As the title says, this blog will give you every details about all the discounted bus passes that bring you to Kamikochi.
1. 2 Day Free Passport
Sightseeing spots: Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Norikura Kogen (Highlands), Mt. Norikura (Tatamidaira) and Shirahone onsen
Prices: Adult 6,000 yen / Child 3,000 yen (The 2 Day Free Passport plus One is also available only for 7,000 yen with extended usage period to 3 days!)
Validity Period: 2 consecutive days after first use
Purchase at: Matsumoto Bus Terminal, Shin-shimashima Station, Kamikochi Bus Terminal
Usable Bus Route:.
- Alpico train Kamikochi line (Matsumoto – Shinshimashima)
- Route bus (Shinshimashi – Kamikochi)
- Direct bus (Matsumoto – Kamikochi)
- Route bus (Matsumoto – Kamikochi)
- Route bus (Shinshimashima – Norikura Kogen)
- Route bus (Norikura Kogen – Mt. Norikura)
- Route bus (Shinshimashima – Shirahone onsen)
- Route bus (Kamikochi – Norikura Kogen/Shirahone onsen) *transfer required
- “Haruyama Bus” (Norikura Kogen – Norikura Snow Walls)
- “Goraiko Bus” (Norikura Kogen – Sunrise viewing spot)
- Route bus (Sawando PA - Kamikochi)
- “Town Sneaker” (Matsumoto city sightseeing bus)
Get on and off buses and train as many times as you like in the usage area shown below.
2. 4 Day Alps WIDE Free Passport
Sightseeing spots: Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Norikura Kogen (Highlands), Mt. Norikura (Tatamidaira), Shirahone onsen, Hirayu onsen, Takayama, Shirakawago, Gero onsen, Hida–Furukawa and Shin-Hotaka Ropeway
Prices: Adult 10,290 yen / Child 5,150 yen (not including Shin-Hotaka ropeway round-trip tickets) OR Adult 12,000 yen / Child 6,000 yen (including Shin-Hotaka ropeway round-trip tickets)
※During winter season when Kamikochi is closed, the ticket is available for purchase at 8,800 yen (not including RP tickets) and 9,800 yen (including RP tickets).
Validity Period: 4 consecutive days after first use
Purchase at: Nagano Pref. Matsumoto Bus Terminal, Shin-shimashima Station, Kamikochi Bus Terminal Gifu Pref. Takayama Bus Center, Gero Bus Center, Shirakawa Bus Terminal, Hirayu Bus Terminal
Usable Bus Route:
Alpico Bus and Train
- Kamikochi line train (Matsumoto – Shinshimashima)
- Route bus (Shinshimashima Station – Kamikochi)
- Direct bus (Matsumoto – Kamikochi)
- Route bus (Shinshimashima Station – Norikura Kogen)
- Route bus (Norikura Kogen – Tatamidaira)
- Route bus (Shinshimashima Station – Shirahone onsen)
- Route bus (Kamikochi – Norikura/ Shirahone onsen)
- Haruyama Bus (Norikura Kogen – Norikura Snow Walls)
- Goraiko Bus (Norikura Kogen – Sunrise viewing spot)
- Route bus (Sawando PA - Kamikochi)
- “Town Sneaker” (Matsumoto city sightseeing bus)
- Express bus (Matsumoto – Takayama) *cooperated by Alpico and Nohi
Nohi Bus
- Route bus (Kamikochi – Hirayu onsen)
- Route bus (Hirayu onsen – Takayama)
- Route bus (Takayama – Shirakawago) *(only non-reserved bus)
- Route bus (Takayama – Gero onsen)
- Route bus (Takayama – Hirayu onsen)
- Route bus (Hirayu onsen – Shinhotaka ropeway)
- Route bus (Hirayu onsen/Honokidaira – Tatamidaira)
- Route bus (Takayama – Hidafurukawa)
- “Sarubobo” and “Machinami” bus (Takayama city sightseeing bus)
Get on and off buses and train as many times as you like in the usage area shown below.
3. Alps Crossing Route Ticket (Kamikochi-type)
This ticket allows you to travel one-way from Matsumoto to Takayama via Kamikochi, or the opposite direction. Please note that this is not a free ride ticket. Recommended for those who want to travel between Matsumoto and Kamikochi and drop by Kamikochi with no other destination in mind.
Sightseeing spots: Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Takayama
Price: Adult 5,000 yen / Child 2,500 yen
Validity Period: 4 consecutive days after first use
Purchase at: Nagano Pref. Matsumoto Bus Terminal, Shin-shimashima Station Gifu Pref. Takayama Bus Center
Usable Bus Route:
Alpico Bus and Train
- Kamikochi line train (Matsumoto – Shinshimashima)
- Route bus (Shinshimashima Station – Kamikochi)
- Direct bus (Matsumoto – Kamikochi)
Nohi Bus
- Route bus (Kamikochi – Hirayu onsen)
- Route bus (Hirayu onsen – Takayama)
📌📌📌 How to use 📌📌📌
The “Alps Crossing Route Ticket (Kamikochi-type)” consists of 4 different separate tickets for each routes, and will be teared off when getting off the bus for that route. However, you cannot get on and off other than designated bus stops. (See detail below)
Designated Bus Stop
Matsumoto Bus Terminal, Shinshimashima, Taisho-ike, Teikoku hotel-mae, Kamikochi Bus Terminal, Hirayu Bus Terminal, Takayama Bus Center
Comparison table for each pass
FAQ
1. Do I need to reserve to purchase the discounted bus tickets?
→ Reservation is not required. You can purchase these tickets on the day.
2. Is it cheaper if I buy a bus pass?
→ It depends on where you stay and the sightseeing spots you are going. If you plan to stay in Matsumoto and wish to go to both Norikura and Kamikochi as a one-day trip, using discounted ticket is more economical. However, as traveling in this area requires a lot of transfers, buying the discounted ticket is convenient as you don’t need to buy a ticket every time you change a bus.
3. Do I need to show my passport when purchasing the discounted ticket?
→ No, you don’t.
4. Can I use these ticket to get on JR trains?
→ No, you cannot.
5. Can I buy the discounted tickets online?
→ Yes, you can. Online purchase is available at Japanican.com (operated by JTB) with credit card payment. You need to print out your voucher and present it at one of designated bus terminals to receive the activated discounted bus ticket.
6. Can I use the “2 Day” and the “4 Day” Free Passport to the Norikura Snow Walls?
→ Yes, you can. You can also use this ticket to board the “Goraiko Bus” to view sunrise near the top of Mt. Norikura too!
7. How can I travel from Tokyo to Matsumoto?
→ 1. By highway bus; 3.15 hrs, 3,500 yen for one-way (Online reservation at Highwaybus.com) 2. By JR Azusa / Super Azusa; 2.5 – 3 hrs depending on trains, 7,100 yen for one-way
You can use discounted bus pass to receive special discounts from following facilities:
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