Traveling to NORTHSTAR Kamikochi Snowshoe Tour by Bus/Car
Kamikochi is deep into the mountains of Nagano, and so traveling here can be complicated sometimes. If you are participating in any of our CUSTOM TOURS, please follow our guide below to help you when traveling. If you are participating in the Regular Half Day Kamikochi Tour, please meet at NORTHSTAR.
From Takayama by Bus
From Takayama Bus Center take the 7:50 bus towards Hirayu/Matsumoto. The bus will stop in Hirayu before heading towards Matsumoto. Please get off at Nakanoyu Bus Stop. You will see a large gate and tunnel alongside a river. The guide will meet you near the big gate in front of the tunnel into Kamikochi. If you ordered any rental equipment, please double check with staff so that it is ready upon meet up.
7:50 Takayama Bus Center (Bus)
8:55 Hirayu Onsen
9:05 Nakanoyu Bus Stop
K-26 Nakanoyu Bus Stop
Kama Tunnel- Meeting point for the Tour (1 minute walk from Nakanoyu Bus Stop)
From Matsumoto by Bus
Take the 7:15 train from Matsumoto Station on the Kamikochi Train Line towards Shinshimashima. Get off at the last stop (Shinshimashima station) and transfer to a bus that departs at 8:05 towards Shirahone. Take the bus all the way until Sawando Ashiyu Park. There you will see a large building with a foot bath and a toilet. NORTHSTAR staff will meet you in front of the foot bath. The guide will drive you to the entrance of Kamikochi to start the tour. If you ordered any rental equipment, please double check with staff so that it is ready upon meet up.
7:15 Matsumoto Bus Station (Train)
7:49 Shinshimashima Station (Train)
8:05 Shinshimashima Station (Bus)
8:43 Sawando Ashiyu Park Bus Stop (Bus)
K-21 Sawando Ashiyu(foot bath) Kouen Bus Stop
Traveling by Car/Taxi
If you are traveling by car, please meet at Northstar Outdoor Adventures in Norikura. Here we will get rentals fitted and do a final check of gear before heading out in the Northstar shuttle towards Kamikochi.
Address: 390-1513 Nagano Prefecture, Matsumoto City, Azumi 4306-4
NORTHSTAR Outdoor Adventure & Loft Building
Traveling back AFTER the tour
To Takayama
If you are heading towards Hirayu-Onsen or Takayama after the tour you will need to get on one of the buses from the timetable below. There are only a few buses so the guide will adjust the schedule to fit the bus time.
Departs Nakanoyu Bust Stop at 13:13 or 14:23 or 16:13 towards Hirayu-Onsen/Takayama
To Matsumoto
If you are heading towards Matsumoto after the tour you will need to get on one of the buses from the timetable below. There are only a few buses so the guide will adjust the schedule to fit the bus time.
Departs Nakanoyu Bus Stop at 13:05 or 14:30 or 15:05 towards Matsumoto.
By Car/Taxi
If you parked at Northstar to start the tour, staff/guide will pick you up at the entrance of Kamikochi and take you back to Northstar to finish the tour. We can also arrange to drop you off at any nearby locations.
Final Preparations
There are many ways to get to Northstar’s Kamikochi Tour starting points. Please make sure to communicate with the guides through email before the tour about how you will travel here. Make sure to reserve rental boots and clothing before hand if you are coming by bus or taxi. Check out our other blog posts for more information in the links below.