Getting there
From Tokyo to Matsumoto
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By train
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From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano (80 minutes, multiple trains per hour), then transfer to the JR "Shinano" limited express to Matsumoto (50 minutes, one train per hour). With a good connection, the trip takes about 2.5 hours and costs around 10,000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass and JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass cover the journey.
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By bus
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From Tokyo, highway buses run hourly between Shinjuku Bus Terminal and Matsumoto Bus Terminal near Matsumoto Station. The trip takes just over three hours and costs 3,900 yen. Discounts are available for online bookings through Willer.
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From Osaka to Matsumoto
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By train
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From Osaka, take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Nagoya (50 minutes, multiple trains per hour), then transfer to the JR Shinano limited express to Matsumoto (2 hours, one train per hour). The one-way fare is around 11,500 yen. The Japan Rail Pass covers the trip if you use Hikari or Kodama trains between Shin-Osaka and Nagoya, but an extra fee is needed for Nozomi trains.
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By bus
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From Osaka, daytime and overnight highway buses run between Hankyu Sanbangai Bus Terminal (near Osaka Station, Shin-Osaka Station) and Matsumoto Bus Terminal (near Matsumoto Station). The trip takes 6-9 hours and costs 5,000 to 6,000 yen.
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From Kyoto to Matsumoto
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By train
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From Kyoto, take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya (35 minutes, multiple trains per hour), then transfer to the JR Shinano limited express to Matsumoto (2 hours, one train per hour). The one-way fare is around 11,000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass covers the trip if you take the Hikari or Kodama trains between Kyoto and Nagoya, but an extra fee is needed for Nozomi trains.
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By bus
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From Kyoto, there are two daytime buses and one overnight bus to Matsumoto each day. The overnight bus stops at Kyoto Station, while daytime buses only stop at the Kyoto Fukakusa bus stop, south of the city center. The trip takes 5-8 hours and costs around 5,000 yen.
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From Takayama to Matsumoto
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By train
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From Takayama, take the JR Shinano limited express from Matsumoto to Nagoya (2 hours, one train per hour), then transfer to the JR Hida limited express to Takayama (140 minutes, one train per hour). The one-way fare is about 11,500 yen.
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By bus
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From Takayama, there are several highway buses daily to Matsumoto. The trip takes 2.5 hours and costs 4,400 yen one way. You can book online through Willer, and seat reservations are required.
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