
Matsumoto is the second biggest city in Nagano prefecture. But the station is not a huge terminal station, like Tokyo. But Matsumoto is the junction of many destinations by trains and buses. If you travel this area, you may have to change the trains and the buses at Matsumoto.
In this post, I would like to explain about Matsumoto station and Matsumoto bus terminal with a movie and many photos.
Matsumoto station overview
You can watch whole of Matsumoto station and Matsumoto bus terminal in the movie below. You will find how to change a train and a bus, and how many minutes you need to chage.

Matsumoto station is located in the middle of Shinshu region. Trains depart and arrive at Matsumoto from the following destinations:
- Chuo line (west) to/from Nagoya, Nakatsugawa (Kiso Valley)
- Chuo line (east) to/from Shinjuku (Tokyo), Otsuki, Kofu
- Shinonoi line to/from Nagano
- Oito line to/from Shinano-Omachi (gateway to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route), Hakuba, Minami-Otari, Itoigawa
- Alpico Railway Kamikochi line to/from Shinshimashima (gateway to Kamikochi)
And also the express bus depart and arrive at Matsumoto Bus Terminal to/from Takayama, Shin-Hotaka and Kamikochi (seasonal).
You may find some more information about the location and route in this region in the links below:
Guide for train access to Nagano, Matsumoto and other places in Shinshu and surrounding area
How to access to Takayama by trains and buses
Station structure, tracks and platforms

Before I start to explain about this station, I would like you to refer the station map in JR East official site. It is in English.
JR East official site, Matsumoto station English map
Matsumoto station is two levels structure. All platforms are located on the ground. Matsumoto station building is on the bridge. This bridge has the walkways both inside and outside the ticket gate. The walkway outside gate connects both side of the station, east side and west side. This walkway is public. Anyone can use this walkway without a ticket to access to other side of the station.

The walkway inside the ticket gate connects all platforms. You can go down to the platforms by stairs, escalators and elevators from the walkway.

Platforms
Track# | Lines/Trains | Destination |
0 | Local, Rapid on Chuo line (east) Local, Rapid on Chuo line (west) | Shiojiri, Kofu, Shinjuku Shiojiri, Nakatsugawa, Nagoya |
1 | Limited Express Shinano Local, Rapid on Chuo line (west) Limited Express Azusa / Super Azusa Local, Rapid on Chuo line (east) | Nakatsugawa, Nagoya / Nagano Shiojiri, Kofu, Shinjuku |
2,3 | Limited Express Shinano Local and Rapid on Shinonoi line Limited Express Azusa Local, Rapid on Chuo line (east) Oito line | Nagano Shiojiri, Kofu, Shinjuku Shinano-Omachi, Hakuba, Minami-Otari |
4 | Limited Express Shinano Local and Rapid on Shinonoi line Limited Express Azusa / Super Azusa Local, Rapid on Chuo line (east) | Nagano Shiojiri, Kofu, Shinjuku |
5 | Limited Express Azusa Local, Rapid on Chuo line (east) Limited Express Shinano Local and Rapid on Shinonoi line Local and Rapid on Chuo line (west) | Shiojiri, Kofu, Shinjuku Nagano Shiojiri, Nakatsugawa, Nagoya |
6 | Oito line | Shinano-Omachi, Hakuba, Minami-Otari |
7 | Matsumoto Dentetsu Railway Kamikochi line | Shinshimashima |

Matsumoto station does not have many tracks. It is not hard to find the platforms and tracks. There is a departure/arrival information board at the ticket gate. You can find which track you need to go very easily.
Ticket gate/Exit

Matsumoto station has only one ticket gate. If you stay in or drop by Matsumoto, you can exit the station from the ticket gate. And there are two exit at west and east side.

West side exit is called “Alps-guchi (means Alps exit)” and East side exit is called “Oshiro-guchi (means castle exit)”. But most of you goes to east side. Because west side is residential and local business area. Most of hotels, tourist attractions and Matsumoto Bus Terminal are located at east side.


Matsumoto station is very simple layout and you will not lose your way.
Matsumoto Bus Terminal

Matsumoto bus terminal is located a few minutes away from Matsumoto station by walk. When you exit from Oshiro-guchi, you can find the bus terminal building. It is very easy to change between train and bus at Matsumoto.

