Hakuba to Matsumoto train (cost + pics!) This is what I did 🚊 Nagano Japan travel

Hi there!

 

So, you’re going from…

 

Hakuba…

 

 

…to…

 

Matsumoto!

 

 

 

As part of my Nagano itinerary (with Gifu), I went from Hakuba to Takayama.

This is what I did:

• Hakuba to Matsumoto train
• Matsumoto to Takayama bus

 

 

I didn’t stay overnight in Matsumoto, as I was just using it as a transfer point.

But the train arrival time to Matsumoto, and bus departure time to Takayama allowed me a couple of hours in Matsumoto.

So I dropped my luggage off at a coin locker near the Matsumoto bus station, and then headed off to see the Matsumoto Castle. (There are also coin lockers at the Matsumoto train station.)

 

And my hostel in Hakuba was right near a train station, so leaving Hakuba by train was rather convenient!

There are also a few bus timings to Matsumoto from Hakuba, but the timings don’t seem that great if you’re trying to get to Takayama on the same day.

 

So taking a train from Hakuba to Matsumoto is relatively simple.

I basically used Google Maps to get a general idea of how to get around.

Getting to Matsumoto from Hakuba did require a train transfer.

And the train timings also aren’t the most frequent, so you’ll want to confirm the timings, although I mostly trusted Google Maps. 😉 But just beware that there could be a chance it fails you!

Navitime Japan Travel is another public transportation app you can take a look at.

You can also go to the train station to look at the timetable, or ask the staff at the place you’re staying.

 

To give you an idea of timings and how long it’ll take though, these were my scheduled train timings:

 

• 7:53am Depart Hakuba (Kamishiro station)
• 8:22am Arrive Shinano Omachi station

 

• 8:37am Depart Shinano Omachi station
• 9:33am Arrive Matsumoto station

 

So it took a little over 1.5 hours to get from Hakuba to Matsumoto. The first train took around 30 minutes, and the second train took around an hour. There was around a 15 minute wait time between the 2 trains.

All seats on both of these trains were unreserved. I traveled in March, and I didn’t have a problem in getting a seat.

 

 

 

 

Now…

Here’s a bit of what the journey from Hakuba to Matsumoto looked like!

 

Arrival at train station

 

There are a few different train stations in Hakuba that are on this line.

Kamishiro Station was the train station that was closest to where I was staying, so that’s where I took my train from.

 

Once at the station, I bought my train ticket.

 

How much does it cost to go from Hakuba to Matsumoto by train?

 

This train ticket was 1,140 yen (US$10), and this ticket covered the train transfer as well, so all the way to Matsumoto.

Or if you have a JR pass, it will be free since this is a JR train!

 

 

 

Train from Hakuba to Shinano Omachi

 

 

Train transfer

 

This train transfer at Shinano Omachi was pretty simple, as it was at the same platform.

Most train stations in Japan have a digital signboard of some sort so you can confirm that you’re at correct platform.

I don’t remember anything special about this train transfer, so I assume that there was an easy way to figure out at the Shinano Omachi station when the next train to Matsumoto was coming!

 

 

Train from Shinano Omachi to Matsumoto

 

 

Arrival at Matsumoto train station!

 

Since I had a paper ticket, I inserted my ticket into the slot to go through the gate.

If you have a JR pass, you’ll go over to the manned booth to show your pass to go through.

Then you can follow the signs to the exit, and you’ll also find signs that point the direction to:

• Matsumoto bus station
• Mastumoto Castle
• Japan Alps

 

Before you leave the train station though, stop by the tourist information booth so you can get a walking map of Matsumoto city!

 

 

HAPPY HAKUBA TO MATSUMOTO TRAIN RIDE IN NAGANO!