Visit Matsumoto

We recommend taking the bus to get around the city. Be sure to check the bus stops and payment methods in advance when planning your trip. You can check the schedule by entering your departure point, destination, departure time, and arrival time into various route planner services, such as Google Maps. You can also use the “Bus Location System” to track the bus’s current location directly in your browser.

[Gurutto Matsumoto Bus]

This is the collective term for city buses, including the Town Sneaker.

Please use the Utsukushigahara Onsen Line for Utsukushigahara Onsen, the Asama Line and New Asama Line for Asama Onsen, and the Matsumoto/Shimanai Line for the Japanese Ukiyo-e Museum and History Village.

【Town Sneaker (City Sightseeing Bus)】

The charming “Town Sneaker” buses run through the center of Matsumoto City. These sightseeing buses are perfect for touring famous downtown attractions and depart from the rotary in front of the station. Please use the North Course to visit Matsumoto Castle and the Former Kaichi School, and the East Course to visit Nakamachi Street, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, and Agata no Mori Park.

*Click here for access to Kamikochi

*Click here for access to Utsukushigahara Highlands

Bus stops are located at the rotary near the Castle Exit (East Exit) of Matsumoto Station and at the bus terminal.

Please note that the boarding area varies significantly depending on your destination.

[Castle Exit (East Exit) Roundabout]

・Town Sneaker, Asama Line, New Asama Line, etc.

Buses depart from the "Oshiro-guchi Roundabout," located right in front of the Oshiro-guchi (East Exit) of Matsumoto Station.

[Bus Terminal]

・Utsukushigahara Onsen Line, express buses to Kamikochi, Norikura, and Takayama, etc.

The bus departs from the " Matsumoto Bus Terminal (1st floor of Alpico Plaza)," located directly across the street to the right when exiting Matsumoto Station's Castle Exit (East Exit). It is a 2-minute walk from the station.

Cashless payments are accepted. Please tap your card on the designated reader when boarding and when exiting.

If paying with cash, please note that we cannot exchange bills other than 1,000-yen notes, and no change will be given.

[Gurutto Matsumoto Bus (Regular Routes)]

・Transportation IC cards (Suica, Mobile Suica, etc.) *Effective Wednesday, April 1, 2026

・Contactless credit card payments (VISA, JCB, etc.) *Mastercard is not accepted.

・TicketQR app *With prior installation, credit cards (VISA, JCB, etc.) and QR code payment services (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, etc.) are available.

・Cash

Board through the rear door (middle door) and exit through the front door.

[Cashless Payment]

Please tap your card on the designated reader when boarding and when exiting.

[Cash]

Please take a ticket when boarding.

Please check the fare using the number on your ticket and the fare display screen at the front of the vehicle.

To prevent accidents on board, please exchange money while the bus is stopped or when you get off.

In Matsumoto City, you can use a bike-sharing service called "HELLO CYCLING." This service allows you to rent and return bikes 24 hours a day at designated stations.

Since the bikes are electric-assist models, you can easily navigate hills. They are ideal for sightseeing in the city center, where traffic can often be congested.

[How to Use]

・Download the " HELLO CYCLING " smartphone app.

・Use the app to find a nearby station and make a reservation.

・Major stations: There are numerous stations throughout the city, including Matsumoto Station’s Castle Exit, Matsumoto Castle, and the Matsumoto City Museum of Art.

・Payment: You can pay via credit card or PayPay within the app.

The Nakamachi Shopping District offers its own bike rental service (no registration required; 500 yen per ride) at the association office.

For more details, please visit the Nakamachi Shopping Street website below.

Here is some information on convenient parking lots for sightseeing in Matsumoto by car.

[Matsumoto City-Operated Parking Lots]

・Chubu Security & Rescue Matsumoto Castle North City-Operated Parking Lot (Surface Level): 8:00 AM–6:00 PM (Last entry at 5:30 PM) – 116 spaces

・Toyo Keiki Otemon Parking Lot (Multi-story): 7:30 AM–9:30 PM, approx. 267 spaces (General use)

・Chuo Parking Lot (Multi-story): 7:30 AM–11:30 PM, 165 spaces

・i-Park Ise-machi (Multi-story): 7:30 AM–11:00 PM, 206 spaces

[Search for Other Public Parking Lots]

・Fukashi, Matsumoto City (area around Matsumoto Station to the Civic Art Center and City Art Museum)

・Matsumoto City Chuo (Ise-cho and Nakamachi areas)

・Matsumoto City Ote (around Matsumoto Castle)

・Matsumoto City (entire city) *Please select a neighborhood name to search