When you go to southern part of Nagano from Nagano, the Limited Express Azusa is most convenient choice. You can get Matsumoto directly. And one trip of this train takes you to Hakuba and Shinano-Omachi directly.
The Limited Express Kaiji runs on the same route between Kofu and Shinjuku/Tokyo.
And the new train, “FUJI EXCURSION (Fuji-Kaiyu)” has been introduced in March 2019. This train connects Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi at Mt. Fuji) directly.
I will explain you the route, schedule and accommodations of these trains.
Route, schedule and travel time
Hotels in Matsumoto
Hotels in Hakuba
Hotels in Kofu
The Limited Express Azusa is operated between Shinjuku and Matsumoto. A few operation of this train depart from Tokyo and Chiba. And one round trip of Azusa is operated between Shinjuku and Minami-Otari. You can get Hakuba and Shinano-Omachi directly from Shinjuku. In daytime, Azusa leaves Shinjuku station hourly, at 00 and 30 minutes past the hour.
The Limited Express Kaiji runs on same route as Azusa but this train is operated between Shinjuku and Kofu mostly. Some trips departs from Tokyo and Ryuo. This train is operated once every hour.
The Limited Express Fuji Kaiyu is operated between Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko. But this train is operated between Shinjuku and Otsuki being connected with the Limited Express Kaiji. Two round trips of this train are operated daily.
The Limited Express Fuji Excursion is operated by JR. But the segment between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko is Fujikyu Railway which is not JR. Some rail passes do not cover this segment and you have to pay the extra fare on top of the pass. I will tell you later in this post.
Trip time
The fastest Azusa connects Shinjuku and Matsumoto in 2.5 hours. The average trip time is around 3 hours between Shinjuku and Matsumoto.
The Limited Express Kaiji stops many more stations than Azusa. But the travel time between Kofu and Shinjuku is not so different from the Limited Express Azusa. It takes 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours.
The Limited Express Fuji Excursion is coupled with Kaiji between Shinjuku and Otsuki as I mentioned above. The trip time is 1 hour 40 minutes from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko.
Extra fare for taking the Limited Express Fuji Excursion
You may find the interior of this train in the movie below:
This train is JR train but it runs on Fujikyu railway line which is not JR. On this segment, this train is operated as one of Fujikyu railway train. That means that this train is not covered by some rail passes.
The only railway pass which covers this train fully is Tokyo Wide Pass.
JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass), JR East Pass Nagano Niigata and any other JR deals other than Tokyo Wide Pass does not cover the Limited Express Fuji Excursion fully. You have to pay the extra fare for the segment between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko.
The extra fare is 1,740 yen. (base fare 1,140 yen + limited express fee 600 yen)
But if you take this train between Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji only, limited express fee is not required.
Accommodation and train formations
The Limited Express Azusa, Kaiji and Fuji Excursion are operated by E353 series. E257 series is used for the seasonal operation only.
E353 series
The seat configurations are 2+2. It is same configuration on both Green seat and ordinary seat. Accommodation is no difference between reserved ordinary and non reserved ordinary. This series equips the all seats with the power outlet.
Train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | G | R | R | R |
R=Reserved ordinary seat G=Green seat
Azusa is operated by this 12 cars train set. Kaiji is mostly 9 cars train set (car #4 to #12). And Fuji Excursion is operated by 3 cars train set which is car #1 to #3.
All train do not proved non reserved seat. If you take this train without reservation, you still can take this train but your seat is not secured. You can take one of unoccupied seat. But other passenger will take your seat later. You have to move and find the other seat.
JR Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass and JR East Pass cover the reserved seat fee. Please do not forget book your seat before boarding. You cannot book a seat in the train.
E257 series
This train set is used for the seasonal operation only.
The seat configurations are 2+2. It is same configuration on both Green seat and ordinary seat. It is no difference between reserved ordinary and non reserved.
Comments
Hi our friend has told us to get from Tokyo (Shinjuku Station) using the the Azusa super express and not the shinkansen. Leaving on the 6pm Azusa Friday 14th from Shinjuku to Chino and returning on the 318pm from Chino to Shinjuku. We have a 7 day green JR rail pass and are wondering if we are able to reserve seats from outside Japan on these trains and whether our rail pass covers these routes?
thanks!
Hi Fiona,
This train is covered by JR Pass fully.
You can make a reservation online, but there are some restrictions. Please find more info about JR East Shinkansen Reservation (not only for Shinkansen) in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there!
I’ll be traveling from Tokyo Sinjuku to Matsumoto in October.
If I own a JR pass, can I take the JR Super Azusa train at no extra cost?