Please find the location in the map below:
Nohi Bus operates the express bus between Matsumoto Bus Terminal and Takayama or Shin-Hotaka.
Nohi Bus official site (click “Express Bus” and find “Matsumoto-Takayama Line”)
A few trips of express bus to Kamikochi run in summer season. But the primary route to Kamikochi is train and bus. You can take Matsumoto Dentetsu Railway Kamikochi line to Shinshimashima from Matsumoto, and need to change to the bus to Kamikochi. The train and bus run almost every hour during summer season. Unfortunately Alpico Railway does not provide any information in English. I put the link in Japanese.
Matsumoto Dentetsu Railway train and Alpico bus to Kamikochi via Shinshimashima
The ticket window is located at left side of the building. And the bus bays located at other side of the building. There is a huge signage on the wall. You can find the direction very easily.



There are lots of shops in this building.

You can grab something to eat and drink before on board.
How to get to Matsumoto Castle

Even if you do not stay in Matsumoto, I recommend you to drop by Matsumoto to visit Matsumoto castle. This castle is one of a few castles that has original castle tower. You can view this castle and beautiful Japan Alps mountain range in the distance. It is worth visiting just to see this scenery.
Please see the map below to find the route to get this beautiful castle.
You can get there from Matsumoto station by even walk. I spent 20 minutes to get the gate of this castle. Please find my trip report in the link below:
Trip to Tohoku, Chubu and Chugoku in 2016 winter – Part 4, Nagoya to Matsumoto via Magome
I am glad if this post assist you to build your plan.
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
I came across this page when trying to find information on transport from Fukuji onsen guchi to Matsumoto. I also came across this website http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/matsumoto_takayama/. From the route map it seems that the bus stops at Fukuji Onsenguchi but the timetable doesn’t show if the bus will stop there. Do you have any knowledge on this? Thank you in advance.
Hi Dewi,
That timetable doesn’t show all bus stops. Please see the link below to find the detailed timetable.
http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/matsumoto_takayama/pdf/table.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thank you very much for the info. I have checked the link that you gave however since it’s in Japanese I can only guess. Is the earliest bus to Matsumoto from Fukuchi Onseguchi is at 11.45am? Please correct me if I’m wrong. Actually I would like to take earlier bus so we can arrive before 1pm at Matsumoto to catch 13.03 limited express train to Hakuba. But I cna’t be sure of the bus timetable. Once again thank you very much for your help.
Best regards,
Dewi
Hi Dewi,
That’s right. I don’t have any detailed info but I think there is a local bus running between Fukuchi onsen and Hirayu onsen. If you can catch it, you can take an earlier bus at Hirayu Onsen to Matsumoto. You may ask your hotel about a local bus. I think they have a timetable.
Please see the link which I gave you again and you can find a timetable from Hirayu onsen to Matsumoto. You can find a bus stop name in English at the right side of timetable.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
if i want to travel from Shinamo Omachi to itoigawa, can i have the time table & costs for the route?
Thanks
irene
Hi CHIEW MEI LAI,
There is no hardcopy of a timetable. Please use Hyperdia to find it and the cost.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
How are you?
First of all thanks a lot for your advise on my last trip in Nagano & Takayama last year.
This Oct, I’m planning to visit Kamikochi and Japan Alp.
I have full 6-7 days for travelling. Mostly stay at Matsumoto as a base location. If I buy JR ALPINE-TAKAYAMA-MATSUMOTO AREA TOURIST PASS, it will be cover only 5 days. My question is…
1. If I arrive at/return from Nagoya airport, any pass should I have to buy more to cover additional 2 days?
Please advise.
Thank you.
Hi Tip san,
Welcome back. I’m happy that you go back to Japan and visit other places.
If you want 7 days coverage, only JR pass is the choice.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
But I have no idea that you can get the worth of 7 days JR Pass. I think it’s not enough. Please build your trip plan completely. Probably regular ticket is the best solution.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I would like to re-confirm with you that I read on Alpico Bus website that Return Express Bus Ticket is valid for 7 days.
Is it counted from the 1st day the ticket used or counted from the next day?
Please tell me if I can use the Round Trip ticket for my itinerary below.
Please see below:
Matsumoto-Takayama Bus Time 505pm for 26 Jan.
Takayama-Matsumoto Bus Time 1250pm 1 Feb.
My itinerary:
26 Jan – Shinjuku-Matsumoto, 1 way Ticket, Buy online.
26 Jan – Matsumoto-Takayama, Buy at Matsumoto ticket window. Round Trip or Single Trip Ticket?
27 Jan – Takayama Sightseeing.
28 Jan – Takayama Sightseeing.
29 Jan – Takayama Sightseeing.
30 Jan – Shinhotaka Ropeway.
31 Jan – Shirakawago.
1 Feb – Takayama-Matsumoto.
2 Feb – Matsumoto-Shiojiri & Narai Juku.
3 Feb – Matsumoto Sightseeing.
4 Feb – Matsumoto Sightseeing.
5 Feb – Matsumoto-Nagoya
Which train berth no. should I take to Shiojiri from Matsumoto Station? The train that cost Yen240 with JR Chuo Line for KOFU?
Lastly, may I know the ”Shinshu Hida Alps WIDE Free Passport” with
Shinhotaka Ropeway Return Ticket Yen 9800 Valid 4 Days,
See the link http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/ticket/006.html
Do I have to follow the bus route fixed with certain city from Day 1 to Day 4?
Or can I use it at my own leisure for 4 consecutive days starting from 29 Jan with reservation made
for Shinhotaka & Shirakawago at Alpico Matsumoto Bus ticket window at the time of purchase on 26 Jan?
Please advise. I hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you very much.
Hi Emy,
You can use 7 days pass for 26 Jan and 1 Feb.
I cannot say the track # for train to Shiojiri. It departs from many tracks. It’s varied by departure time and please check it at the station.
Alps Shinsyu/Hida Open Ticket is sold at Takayama bus center only. It gives you unlimited ride in the coverage area. You can take Nohi bus as you like.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your reply.
Noted on your advice.
Regards,
Emy
No worries, Emy.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there,
Thank you for your detailed write-up! I need to travel from Matsumoto to Takayama on 1st Jan 2018, do you know if it be possible to get a seat on the Nohi Bus line without any reservation, or would it normally be too crowded on New Year’s Day itself?
If a reservation is advised, how best can I do it? I see that online reservations are not allowed; there is a phone number listed but I am not sure if they speak English. Do you know if they do?
I will be coming from Tokyo and most probably getting a JR East pass. I have already reserved a ticket from Shinjuku to Matsumoto on 1 Jan 2018.
Thank you for your help!
Hi Wei,
Reservation is not accepted for this bus anyway. You cannot book even if you want.
But I think usually all transports are not busy on New Year’s day.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you very much!
No worries, Wei.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
May I also ask about the bus schedule, I realize i might be interpreting the schedule on their site wrongly:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/highwaybus/matsumoto/#timetable
As I am traveling on new years day, does this mean that only the timings in red are available on that day? Are all timings in black also available?
I am not familiar with the convention here, thank you very much in advance for your help!
Hi Wei,
Red one runs on only these days. Other runs everyday. Please see the link below. You can find same timetable in English.
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/matsumoto.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi
Does the JR Pass include Niho bus routes (Takayama, Matsumoto )
Thank you
Hi Orna,
No, it doesn’t. You have to pay extra.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I would like to go to Shirakawago and see the snow monkey at Nagano, I will be coming from Kyoto in February 2017. What train should I take from Kyoto to Matsumoto station. I Can you help me plan my route.
Thank you
Hasnah
Hi Hasnah,
You can take Shinkansen and Limited Express Shinano to get Matsumoto from Kyoto. Please see the links below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-for-train-access-to-nagano-matsumoto-and-other-places-in-shinshu-and-surrounding-area.html
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/shinano.html
By the way, Kanazawa or Takayama is the gateway station to Shirakawago. You have to get Nagano when you go to Snow Monkey Park.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-shirakawa-go-%E7%99%BD%E5%B7%9D%E9%83%B7.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/trip-report/2016-winter-tohoku-chubu-chugoku/trip-to-tohoku-chubu-and-chugoku-in-2016-winter-part-9-visit-snow-monkey-park-in-nagano.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com