There are two main ways to travel from Shinjuku to Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture by public transportation.
1. From Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station on the JR Limited Express Azusa
2. Take a highway bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Matsumoto Bus Terminal
There are two ways to go. It would depend on where you live, your objectives, and your budget.
We compared the “JR Limited Express Azusa” and “Highway bus“.
There is no such thing as one is better than the other, so it comes down to the purpose of your visit and what your priorities are. I think it depends on your purpose of use and what your priorities are.
▶ For details and reservations of highway buses, please visit ” Highwaybus.com Highwaybus.com”.
▶ For details and reservations of JR Limited Express Azusa, please visit “JR-EAST Train Reservation“.
I will write here from my personal and subjective point of view.
The closest station to me is Mitaka Station on the JR Chuo Line, so before the coronavirus pandemic, I used the JR Limited Express Azusa almost 100% of the time.
Recently, however, I use the highway bus about 70% of the time and the JR Limited Express Azusa about 30% of the time.
Why is that?
For reference, Mitaka Station is easily accessible to “Shinjuku” and “Tachikawa” where the JR Limited Express Azusa stops, in about 15 minutes.
Therefore, when going to Matsumoto, the only option was always the “Azusa” train.
However, the significant increase in travel to Matsumoto, teleworking, etc., and the Corona disaster have changed the way I work and my sense of values,
Travel time has also turned into time for work and other activities.
The top priority before the coronavirus pandemic was
[That there are convenient schedule].
[The quickness (short travel time)].
[Cost]
but
Our top priorities right now are.
[That there are convenient schedule].
[That I can also make the most of my travel time.]
[Cost]
The company has changed.
As a result, highway bus have become more convenient.
Why is that?
In my personal and subjective opinion, it highlighted three weaknesses of Azusa that had not bothered me much before the Corona disaster.
Azusa’s Weaknesses (1)
The mobile WI-FI I always bring is very unstable. Especially from Hachioji to Kofu is unstable.
I have resigned myself to the fact that the train runs through the mountains and has many long, narrow tunnels, as in the past, because it is a conventional train line.
Azusa’s Weaknesses (2)
It is a bumpy ride. It may seem surprising, but for those who suffer from motion sickness, express buses are recommended. My son and wife get dizzy every time and seem to have a hard time.
I also get dizzy when working on the computer when I’m sleep deprived or tired.
We have changed our behavior to overcome the above two weaknesses.
Give up work and go to bed! Or drink! And work after arriving at your destination or after returning home (T T)
Azusa’s weaknesses (3)
High prices.
I didn’t mind it before because it was only a few times a year, but now that I use it more often, I’m very concerned about the price.
There used to be discount tickets such as coupon tickets and special tickets, but in March 2019, coupon tickets and special tickets will be discontinued, and reservations will be made through JR East’s website, “JR-EAST Train Reservation“
Ticketless Discounts
Tokudane 10% off *10% off the price of a good deal.
Tokudane 30% off *30% off the price of a good deal.
Only two are left.
It would be nice to be able to use the “Tokudane 30% off(トクだ値30％OFF)” discount, but it is extremely difficult for me, as I mostly use it for business purposes and my schedule is not fixed until the last minute.
That’s when I noticed a revolutionary solution.
It is a Highway bus.
Highway buses connect Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, directly connected to Shinjuku Station, andthe Matsumoto Bus Terminal next to Matsumoto Station via the Chuo Expressway and Nagano Expressway.
Mobile WI-FI is always stable. Also, since most of the way is on the highway, shaking is not a concern.
On the way, we also like to refresh ourselves with a break at the Futaba Service Area.
Furthermore, the price is very reasonable. Price list↓↓
Therefore, the means of transportation to Matsumoto was changed from the JR Limited Express Azusa to the highway bus.
*When traffic congestion is expected on the expressway, such as on weekends, or when accurate arrival is required, we use Azusa.
▶ For details and reservations of highway buses, please visit ” Highwaybus.com Highwaybus.com”.
▶ For details and reservations of JR Limited Express Azusa, please visit “JR-EAST Train Reservation“.
Keio Bus LINE official account opened!
Shinjuku – Matsumoto
“JR Limited Express Azusa”, “Highway Bus” Comparison chart
Number of services (survey date: January 24, 2022)
18 round trips/day
24 round trips/day
the time required
Approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes
Approx. 3 hours and 20 minutes
Price (survey date January 24, 2022)
Regular fee ¥6,620
Ticketless discount ¥6,520
Tokudane 10% off: ¥5,950 (*10% off the price of a good deal.)