Or can I only use the JR Azusa for no extra charge?
Many thanks!
Hi Brice,
You can take both Azusa by JR Pass without any extra.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello:
Thank you for all the valuable information that you provide us with. We really appreciate your effort.
I am a JR pass holder and plan to travel from Tokyo to Mount Fuji on August 3rd, 2015.
For my ride back to Tokyo on August 4th, i am planning to catch the Limited Express Kaiji 120 from Otsuki to Shinjuku.
What do you recommend on this situation: Should i reserve the Kaiji 120 before i leave Tokyo on August 3rd? Or would it be OK if i just walk into to a Kaiji 120 non-Reserved car for my way back
to Tokyo on August 4th?
Your suggestion will be very much appreciated.
Thank you
Luis
Hi Luis,
Thanks for visiting my website.
In my experience, Kaiji is sometimes very busy. Especially if you travel with someone, you may not be able to find the seat side by side. I recommend you to book in advance.
JR Pass covers reserved seat fee. Let’s use the benefit as much as we can!
I always to book all tickets when I exchange the pass. Even if you change your schedule, you can change the ticket anytime.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I was wondering what the fastest route from Kamikochi to Tokyo would be?
I was thinking of going from Kamikochi to Matsumoto Station and then getting the Super Asuza from Matsumoto to Tokyo (Shinjuku)?
I will be getting a bus from Kamikochi to Shin-Shimashima Station and then Matsumoto Electric Railway to Matsumoto Station.
Can you confirm which parts of the journey would be covered by the JR Pass? I am hoping that at least the Super Asuza journey will be covered?
Thanks!
Hi Eric,
That route is the fastest to get Tokyo from Kamikochi. JR Pass covers only limited express Azusa from Matsumoto to Shinjuku.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Can you tell me how long train time from Tokyo to Matsumoto?
Seeing the timetable, it would be better to take the Super Azusa?
Hi Ada,
It takes about 2.5 hours. You can find more at the timetable below:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_lex_chuo_d/index.html
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_lex_chuo_u/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi there I have a jr East pass and was wondering if I used that to go to the base of mt Fuji would I need to buy another ticket and also how long roughly will thst take? 🙂
Hi Kate,
You have to pay extra for taking train from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko. Base fare is 1140 yen. If you take limited express train from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko, you have to pay additional 300 yen.
Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/passengers-review/2013-winter-tohoku-nagano-trip/trip-to-tohoku-and-nagano-in-2013-winter-part-6-round-trip-to-kawaguchiko-from-shinjuku-by-azusa-and-fuji-kyuko.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thanks so much for the fast reply, I really appreciate it. I just realised that there is a 6.03am from nishi-shinjuku to shinjuku, that will allow me 25 mins to transfer onto the limited express, I have two travel companions and we all have snowboard bags so I didn’t consider the transfer times, you have helped ensure our trip goes according to schedule. Thanks so much, I love japan so much and the people are some of the friendliest and helpful in the world
Hi Chook,
No problem.
Enjoy your trip!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi たけし, I will be traveling from nishi-shinjuku to hakuba, would you suggest taking the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line to shinjuku station at 7.24am and then the Super Azusa 3 limited express that leaves at 7.30am? Is this the most trouble free method to get there?
Hi Chook,
I think connection time is too tight. I suggest you to take 15 minutes to transfer at Shinjuku.
This train is okay. But you can take highway bus too.
http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/hakuba_shinjuku/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello, we arrive in Matsumoto this Wednesday and was wondering if we need to book a ticket on Oito line train to Hakuba.
There are 4 in the group.
Thanks
Hi Phil,
No, you don’t need it. Most of trains on Oito line are local train. You cannot reserve seat anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I wish to take the Azusa 3 from Shinjuku to Hakuba at 7.30am on the 15th Feb 2015.
I know one can make online seat reservations but the tickets need to be collected the night before and this is not possible for me as I only fly into Tokyo that same morning.
Can I ask if seat reservations are crucial or it should not be a problem to get non-reserved seats? I realise this may not be a fair question but I’m traveling with two young kids and am anxious to make sure we can get to our destination!
Thanks!
Hi Jonathan,
I’m very optimistic to book this train on Feb 15 because of Sunday morning. As you can guess, Friday and Saturday are harder to book. Of course nobody knows can book it or not. But I think it will be okay. And also there are non reserved seat cars. If you can show up at Shinjuku station 30 minutes before departure time, you will be able to get seats.
I think you don’t have enough time to book because you will arrive in early morning. So just go to Shinjuku station and wait on line for non reserved seat. I think this is the easiest way to get a seat.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail