Go2tin

My wife and I we will be in the Hakuba- Matsumoto area the first week of Oct. looking to some hiking, fit but not by any means mountain climbers. Is there enough to do for two nights in Hakuna. We will have just come from Kamokichi for two nights.

Another alternative is to stay in Matsumoto for two night and do Hakuba as a day trip. Wondering is there enough to do in Matsumoto if we go that route. We also like culture and cultural sights...

Also if anyone has places to stay recommendations, we would really appreciate it. We will not have a car.

Thanks

mrwunrfl

Two night in Hakuba would work for skiing and onsen.
Two nights in Matsumoto would be good, given that you would spend the full day on the day trip.

ms_go provided a trip report recently that included a stay in Matsumoto:
Trip Report Finally, back in Japan - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (fodors.com)

This Nagano page has links to places you mentioned as well as Kiso Valley that you didn't mention and is sourth of Matsumoto:
Nagano Prefecture Travel Guide (japan-guide.com)

There is a circle day-trip from Kamikochi that involves bus(es) to the Shinhotaka Ropeway and a descent from the top down to Kamikochi. "When there is no snow (usually from late June through September)" which might mean it could be open when you are there:
Okuhida Travel: Shinhotaka Ropeway (Shin-Hotaka Ropeway) (japan-guide.com)