Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass: Purchase, Exchange, Usage, and Riding Guide

Post date: 2025-03-11 | Categories: Japan Travel

The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” is a JR Pass jointly issued by JR Central and JR West. This pass allows unlimited rides on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and its eight types of transportation, as well as unlimited rides on JR trains between Nagoya and Toyama, and Nagoya and Shinano-Omachi.

If you are starting your journey from Nagoya to explore Tateyama Kurobe and are not driving, then the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” is a must-buy train pass. If your itinerary includes stops in Takayama, Matsumoto, and Gero Onsen, using this JR Tateyama Kurobe Pass will be even more cost-effective.

During my last independent trip to Tateyama Kurobe, I chose to take the train from Nagoya instead of driving, as I didn’t want to backtrack or pay for car transportation. Before departure, I researched the ticket prices for JR and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route transportation and found that purchasing the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” was very cost-effective and convenient, so I ultimately bought this JR Pass.

Table of Contents

1. Usage Scope, Validity, Price, and Sale Dates of the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass”

The usage scope and validity of the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” have remained unchanged since its introduction, but the price and sale dates vary each year.

1.1 Usage Scope

The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” covers the entire Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route transportation, JR trains between Nagoya and Toyama, JR trains between Nagoya and Matsumoto, and JR trains between Matsumoto and Shinano-Omachi. The specific usage scope includes:

JR trains from Nagoya via the Tokaido Main Line (Nagoya to Gifu) and Takayama Main Line to Toyama, including limited express, express, rapid, and local trains, but only in ordinary cars (Green Cars are not included). The route passes through Gifu, Mino, Gero Onsen, Takayama, and Hida-Furukawa;
JR trains from Nagoya via the Chuo Main Line (Nagoya to Shiojiri) and Shinonoi Line (Shiojiri to Kitamatsumoto) to Matsumoto, including limited express, express, rapid, and local trains, but only in ordinary cars (Green Cars are not included). The route passes through Ena Gorge and Narai;
JR trains from Matsumoto via the Oito Line (Kitamatsumoto to Shinano-Omachi) to Shinano-Omachi (this line only has non-reserved local trains);
Toyama Chitetsu trains from Toyama to Tateyama Station, including limited express, rapid, and local trains, but only non-reserved seats are available;
Route buses from Ogizawa Station to Shinano-Omachi, passing through Omachi Onsen;
Six types of mountain transportation on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route between Tateyama Station and Ogizawa Station (Tateyama Cable Car, Tateyama Highland Bus, Tateyama Tunnel Trolleybus, Tateyama Ropeway, Kurobe Cable Car, and Kanden Tunnel Trolleybus). For detailed information on these transportation options, refer to the article “Japan Tateyama Kurobe Travel Guide (Part 1): Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Transportation, Station Facilities, and Attractions“.

Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass Usage Scope

1.2 Validity

The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” is valid for five consecutive days. During the five-day validity period, you can unlimitedly ride the non-reserved seats of the transportation within the usage scope, and you can also reserve up to 4 JR limited express reserved seats.

1.3 Price

Previously, the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” had different prices for purchases made outside Japan and within Japan, with purchases outside Japan being cheaper. However, starting from 2023, this practice was abolished, and the price is now the same both inside and outside Japan.

In 2023, the fare for the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route transportation increased significantly, leading to a 14% price hike for the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass”. Additionally, the Japan JR Pass saw a price increase starting from October 1, 2023, leading to another price hike in 2024. The 2025 price is slightly higher than 2024, with a minor increase of 200 yen, less than 1%. The 2025 price for the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” is 24,000 yen for adults and half price for children (6-11 years old), i.e., 12,000 yen.

1.4 Is the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” Worth Buying?

Is the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” really worth buying? Let’s calculate and analyze it below.

If you are traveling from Nagoya to Tateyama Kurobe, i.e., starting from Nagoya to explore Tateyama Kurobe and returning to Nagoya within five days, then purchasing the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” will definitely save you money. The amount you save depends on your specific itinerary. However, due to two price increases in 2023 and 2024, totaling over 26%, the savings from using the pass are not as significant as before.

