How to Get to Kamikochi from Matsumoto via Shin-Shimashima

Kamikochi National Park draws visitors to some of Japan’s most pristine mountain scenery. Visiting the national park requires a two-part journey from Matsumoto. First by train to Shin-Shimashima Station, then by bus into the protected mountain valley. While most travelers treat Shin-Shimashima as just a transfer point, this small mountain station offers a few pleasant diversions worth exploring before you continue to Kamikochi.

The Route to Kamikochi

The journey begins at Matsumoto Station, where the Kamikochi Line departs from inside the main station complex. Though not part of the JR network, the line is clearly marked and ticket machines are easy to locate once you’re inside the station.

How to Get to Kamikochi from Matsumoto — **The Kamikochi Line is departing from Platform No 7**

The scenic 30-minute train ride winds westward through valleys and farmland before reaching Shin-Shimashima Station, the line’s final stop.

How to Get to Kamikochi train — **Valleys and farmland views before reaching Shin-Shimashima Station**

From the platform, simply follow fellow passengers to the bus terminal just outside. Station staff usually stand ready to help with directions, and the transfer system is designed for smooth connections.

How to Get to Kamikochi bus — **The transfer system is designed for smooth connections**

The bus portion takes just over an hour. It climbs through mountain valleys, eventually delivering passengers to Kamikochi National Park’s main stops at either Taisho Pond or the Kappa Bridge area. Returning follows the same route in reverse. Schedules are coordinated to minimize waiting time between connections making the round trip easy even for first-time visitors.

Discovering Shin-Shimashima

While Shin-Shimashima serves primarily as a transit hub, this small mountain station offers more than just platform benches. The area around the station provides a glimpse into rural Nagano life, with a well-stocked souvenir shop featuring fresh local vegetables, seasonal fruits, and Nagano specialties.

How to Get to Kamikochi nagano — **A glimpse into rural Nagano life**

Simple dining options nearby typically feature handmade soba noodles, perfect for fortifying yourself before the mountain journey ahead. Just outside the station, positioned directly alongside the tracks, sits a small ice cream stand that has become something of a local landmark. The unique location offers front-row views of arriving and departing trains, creating an unexpectedly entertaining wait for your next connection.

How to Get to Kamikochi ice cream — **Ice Cream and Train Views**

Though modest in scope, Shin-Shimashima serves as an essential link in the chain connecting urban Matsumoto with the untouched beauty of Kamikochi. This small station embodies the transition from city to wilderness that defines so many Japanese mountain journeys.