Tokudane 30% off: ¥4,620 (*30% off the price of a good deal.)
Regular price ¥3,900
Web payment ¥3,600
2 web coupon tickets @¥3,250 x 2
4 web coupon tickets @¥3,150 x 4
on-time rate (of operation)
Weekdays: ✔/Weekends: ✔
The trains are almost always on time, but because they are conventional trains, delays of 5 to 10 minutes are common.
Weekdays: ✔ / Weekends: △
Due to a relaxed timetable, the trains often arrive 5~15 minutes early on weekdays.
However, on weekends, etc., it is sometimes caught in traffic jams on the Chuo Expressway.
Power source (outlet)
✔
✔
Wi-Fi
△
Free Wi-fi available
Free Wi-Fi and mobile Wi-Fi routers are unstable in many tunnels and mountainous areas.
✔
Free Wi-Fi available
Stable connection with both Free Wi-Fi and mobile Wi-Fi router that you bring.
Toilet
✔
It is spacious and comfortable. Car 10 is recommended for passengers with small children.
There is a universal restroom with diaper changing facilities in Car 9 next door.
✔
There is also a break at the Futaba service area.
Shaking
High speed driving at relatively high speeds in mountainous areas causes severe lateral shaking
Relatively little shaking since most of the roads are highways.
View
△
Fuji and the Yatsugatake and Southern Alps, but unfortunately there are many tunnels!
✔
Fuji, the Yatsugatake Mountains, the Southern Alps, and Lake Suwa!
| JR Limited Express Azusa | Highway bus | |
| Number of services | 18 round trips/day | 17 round trips/day |
| the time required | Approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes | Approx. 3 hours and 20 minutes |
| Price | Regular fee ¥6,620 | Regular price ¥3,900 |
| Ticketless discount ¥6,520 | Web payment ¥3,600 | |
| Tokudane 10% off: ¥5,950 (*10% off the price of a good deal.) | 2 web coupon tickets @¥3,250 x 2 | |
| Tokudane 30% off: ¥4,620 (*30% off the price of a good deal.) | 4 web coupon tickets @¥3,150 x 4 | |
| on-time rate (of operation) | Weekdays: ✔ /Weekends: ✔ | Weekdays: ✔ / Weekends: △ |
| Power source (outlet) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Wi-Fi | △ Free Wi-Fi available | ✔ Free Wi-Fi available |
| Toilet | ✔ | ✔ |
| Shaking | High speed driving at relatively high speeds in mountainous areas causes severe lateral shaking | Relatively little shaking since most of the roads are highways. |
▶ For details and reservations of highway buses, please visit Highwaybus.com
▶ For details and reservations of JR Limited Express Azusa, please visit “JR-EAST Train Reservation“.
In my case, I usually take the bus from the Chuo EXPWY Hino bus stop to Matsumoto, and on my return trip, I take the bus from the Matsumoto bus terminal and get off at the Chuo EXPWY Hino bus stop.
In that case, the route is
Mitaka Station
｜
(JR Chuo Line: about 15 minutes)
↓
Tachikawa Station
｜
(about 5 minutes walk)
↓
Tachikawa Minami Station
｜
(Tama Toshi Monorail Line : about 4 minutes bound for Tama-Center)
↓
Kōshū-Kaidō Station
｜
(about 7 minutes walk)
↓
Chuo EXPWY Hino
This is the root
For reference, Mitaka to Matsumoto is
JR Limited Express Azusa
¥5,980 with ticket-less discount Travel time is about 2 hours and 40 minutes
Highway bus
¥3,284 with 2 coupon tickets, the trip takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
▶ For details and reservations for highway buses, please contact
” Highwaybus.com “
▶ For details and reservations of the JR Limited Express Azusa
JR-EAST Train Reservation
Keio Bus LINE official account opened!
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.
Full service, including drink service for early check-in and tea rice with evening meal service.
The large baths, modeled after the Shirakotsu Onsen hot springs, separate for men and women, are also attractive.
In addition, children of elementary school age and younger sleep for free. Even more savings if you bring your children!
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, with a bright and clean atmosphere, and is safe for women traveling alone.
Fully-equipped lounge, manga, etc. There is a large public bath with a gender-switching system.
It is especially recommended for solo travelers and those staying before Kamikochi.
Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Ekimae
It is about 400m 5 minutes away from the Matsumoto bus terminal.
It is a stylish new hotel with an elaborate design that is also used for weddings.
It is also recommended for women’s trips, etc.
