Updated April 3, 2024 (updated to 2024 rates)
1. [Hirayu Bus Terminal (Hirayu Onsen) Route]
How to take a highway bus from Basta Shinjuku to Hida Takayama and transfer at Hirayu Bus Terminal next to Kamikochi.
2. via Matsumoto
Take a highway bus from Basta Shinjuku to Matsumoto Bus Terminal and transfer at the Matsumoto Inter-mae bus stop.
First, let’s look at the Hirayu route.
Although it takes about 30 minutes longer than the direct bus from Shinjuku to Kamikochi, the round-trip fare is more than 10,000 yen less than the direct bus from Shinjuku to Kamikochi.
In addition, you can enjoy Okuhida Onsenkyo (hot spring resort) such as Hirayu Onsen.
Click here for the version via Matsumoto via Matsumoto Interchange bus stop and Matsumoto Railway Kamikochi Line.
Kamikochi is always restricted to private cars and cannot be entered by private cars.
The only ways to enter Kamikochi are by bus, licensed cab, on foot, or by bicycle.
Therefore, the highway bus is by far the most convenient way to get to Kamikochi from Tokyo!
However, since highway buses are convenient, they are popular and crowded, making the price somewhat more expensive.
Save a little money! Here is a guide to a backstage technique that makes it easier to make reservations.
General directions from Tokyo area to Kamikochi
■ By train
Approx. 9,900 yen (one-way for adults)
Shinjuku Station
｜
(JR Express Azusa)
about 2 hours and 40 minutes
｜
Matsumoto Station
｜
(Matsumoto Electric Railway Kamikochi Line )
about 30 min.
Niijima Station
｜
(local bus )
about 1 hour 15 minutes
Kamikochi Bus Terminal
■ For express buses ■
8,000 – 16,000 yen (adult one-way)
Main price range 12,000 – 14,000 yen
Basta Shinjuku / Shibuya Bus Terminal (Mark City) / Yaesu South Exit of JR Tokyo Station
｜
(Express Bus, Sawayaka Shinshu-go )
about 4 hours 30 min~5 hours
｜
Kamikochi Bus Terminal
Buses from Shinjuku are especially convenient and numerous.
However, highway buses from Shinjuku (Basta Shinjuku) to Kamikochi are very popular, so reservations are difficult to obtain and the fares are a bit expensive.
So, here is a backdoorhighway bus routethat is relatively inexpensive and easy to book,
Shinjuku (Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal)
|
(Highway Bus to Hida Takayama )
about 4 hours and 40 minutes
｜
Hirayu Bus Terminal
｜
( local bus )
about 25 min.
｜
Kamikochi Bus Terminal
Express bus routes are available.
The fare is approximately 6,500 yen (one-way for adults).
Hirayu Bus Terminal is the gateway toKamikochi, Mt. Norikura, and Shin Hotaka Ro on the Gifu Prefecture (Takayama City) side.
Hirayu Bus Terminal is also the stop for highway buses from Basta Shinjuku to Takayama, with 5 to 7 round trips being made daily.
There is also a shuttle bus service (high frequency) between Hirayu Bus Terminal and Kamikochi Bus Terminal.
>>Hirayu Bus Terminal ⇔ Kamikochi Bus Terminal Details
If you head to Kamikochi via this Hirayu bus terminal, you can save more than 10,000 yen round trip.
Location of Kamikochi and its surroundings
If you are going to Kamikochi by car:
On the Matsumoto City side in Nagano Prefecture, park at Sawatari Parking Lot, and on the Takayama City side in Gifu Prefecture, park at Akandana Parking Lot (Hirayu Onsen) and transfer to a bus for a 20-30 minute ride.
If you are going to Kamikochi, going via Hirayu Bus Terminal is not only economical but also healing.
The reason…
(1) Save more than 10,000 yen round trip via Hirayu!
There is a direct highway bus service from Shinjuku (Basta Shinjuku) to Kamikochi.
The trip takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes, and the fare ranges from 12,000 to 16,000 yen per adult one-way.
There are also 4 to 5 round-trip highway buses from Shinjuku to the Hirayu Bus Terminal, located next to Kamikochi,every day. The trip takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes and costs about 5,500 yen to 6,500 yen per adult one-way.
Buses from Hirayu Bus Terminal to Kamikochi run every 30 minutes, taking 20-25 minutes, and cost 1,500 yen one way or 2,800 yen round trip.
