• Matsumoto station is accessible by Limited Express Azusa from Shinjuku.
• Matsumoto station is also accessible by Limited Express Shinano from Nagoya.
• Local trains are also available.
• Matsumoto Dentetsu (private) runs local trains on the Kamikochi Line from JR Matsumoto station, which is useful for going to Kamikochi.
• Matsumoto Dentetsu Bus Terminal (only one terminal in Matsumoto) is located 300m from JR Matsumoto station. This terminal is a hub for many local and long distance bus lines.
• Matsumoto welcomes you! is an excellent site in English.

You should use East Exit for Matsumoto Castle or Bus Terminal.

Platform 7 is dedicated to Matsumoto Dentetsu, Kamikochi Line (no ticket gate between JR platforms)

Matsumoto area is exclusively served by Matsumoto Dentetsu (ALPICO) buses. To ride ALPICO buses, you need to go to Bus Terminal which is 300m from the East Exit of the station.

On the B1 floor of the shopping building is the ticket counter.

If you are going to Kamikochi, please do not go to this bus terminal but to platform 7 (Matsumoto Dentetsu Kamikochi line) of Matsumoto station.

Kamikochi is accessible by bus or taxi but not by private cars. Most bus services start from Shinshimashima station, not from Matsumoto Bus Terminal.

Shinshimashima is the end of the line and takes 30 min. from Matsumoto (always platform 7).

If your ticket is just to Matsumoto, you can pay the extra (Matsumoto to Shinshimashima) at Shinshimashima station.

If you start your ride from Matsumoto, you can buy ticket at JR ticket machines and go through the JR ticket gate.

At Shinshimashima Terminal, there are many buses for various destinations. You can buy a round trip ticket with significant reduction at the ticket window.

There are many reserve buses standing by, so you will not be left behind.

Long distance buses starting from Matsumoto bus terminal (out-bound) also pichup passengers from here.

Before coming back from Kamikochi by bus, you are asked to receive a seiriken (reservation ticket, free of charge) to assure your seat on a specific departure.

Once you get this ticket at the ticket window, you can wander around until your departure time without making a long line.

Information Center is located next to the terminal building where you can ask questions or receive brochures and maps in English.

There are many taxies at Matsumoto area and Kamikochi. If you are in a party of four, taking a taxi is a good idea, and maybe economical.

Frequent shuttle buses run between the bus terminal and Sawando parking lot. (Private cars are not allowed in Kamikochi.)

( Photo by Mr. Hideo Terada.)

Hirayu but terminal is an important hub and many bus lines start here. In Hirayu area, there are many good hot springs.

A bus for Kanazawa picking up passengers at Hirayu Bus Terminal.