Due to the easy access and the fame of the Matsumoto castle, getting to Kamikochi from Matsumoto is the most popular route to travel to this picturesque national park.

• Take the Alpico train (Kamikochi line ) from the JR Matsumoto station (platform no. 7), and get off at Shin-Shimashima station to change to the bus bound for Kamikochi.
• Train and bus depart every hour.
• Online booking is unavailable. Please buy the train and bus set tickets before boarding the train from a vending machine in JR Matsumoto station.
• You can use the ticket to board any train and bus on the same day of purchase.
• Unless it is during the holiday seasons, such as the Golden Week or Obon festival, you don't need to worry about seat vacancies.
• Check the train/bus fare and timetable here.

*There are no round-trip tickets available.

The ticket vending machine for Kamikochi line train at the JR Matsumoto Station is the blue one on the left.

On the machine, choose “ALPICO Discount Ticket”, then select your destination.

How to buy and reserve a ticket (from Kamikochi to Matsumoto)

• There is no direct bus service for the return trip. Please board the bus to Shin-Shimashima station, then chage to the train to Matsumoto.
• Online booking is available at this link.
• For those who have booked online, it is a requirement to show your printed E-ticket or the E-ticket on your smartphone to the staff or bus driver before boarding.
• You can also buy the ticket at Kamikochi Bus Terminal. The following credit cards are accepted: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and JCB. When buying the ticket, please inforn the staff your preferred departing time.
• Train and bus depart every hour. Check the bus/train fare and timetable here.
• When making a reservation, if you select Matsumoto station as your destination, the ticket will also include the journey from Shin-Shimashima station to Matsumoto station.
• You can reserve your ticket one month before your boarding date. The reservation usually starts from late March to early April each year.

Ticket windows at Kamikcohi Bus Terminal 

Cancellation of “Seiri-ken” system

We used to have a “Seiri-ken” system (queuing for tickets) to help lessen the crowds. However, starting from 2020, we have changed this to a reservation system.

Reservation changes

• Reservations can be changed until 15 minutes before the bus is scheduled to depart from the Kamikochi Bus Terminal.

• For reservations made via Japan Bus Online, you can personally make changes to the reservation on the reservation website.
• For reservations made at the ticket window of the Kamikochi Bus Terminal, please go to the ticket window to make any changes.

Reservation period

• Reservations can be made from 1 month in advance to 15 minutes before the bus is scheduled to depart from the Kamikochi Bus Terminal, either at the Kamikochi Bus Terminal or online via the reservation website.

• In case the bus departs in less than 15 minutes, we will let you board the bus if there are seats available.
• The reservation usually starts from late March to early April each year.

Bus pass holders

Following is the list of bus passes that cover the train and bus between Matsumoto and Kamikochi.

• 2-Day Free Passport

• 4-Day Alps WIDE Free Passport
• Alps Crossing Ticket (Kamikochi-type)

Those who have any passes listed above don’t need to pay an additional fare but still have to reserve their seats for the return trip. Show your pass and inform the staff about the time and place you wish to board to reserve your seat at Kamikochi Bus Terminal.

If you wish to board the National Park Liner direct bus to Kamikochi, please also bring your bus pass and inform the staff of the bus time you prefer to reserve your seat at Matsumoto Bus Terminal.

Kamikochi bus timetables

Timetable for Matsumoto – Kamikochi line >
Timetable for Shinjuku – Kamikochi line >
Timetable for Tokyo – Kamikochi line >
Timetable for Kyoto/Osaka – Kamikochi line >
Timetable for Shibuya – Kamikochi line >
Timetable for Omiya/Kawagoe – Kamikochi line >
Timetable for Nagano – Kamikochi line >
Timetable for Takayama -Kamikochi line >
Timetable for Sawando Parking – Kamikochi line >
Timetable for Akandana Parking – Kamikochi line >

Ticket refunds

• Tickets purchased within Japan at ticket offices cannot be refunded, except in the case of bus or train being cancelled due to unprecedent circumstances such as road closure, bad weather, etc. In that case, please contact our staff at Matsumoto Bus Terminal, Shin-Shimashima station or Kamikochi Bus Terminal. We cannot accept ticket refund requests from the homepage’s inquiry form.
• For tickets purchased via Japan Bus Online website, please contact them directly regarding your refund.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is it cheaper to buy a ticket online?
A: No, the ticket price is the same for online and walk-in purchases.

Q: I am going to Matsumoto by JR train. Do I need to exit the ticket gate at the JR Matsumoto station to buy a ticket and enter the ticket gate again?
A: No, you can board the Kamikochi line train without exiting the ticket gate. After you have arrived at Shin-Shimashima station, please adjust your fare by paying for the distance between Matsumoto and Shin-Shimashima (710 yen).

Q: I’m worried that I won’t be able to board the bus because it’s full.
A: Our buses and trains for Kamikochi depart at frequent intervals (about every 45 minutes). During holidays and popular hours, we normally increase the number of buses. Even so, we cannot guarantee that you’ll be able to board the bus you wish. Please spare some time to queue to board a bus. As for the return trip from Kamikochi, please make sure to reserve your seat in advanced to the following destinations: Matsumoto, Shin-Shimashima, Norikura and Shirahone onsen.

Q: Can I put my luggage on the bus?
A: Yes, you can put your luggage on the bus trunk. We don’t have specific luggage size restrictions; however, we may not take in your luggage if it is too large that it may cause damages to other passengers’ luggage.

Q: Is the train from Matsumoto to Shin-Shimashima included in the JR Pass?
A: No, this train is not covered by any JR passes and cannot be paid for using IC cards (SUICA, etc.).

Are you looking for a hotel in Matsumoto? Here are our recommended hotels under ALPICO Group.

• Hotel Buena Vista

• Hotel Shoho
• ALPICO Plaza Hotel

Or how about staying overnight in Kamikochi at Lemeiesta Hotel, so that you can leisurely enjoy your time while gazing at the sparkling night sky above Kamikochi!