For example, if your itinerary involves taking the JR from Nagoya to Toyama, then ascending from Tateyama Station, descending from Ogizawa Station, and taking the JR from Shinano-Omachi via Matsumoto back to Nagoya, the total cost of purchasing individual tickets for all transportation in 2025 would be 28,030 yen. Purchasing the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” would save you 4,030 yen, approximately 14%. The fares for each transportation in 2025 are as follows:

Nagoya to Toyama Limited Express (reserved seat): 7,590 yen
Toyama to Shinano-Omachi Station (various transportation): 13,820 yen
Shinano-Omachi to Matsumoto Local Train (non-reserved seat): 680 yen
Matsumoto to Nagoya Limited Express (reserved seat): 5,940 yen

1.5 2025 Sale, Exchange, and Usage Period

The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” is generally available for sale from early February each year, with exchanges starting from mid-March. The usage period begins when the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route fully opens, usually on April 15 each year. Although the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is generally open until the end of November, the pass is usually only valid until early November.

The 2025 sale, exchange, and usage periods for the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” are as follows:

Sale Period (Outside Japan): February 15, 2025 – November 6, 2025
Sale Period (Within Japan/Official Website): March 15, 2025 – November 6, 2025
Exchange Period: March 15, 2025 – November 6, 2025
Usage Period: April 15, 2025 – November 10, 2025

Reference:

2. How to Purchase the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass”?

The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” is only available for purchase by foreign tourists visiting Japan for a short period. Foreigners studying or working in Japan are not eligible to purchase it. There are four ways to purchase the pass:

Purchase an exchange voucher from Klook or KKday before departure, then exchange it for the pass at a JR station or airport in Japan;
1. [Klook] Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass
2. [KKday] Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass
Purchase an exchange voucher from a designated travel agency outside Japan before departure, then exchange it for the pass at a JR station or airport in Japan;
Purchase the pass online from JR West’s JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION before or after arriving in Japan, then pick it up at a designated JR station;
Purchase the pass at a designated JR station or airport in Japan after arrival and receive it immediately.

Regardless of the purchase channel, the price of the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” is the same, i.e., the official price. The 2025 price is 24,000 yen for adults and 12,000 yen for children (6-11 years old). However, due to slight differences in exchange rates used by different sales agents, the price in local currency may vary slightly between agents.

Although the price of the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” is the same whether purchased domestically or internationally, it is still recommended to purchase it before departure if your itinerary is confirmed. If purchased through Klook or KKday, you may be able to use discount codes, accumulate points, or get a better deal compared to purchasing from a travel agency or the JR West official website.

Note: The number of JR stations and airports where you can purchase, pick up, or exchange the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” has decreased compared to before the pandemic. Currently, Kansai Airport, Osaka Station, Toyama Station, and Kanazawa Station do not offer purchase, pickup, or exchange services for the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass”. For details, please refer here.

3. What is the difference between purchasing the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” on the JR West official website and through overseas travel agencies?

In addition to purchasing at JR station ticket offices in Japan, the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” can also be purchased in advance through overseas travel agencies (including online platforms like Klook and KKday) before departure, or through the JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION official website. So, what is the difference between purchasing on the JR West official website and through overseas travel agencies?

1. Purchasing the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” on the JR West official website

If you purchase the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” on the JR West official website, you will receive the pass itself. However, you still need to pick up the physical JR Pass at a designated JR station before you can start using it. Since you are purchasing the pass itself on the website, you need to set the start date and select the pickup station at the time of purchase, which offers less flexibility. If your travel plans change and you need to adjust the start date or pickup location, it can be cumbersome.

However, since you are purchasing the pass itself on the website, you can pre-book up to 4 JR limited express train reserved seats on the JR West ticket reservation website, which is the biggest advantage of purchasing through the JR West official website.

If you are traveling during peak season and are concerned about not being able to secure JR reserved seats after arriving in Japan, and your itinerary is confirmed, you can purchase the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” through the JR West official website and pre-book reserved seats. For notes on purchasing the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” through the JR West official website, please refer here.

Locations where you can pick up the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” include Nagoya Station, Takayama Station, Kyoto Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, and Shin-Yokohama Station. The most commonly used pickup location is Nagoya Station. For details on how to pick up the JR Pass at Nagoya Station, please refer to the following section.

2. Purchasing the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” through overseas travel agencies

If you purchase the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” through overseas travel agencies, including online platforms like Klook and KKday, you will receive an exchange order instead of the pass itself. You will need to exchange the exchange order for the physical JR Pass at a designated JR station or airport before you can start using it. Since you do not have the pass before exchanging, you cannot pre-book reserved seats.

However, purchasing the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” through overseas travel agencies offers more flexibility in terms of itinerary, as the exchange order is valid for 3 months. After purchase, you can exchange the pass at any JR station or airport that offers the service within the validity period, and you can specify the start date of the pass at the time of exchange. For notes on purchasing the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” through overseas travel agencies, please refer here.

