Osaka and Kyoto to Hakuba Valley
Osaka and Kyoto to Hakuba Valley
Osaka and Kyoto are the main centers of central Japan. Kyoto was long the seat of the imperial family and capital of Japan, while Osaka was long the main trading and merchant center of Japan. Both a large cities with complex transport services. | |
 JR Kyoto Station |  JR Osaka Station |
Shin Osaka is the Shinkansen Bullet train that serves the Osaka area. It is located to the north of Osaka central, and can be access using the JR Lines or the Midosuji Subway Line.
If transferring from JR, you will arrive on the ground level on platforms 1-10. Take the the elevator up to the main concourse.
Buying a Ticket
You can purchase a ticket through a vending machine (multi language available), but as this route requires 2 changes and 3 trains, you are probably better off going to the Jr ticket counter.
At the counter tell the staff member you wish to travel to Hakuba. They will tap away on their computer finding the next available route, and may even consult the 500 page monthly JR timetable. They may ask you if you’d like a reserved seat or a non-reserved seat. Reserved seats assign you a seat number, while Non Reserved seats are on a first come basis. ALWAYS book a reserved seat to guarantee you have somewhere to sit.
Once they have worked it out they will show you the route, and take payment. Credit Card payment is fine, but there have been cases where foreign credit cards get rejected in Japan, so it pays to bring a couple.
You will probably be issued with 3 tickets.
- Your base fare from Shin Osaka Station to Hakuba
- Your Shinkansen Bullet Train Seat ticket from Shin Osaka to Nagoya
- Your Limited Express Seat ticket from Nagoya to Matsumoto
Boarding the Train
From the main concourse, you head through the Shinkansen ticket gates. You need to insert both the base fare ticket and the Shinkansen seat ticket into the machine (insert together). And remember to collect as you pass through the gate.
Beyond the ticket gates are digital screens listing the next 4-5 departures in each direction. As you are heading to Nagoya, you need to look at trains heading east to Tokyo. Locate your train number and verify the platform number.
Kyoto Station is one of the more modern stations in Japan. It can be accessed by JR Lines or the Karasuma Subway Line. The are 14 regular platforms, and 4 Shinkansen Bullet train platforms.
Most people will be coming from the North side of the station and coming into the Central Entrance. The Shinkansen platforms are on the far side of the station (Hachi-jo Entrance).
Buying a Ticket
Kyoto to Hakuba Valley is quite a complicated route, and while tickets can be purchased via a vending machine, it may be easier to go to the JR Ticket Counter.
At the counter tell the staff member you wish to travel to Hakuba. They will tap away on their computer finding the next available route, and may even consult the 500 page monthly JR timetable. They may ask you if you’d like a reserved seat or a non-reserved seat. Reserved seats assign you a seat number, while Non Reserved seats are on a first come basis. ALWAYS book a reserved seat to guarantee you have somewhere to sit.
Once they have worked it out they will show you the route, and take payment. Credit Card payment is fine, but there have been cases where foreign credit cards get rejected in Japan, so it pays to bring a couple.
You will probably be issued with 3 tickets.
- Your base fare from Kyoto Station to Hakuba
- Your Shinkansen Bullet Train Seat ticket from Kyoto to Nagoya
- Your Limited Express Seat ticket from Nagoya to Matsumoto
Boarding the Train
Once through the first ticket gate head to platform 11-14 (Shinkansen Platforms). There is an underground passage and a passage on the 2nd floor. Once at the Shinkansen ticket gate insert your tickets and collect as you pass through.
Bullet trains heading East (towards Tokyo and Nagoya) leave from platforms 11 & 12.
Trains generally have 16 carriages. #16 is the front of the train, #1 is the rear. 8-10 are green class.
There are three types of trains that operate on the Tokaido Shinkansen line.
- The Nozomi train is the fastest, only stopping at major stations
- The Hikari stops at a few more stations along the route
- The Kodama stops at every station.
The Nozomi Train takes about 20 minutes to get from Shin Osaka to Kyoto, and 35 minutes to get from Kyoto to Nagoya.
Shinano Wide View Express
The train from Nagoya to Matsumoto (and on to Nagano) is called “Shinano Wide View Limited Express”. Limited Express are the 2nd fastest type of train in Japan after the Shinkansen Bullet train. They only stop at larger stations, and by-pass the commuter ones. The train from Nagoya to Matsumoto will only stop at about 7 stations along the way and take about 2 hours.
There are 6 carriages on the train. #1 is the front of the train heading towards Matsumoto, while 6 is the rear of the train.
Car 1 is Green Class (first class) and a surcharge is required in addition to the limited express fare.
Cars 2-4 are reserved sets. These are for people with seat assignments on their tickets.
Cars 5-6 are non-reserved, meaning these seats are on a first come basis.
There is no food or beverage service on this train so it pays to buy a few snacks at Nagoya Station before boarding.
