The Shirawakago bus terminal has multiple coin lockers located on the outside of the bus terminal. There are several bus transfers that can be made from this bus terminal. Lockers are quite spacious and can fit large luggage easily. You can also ask the bus terminal to hold your luggage if there are no more lockers available. It will be stored in a separate building by the bus station.
There are a total of 18 storage lockers at Shirakawago bus terminal. If the coin lockers are full, you can ask the reception desk to hold your luggage. Prices vary by size.
Type:
Price
Amount
Size (LxWxH)
Large Locker
1000 yen
9
77cm x 49cm x 116cm
Small Locker
500 yen
9
77cm x 49cm x 62cm
Reception
~500 yen (depending on size)
Up to 100
Any
Note: Luggage cannot be stored over night. Please be careful to retrieve your luggage after hours.
Amount of Lockers
Total lockers: 18
Large lockers: 9 (77cm x 49cm x 116cm)
Small lockers: 9 (77cm x 49cm x 62cm)
Money Exchange
Larger bills can be exchanged for 100 yen coins at the reception desk.
Note: Breaking change for larger bills (10,000 yen or 5,000 yen) may be difficult so please prepare smaller bills if possible.
Shirakawago Bus Terminal Waiting Room
Facilities: Restroom, tourist center, large coin lockers, luggage storage, automatic foreign currency exchange, bus reservation counter, WIFI
Here you can exchange money for coin lockers or pay to store your luggage in the separate buildings. You can also buy bus tickets connecting you to places such as Takayama, Kanazawa, and more.
TRYING TO TRANSFER TO OTHER TOURIST SPOTS FROM SHIRAKAWAGO BUS TERMINAL?
Shirakawago bus terminal has multiple connections to different tourist destinations.
With the “SKY STAGE” skyscraper rooftop observation deck and the “SKY GALLERY” indoor observation corridor on the 46th floor, Shibuya Sky offers open and vast views from Shibuya skyline. While Shibuya Sky during the day is great in its own sense, sunset time (sunset hour) at dusk and the night time view are most popular!
We recommend that you purchase an online ticket in advance because this Shibuya Sky is a popular spot and it will be crowded. If you can’t secure a sunset ticket, we’ll teach you a loophole below.
Unfortunately, admission tickets for later evenings sell out quickly, and reservations are often sold out months in advance.
This is the booking calendar on the official website as of September 19, 2024. As you can see, there’s almost no availability after 15:00 until October 17, 2024.
※ Although there is a designated time for entering Shibuya Sky, you can leave at any time as long as it is during business hours.
Most people come all the way to SHIBUYA SKY, but find out that sunset tickets have been sold out. There’s actually a way to fix this problem!
How to secure SHIBUYA SKY tickets at sunset times.
All you have to do is…
Purchase a ticket for the open-top bus “SHIBUYA STREET RIDE” that includes an admission voucher, also known as the “SHIBUYA SKY Set Ticket”! The “SHIBUYA SKY Set Ticket” gives you guaranteed access to SHIBUYA SKY at any time in the day.
By purchasing this set of tickets, you will be able to get into Shibuya Sky even during sold-out times!
First, what is a SHIBUYA SKY set ticket?
The SHIBUYA SKY Set Ticket is an online ticket voucher you are given when you ride SHIBUYA STREET RIDE.
The greatest advantage of this ticket voucher is that it guarantees admission to Shibuya Skyat any time.
When purchasing a regular ticket, you must specify the time of admission. This makes it almost impossible to purchase a ticket during sold-out times. You can use the “SHIBUYA SKY Set Ticket” any time after you get off at SHIBUYA STREET RIDE as long as its the same day. This is perfect if you are trying to secure a sunset ticket for a certain day on your trip, but didn’t have time to book ahead.
However, please note that this pass will only be available until the final entrance time of Shibuya Sky on the day of your trip.Re-entry is also not permitted.
During the daytime, you can take the open-top bus, and in the evening, you can enjoy the city of Shibuya on the Shibuya Sky.
The places you tour by bus are small and spread out around your feet, making for an interesting and memorable experience.
SHIBUYA STREET RIDE has two routes: ・Shibuya Excursion Route ・Shibuya⇔Shinjuku Route（※September 2024～January 2025） These are two popular routes.