- Shinjuku ⇔ Kamikochi
【By direct round-trip bus】About 26,000 yen - Shinjuku⇔Hirayu⇔Kamikochi
[Round trip, via Hirayu] Approx. 14,200 yen, a savings of over 10,000 yen - Shinjuku→Hirayu→Kamikochi→Shinjuku
[If you take a direct one-way bus, one way via Hirayu] about 21,000 yen and save about 5,000 yen.
Another trick is to take a highway bus from Shinjuku to Matsumoto, get off in front of the Matsumoto Interchange, and transfer to the Matsumoto Railway Kamikochi Line from Oniwa Station . This is also very economical and convenient. Click here for more details…
(2) Healing in a famous hot spring. So what kind of place is Hirayu Onsen?
This is the gateway to Okuhida Onsenkyo.
It is the largest hot spring resort near Kamikochi, with about 30 accommodations of various sizes. The town spreads out around Hirayu Bus Terminal, and most of the hot spring resort is within walking distance. In addition to lodging facilities, there are also a variety of day-trip hot spring facilities and restaurants.
The hot spring water is abundant and hot. There are about 40 sources, gushing about 13,000 liters per minute of hot spring water at a high temperature of about 90°C.
Hirayu Onsen Tourism Association
Okuhida Onsenkyo Tourism Association
Recommended Accommodations in Hirayu Onsen
Tsuyu-kusa
A ryokan with a completely private hot spring for overnight stays with no meals. Onsen ryokan located a 3-minute walk from Hirayu bus terminal.
Self check-in/check-out, so late arrivals and early morning departures are OK!
A popular, small, cost-effective onsen ryokan. Please make reservations as early as possible!
>>> Search availability, check rates, and make reservations
Hirayu-kan
This onsen ryokan is a 3-minute walk from the Hirayu bus terminal and has a full range of onsen (hot spring) facilities. The ryokan has a particularly wonderful open-air bath. The ryokan offers a variety of plans, including overnight stays with no meal and one-night breakfast plans. There is also a convenience store inside the inn, which is recommended for consecutive nights or mid- to long-term stays.
>>> Search availability, check rates, and make reservations
Shinjuku – Kamikochi (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)
Adults 10,000 yen – 16,000 yen
Children 5,000 yen – 8,000 yen
Details, timetable and reservations
Shinjuku – Hirayu Bus Terminal (to Hida Takayama)
Adults 5,800 yen – 6,200 yen
Children 2,900 yen – 3,100 yen
Details, timetable, and reservations
Hirayu Bus Terminal – Kamikochi Bus Terminal
Adults 1,500 yen one way, 2,800 yen round trip
Children 750 yen one way, 1,400 yen round trip
Details/Timetable
Keio Bus LINE official account opened!
Kamikochi Recommended Model Course
*The model course below is based on the summer schedule.
Please note that some buses may operate seasonally. Please check the timetable, etc. in advance.
1. hiking & cyclingAn active experience in the great outdoors!
Day 1
- Departure from Shinjuku 8:15→(Shakado PA, Suwako SA) → Arrival at Hirayu 12:55
- Hirayu Onsen 13:00-14:00Lunch
- Hirayu Exploration Path, Hirayu Great Falls, etc. Hiking 14:00-16:30
- Hirayu Onsen check-in around 16:30 (overnight stay)
2nd day
- Cycling to Kamikochi ( rent a bike at OKUHIDA BASE )
- Hirayu 8:00→(Awa Pass by e-bike) → Kamikochi Bus Terminal 11:00
- Kamikochi (lunch and walking)
- Kamikochi 13:00→(Awa Pass by e-bike) →Hirayu 15:00
- Hirayu Bus Terminal 16:05→(Suwako SA, Shakado PA, etc.) →Arrive Shinjuku 20:45
2. enjoy hot springs and Kamikochi
Day 1
- Departure from Shinjuku 8:15→(Shakado PA, Suwako SA) → Arrival at Hirayu 12:55
- Hirayu Onsen 13:00-14:00Lunch
- Hirayu Exploration Path, Hirayu Great Falls, etc. Hiking 14:00-16:30
- Hirayu Onsen check-in around 16:30 (overnight stay)
2nd day
- Hirayu Bus Terminal 8:00→(Awa Tunnel) → Kamikochi Bus Terminal 8:25
- Kamikochi (walking/lunch)
- Depart from Kamikochi Bus Terminal at 15:00 → (Suwako SA, Dangozaka SA) → Arrive at Shinjuku at 19:47
3. enjoy the spectacular ropeway and Kamikochi
Day 1
- Departure from Shinjuku 7:05 → (Shakado PA, Suwako SA) → Hirayu 11:55
- Hirayu Onsen Lunch
- Hirayu Bus Terminal 12:40→arrive at Shin Hotaka Ropeway 13:36 (ropeway ride and walk)
- Shin Hotaka Ropeway 15:55 arrival→Hirayu Bus Terminal 17:31 arrival
- Hirayu Onsen check-in around 18:00 (overnight stay)
2nd day
- Hirayu Bus Terminal 8:00→(Awa Tunnel) → Kamikochi Bus Terminal 8:25
- Kamikochi (walking/lunch)
- Depart from Kamikochi Bus Terminal at 15:00 → (Suwako SA, Dangozaka SA) → Arrive at Shinjuku at 19:47
4. trekking to enjoy the starry sky, sea of clouds & Kamikochi at a mountain lodge at 2500m altitude!
