Guide to Transportation in Matsumoto City

Matsumoto City’s downtown area, home to the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle and various art museums, is compact and easy to explore on foot or by bicycle. Please choose the best mode of transportation based on your destination.

Bus

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 current location of buses 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 Shin-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 the Kamikochi, Norikura Highlands, and Shirahone Onsen areas

*Click here for access to Utsukushigahara Highlands

Bus stop

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.

Payment Methods for Fares

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


How to Ride the Bus

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


[Cashless Payment]

Please tap your card on the dedicated 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.

Column

 Use "Town Sneaker PLUS" to get the most out of your trip!

This great value pass offers 24-hour unlimited rides on Town Sneaker buses, which now serve a wider area, including hot spring resorts.

Plus, it includes admission tickets to two National Treasures: Matsumoto Castle and the Former Kaichi School!

From exploring the city center to visiting Asama Onsen and Utsukushigahara Onsen, this pass is perfect for getting around. Be sure to take advantage of it and enjoy a cashless, cost-effective tour of Matsumoto City.

Bike-sharing

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.

Nakamachi Bike Rental

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.

Parking lot

Here is a guide to 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): 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 (previously 437 spaces)

・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 General Parking Lots]

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

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

・Matsumoto City Ote (around Matsumoto Castle): Click here

・All of Matsumoto City (Please select a neighborhood) Click here


View Map

Note that if you exceed the daily usage limit for Google Maps, the page may not display correctly.

TOP