The image below shows the exchange order for the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” purchased through JTB Travel Agency. If purchased elsewhere, the content should be similar except for the name of the sales agency.

Exchange Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass

The exchange order for the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” is valid for 3 months and must be exchanged for the official JR Pass within 3 months from the date of issue. Unexchanged exchange orders can be canceled and refunded within a specified period (usually 1 year or 11 months, depending on the sales agency), but a handling fee will be charged. The handling fee may vary depending on the sales agency, and if purchased online, you may also need to cover the postage fee for returning the exchange order.

There is no sales limit for the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass”, so to avoid the need for cancellation due to itinerary changes, it is recommended not to purchase it too early. If purchasing through a travel agency, you can buy it two to three days before departure; if purchasing through KKday or Klook, allow about a week for delivery.

4. How to exchange the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass”?

If purchased outside Japan, you must exchange the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” for the official JR Pass at a designated exchange location in Japan before you can use it. Exchange locations include Chubu Centrair International Airport, Nagoya Station, Takayama Station, Kyoto Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, and Shin-Yokohama Station. The most commonly used exchange locations are Nagoya Station and Chubu Centrair International Airport.

At Nagoya Station, you can exchange the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass” at the JR Information Center, JR Ticket Office, and JR Tokai Tours, all located in the central concourse (中央コンコース) connecting the Sakura-dori Exit and Taiko-dori Exit within Nagoya Station.

JR Nagoya Station Sakura-dori Exit

JR Nagoya Station Taiko-dori Exit

JR Nagoya Station Central Concourse

The JR Information Center is the main exchange location, located near the Taiko-dori Exit in the central concourse.

However, the JR Information Center’s operating hours are from 10:00 to 19:00. Outside these hours (6:00~10:00 and 19:00~23:00), you can exchange the JR Pass at Window 1 of the JR Ticket Office next to the Information Center.

When exchanging the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass”, you need to present the exchange order and each person’s passport, then fill out the exchange application form and write the user’s name, nationality, and passport number on the JR Pass. When exchanging the JR Pass, you need to specify the start date, which will be printed on the JR Pass and cannot be changed later.

Note: When exchanging the JR Pass, each user must sign the application form, so everyone using the Pass must be present. Additionally, according to regulations, only foreign tourists entering Japan for short-term sightseeing purposes can purchase the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass.” Staff may check your passport for a short-term stay sticker during the exchange. If you are eligible to use Japan’s automated immigration gates, do not use them, as they do not provide a sticker.

After exchanging the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass,” you can still cancel and get a refund before the start date, but a 10% handling fee will be charged. To cancel an already exchanged pass, visit the exchange location.

Klook.com

5. How to Use the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” to Ride JR, Toyama Chihou Railway, and Buses?

The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” allows for unlimited rides within a five-day validity period on JR trains between Nagoya and Toyama and Nagoya and Shinano-Omachi, as well as Toyama Chihou Railway trains between Toyama City and Tateyama Station and route buses between Ogizawa Station and Shinano-Omachi. When riding these transportation services, simply present the valid “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass”; no additional tickets are required.

When using the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” to ride JR trains, you should use the “Staffed Ticket Gate” (係員改札口) at the station, which does not have automatic gates. Simply show your JR Pass to the ticket inspector. The same applies when riding the Toyama Chihou Railway. For the route bus between Ogizawa Station and Shinano-Omachi, show your JR Pass to the driver when boarding.

Although the JR Pass already indicates the start date of the pass, the JR ticket inspector will stamp the pass with the date when you first use it to pass through the gate, indicating the first day of use.

6. How to Use the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” to Exchange for JR Limited Express Reserved Seat Tickets?

In addition to unlimited rides on non-reserved seats on JR trains within the valid area during the five-day period, the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” also allows you to exchange for 4 reserved seat tickets for limited express trains.

Among the various transportation services covered by the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass,” the six mountain transport services on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route between Tateyama Station and Ogizawa Station, the route bus between Ogizawa Station and Shinano-Omachi, and the JR Oito Line between Shinano-Omachi and Matsumoto do not have reserved seats, only non-reserved seats. The Toyama Chihou Railway also only offers non-reserved seats. Therefore, exchanging for reserved seat tickets is only necessary when riding JR trains between Nagoya and Toyama or Nagoya and Matsumoto. (Note: There are no direct trains from Nagoya to Shinano-Omachi; you must transfer at Matsumoto.)