Both routes are designed to take in the sights.
The bus is an open-top bus specification with no roof on the second floor, allowing visitors to enjoy sightseeing from a perspective they would not normally be able to see.
Seats are equipped with multilingual audio guides and in-train monitors that provide information on each area during the trip. Of course, Japanese is also available.
It also comes with a digital version of a city walking guide to enjoy the streets of Shibuya even after getting off the bus.
SHIBUYA STREET RIDE Ride Experience
I immediately booked a SHIBUYA STREET and RIDE SHIBUYA SKY online set ticket. This time, I rode on the round-trip route of SHIBUYA on the Shibuya Excursion route.
At the south exit of Shibuya Station is Shibuya Fuclas. There is a bus terminal there on the first floor.
The departure time was 11:25 but I arrived a before 11:00. I was able to relax in the stylish area waiting area right in front of the bus stop.
Before I knew it, a stylish open-top bus entered the boarding area shortly after 11:15.
Next, all you have to do is show the screen of your cell phone to the crew and board the train!
At this time, I received a voucher for admission to Shibuya Sky on the same day.
Now you can enjoy the evening and night views from Shibuya Sky ^^.
This time, the route took me from the Scramble Crossing to Harajuku, Omotesando, and other areas around Shibuya.
The colorful seating inside the car will surely be Instagram-worthy if you take pictures!
On the second floor, you can feel the breeze and enjoy the view from a different perspective than usual.
The thrill of passing under an overpass is especially unique to this bus.
The bus first departs from Shibuya Fuklas and head towards Harajuku on Meiji Street.
Along the way, you can see Meiji Shrine and Takeshita-dori Avenue from a slightly elevated vantage point. After that we headed towards Sendagaya and Gaienmae.
As we reach Omotesando, we can see the National Stadium, which was the main venue for the Olympics. There were no power lines so you could see the view of the sky really clearly and it felt great!
In Omotesando, you can feel the street trees up close while overlooking the rows of high-end fashion stores.
Finally, I returned to Shibuya for the last time to view the scramble crossing. It is a luxurious feeling to be able to see the scene of many people coming and going from above, up close and personal.
I returned to the bus terminal on the ground floor of the Shibuya Fuklas– the area I departed from around 12:30 p.m.
After a leisurely lunch, I went for a stroll in Shibuya, using the digital version of the city walking guide that was in the pocket of the car!
Don’t forget to check the passcode in the car! Since the audio is also recorded, wearing earphones is recommended.
It’s evening, and SHIBUYA SKY is located in Shibuya Scramble Square.
With this same-day admission voucher, I went to SHIBUYA SKY, and on the 14th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square I was able to register and enjoy the evening and night views.
“Crossing Lights,” a light show held every 30 minutes after 7:00 p.m. every day, is a unique nighttime experience. The performance is said to change with the seasons.
Okuhida Onsengo in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, is a secluded area where visitors can enjoy the natural beauty, hiking, and hot springs of Japan. It is located approximately 1 hour by bus from Takayama City and 90 minutes by bus from Matsumoto.
Famous for its five hot spring resorts (Hirayu, Fukuchi, Shin-Hirayu, Tochio, and Shin Hotaka) scattered throughout the area, it is also a popular hidden spot for tourists who want to enjoy the great outdoors. With the mountains, forests, and rivers of the Northern Alps right at your step, its a popular resort area for nature lovers.
What are Recommended Spots in Okuhida?
In the Shin Hotaka area, the Shin Hotaka Ropeway offers a panoramic view at a height of 2,156-meters. The scenery looking down at the clouds below is breathtaking. The view from the North Alps Bridge in particular offers a beautiful photo op.
In the Hirayu area, Hirayu Great Falls, which is 6 meters wide and has a 64 meter drop, has been selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan. The presence of a giant 1,000-year-old tree, the giant nezuko (Japanese stone oak), standing in the midst of a silent forest, is a sight to behold.
In the Shin-Hirayu area, visitors can experience feeding the bears and take commemorative photos with the cubs at the Okuhida Bear Farm.
In the Fukuchi onsen area, the morning market is a retro space in a village of old stories. In this retro space, there is a corner for experiencing old-time games, nostalgic sundries, shopping for fresh vegetables, and souvenirs.