Boarding the Train
Most of the Wide View Shinano Trains depart from platform #10, but you need to check the digital signs at the station entrance to confirm this as it can change on occasion.
The ticket sales and ticket gates are on the basement level. There are 3 pathways to the platforms (North, Central, and South). You walk along the tunnel like corridor and there are a number of staircases (and escalators on the North and Central pathways). These have the platform numbers on them. At the platform 10 sign, climb the stairs and you will be on the ground level on the platform.
There are small convenience stores on the platform where you can buy snacks and drinks.
The train will arrive 5-10 minutes before departure.
Nagoya to Matsumoto
The trip from Nagoya to Matsumoto takes about 2 hours. After leaving Nagoya the train travels through the suburbs before following a number of river valleys. Between the many tunnels, there are some great valley views on both sides of the train.
For much of the way the train follows the old Nakasendo route. This is the ancient walkway from Osaka to Tokyo through the mountains. Many of the townships you pass through on the way are the old staging towns where weary travelers would stay over night in small Japanese style lodges.
Transfer at Matsumoto
The train makes a brief stop at Matsumoto before continuing on to Nagano. So get your luggage together and and move to the end of the carriage shortly before you arrive. You will generally arrive at platform 3 at Matsumoto Station.
If you are catching the Limited Express Azusa to Hakuba then you need to head to platform 4. If not then generally will head to platform 6, but you will need to check on the digital signs.
Matsumoto Station is quite small and you generally only need 5 minutes to transfer trains here.
Shinano and Azusa Combo
There is one connection a day that is really convenient. It involves taking the Wide Shinano from Nagoya to Matsumoto, then taking the Limited Express Azusa on to Hakuba.
To do this, you will need to catch the Wide View Shinano # 3 which leaves Nagoya at 08:00 and arrives in Matsumoto (platform 3) at 10:06. The Limited Express Azusa (which comes up from Tokyo) then departs from platform 4 at 10:41. This train arrives at Hakuba Station at 11:41.
Matsumoto to Hakuba
If you did not make the above Shinano / Azusa Combo, then you need to take local trains on the JR Oito Line to get to Hakuba. While there are a couple of trains a day that go all the way through to Hakuba, in most cases there will be another train change in Shinano Omachi along the way.
Arrival in Hakuba
Hakuba is a very small station, with only 3 platforms, 1 exit, and not many trains. Most trains arrive at platform 1, which is right next to the exit. There is no automatic ticket gates here, so you give your tickets to the station staff.
On exiting the station there is a taxi stand right in front of you. Many accommodation properties will pick you up from Hakuba station if you give them a call.
Osaka and Kyoto are the main centers of central Japan. Kyoto was long the seat of the imperial family and capital of Japan, while Osaka was long the main trading and merchant center of Japan. Both a large cities with complex transport services. | |
| JR Kyoto Station | JR Osaka Station |
Shin Osaka is the Shinkansen Bullet train that serves the Osaka area. It is located to the north of Osaka central, and can be access using the JR Lines or the Midosuji Subway Line.
If transferring from JR, you will arrive on the ground level on platforms 1-10. Take the the elevator up to the main concourse.
Buying a Ticket
You can purchase a ticket through a vending machine (multi language available), but as this route requires 2 changes and 3 trains, you are probably better off going to the Jr ticket counter.
At the counter tell the staff member you wish to travel to Hakuba. They will tap away on their computer finding the next available route, and may even consult the 500 page monthly JR timetable. They may ask you if you’d like a reserved seat or a non-reserved seat. Reserved seats assign you a seat number, while Non Reserved seats are on a first come basis. ALWAYS book a reserved seat to guarantee you have somewhere to sit.
Once they have worked it out they will show you the route, and take payment. Credit Card payment is fine, but there have been cases where foreign credit cards get rejected in Japan, so it pays to bring a couple.
You will probably be issued with 3 tickets.
- Your base fare from Shin Osaka Station to Hakuba
- Your Shinkansen Bullet Train Seat ticket from Shin Osaka to Nagoya
- Your Limited Express Seat ticket from Nagoya to Matsumoto
Boarding the Train
From the main concourse, you head through the Shinkansen ticket gates. You need to insert both the base fare ticket and the Shinkansen seat ticket into the machine (insert together). And remember to collect as you pass through the gate.
Beyond the ticket gates are digital screens listing the next 4-5 departures in each direction. As you are heading to Nagoya, you need to look at trains heading east to Tokyo. Locate your train number and verify the platform number.
Kyoto Station is one of the more modern stations in Japan. It can be accessed by JR Lines or the Karasuma Subway Line. The are 14 regular platforms, and 4 Shinkansen Bullet train platforms.
Most people will be coming from the North side of the station and coming into the Central Entrance. The Shinkansen platforms are on the far side of the station (Hachi-jo Entrance).
Buying a Ticket
Kyoto to Hakuba Valley is quite a complicated route, and while tickets can be purchased via a vending machine, it may be easier to go to the JR Ticket Counter.
