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Advice for itinerary Alpine route - Kamikochi 2018/2/12 22:58
Hi all,

After reading a lot of forum posts, I still have a really hard time figuring out the best (5 day) route in this Kamikochi region. We're traveling (2 persons) around the 21st of May. Part of a 16 day Japan trip (Tokyo (2d) - Japanese Alps/Kamikochi region/Takayama (5d) - Kyoto (4d) - Tokyo (4d).

This is the hard part: Traveling from Tokyo and arriving in Matsumoto (Chuo line) I'm not sure in which order to:
- Do the alpine route (1 way): From Shimano-Omachi to Toyama or vice versa
- Visit Kamikochi and do some hikes (two day trips by bus from Hirayu Onsen region or hotel Nakao Kogen Hotel Kazaguruma (near Shin-hotaka ropeway) to Kamikochi. Hotel in Kamikochi is too expensive.
- Visit Takayama ( 1d). What is the most logical and time/cost efficient order?

Direct travel from Tokyo to Toyama (high speed train) is not an option, because we would like to make a stop between Tokyo and Matsumoto to visit the Hakushu Destillery. After this visit we plan to be in Matsumoto around 3PM.

This is what I've come up with so far:

Option A:
- Day 1) Travel from Matsumoto to Hirayu Onsen by bus and arrive late in the afternoon.
- Day 2) Day trip by bus from Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi
- Day 3) Day trip by bus from Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi
- Day 4) Travel from Hirayu Onsen back to Matsumoto (bus) and from there take the JR Oito Line to Shinano-Omachi. Use bagage forwarding service from there to Tateyama Station. Do the alpine route and arrive same day in Toyama. Take the JR Takayama Line to Takayama (Is this too much for 1 day??)
- Day 5: sightseeing in Takayama
- Day 6: Travel from Takayama via Nagoya to Kyoto

Option B:
- Day 1) Travel from Matsumoto to Shinano-Omachi region by train and stay there overnight.
- Day 2) From Shinano-Omachi, use bagage forwarding service from there to Tateyama Station. Do the alpine route and arrive by the end of the day in Toyama. Take the JR Takayama Line to Takayama. Sleep there.
- Day 3) Sightseeing in Takayama. End of the day take the bus to Hirayu Onsen (stay there in hotel for 2 nights)
- Day 4) Day trip by bus from Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi
- Day 5) Day trip by bus from Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi
- Day 6: Travel from Hirayu Onsen back to Takayama or Matsumoto (?) and from there via Nagoya to Kyoto.
Is it possible to buy a busticket for Takayama - Matsumoto and use it on multiple days (day 3 and day 6)?

Sorry for the long read, but really appreciate your help. Suggestions or changes are welcome!




by monsieurfunky  

Re: Advice for itinerary Alpine route - Kamikochi 2018/2/13 18:12
You'll probably get better advice from someone living in the area.
There's a forum for the area here:
http://welcome.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/


by Some Thoughts (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Advice for itinerary Alpine route - Kamikochi 2018/2/13 18:23
- Day 4) Travel from Hirayu Onsen back to Matsumoto (bus) and from there take the JR Oito Line to Shinano-Omachi. Use baggage forwarding service from there to Tateyama Station. Do the alpine route and arrive same day in Toyama. Take the JR Takayama Line to Takayama (Is this too much for 1 day??)

https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/matsumoto.pdf

Hirayu onsen 8:50 10:15 Matsumoto

http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=MATSUMOTO&arv_n...

Matsumoto 10:27 11:01 Shinano-Omachi

https://www.alpen-route.com/en/timetable/timetable_nagano.html

Shinano-Omachi 11:20 12:00 Ogisawa 12:30 12:46 Kurobe Dam
Kurobeko 13:40 13:45 Kurobedaira 14:00 14:07 Daikanbo
Daikanbo 14:45 14:55 Murodo 16:20 17:10 Bijodaira 17:20 17:27 Tateyama
Tateyama 18:21 19:23 Dentetsu Toyama

Toyama 19:49 21:43 Takayama

http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=TOYAMA&arv_node...

So, theoretically, itfs doable, but very rushed.

Hotel in Kamikochi is too expensive.

Have you considered Konashidaira Camping Retreat?
Cabin B is 9000 yen per night for two people.

http://www.nihonalpskankou.com/common/pdf/EnglishGuide2018.pdf

Nishiitoya mountain lodge

http://www.nishiitoya.com/en/

8500-18500 yen per one person, including two meals.

Yes, Kamikochi is expensive, in general, but it is worth staying.

My suggestion is as below.

Day1) Tokyo to Kobuchizawa (Hakushu distillery) to Matsumoto, then take bus to Karuizawa. Stay overnight.
Day2) Karuizawa
Day3) Karuizawa to Takayama by bus via Hirayu.
Day4) Takayama to Shirakawago then Toyama (maybe to Tateyama).
Day5) Toyama or Tateyama to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route to Nagano.
Day6) Nagano to Osaka via Nagoya.
by frog1954 rate this post as useful

Re: Advice for itinerary Alpine route - Kamikochi 2018/2/16 08:58
Great! Thanks
by monsieurfunky rate this post as useful

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