Nearby Attractions: Kamikochi and Mt.Norikura
Both areas are located in the Central Mountain National Park and are strictly regulated for environmental protection. Therefore, it is not allowed to enter the area by car. Both can be visited in three main ways: 1. by bus, 2. by foot, and 3. by bicycle.
Kamikochi is one of the best national park resorts in Japan.
The area around Kappa-bashi Bridge (overlooking Azusa River) and the powerful mountains (in the Hotaka mountain range), are most popular amongst tourists.
Norikura Skyline is a beautiful mountain road on Mt. Norikura. It leads to Tatamidaira, the highest point in Japan accessible by bicycle.
How to Get Around
1. Rent a Car
With a car, you can move around quickly, store a lot of luggage, and you can accommodate a lot people.
If you wish to use a rental car, you will need to rent one around Takayama Station or Matsumoto Station and drive to Okuhida Onsengo. From Takayama Station, it takes about 1 hour by car, and from Matsumoto Station, it takes about 1.5 hours.
From Matsumoto, you will need to pass through a toll road. Recently, when you try to rent a car in the Matsumoto area, the cars are often fully booked, so we recommend that you make a reservation as early as possible.
To rent a car, you must have an international driver’s license in advance. However, please note that some rental agencies do not allow you to rent a car even with that international driver’s license.
2. Going by Local Bus
This can be one of the cheapest methods of transportation.
However, bus routes are limited and services are infrequent and you may feel rushed transferring from each spot. We recommend you plan with bus times in mind as some buses may come only once an hour.
3、Rent an electrically power assisted bicycle (e-bike) and ride around (rent a bicycle)
Electric bicycles (e-bikes) can be rented at Okuhida base, a 2-minute walk from Hirayu Bus Terminal at the entrance to Okuhida Onsengo.
Unlike a regular bicycle, an electrically power assisted bicycle (e-bike) provides electric assistance, making it relatively easy to get around even in the ups and downs of Okuhida.
Okuhida Bike Rental Info:
Rent up to 10 hours a day from 7AM to 5PM
Up to 5 bikes available
Note: *If you reserve a rental for consecutive days, you can use it after 5:00 p.m. And if you bring your own charger, you can park it at an inn or hotel to recharge your batteries, so you can get right back into action the next day.
Doesn’t require a driver’s license (but you must be 16y/o and above)
Powerful enough to withstand the hills of Okuhida
This electric kickboard does not require a driver’s license and is available to anyone over the age of 16.
In addition to this Hirayu, there is also a port (Okuhida Babnbakan) in the Fukuchi area, which can be used as a means of transportation between Hirayu and Fukuchi, as they are mutually transferable.
Comparing Different Transportation
Advantages
Disadvantages
Rent-a-car
Easy to move even with luggage. If 4-5 people get together, they can use it at a discount. Easy to go far.
There is no store in Okuhida. An international driver’s license is required, but check with the store in advance. The car must be returned to the place where it was borrowed.
Local bus
Easy to plan around.
Depends on the location of the bus stop and the time of operation.
Electrically power assisted bicycles (e-bikes)
Freedom of movement. It is easier than a regular bicycle because it is motorized. It is good for your health.
Dependent on weather, fitness, and range.
Electric Kickboard
Freedom of movement. It is easier than a regular bicycle because it is electrically powered.
Requires app download. Short range of travel. Dependent on weather and range.
Walking
Freedom of movement.
Requires considerable physical strength. Takes a long time to get around.
So far, we have shown you four means of transportation, but the best way to get around is on an electrically power assisted bicycle (e-bike).
This is the best way to freely experience the great nature of Okuhida by yourself, with family or friends. We invite you to make Okuhida your own by e-biking!
Okuhida Base Located a two-minute walk from the Hirayu Bus Terminal at the entrance to Okuhida Onsengo in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, the hotel offers e-bike (electrically power assisted bicycle) rental and electric kickboard LUUP sharing services.
Kamikochi is always restricted to private cars and cannot be entered by private cars. Therefore, if you are driving your own car, you will need to park your car at the Sawatari area parking lot and transfer to a local bus or cab. Therefore, we recommend that you visit Kamikochi by public transportation such as trains and buses.
