secondary traffic

Kamikochi opened again this year (2024).
What is different from before Corona and from previous years is the large number of people from home and abroad who visit the mountain as soon as it opens on April 17.
In addition, direct buses from Shinjuku are becoming more difficult to book due to labor regulations for drivers and others starting in April 2024.

So, here is the second part of a back-up plan for traveling between Shinjuku and Kamikochi that is relatively easy to book and inexpensive.
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 Basta Shinjuku or Hino bus station to Matsumoto bus terminal and head for Kamikochi.

Although it is common to use the ” Matsumoto Bus Terminal” and “Matsumoto Station” to connect the highway bus to the Matsumoto Railway Kamikochi Line, here we will use the “Matsumoto Inter-mae Bus Stop” and “Oniwa Station” on the Kamikochi Line to emphasize typa.

This backstage technique can shorten the time by about 30 minutes.
If you can connect to a train one train earlier, you can save an hour.

This is a back-up plan when rates and time are a priority.

root

Board the highway bus at the Basta Shinjuku/Hino bus stop.
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(Highway Bus / to Matsumoto)
Approx. 190 min. from Shinjuku, 160 min. from Hino
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Get off the highway bus at the Matsumoto Interchange bus stop.
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( about 550m / 7-8 minutes walk )
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Board the train at Oba Station.
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( Matsumoto Railway Kamikochi Line )
　　Approx. 25 min.
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Get off the train at Niijima station.
　Board a local bus at the Niijima bus terminal
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( Local bus bound for Kamikochi )
　　Approx. 65 min.
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Kamikochi Bus Terminal

Fees (Fares)

It costs about 7,000 yen one way.

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.

Details & Reservations

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

>> >> Recommended for the first night or the second night! Hotels near Matsumoto Bus Terminal

Express Bus and Rail Transfers

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.

In addition, 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 you refer to Google Map when going to Oba Station on the Kamikochi Line from in front of the Matsumoto Interchange (in the direction of Matsumoto) on the outward journey, you will be directed to take the long way around as shown in the map below.

This is because there is no pedestrian crossing at Horimae, the intersection just after getting off the bus.
The shortest way is to follow the red arrow in the photo below, but you cannot cross Route 158.

However, 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

Shinjuku – Matsumoto Highway Bus Reservation

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

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.

Other accommodations near Matsumoto Station and Matsumoto Bus Terminal