basic information

How to travel between Matsumoto and Tokyo

By JR limited express train:

The "Azusa" and "Super Azusa" limited express trains require about 2 hours and 40 minutes for the journey from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto. The one way fare is 6200 Yen for non-reserved seats and about 6700 Yen for reserved seats. There are one to two trains per hour.

By JR local trains:

By local trains, the one way journey from Tokyo to Matsumoto along the JR Chuo Line takes about five hours, typically requires about three transfers of trains and costs 3610 Yen. With a Seishun 18 Kippu you could do the trip for as little as 2300 Yen.

By highway bus:

Highway buses operate hourly between Keio Highway Bus Terminal in Shinjuku and Matsumoto. The one way trip takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes and costs 3400 Yen. A round trip ticket costs only 5950 Yen, but the return trip has to be done within seven days of the outward journey.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
 

Orientation

Central Matsumoto can be easily explored on foot. The castle is about a 15 minutes walk from Matsumoto Station.

The "Town Sneakers" are three tourist oriented loop bus lines, which cost 100 Yen per ride or 300 Yen per day (the one day pass also includes a 10% discount on admission to Matsumoto Castle). Buses on each of the loop lines operate approximately every 30 minutes.

Besides the "Town Sneaker" buses, there exists a regular network of city buses.

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