Station and the city’s Shinonoi Station were also expanded and upgraded ahead of the Games.
The local road network was upgraded too. The Nagano and Joshinetsu expressways were built to improve access between Nagano, Tokyo, other prefectures and the competition venues. Local roads linking the venues were also built or widened, cutting journey times.
The Matsumoto city domestic airport, located 70km away from Nagano city, was used during the Games. The prefectural government improved its facilities, and additional flights between Tokyo Kansai and Matsumoto airports were added around Games time.