Updated April 3, 2024 (updated to 2024 rates)

Public Transportation Information for Kamikochi, Okuhida and Chubu-Sangaku National Park

That is to take a highway bus from Shinjuku to Hida Takayama and transfer at the Hirayu bus terminal next to Kamikochi.

Although the time required is 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.

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, because express buses are convenient, they are popular and crowded, making prices somewhat more expensive.
A little less expensive! Here’s a guide to the tricks of the trade to make it easier to make reservations.

Kamikochi Bus Terminal
Kamikochi Bus Terminal

General directions from Tokyo area to Kamikochi

■ By train
 Approx. 9,500 yen (one-way for adults)

Shinjuku Station
｜
(JR Express Azusa)
Approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes
｜
Matsumoto Station
｜
(Matsumoto Electric Railway Kamikochi Line )
Approx. 30 min.
｜
Niijima Station
｜
(Bus route )
Approx. 1 hr. 15 min.
｜
Kamikochi Bus Terminal

■ For express buses ■
Approx. 10,000 yen (one-way for adults)

Basta Shinjuku / Shibuya Bus Terminal (Mark City) / Yaesu South Exit of JR Tokyo Station
｜
(Highway Bus, Sawayaka Shinshu-go )
Approx. 4 hours 30 minutes ~ 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, what is theback-uphighway bus route that is relatively inexpensive and easy to book,

Shinjuku (Basta Shinjuku)
｜
( Highway bus to Hida Takayama )
Approx. 4 hours and 40 minutes
｜
Hirayu Bus Terminal
｜
( Bus routes )
Approx. 25 min.
｜
Kamikochi Bus Terminal

Express bus routes are available.
The fare is approximately 6,500 yen (one-way for adults ).

Hirayu Bus Terminal
Hirayu Bus Terminal

Hirayu Bus Terminal is the gateway toKamikochi, Mt. Norikura and Shin Hotaka Ro on the Gifu Prefecture (Takayama City) side.
The Hirayu Bus Terminal is also the stop for highway buses from Basta Shinjuku to Takayama, with 5 to 7 round-trip highway buses running 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 20 to 30 minutes.

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 costs about 12,000 yen to 16,000 yen one way per adult.
There are also four to five round-trip highway buses from Shinjuku to Hirayu Bus Terminal, located next to Kamikochi, every day. The trip also takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes and costs about 5,500 yen to 6,500 yen per adult one-way.
Buses run every 30 minutes from the Hirayu Bus Terminal to Kamikochi, taking 20-25 minutes and costing 1,180 yen one way or 2,090 yen round trip.

  • Shinjuku⇔Kamikochi
    Round trip by direct bus] Approx. 26,000 yen
  • Shinjuku⇔Hirayu⇔Kamikochi
    Round-trip, via Hirayu] Approx. 14,200 yen, a savings of more than 10,000 yen
  • Shinjuku → Hirayu → Kamikochi → Shinjuku
    In case of one-way direct bus, one-way via Hirayu] 21,000 yen, about 5,000 yen savings.
  • ・

(2) Healing in a famous hot spring. So what kind of place is Hirayu Onsen?

It is the gateway to Okuhida Onsenkyo.
The largest hot spring resort near Kamikochi, with about 30 accommodations of various sizes. The town spreads out around the Hirayu Bus Terminal, and most of the hot springs are within walking distance of each other. 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 approximately 40 sources, gushing out approximately 13,000 liters per minute of hot spring water at a temperature of approximately 90°C.

Hirayu Onsen Tourist Association
Okuhida Onsenkyo Tourist Association

Hirayu Onsen Town seen from Awa Pass
Hirayu Onsen Folk Museum

Shinjuku – Kamikochi (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)
Adults 10,000 yen – 16,000 yen
Children 5,000 yen – 8,000 yen
Details, Timetable, 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
Child 750 yen one way, 1,400 yen round trip
Details & Timetable

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Kamikochi Recommended Model Course

*The model course below is based on the summer schedule.
Seasonal buses may be used. Please check the bus schedule 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!
*Norikura Skyline will be closed in 2023.

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 Shinjuku 20:45
    *You can also enjoy cycling between Hirayu and Norikura-dake (Tatamidaira) on a rental e-bike!

*The model course above is based on the summer schedule.
Seasonal buses may be used. Please check the bus schedule in advance.

Shinjuku – Kamikochi (Sawayaka Shinshu-go)
Adults 10,000 yen – 16,000 yen Children 5,000 yen – 8,000 yen
Details, Timetable, 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
Child 750 yen one way, 1,400 yen round trip
Details & Timetable