For a five-day itinerary, 4 reserved seat tickets are generally sufficient. For example, if your itinerary involves traveling directly from Nagoya to Toyama, exploring Tateyama Kurobe, and then returning to Nagoya from Matsumoto, you would only need 2 reserved seat tickets: one for the limited express train from Nagoya to Toyama and one for the limited express train from Matsumoto to Nagoya. If your five-day itinerary includes stops at Gero Onsen and Takayama, you would need exactly 4 reserved seat tickets: Nagoya to Gero Onsen, Gero Onsen to Takayama, Takayama to Toyama, and Matsumoto to Nagoya.

The reserved seat ticket is a train seat ticket that indicates the train number, departure station, destination, travel date, departure time, arrival time, car number, and seat number. You do not need to show the reserved seat ticket when entering the station; simply present your JR Pass to pass through the gate. However, during the journey, the ticket inspector will check your reserved seat ticket.

You can exchange for reserved seat tickets at any JR station ticket office, similar to purchasing regular tickets, but no payment is required; just present your pass. If you have already planned your JR travel times, you can exchange for reserved seat tickets immediately after exchanging your “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass.”

If you are concerned about communication issues when exchanging for reserved seat tickets, it is recommended to check the train schedule and times in advance, and write down the departure station, destination, and departure time of the train for which you want to exchange reserved seat tickets. Then, simply hand the paper to the ticket office staff during the exchange.

If you want to directly check train times and fares, you can use this JR Central webpage, or use the Navitime Transfer Guide website or mobile app.

Note: The direct limited express train from Nagoya to Toyama (including Takayama and Gero Onsen) is the “Hida” (飛騨) train, while the direct limited express train from Nagoya to Matsumoto is the “Shinano” (しなの) train. If you take a local train, you will need to transfer at Gifu and Shiojiri, but most tourists only take limited express trains.

After exchanging for reserved seat tickets, the staff will stamp the “Reserved Seat Issuance” section of your pass, with one stamp per reserved seat ticket, indicating the travel date and the station where the ticket was issued.

Reserved seat tickets can be refunded before the departure time. If your travel plans change and you need to take a different limited express train, you can bring the reserved seat ticket and JR Pass to any JR station ticket office for a refund. After the refund, the staff will cross out the original ticket issuance stamp and stamp a cancellation mark. If the staff forgets to stamp the cancellation mark, be sure to remind them. After the refund, the original reserved seat ticket issuance will be canceled, meaning you can exchange for another reserved seat ticket. However, if the staff does not stamp the cancellation mark, you will not be able to prove that you have completed the refund process, and you may be considered to have used your reserved seat ticket quota when exchanging at other stations.

7. How to Use the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” to Ride Tateyama Kurobe Transportation?

Although the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” allows for unlimited rides on the six transportation services on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route within the validity period, you cannot directly use the pass to board. You must first exchange for a Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route boarding ticket.

The location for exchanging the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route boarding ticket depends on your ascent route. If you are ascending from the Toyama Prefecture side at Tateyama Station, you can exchange the boarding ticket at Dentetsu Toyama Station (Toyama Chihou Railway Toyama Station) or Tateyama Station. If you are ascending from the Nagano Prefecture side at Ogizawa Station, the exchange location is at Ogizawa Station.

The boarding ticket can only be exchanged on the day of ascent. If you are ascending from Tateyama Station, you will need to specify the boarding time for the Tateyama Cable Car departing from Tateyama Station when exchanging the boarding ticket. If you are ascending from Tateyama Station, it is recommended to exchange at Toyama Station, as during peak season, you may need to wait for a while if you exchange at Tateyama Station. Since it takes about an hour to travel from Toyama Station to Tateyama Station, exchanging at Toyama Station allows you to reserve a boarding time shortly after your train arrives at Tateyama Station, minimizing delays. If you are ascending from Ogizawa Station, you will need to specify the boarding time for the Kanden Tunnel Trolley Bus departing from Ogizawa Station to Kurobe Dam when exchanging the boarding ticket.

Apart from the Tateyama Cable Car and Kanden Tunnel Trolley Bus, which require a specified boarding time, the other transportation services on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route do not require a specified time. Simply present your boarding ticket at the station waiting area to queue for boarding. Since the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” allows for unlimited rides on the six transportation services on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route within the validity period, the boarding ticket can be used for unlimited rides between Tateyama Station and Ogizawa Station.

Note: The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” only allows you to exchange for the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route boarding ticket and select boarding times at the three locations mentioned above. You cannot use the official ticket booking website to reserve boarding times.

