Yes, only 4 hours (+ time in the train stations) -- from a total stay in Kyoto of just over 2 days, if I understand correctly. So in context, it's not necessarily a trivial "price."

How crowded is Matsumoto likely to be if the cherries are still out? Will that create any problems for getting to/from the train station or onto the desired train? I've never been in Japan for the cherries, so although I've heard about, and seen pictures of, the swarms -- and this would be a Saturday, right? -- I don't know what it would be like.

Kyoto to Tokyo via Matsumoto and Nagano can be 360 minutes, total, including transfer times.
Kyoto to Tokyo on a Hikari shinkansen is 157 minutes.

Difference is 203 minutes, so really 3 hr 23 min, not a full 4 hours but also not trivial.

Yeah! Crazy enough to consider doing it! I will check the cherry blossom forecast and If I'll catch the full blossom days, then Matsumoto it is! Just hope to find a locker at the station, to leave my luggage, otherwise Houston we have a problem!

Tip: In Japan, if your ATM doesn't work, go to a big local post office and use the ATM there. It's guaranteed to work. In Kyoto, there's a big post office right outside the main train station. Our ATM didn't work anywhere else but at the airport and that post office.

It's not the way I like to visit Japan, but you might get encouragement from this trip report:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...ays-japan.html

BTW. The ATMs in 7-11s work reliably with western cards, too.

Apparently, there have been some recent disruptions in the use of western ATMs at 7-Elevens. As JC98 said, you can use the ATMs at post offices:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html

A big Thank you to all nice people here who helped me plan this nice trip to Japan!!! I did Kyoto finally and it was well worth the visit!

This small video of mine is dedicated to all of you!
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1rcs2n_shibuya_travel
many many hugs!

Thanks for checking back in spanos! Glad it worked out for you.

Spanos
That site is blocked for me, do you have the video available elsewhere, or can you upload to youtube instead?

Great video, great fun, spanos! Domo arigato.

Sorry Kavey Strange enough that you don't have access to dailymotion. It's usually youtube that blocks videos due to copyright issues. In anycase I'm sending you the link of my Japan photo-story. Maybe you can see it from there. It's in greek but it's mostly photos that I hope you 'll enjoy

Arigato gosaimas one more time lovely fodorities!!! <3 <3

http://www.travelstories.gr/communit...m-japan.49076/

Thank you so much!