At the counter tell the staff member you wish to travel to Hakuba. They will tap away on their computer finding the next available route, and may even consult the 500 page monthly JR timetable. They may ask you if you’d like a reserved seat or a non-reserved seat. Reserved seats assign you a seat number, while Non Reserved seats are on a first come basis. ALWAYS book a reserved seat to guarantee you have somewhere to sit.
Once they have worked it out they will show you the route, and take payment. Credit Card payment is fine, but there have been cases where foreign credit cards get rejected in Japan, so it pays to bring a couple.
You will probably be issued with 3 tickets.
- Your base fare from Kyoto Station to Hakuba
- Your Shinkansen Bullet Train Seat ticket from Kyoto to Nagoya
- Your Limited Express Seat ticket from Nagoya to Matsumoto
Boarding the Train
Once through the first ticket gate head to platform 11-14 (Shinkansen Platforms). There is an underground passage and a passage on the 2nd floor. Once at the Shinkansen ticket gate insert your tickets and collect as you pass through.
Bullet trains heading East (towards Tokyo and Nagoya) leave from platforms 11 & 12.
Trains generally have 16 carriages. #16 is the front of the train, #1 is the rear. 8-10 are green class.
There are three types of trains that operate on the Tokaido Shinkansen line.
- The Nozomi train is the fastest, only stopping at major stations
- The Hikari stops at a few more stations along the route
- The Kodama stops at every station.
The Nozomi Train takes about 20 minutes to get from Shin Osaka to Kyoto, and 35 minutes to get from Kyoto to Nagoya.
Shinano Wide View Express
The train from Nagoya to Matsumoto (and on to Nagano) is called “Shinano Wide View Limited Express”. Limited Express are the 2nd fastest type of train in Japan after the Shinkansen Bullet train. They only stop at larger stations, and by-pass the commuter ones. The train from Nagoya to Matsumoto will only stop at about 7 stations along the way and take about 2 hours.
There are 6 carriages on the train. #1 is the front of the train heading towards Matsumoto, while 6 is the rear of the train.
Car 1 is Green Class (first class) and a surcharge is required in addition to the limited express fare.
Cars 2-4 are reserved sets. These are for people with seat assignments on their tickets.
Cars 5-6 are non-reserved, meaning these seats are on a first come basis.
There is no food or beverage service on this train so it pays to buy a few snacks at Nagoya Station before boarding.
Boarding the Train
Most of the Wide View Shinano Trains depart from platform #10, but you need to check the digital signs at the station entrance to confirm this as it can change on occasion.
The ticket sales and ticket gates are on the basement level. There are 3 pathways to the platforms (North, Central, and South). You walk along the tunnel like corridor and there are a number of staircases (and escalators on the North and Central pathways). These have the platform numbers on them. At the platform 10 sign, climb the stairs and you will be on the ground level on the platform.
There are small convenience stores on the platform where you can buy snacks and drinks.
The train will arrive 5-10 minutes before departure.
Nagoya to Matsumoto
The trip from Nagoya to Matsumoto takes about 2 hours. After leaving Nagoya the train travels through the suburbs before following a number of river valleys. Between the many tunnels, there are some great valley views on both sides of the train.
For much of the way the train follows the old Nakasendo route. This is the ancient walkway from Osaka to Tokyo through the mountains. Many of the townships you pass through on the way are the old staging towns where weary travelers would stay over night in small Japanese style lodges.
Transfer at Matsumoto
The train makes a brief stop at Matsumoto before continuing on to Nagano. So get your luggage together and and move to the end of the carriage shortly before you arrive. You will generally arrive at platform 3 at Matsumoto Station.
If you are catching the Limited Express Azusa to Hakuba then you need to head to platform 4. If not then generally will head to platform 6, but you will need to check on the digital signs.
Matsumoto Station is quite small and you generally only need 5 minutes to transfer trains here.
Shinano and Azusa Combo
There is one connection a day that is really convenient. It involves taking the Wide Shinano from Nagoya to Matsumoto, then taking the Limited Express Azusa on to Hakuba.
To do this, you will need to catch the Wide View Shinano # 3 which leaves Nagoya at 08:00 and arrives in Matsumoto (platform 3) at 10:06. The Limited Express Azusa (which comes up from Tokyo) then departs from platform 4 at 10:41. This train arrives at Hakuba Station at 11:41.
Matsumoto to Hakuba
If you did not make the above Shinano / Azusa Combo, then you need to take local trains on the JR Oito Line to get to Hakuba. While there are a couple of trains a day that go all the way through to Hakuba, in most cases there will be another train change in Shinano Omachi along the way.
Arrival in Hakuba
Hakuba is a very small station, with only 3 platforms, 1 exit, and not many trains. Most trains arrive at platform 1, which is right next to the exit. There is no automatic ticket gates here, so you give your tickets to the station staff.
On exiting the station there is a taxi stand right in front of you. Many accommodation properties will pick you up from Hakuba station if you give them a call.
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