Many foreign tourists choose to ascend Tateyama Kurobe from Toyama, so it is best to arrive at Toyama Station early to exchange for the boarding ticket.

8. Introduction to the Hida Limited Express, Shinano Limited Express, and JR Oito Line Local Trains

When using the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass,” in addition to riding the Tateyama Cable Car, Tateyama Highland Bus, Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus, Tateyama Ropeway, Kurobe Cable Car, Kanden Tunnel Trolley Bus, Toyama Chihou Railway, and route bus between Ogizawa and Shinano-Omachi, you will also ride JR trains connecting Nagoya with Toyama and Nagoya with Shinano-Omachi. The eight transportation services on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route have been introduced in the article “Japan Tateyama Kurobe Travel Guide (Part 1): Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Transportation, Station Facilities, and Attractions.” Here, we will introduce the JR trains you will ride when traveling from Nagoya to explore Tateyama Kurobe using the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass.”

1. Hida Limited Express: Nagoya <> Toyama

The direct JR train from Nagoya to Toyama is the Hida Limited Express (飛騨), which stops at Gifu, Mino, Gero Onsen, Takayama, and Hida-Furukawa along the way. The Hida Limited Express takes approximately 4 hours to travel from Nagoya to Toyama City, with variations of 4 to 17 minutes depending on the train.

The Hida Limited Express train operates 10 round trips daily, with additional services during holidays. However, most Hida trains only run between Nagoya and Takayama, with only 4 trains starting or ending in Toyama. Below is a simplified timetable for the Hida Limited Express. For a detailed timetable, please refer here.

The Hida Limited Express departs from Platform 11 at Nagoya Station.

The seats on the Hida Limited Express are quite spacious.

Generally, each car of a JR Limited Express train has a luggage storage area, but the space is limited. Additionally, the seats on Limited Express trains can be rotated to change direction, so there is space behind the last row of seats that can also be used for luggage storage.

During peak seasons, if there are too many passengers with large luggage and the storage space is insufficient, you can also place your luggage on the overhead racks. Even a 26-inch suitcase can fit.

Note: When traveling on the Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen, and Kyushu Shinkansen, if you are carrying oversized luggage, you need to reserve space for it online in advance. Otherwise, a fee of 1,000 yen will be charged for each oversized luggage item. Oversized luggage refers to items where the sum of the three dimensions exceeds 160 cm, but the maximum limit is 250 cm. A 26-inch suitcase typically has a total dimension of around 150 cm, so it is not considered oversized. However, if your luggage is 28 inches or 30 inches, it is considered oversized. For more details on the Shinkansen’s oversized luggage policy, please refer to this page. These regulations only apply to the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines; there are no restrictions on other JR trains.

Takayama is one of the most popular tourist destinations in central Japan and the most important station on the JR Takayama Main Line. Even if you are not staying overnight in Takayama, visitors using the “Tateyama Kurobe, Takayama, and Matsumoto Area Pass” will likely spend a few hours exploring the city. JR Takayama Station has been renovated and features modern facilities and decor.

Toyama City is the capital of Toyama Prefecture and the main starting point for the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. A few years ago, Toyama Station was renovated in conjunction with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. It is now the largest and newest JR station in the Hokuriku region.

2. Shinano Limited Express: Nagoya <> Matsumoto

The Shinano Limited Express (Shinano / しなの) operates between Nagoya and Nagano, with stops in Matsumoto. The “Tateyama Kurobe, Takayama, and Matsumoto Area Pass” only covers the section between Nagoya and Matsumoto; the section from Matsumoto to Nagano is not included.

The Shinano Limited Express takes approximately 2 hours to travel from Nagoya to Matsumoto, with services departing hourly. For a detailed timetable, please refer here.

Matsumoto is a major city in Nagano Prefecture, so Matsumoto Station is relatively large and is one of the main JR stations in central Japan.

3. JR Oito Line Local Train: Matsumoto <> Shinano-Omachi

The JR Oito Line runs from Matsumoto to Itoigawa, but only the section between Matsumoto and Shinano-Omachi is covered by the “Tateyama Kurobe, Takayama, and Matsumoto Area Pass.” The Oito Line operates local trains, and the journey from Matsumoto to Shinano-Omachi takes approximately one hour. The frequency of trains on the Oito Line is not high, with services departing approximately once per hour. For a detailed timetable, please use this page.

Shinano-Omachi is a small town along the Oito Line, so Shinano-Omachi Station is not large. However, since it is a only wal for travelers heading to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from Nagano Prefecture, the station is quite beautiful.

Tateyama Kurobe