How to get from Tokyo to Matsumoto

Use the Azusa Limited Express Train to get from the metropolitan capital of Japan, Tokyo, to the historically rich but modest town of Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture!

Trip Duration Approx. 1-2 hours
First & Last Departure 6:05 AM/10:45 PM
💶 Cost From 6,620 yen
🚆 Distance 87 kilometers
🚉 Departing/Arriving Station Shinjuku Station/
Matsumoto Station
Azusa Limited Express Train
Read more about reserving seats on the train in Japan // Japan Rail Pass Seat Reservations: An Easy Guide
Read more about oversized baggage rules for the train in Japan // New Luggage Reservation Rules for the Shinkansen

Akihabara and Nakano are great places for fans of anime and Japanese popular culture to find a second home. Roppongi offers plenty of activities for those seeking a night on the town. Trendy areas like Kichijoji and Shimokitazawa offer a glimpse into the tastes of Tokyo's trendy people, and Ginza and Higashi Azabu are definitely must-visits for anyone looking to spend a day indulging in upscale dining and shopping. 

Tokyo's vast public transit system, which makes getting around the city easy, is one of the city's main attractions. This is particularly for JR Pass holders, who will have unrestricted use of the JR Lines both inside Tokyo and while leaving. The Shinkansen Bullet Train stops at Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, and Ueno Station. 

Akihabara

Akihabara at night.

@Wikimedia

Wako Building in Ginza, Tokyo

Wako Building in Ginza, Tokyo

@Wikimedia

It’s main keep was originally erected in the late 16th century during the Sengoku Period, with much of the original structure remaining. The castle held a prominent role in the Japanese political landscape through the Tokugawa Shogunate period as well, making Matsumoto a historically significant destination worth traveling to for any history buff. 

Matsumoto is also a prominent spot for the arts. Esteemed contemporary artist, Yayoi Kusama, famous for her eccentric and colorful designs utilizing polka dot patterns, as well as other techniques, originally hails from Matsumoto. Her permanent collection can be found at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art. 

Nagano, and Matsumoto in particular, are lauded locations for gastronomy. As previously mentioned, the wide-ranging prefecture has no seacoasts, making its culinary identity largely defined by the natural landscapes of the mountains and rivers that run through it.

Matsumoto Castle in Nagano

Matsumoto Castle in Nagano

@goodfon/ Maxima

Matsumoto City Museum of Art

Matsumoto City Museum of Art featuring the works of Yayoi Kusama

@flickr/ @kibun

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