Day 1
- Departure from Shinjuku 10:25p.m. → (overnight stay in car)
2nd day
- →Arrive at Kamikochi Bus Terminal at 5:20
- Kamikochi (breakfast and walking)
- Kamikochi 8:30→(trekking)→arrive at Nishiho Villa 13:00
- Lunch and overnight stay at Nishiho Villa
3rd day
- Nishiho Sanso 7:00→(trekking) → Nishihomaruyama 7:30→(trekking) → Arrive at Nishiho Dokotoge 10:00
- Departure from Nishiho Dokubetsu at 10:30→(trekking)→arrival at Nishihomaruyama at 11:30→(trekking)→arrival at Nishiho Sanso at 12:00
- Nishiho Villa Lunch
- Nishiho Villa 13:00→(trekking)→Nishihotaka-guchi station 14:45→(ropeway)→Shinhotaka Onsen station 15:10
- Shin Hotaka Ropeway 15:55→(Takayama-bound local bus) → Arrival at Hirayu Bus Terminal 16:28
- Hirayu Forest Bathing
- Hirayu Bus Terminal 18:05→(Suwako SA, Shakado PA, etc.) →Arrive Shinjuku 22:45
5. enjoy the spectacular view of Norikura Tatamidaira at an elevation of 2,702 meters and Kamikochi!
Day 1
- Departure from Shinjuku 10:25p.m. → (overnight stay in car)
2nd day
- →Arrive at Kamikochi Bus Terminal at 5:20
- Kamikochi (breakfast, walk, lunch)
- Depart from Kamikochi Bus Terminal at 15:00 → (Awa Tunnel) → Arrive at Hirayu Bus Terminal at 15:25
- Check-in at Hirayu Onsen around 16:00
3rd day
- Hirayu Bus Terminal 8:00→(Norikura Skyline) -> Norikura Tatamidaira 9:00 arrival
- Norikura Tatamidaira (walk and lunch)
- Kamikochi Bus Terminal 14:00→(Norikura Skyline) →Hirayu Bus Terminal 15:00
- Hirayu Bus Terminal 16:05→(Suwako SA, Shakado PA) →Arrive at Shinjuku 20:45
*You can also enjoy cycling between Hirayu and Norikura-dake (Tatamidaira) on a rental e-bike!
*The above model course is based on the summer schedule.
Please note that some buses may operate seasonally. Please check the timetable in advance.
Shinjuku – Kamikochi (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)
Adults 10,000 yen – 16,000 yen Children 5,000 yen – 8,000 yen
Details, timetable, and reservations
Shinjuku – Hirayu Bus Terminal (to Hida Takayama)
Adults 5,800 yen – 6,200 yen Children 2,900 yen – 3,100 yen
Details, Timetable, Reservations
Hirayu Bus Terminal – Kamikochi Bus Terminal
Adults 1,500 yen one way, 2,800 yen round trip
Children 750 yen one way, 1,400 yen round trip
Details/Timetable
Hirayu Onsen Recommended Accommodations
Tsuyu-kusa
A ryokan with a completely private hot spring for overnight stays with no meals. Onsen ryokan located a 3-minute walk from Hirayu bus terminal.
Self check-in/check-out, so late arrivals and early morning departures are OK!
A popular, small, cost-effective onsen ryokan. Please make reservations as early as possible!
>>> Search availability, check rates, and make reservations
Hirayu-kan
This onsen ryokan is a 3-minute walk from the Hirayu bus terminal and has a full range of onsen (hot spring) facilities. The ryokan has a particularly wonderful open-air bath. The ryokan offers a variety of plans, including overnight stays with no meal and one-night breakfast plans. There is also a convenience store inside the inn, which is recommended for consecutive nights or mid- to long-term stays.
>>> Search availability, check rates, and make reservations
