Matsumoto Station

Published on : 12/07/2024
by : Joshua

Matsumoto is one of the most well-known destinations within Nagano Prefecture, one of the largest prefectures in all of Japan and one of the few that is fully landlocked. Instead of seacoasts, Nagano lies right within the Japanese Alps and is blessed with amazing mountainous scenery and meandering rivers. Head out from Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station and explore this central Japan destination!

Matsumoto is one of the most historically significant cities in all of Japan, with Matsumoto Castle being the most well-known attraction. Matsumoto is simultaneously a hub for contemporary Japanese culture as well, with a thriving arts scene as well!

Getting to Matsumoto is relatively easy thanks to Matsumoto Station, operated primarily by Japan Railways (JR). It is directly linked to Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, the busiest station in the world that sees 3.5 to 4 million commuters a day, via the JR Chuo Main Line. On this line, the Azusa Limited Express Train is likely the most efficient means of access, making the journey in around one to two hours.

Station Overview

Matsumoto Station is much more modest than the bustling Shinjuku Station in Tokyo that it is connected to, but it stands as the main commuting hub for the people of Matsumoto City (which is actually the second most populous in Nagano Prefecture). As previously mentioned, Matsumoto Station is primarily operated by JR, with local train options to other parts of Nagano and surrounding prefectures available as well.

The Shinonoi Line goes towards Nagano City, the capital of the prefecture. The Oito Line from Matsumoto Station goes towards Toyoshina, Hotoka, Shinano-Omachi, Hakuba, and Minami-Otari.

Aside from JR, Alpico Kotsu also has operations out of Matsumoto Station, managing the Kamikochi Line that goes out to destinations such as Shinano-Arai and Shin-Shimashima.

There are seven total platforms within Matsumoto Station, with JR Lines being platforms one through six and the final seventh one being the Kamikochi Line.

Around Matsumoto Station

The famous Matsumoto Castle is only a 10 minute bus ride from Matsumoto Station. The walk out to the castle is around 15 minutes. On the castle grounds, a large moat surrounds the structure’s iconic silhouette. It was originally erected during the Sengoku Era, and much of the original structure is actually still there, making it a standout historical landmark within Japan. Back in the day, the castle had strong ties to the famous Tokugawa Shogunate. The castle grounds are also home to a nice park as well as a shrine.

For art lovers, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art is an essential destinations, especially for appreciators of contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Famous for her eccentric designs and utilization of polka dots, her work is world-renowned, and the iconic pumpkin of Naoshima is one of her pieces. Kusama herself hails from Matsumoto, and the museum commemorates this with a special permanent collection. The museum is only a 17 minute walk from Matsumoto Station. There is also a station right by the museum called “Matsumoto Bijutsukan,” accessible via the “Town Sneaker” buses that are famous in the city. Matsumoto Station’s immediate grounds are host to a number of restaurants and shops. Matsumoto is quite famous for its gastronomy, which is very representative of Nagano’s cuisine as a whole