Hello. This time I stayed at Tsuyu Kusasou, an inn located in Hirayu Onsen, the gateway to Okuhida Onsenkyo, Gifu Prefecture. In conclusion, it was an inn that I would sincerely like to return to. In this article, I will share with you the charm of the facility and my actual lodging experience.
I strongly believe that this hotel is ideal not only for Okuhida Onsenkyo, but also as a base for mountain climbing and cycling in Kamikochi, Norikura-dake, and the Hotaka mountain range.
Access: Easy access by bus! Ideal for mountain climbing and sightseeing.
Tsuyuukusa-so is a 3-minute walk from Hirayu Bus Terminal. It has excellent access to Takayama, Shin Hotaka, and Kamikochi areas, so you don’t need a car. This time we visited by highway bus from Shinjuku and arrived smoothly with few transfers.
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Smart check-in! The comfort of a non-contact, self-service system
This inn is almost entirely self-service. If you make a reservation & payment online in advance, you will receive a PIN number for the entrance by e-mail before your stay. You can also check-in and check-out at your own timing. The best part is that you can stay without much contact with people and without worrying about them.
Introduction to the hotel: All hot springs, guest rooms, and common facilities are “clean and comfortable”.
Hot springs (indoor and outdoor baths) available for private use
There are two indoor baths and one outdoor bath, all of which are luxurious enough to be used on a private basis! It is well cleaned and even the edges of the bathtub are sparkling clean. The open-air baths offer an exquisite experience of soaking in hot water while enjoying the view of the Northern Alps.
Stained-glass windows are an impressive feature of the interior décor.
Colorful stained glass windows are placed here and there throughout the museum, adding accents to the Japanese-style space. Everywhere you turn, it’s photogenic!
Rooms are pure Japanese style with tatami mats, cool and air conditioner-free.
The Japanese-style room where we stayed was a very relaxing space with tatami mats. It was cool in the summer and I could sleep comfortably without air conditioning. The rooms are fully equipped with air conditioners, refrigerators, air purifiers, televisions, and other amenities.
Clean common space (washrooms and toilets)
Washrooms and toilets are shared, but bright and clean. Separate trash cans are also provided next to the washbasin for your comfort even during long stays.
Meals: Free bread and coffee in the morning! No need to worry about evening meals
The inn is based on overnight stays with no meal, but free bread and coffee are provided in the morning. The refrigerator is lined with a wide variety of breads, and you are free to choose whatever you like. The restaurant is also equipped with vending machines for cup noodles and curry. This is a safe place to have a nighttime meal or when you are hungry.
Amenities: minimal but necessary and sufficient
Yukata, bath towels, hand towels, and toothbrush sets are provided, making it easy to stay light.
Price and clientele: Popular with foreigners and reasonably priced
The inn is also very reasonably priced and offers excellent value for money. It is also popular not only among Japanese but also among foreign tourists visiting Japan, and its English-language signage and self-service system are designed to be easy for foreigners to understand. It is also ideal for inbound tourism to Okuhida and Kamikochi.
Summary of impressions after staying at the hotel
Comfortable with a style that doesn’t care about others.
Hot springs are the real deal. Excellent cleanliness.
Cool in summer, ideal for long stays
Recommended for couples and married couples as well as single travelers.
Ideal base for sightseeing in Kamikochi, Norikura, and Shin Hotaka
Design and systems designed with foreign tourists in mind
Rates are reasonable and easy on the wallet.
Finally.
Tsuyuukusa-so” was a perfect description of a “free and easy base” in a hot spring resort. It is a perfect balance of necessary things in place while eliminating unnecessary services. It was the kind of travel inn that I would like to repeat again.
The express trains used from Shinjuku to Kofu, Kobuchizawa, Chino, Kami-suwa, Shiojiri, Matsumoto, and Hakuba by train are the Chuo Main Line’slimited express Kami-suji and limited express Azusa.
How can I get on this limited express Azusa at a reasonable price?
— updated 2025.4.16 from here↓↓ —
Limited Express Azusa 50% discount 2025 “Ticketless Limited Express Ticket for Conventional Lines (Tokuwari) One-way express ticket from Shinjuku to Matsumoto, normally priced at 2,550 yen, is now half-price at 1,270 yen. However, the discount is only for limited express tickets. A separate ticket (Shinjuku→Matsumoto 4,070 yen) is required. ■Duration of use Monday, May 12, 2025 – Friday, May 30, 2025 ■Date of release From 10:00 a.m. one month prior to the boarding date to before the departure time of the designated train on the boarding date
— 2025.4.16 Update so far↑↑↑ — — 2025.4.16 Update so far↑↑ — 2025.4.16 Update so far
Prior to March 15, 2019, there was a convenient and economical six-pack of KAZUSA coupon tickets, but with the change to all reserved seats effective March 16, 2019, the KAZUSA coupon tickets have been discontinued.
