ALPICO PLAZA is a co-working space on the 7th floor of Alpico Plaza, a commercial building that houses the Matsumoto Bus Terminal, located right in front of Matsumoto Station.
It is only 500 yen a day and comes with a 100 yen coupon for a restaurant in the same building. With this in mind, it is actually only 400 yen/day.
For this price, we recommend using it as a power cafe for short periods of time (*eating and drinking are not allowed). I decided to try it out for this business trip– and it was nice to have a direct connection to the bus terminal!
I checked online for available seats on the express bus, made a reservation, worked until just before the departure time, and boarded the bus right away.
Today is the last day of my business trip. I check out of my hotel and head for the bus terminal.
Normally, I would have boarded the express bus immediately, but not today.
First, I headed to the Matsumoto bus terminal counter. Here, you tell them that you want to use the coworking space on the 7th floor, and you will be given a user guide to read through. After paying 500 yen, you will be given an “Entrance Card” and a 100 yen coupon coupon that can be used at restaurants in the building.
On the back of the “Entrance Pass” you will find the PIN number to unlock the door to the coworking space and the wi-fi password. Please be careful not to lose it.
After registering and paying at the bus terminal on the first floor, take the elevator to the seventh floor.
In addition to the coworking space, there are restaurants on the 7th floor, including Saizeriya and Gyoza no Ousho.
Immediately unlock the door using the PIN code on the entrance pass!
Opening the door, there were three guests ahead of us that day, but it is spacious and roomy, so we find our favorites from the available seats.
All tables are equipped with a power supply as well as USB power and stand lights.
It’s an open space, so it’s not suitable for online meetings such as ZOOM.
But it’s great if you need a place to concentrate.
For lunch, I went to Saizeriya next door and used the 100 yen coupon I got here!
Originally an inexpensive lunch, now became even less expensive! It’s a great deal!
This time we stayed for 4 hours with lunch in between.
To check out, simply return the entrance pass to the box near the entrance/exit.
For me, the table was a little low and made my hips and back hurt a little.
Next time I thought of bringing a computer stand.
But other than that, it was comfortable, and I was able to get a lot of work done.
The express bus we boarded is also equipped with power and WIFI.
Highwaybus.com for reservations of highway buses from Matsumoto to Shinjuku.
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
- Lounge is stocked with comic books
- Large public bath
Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Ekimae
It is about 400m, or 5 minutes away from the Matsumoto bus terminal.
Some benefits:
- Stylish and elaborate/ often used for weddings
- Recommended for girls trips, etc.
