How to Get to Kamikochi: By Train, Bus, and Car from Tokyo and Osaka

The Charm of Kamikochi

Kamikochi, located in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, is famous as a scenic mountainous area at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters. Its pristine landscapes are captivating, making it a popular tourist spot.

In this article, we will provide detailed access information for those who have never visited Kamikochi. If you are wondering how to get to Kamikochi from Tokyo or Osaka, please read on until the end.

Note: Kamikochi is typically closed for winter from mid-November to mid-April each year. During this period, entering the area constitutes winter mountaineering at your own risk, so please exercise caution. Details: Kamikochi official website

Kamikochi Access Guide

1. How to Get to Kamikochi
2. Access by Bus
3. Access by Train
4. Access by Car

How to Get to Kamikochi

Photo by Pixta
The nearest train station to Kamikochi is Shinshimashima Station (Matsumoto Electric Railway Kamikochi Line), which is convenient if you come from Matsumoto and Nagano.

If you come from the Gifu and Takayama side, the nearest station to Kamikochi is Takayama Station on the JR Takayama Main Line.

Additionally, due to the car regulations in Kamikochi, if you access by car, you will need to transfer to a shuttle bus or taxi partway.

As mentioned later, there are direct buses from the Tokyo metropolitan area, as well as from Matsumoto Station and Nagano Station to Kamikochi, so for first-time visitors, using the bus is a good option.

Mode of Transportation	Route from Matsumoto	Time	Rating
Bus	Matsumoto Station → Kamikochi	Approximately 30 minutes	★★★★
Train	Matsumoto Station → Shinshimashima Station (local bus) → Kamikochi	Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes	★★☆☆
Car	Home → Sawando Parking Lot (bus) → Kamikochi	About 30 minutes from the parking lot	★☆☆☆

Accessing Kamikochi by Bus

Direct buses to Kamikochi are available from various locations, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Matsumoto. All services require a reservation, so it is recommended to book your tickets early.

Below is a list of bus terminals where you can take a direct bus to Kamikochi.

- Shinjuku Bus Terminal in Tokyo
- Tokyo Station
- Shibuya Mark City
- Takebashi / Shinjuku in Tokyo
- Nagoya
- Osaka (Hankyu 3rd Street)
- Tokyo's Futakotamagawa Rise (in preparation)
- Matsumoto Station (direct service)
- Takayama Hida Bus Center

From Shinjuku to Kamikochi

Photo by Pixta

When traveling by bus from Shinjuku, the route is as follows: Shinjuku Bus Terminal → Alpico Express Bus (Sawayaka Shinshu Line) → Kamikochi Bus Terminal.

The main bus boarding areas are at Busta Shinjuku and the West Exit of Shinjuku Station (Platform 26).

The buses run daily at 7:15 AM and 10:25 PM with a three-row configuration, and on certain days, a four-row bus operates at 10:25 PM as well. The operation period is typically from April to around November, and reservations are required.

Details: Sawayaka Shinshu Line (Alpico Transportation Co., Ltd.)

From Matsumoto to Kamikochi

Photo by Pixta
When traveling from Matsumoto to Kamikochi, you can take the bus at Matsumoto Bus Terminal (National Park Liner), which will take you directly to the Kamikochi Bus Terminal. The operation period is from April to mid-November.

Buses depart at 5:30 AM and 10:15 AM, and both services require a reservation.

Please note that there are no direct buses returning to Matsumoto from Kamikochi, so you will need to transfer from the bus to a train at Shinshimashima Station.

Deatils: Alpico Transportation Co., Ltd.

Takayama

Photo by Pixta
When traveling from Takayama, the route is Takayama Hida Bus Center (local bus) → Hirayu Onsen (shuttle bus or taxi) → Kamikochi.

Unlike the routes from Shinjuku or Matsumoto, there are no direct buses, and a transfer is required along the way.

There are relatively frequent buses from Takayama Hida Bus Center, running approximately once every hour. Buses from Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi depart at 20 and 50 minutes past each hour.

The first bus departure times may vary depending on the date, so it's recommended to check the departure times in advance.

If you're departing from Osaka or Kyoto, we recommend heading to Takayama and from there to Kamikochi.

Details: Hida Bus

Accessing Kamikochi by Train

Photo by Pixta
There are direct buses from Matsumoto Station and Nagano Station, so here we will introduce the access method by train from Shinjuku.

- Shinjuku Station (Limited Express Azusa) → Matsumoto Station (Matsumoto Electric Railway) → Shinshimashima Station (National Park Liner) → Kamikochi Bus Terminal

- Shinjuku Station (Limited Express Azusa) → Matsumoto Station → Matsumoto Bus Terminal (National Park Liner) → Kamikochi

When traveling by train, you must first reach Matsumoto, which serves as the gateway to Kamikochi. Please note that reservations are required for buses at both Shinshimashima Station and Matsumoto Bus Terminal.

Accessing Kamikochi by Car

Photo by Pixta

From Matsumoto → Sawando Parking Lot

Due to car regulations in Kamikochi, those coming from Matsumoto City need to use the Sawando Parking Lot, and those coming from Takayama need to use the Akandana Parking Lot to take a shuttle bus or taxi.

- By car → Sawando Parking Lot (shuttle bus) → Kamikochi Bus Terminal
- By car → Sawando Parking Lot (taxi) → Kamikochi Bus Terminal

Number of parking spaces: Approximately 2,000
Fees: Regular car 700 yen (per day), Motorcycle 350 yen (per day)
As of November 2024
Details: Sawando Parking Lot Information

From Takayama → Akandana Parking Lot

The route to the Akandana Parking Lot from Takayama is as follows. Please note that after 5 PM, there may not be taxis waiting at the parking lot.

- By car → Akandana Parking Lot (shuttle bus) → Kamikochi Bus Terminal
- By car → Akandana Parking Lot (taxi) → Kamikochi Bus Terminal

Number of parking spaces: Approximately 850
Fees: Regular car 600 yen (per day), Motorcycle 300 yen (per day)
As of November 2024
Details: Akandana Parking Lot Information

Enjoy Exploring Kamikochi

Kamikochi offers many events and three campsites, making it a great place to spend quality time with family or friends.

Using this article as a reference, be sure to enjoy the unique healing that can only be experienced in this beautiful natural setting.