With the abolition of coupon tickets, the bulk sales of coupon tickets sold as Azusa discount tickets at ticket stores have also disappeared.
So, how to get the best value for your money as of 2025?
It is a part of JR East’s website and application, “ Ekinet on the JR East website or the “Ekinetto” application.
Value tickets: 1⃣
Ticketless Discounts You can book this one anytime by selecting Ticketless in the online reservation. You will receive a 100 yen discount on all tickets for any train (Azusa). This service is also available to/from Tachikawa and Hachioji other than Shinjuku. Example price) Shinjuku Station → Matsumoto Station Normal fare (train ticket + reserved seat express ticket) 6,620 yen is discounted 100 yen to 6,520 yen The first two are the following.
Value Ticket 2⃣
Ticketless Express Tickets 35% OFF Limited number of seats are available, but can be purchased until the day of boarding. Also, unlike the “Tokuda Value” series sold before March 15, 2024, train tickets are not included. Please note that you will need to purchase a separate train ticket. Please note that there are often no seats available due to the limited number of seats.
Example price) Shinjuku Station → Matsumoto Station Normal fare (train ticket + reserved seat express ticket) 6,620 yen Ticketless Express 35% OFF 5,720 yen The price is 900 yen less than that of the previous year. Breakdown of Ticketless Express 35% Off Fees Express ticket 1,650 yen Ticket 4,070 yen
10% off the price *The program ended on March 15, 2024. A limited number of seats are available for purchase until the day of boarding. This is a special ticket that includes a boarding ticket and a reserved seat express ticket, and you cannot board any train other than the one you have reserved (Azusa). Please note that the ticket is also limited to the reserved train. Also, paper tickets are required to board the train. Do not forget to issue tickets in advance from vending machines at stations! Example price) Shinjuku Station → Matsumoto Station Normal fare (train ticket + reserved seat express ticket) 6,620 yen Tokuda Value 10% OFF 5,950 yen The price is 670 yen less than that of the previous year.
Value Ticket 3⃣
30% off the Tokuda Value *The program ended on March 15, 2024. This is the most economical ticket available. Example price) Shinjuku Station → Matsumoto Station Normal fare (train ticket + reserved seat express ticket) 6,620 yen The price is 4,620 yen and 2,000 yen discount with the 30% discount of Tokuda Value.
Sales are available up to 13 days prior to the boarding date. Please make reservations as early as possible. Please note that this is also a limited number of seats, so some dates and times may be difficult to obtain.
Also, as with the 10% off Tokudayori, a paper ticket is required to board the bus. Do not forget to issue tickets in advance from vending machines at the station!
Ticketless Express 35%OFF is only available for trains departing from and arriving at Shinjuku, and is not available for trains departing from or arriving at Tachikawa or Hachioji Stations. Even if you board from Tachikawa or Hachioji Station or get off at Hachioji or Tachikawa Station, you must purchase a ticket to/from Shinjuku Station.
Therefore, when searching for available seats on Eki Net, be sure to select “Shinjuku” instead of “Tachikawa” or “Hachioji” as the departure and arrival station.
For reference: Tachikawa Station or Hachioji Station ⇓ Matsumoto Station
Normal price (train ticket + reserved seat express ticket) 5,650 yen Ticketless Discounts 5,550 yen
From/to Shinjuku Ticketless Express 35% OFF 5,720 yen Therefore, regular rates and ticketless discounts are more economical.
Also, from my nearest station “Mitaka” to “Matsumoto” is Regular price 5,980 yen Ticketless discount 5,880 yen So, even with the 35% discount on the Ticketless Express, you will save 590 yen at the regular price. Ticketless discount 5,880 yen is 490 yen less than Ticketless Express Toku 35%OFF.
The bus terminal “Basta Shinjuku” is directly connected to Shinjuku Station for highway buses, and 17 round trips/day are made to the “Matsumoto Bus Terminal” next to Matsumoto Station.
The trip takes 3 hours and 20 minutes, about 40 minutes extra than Azusa, but the cost performance, including cost and comfort, is high.
You can also get off at the Chuo-do Hino bus stop near Koshu Kaido Station, which is 2 stops (5 minutes) on the Tama Urban Monorail from Tachikawa Station.
If you take the Azusa at Tachikawa Station or get off at Tachikawa Station, the express bus from Hino bus stop is a greatdeal.
Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal ⇓ Matsumoto Bus Terminal
Fee 3,300 yen and up *Variable price system, web payment discount available
Recommended Hotels near Matsumoto Station and 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. The lounge is well stocked with comic books and other materials. There is a large public bath with interchangeable men’s and women’s facilities. It is especially recommended for solo travelers.
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.
