Matsumoto-Kamikochi-Takayama
 

I'm traveling late May/early June 2017 for two weeks with my wife and two children, ages 8 and 10. We'll be starting in Tokyo and finishing in Kyoto, and wanted to visit the mountains in between.

After spending some time on the forum (thank for all the replies), I think we might like to do the following:

- Day 5: Morning train from Tokyo to Matsumoto. Afternoon in Matsumoto, visit the castle and city. Overnight in Matsumoto.

- Day 6: Get up early and train/bus from Matsumoto to Kamikochi. We love to hike and this area looks beautiful. It sounds like the travel from Matsumoto to Kamikochi is a bit of a headache, but doable. I'm wondering whether it would be cheaper/easier to take a taxi since we have four people? Would a taxi cost about the same as four bus/train tickets? Spend the day hiking in Kamikochi. Overnight in Kamikochi.

- Day 7: After breakfast and maybe a quick hike, bus/train from Kamikochi to Takayama. Do we need to reserve a specific bus and time? Again, would it be cheaper to taxi with four people? Afternoon in Takayama. Overnight in Takayama.

- Day 8: Takayama to Kyoto

As an aside, days 1-4 are in Tokyo (with one day trip to Mt. Fuji) and days 8-13 are in Kyoto (with one day in Nara).

Does the Matsumoto-Kamikochi-Takayama portion of the trip make sense? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Yes, this makes sense. You sh/could add a night in Takayama. You do have time.

If you go by bus then definitely get reserved seats for both legs in advance.

Thanks!

Can't comment on cost of taxis or buses but yes to adding a second night in Takayama. Is that 6 nights in Kyoto or 5, btw?

Here are data for Taxi and buses.

Taxi fares by https://www.navitime.co.jp/taxi/
JR Matsumoto - Kamikochi: 3467yen/person, 13870yen, 1:15
Kamikochi - JR Takayama: 4547yen/person, 18190yen, 1:29

Public Transport
Map in http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/kamikochi/

Matsumoto -(2450yen)- Kamikochi
Timetable in http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/kamik...hinshimashima/
1:35 ex: Matsumoto/5:30=>7:05/Kamikochi

2730yen Kamikochi-(1160yen)-Hirayu-(1570yen)-Takayama
http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/kamikochi/hirayu/
http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/expre...ama/#timetable
1:15 ex: Kamikochi/9:00-9:25/Hirayu/9:25-10:15

Nohi Bus (fares are the same).
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/r...kochi_line.pdf
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/r...otaka_line.pdf