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Tokyo to Takayama with transit in Matsumoto in one day

Tokyo to Takayama with transit in Matsumoto in one day

Old Aug 20th, 2014, 04:13 PM
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Tokyo to Takayama with transit in Matsumoto in one day

Hello people,

I saw that this has been discussed before--

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...in-one-day.cfm

Which is great but my plan is slightly different. I have to rise early for a number of reasons and so will be taking an early train out at 0645 instead to arrive in Matsumoto at 0930 (if rush hour is a problem--will it be? I mean these are long-distance trains, not the subway--I might take the bus, same length of travel time to arrive around 0935). And then later in the PM I plan to take the bus to Takayama, preferably at 1400 but I can be pushed for the one at 1600 (I'd like to take the bus with at least one daylight hour to spare as I heard it's a beautiful route). I imagine I've got about 3.5 to 4h in Matsumoto. Would this be enough to see the Castle? Is the Matsumoto-Takayama route really that scenic (because if it's missable, I can take a later bus)? The alternative would be to spend a night in Matsumoto, but I don't think I can be convinced that it would be worth it.

Thank you!
oliveroliver is offline  
Old Aug 20th, 2014, 07:05 PM
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I think you could easily do the Matsumoto Castle in 3 1/2 to 4 hours - it is not that far a walk from the train station.

I did not do that route so can't answer about taking the bus from there to Takayama.....
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Old Aug 21st, 2014, 09:13 AM
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The timing of your day sounds fine as long as you get an early start. We loved Matsumoto and I'd spend extra time there and take the later bus. There are free tours of the castle which I recommend. You get the guide inside the castle gate, after you pay your admission.
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Old Aug 21st, 2014, 09:26 AM
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Yes that's plenty of time to see the castle. It was one of the highlights of my trip last November, so you should definitely plan for it. I don't recall you saying what time of year you'll be there but when I was in Matsumoto in November, the fall colors were amazing. (around the 12th or so of the month as I recall). I think you could get by without an overnight stay in you are not interested in staying in a ryokan. (Although soaking in a rotenburo, under the stars on a chilly evening was another one of my highlights.) Take the later bus as it is a pleasant walk around Matumoto city and would give you a chance to perhaps visit the Kaichi Primary School as well as have lunch before your bus.
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Old Aug 21st, 2014, 10:03 AM
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Just curious, MinnBeef. What is special about the Kaichi Primary school?
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Old Aug 21st, 2014, 12:09 PM
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http://welcome.city.matsumoto.nagano...index.id+5.htm

Kaichi School info.
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Old Aug 21st, 2014, 08:49 PM
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When is this trip? I guess it is late in the year as you are concerned about daylight on a 16:00 bus departure.

Rush hour will not be an issue for the train. If the train is scheduled to arrive at 9:30 then you can count on it. The bus might have an issue with traffic, an accident on the highway, or whatever, but the train won't.

There is a bus from Matsumoto station to the castle. Was easy to find the bus. I think I walked back.

If you take the train to Matsumoto then you have enough time to visit the castle and go on to Takayama on the 14:00 bus. I highly recommend making a stop for ~2 hours at Kamikochi.

If you don't leave on the bus at 14:00 then I suggest just taking the train to Takayama. I did not think the bus trip was particularly scenic. The trip was worthwhile because of my stops at Hirayu Onsen and, especially, Kamikochi.

There are two ways to get to Matsumoto from Tokyo. One way is departing from Tokyo station and then a connection. The other way is direct on the Azusa trains from Shinjuku station.

One of the routes from Tokyo to Matsumoto goes via Nagano. I made this trip in the other direction. I thought that the train from Matsumoto to Nagano was scenic, as it traveled along a ridge above, and then down into Nagano. While in Nagano, make a stop to see the amazing Zenkoji (you don't have time for that if you want to get to Takayama same day).

If your Tokyo lodging is in/near Shinjuku then the Super Azusa is the train you want to use to get to Matsumoto.

If you figure there would be one hour of daylight on that 3.5-4 hour bus trip then I absolutely would not do it. That idea just means riding in a bus (a city bus, not a coach, mind you) for 2.5 to 3 hours in the dark as it winds back and forth on the curving mountain roads. I would not do it and am pretty sure that mr shellyk would not like it.
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Old Aug 22nd, 2014, 10:05 AM
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If the trip is late in the year, Kamikochi might not be an option. I visited there last Nov. 13 and the park was closing for the season on the 15th. I spent two enjoyable hours walking along the river. It was 25 degrees F. Being from Minneapolis, that was not a problem for me but depending on your tolerance for cold, it might be for others.

The Kaichi school was a nice one hour diversion to see what school like was like in Japan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Not a requirement to see but also afforded more city walking time through the beautiful koyo that were out in force in Matsumoto.
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Old Aug 22nd, 2014, 08:46 PM
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Thanks for all the feedback! I'll be doing a day trip to Nikko on my last day in Tokyo (pre-Matsumoto) and was just now considering taking the train from Nikko straight to Matsumoto the same day so I can overnight there and have a good 6-7 hours before the bus trip to Takayama. Apparently there is an autumn festival in Matsumoto in October/November (which is the time of my visit). Not sure what this means necessarily but there might be a few more goings-on to justify a bit more time...
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