The rules for local buses have changed since 2024. Please be aware of the new rules.
Shinjuku Station ｜ (JR Express Azusa) Approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes ｜ Matsumoto Station ｜ (Matsumoto Electric Railway Kamikochi Line ) Approx. 30 min. ｜ ShinshimashimaStation ｜ (Bus route ) Approx. 1 hr. 05 min. ｜ Kamikochi Bus Terminal
■ For express buses ■ Daytime 4-row seat: 8,000-12,000 yen (adult one-way) Daytime flight 3-row seat: 10,000-14,000 yen (adult one-way)
Overnight 4-row seat: 10,000-14,000 yen (adult one-way) Overnight flights 3-row seat: 12,000 yen – 16,000 yen (adult one-way) Fares vary depending on the day of operation. For details, click here.
Basta Shinjuku / Shibuya Bus Terminal (Mark City) / Yaesu South Exit of JR Tokyo Station ｜ (Highway Bus, Sawayaka Shinshu-go ) Approx. 4 hours 30 minutes ~ 5 hours ｜ Kamikochi Bus Terminal
Save money from Shinjuku to Kamikochi! Conveniently! Transportation guide for accessing Kamikochi
Express buses that go directly to Kamikochi Bus Terminal are very popular and often fully booked because of their convenience. Also, the price is somewhat expensive. So, here’s a guide to a trick to make it a little cheaper and a little easier to get reservations! Here is a guide to the tricks that make it easier to make reservations. For the following methods, you can save more than 10,000 yen round-trip.
This method is to take an express bus from Shinjuku to Hida Takayama, get off at Hirayu Bus Terminal, and then transfer to a local bus bound for Kamikochi. After walking a lot in Kamikochi, it is recommended to take the bus back to Hirayu Bus Terminal and stay overnight at Okuhida Onsenkyo Hirayu Onsen or Fukuchi Onsen to relieve your fatigue.
Express buses between Shinjuku and Hirayu make 4-5 round trips per day.
This method is to take a highway bus from Shinjuku to Matsumoto Bus Terminal, get off at Matsumoto Inter-mae Bus Stop or Matsumoto Bus Terminal, and transfer to the Matsumoto Railway Kamikochi Line and local buses.
It is recommended to stay the night before in Matsumoto, a mountain city that is the gateway to the Northern Alps, and to go to Kamikochi early in the morning.
Another attraction of the Shinjuku-Matsumoto highway bus is the large number of services.
Express buses between Shinjuku and Matsumoto make 24 round trips per day.
Now that covid has subsided, a large influx of people have been swarming to Kamikochi as soon as it opens on April 17th. As a result, direct buses from Shinjuku have become difficult to book due to labor regulations for drivers and others starting in April 2024.
We will introduce a second back-up plan for traveling between Shinjuku and Kamikochi. This method is relatively easy to book and inexpensive.
An Overview: Shinjuku to Takayama
In Part 1, we showed you how to take the highway bus from Shinjuku to Takayama and transfer at the Hirayu Bus Terminal [ via Hirayu Bus Terminal (Hirayu Onsen) ], and this time we will show you the backstage procedure for the version via Matsumoto.
You can take a highway bus from Shinjuku Bus Terminal or Hino Bus Station to Matsumoto bus terminal and head for Kamikochi.
The breakdown is Shinjuku – Matsumoto Highway Bus: 3,300 – 4,000 yen/one way Reference 4-pack web coupon tickets Basta Shinjuku – Matsumoto 13,000 yen / 4 tickets （3,250 yen / 1 ticket) Hino bus stop – Matsumoto 11,400 yen/4 tickets (2,850 yen/1 ticket) Oniwa – Niijima 590 yen/one way (Matsumoto – Niijima 710 yen/one way) Shinshimadai – Kamikochi Bus Terminal 2,550 yen / one way All buses from Kamikochi to Niijimatsuri on the return trip will be operated on a reservation basis from FY2024.
