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,
where can I find the timetable of Azusa trains?
Please use hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
If I take the Azusa from Shinjuku to Hakuba, is their room for my ski equipment?
Hi Bill,
There are luggage spaces. Please see the link below to find the photo of the luggage space:
http://sonicrailgarden.sakura.ne.jp/seat_e353/118.jpg
You can place your skis between the luggage space bar and the shelves. The luggage spaces are in the car #1,3,5,7,10 and 12. Try to reserve your seat in these cars.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, we are planning to catch Azusa express train from Shinjuku to Hakuba in February. Could we just buy tickets from the machine at the station on the day?
Thank you
Hi Rose,
You can buy it. But if the ticket is booked out, you must buy a standee passenger ticket. You have to stand up in the train. Usually it does not happen in February. But please keep it in your mind.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks a lot for your prompt reply. Just wondering if we can just buy them from the ticket machine?
We will land in Tokyo the day before at 5pm. Could we buy and book our seats at Narita airport station ticket office? By the time we reach Shinjuku would be closer to 8pm. I think the office will be closed already.
Hi Rose,
You can buy it at Narita Airport station. You can buy it at any major stations. You don’t need to buy it at Shinjuku. Please find some more info in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Is it best to reserve a seat for the Shinjuku to Hakuba 730am train? I have a JRP. If so, how do I do that?
Hi Matt,
Yes. This is only direct train to Hakuba from Shinjuku. You can book a seat online in the link below:
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.4778995.1325107855.1421419524
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there,
Like to find out the different travel routes to Kawaguchiko, does JR East pass covered for below? How long is the journey?
1) Hakuba to Kawaguchiko
2) Matsumoto to Kawaguchiko
Thanks in advance!
Hi Val,
JR East Pass covers the trip until arriving in Otsuki. You will take Fujikyu railway from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko. This segment is not covered by JR East Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Konnichiwa,
Thanks for your advise Takeshi.
Is Azusa26 the only option/ timing to leave Hakuba at 2:37pm for Kawaguchiko? Please see below link.
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_lex_chuo_u/07.html
Do we need to change the train mid way through?
Thanks again!
Hi Val,
If you want to take the limited express train Azusa from Hakuba, 14:37 departure is only choice. But Even if you take this train, you have to change the trains twice at Kofu and Otsuki. This train does not stop at Otsuki. So you have to change the trains at Kofu. And you have to take Fujikyu railway from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko. There is no direct trains from Hakuba to Kawaguchiko. Two transfers are minimum.
There are many more trains between Matsumoto and Otsuki. If want to leave earlier or later, you can take a local train from Otsuki to Matsumoto and then take the limited express Azusa from Matsumoto to Otsuki. Some Azusa stop at Otsuki. Please find the timetable in the link below:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_lex_chuo_u/06.html
Please use hyperdia to find a local train timetable:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello.
We are wanting to get from Shinjuku station to Hakuba. Are we able to use our jr rail pass on the Azusa express train? Thank you in advance
Hi Emmie,
Yes, you may.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
Would you please kindly recommend the transportations (other than Shinkansen bullet train) from Kyoto to Kawaguchiko/Mt Fuji or Kyoto to Hakone on 23 November 2019?
Preferably overnight traveling on limited express or local train or bus.
Where can i purchase those tickets where applicable?
Thanking you in advance.
With gratitude,
Peggy
Hi Peggy san,
Pelase see the link below. You can find all info which you need:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/9
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I am looking to travel from Hakuba to Kofu, leaving in the AM to arrive in Kofu by midday. What is the best/most direct line/s to take for this ? What are the departure times for the Azusa limited express leaving Hakuba ? Thanks, Nicole
Hi Nicole,
The limited express Azusa leaves Hakuba at 14:37. Please see the link below to find the timetable.
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_lex_chuo_u/07.html
If it’s too late, you can take a local train from Hakuba to Matsumoto and then take the limited express Azusa. You can find the timetable in Hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com