The direct bus from Shinjuku to Kamikochi, “Sawayaka Shinshu-go,” has variable fares ranging from 8,000 yen to 16,000 yen. Daytime 4-row seat: 8,000-12,000 yen (adult one-way) Daytime flight 3-row seat: 10,000-14,000 yen (adult one-way)
Overnight 4-row seat: 10,000-14,000 yen (adult one-way) Overnight flights 3-row seat: 12,000 yen – 16,000 yen (adult one-way) Fares vary depending on the day of operation. For details, click here.
The typical fee is 12,000-14,000 yen, which is almost half the price.
In other words,
Save more than 10,000 yen round-trip (i.e., more than 10,000 yen savings for a round-trip flight)
We recommend using the “Matsumoto Bus Terminal” and “Matsumoto Station” if you plan to stay the night before or after in Matsumoto, or if you plan to shop or eat at Matsumoto.
If you stay the night before the tour, you can take the “National Park Liner,” a direct bus from Matsumoto to Kamikochi that departs from the Matsumoto Bus Terminal at 5:30 am and arrives at the Kamikochi Bus Terminal at 7:05 am, allowing you to enjoy Kamikochi in the early morning. >> >> Details of National Park Liner
Express buses and trains generally use the “Matsumoto Bus Terminal” and “Matsumoto Station” for connections. The bus terminal and train station are a short 5-minute walk away.
However, as shown in the map below, it is necessary to make a round trip between the Matsumoto Interchange and Matsumoto Station, resulting in waste. Therefore, if you wish to go directly from Tokyo (Shinjuku) to Kamikochi or from Kamikochi directly to Tokyo (Shinjuku), we recommend that you transfer at the “Matsumoto Inter-mae Bus Stop” and “Oba Station” on the Matsumoto Railway Kamikochi Line.
The bus stop in front of the Matsumoto Interchange on the return trip (toward Shinjuku) has a waiting room that was renovated in June 2019 and is equipped with air conditioning, restrooms, and 9 charging stations (outlets, USB) for cell phones and other devices.
The round-trip fare via Matsumoto is more than 10,000 yen less than the direct bus service from Shinjuku to Kamikochi. We also recommend that you spend the night before or after your stay in Matsumoto with the money you save. In this case, please use “Matsumoto Bus Terminal” and “Matsumoto Station”.
Matsumoto Interchange Bus Stop ⇔ Kamikochi Line Oba Station
If are routing to Oba Station using Google Maps, you will be directed to take the long way around as shown in the map below.
Google maps routes you this way because there is no pedestrian crossing at Horimae, the intersection just after getting off the bus. The shortest way is to get to this stop is to follow the red arrow in the photo below. You cannot cross Route 158.
There is an underground promenade that does not appear on Google Maps that can be crossed safely and easily.
The underground promenade was well maintained and cleaned, and was relatively bright and safe.
From Oniwa Station, take the Kamikochi Line bound for Niijima-eki and arrive at the last stop, Niijima-eki, in about 25 minutes. Niijima Station is the closest train station to Kamikochi, and from here it is a 65-minute bus ride to the Kamikochi Bus Terminal. When boarding the Matsumoto Railway Kamikochi Line, please pick up a numbered ticket at the entrance. It will be used when you get off the train. Matsumoto Railway Kamikochi Line does not accept IC cards such as Suica. Please have coins ready.
Matsumoto Railway Kamikochi Line “Oba Station” ⇒ “Matsumoto Interchange-mae Bus Stop
Highwaybus.com allows you to change/cancel reservations and select seats for highway buses.
There are approximately 24 round trips/day by express bus from Matsumoto to Shinjuku ↔ Matsumoto. For reservations ↓↓↓↓ Highwaybus.com
Futaba service area by taking a break on the way
Recommended Hotels near Matsumoto Bus Terminal
These are recommended accommodations that our staff actually stayed at and found to be highly cost-effective.
Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto A modern, stylish budget hotel specializing in overnight stays, located directly near the Matsumoto bus terminal.
Some benefits:
Drink service for early check-in
Tea and rice for the evening meal service
Large baths modeled after Shirakotsu Onsen hot springs
Children (elementary schoolers and younger) can stay for FREE!
Hotel M Matsumoto Located right in front of the Matsumoto Bus Terminal on the 6th floor of a building that also houses Maruzen Bookstore and Daiso, this capsule and business hotel offers the best value for money.
Some benefits:
Bright and clean, its appealing for women solo-travelers
