Kamikochi and Norikura Driving Guide: Sawando Bus Transfer, Norikura Kogen and Shirahone Onsen with Map

The Kamikochi and Norikura area lies west of Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture, at the foot of the Northern Alps. From Matsumoto IC, National Route 158 follows the Azusa River into the mountains to Sawando, where the car park for changing to a Kamikochi bus is, and to Norikura Kogen, which you can reach by car. Private cars cannot enter Kamikochi at any time of year, and they cannot drive up to Tatamidaira on Mt. Norikura either. This page covers the places you can reach by car and the car parks where you change to a bus, with a one-day route and the roads and places to stop.

Map of the Kamikochi and Norikura area

The line on the map is the car route described below under "First visit: one day from Sawando to Kamikochi, then Norikura Kogen in the afternoon". The numbers are places to stop: green for views and nature, blue for roadside stations (michi-no-eki). Kamikochi and Tatamidaira are reached by bus or taxi. Hover over or tap a number to see its name.

Recommended drives

First visit: one day from Sawando to Kamikochi, then Norikura Kogen in the afternoon

From Matsumoto IC, take National Route 158 and stop at Michi-no-Eki Fuketsu no Sato, then leave your car at the Sawando car park and take the shuttle bus to Kamikochi. When you are back at Sawando, drive up to Norikura Kogen and go round Bansho Otaki Falls, the Norikura Tourist Center, Zengoro Falls and Ichinose Park, finishing at the Sanbontaki car park, the end of the road for cars. You drive about 46 km, or about 50 minutes calculated from map data (traffic is not included).

It is about 1 hour from Matsumoto IC to the Sawando car park, and about 30 minutes by bus from Sawando to Kamikochi (¥1,600 one way). The last bus from Kamikochi leaves at 17:30.

Kamikochi: change to a bus at Sawando or Akandana

Private cars, rental cars and motorbikes cannot enter Kamikochi at any time of year. On the Nagano side, park at the Sawando car park (about 2,000 spaces, ¥800 per day for a standard car). On the Gifu side, park at the Hirayu Akandana car park (870 spaces for standard cars, ¥600 per 24 hours). Then change to a bus or taxi. From Akandana to Kamikochi the bus is ¥1,500 one way. In 2026 the Kamikochi season ends on 15 November, and from 19:00 that day the road to Kamikochi closes for the winter.

Norikura: buses to Tatamidaira run until 31 October

Private cars cannot use the Norikura Echo Line above Sanbontaki or the Norikura Skyline on the Gifu side. On both roads, 31 October is the last day of the buses up to Tatamidaira. The bus from the Norikura Tourist Center to Tatamidaira costs ¥2,450 for the ride up. From 18:00 on 31 October, the road above Sanbontaki closes for the winter.

Roads you can drive

Places to stop

Views and nature

The numbers are the numbers on the map.

Roadside stations

Best seasons and crowds

As of 26 October, the autumn leaves in Kamikochi and Norikura Kogen are at their best. Around Kappabashi in Kamikochi they last until about 29 October, and in Norikura Kogen until about 31 October. At Shirahone Onsen they last until about 7 November. The trees above Sanbontaki on Mt. Norikura have lost their leaves.

Closed roads and restrictions (as of 26 October)

• The inbound carriageway of the Nagano Expressway between Azumino IC and Matsumoto IC has a lane restriction until 6:00 on 31 October.
• The Kamikochi-Norikura Super Forest Road has no through traffic from Norikura Kogen to Nagawa until the end of October.
• National Route 158 in Shioya, Niukawa-cho, Takayama (Gifu Prefecture) is fully closed because of a landslide. Gifu Prefecture is carrying out work aiming to reopen it by the end of fiscal 2026.
• The road to Kamikochi can freeze or get snow from late October.

Getting there and fuel

On the way back, return along National Route 158 to Matsumoto IC. The last bus from Kamikochi leaves at 17:30 and reaches Sawando at 18:00.

Fill up in central Matsumoto before you head into the mountains. Electric cars can charge at Michi-no-Eki Fuketsu no Sato and at Sawando.

If you don't have a car

You can rent a car in Nagano or Gifu. Driving in Japan on a foreign licence needs a 1949 Geneva international driving permit or an official Japanese translation; see Driving in Japan on a Foreign License. For how pickup and return work at an airport, see Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive to Kamikochi?

Private cars cannot enter Kamikochi at any time of year. Park at the Sawando car park on the Nagano side or the Akandana car park on the Gifu side, then change to a bus or taxi.

Until when can I go to Kamikochi?

In 2026, until 15 November. From 19:00 that day the road to Kamikochi closes for the winter.

Can I drive to Tatamidaira on Mt. Norikura?

Not in a private car. Take the bus from the Norikura Tourist Center or Hoonokidaira. In 2026 the last day of the buses is 31 October.

How much is the Sawando car park?

It is ¥800 per day for a standard car, and after midnight it counts as 2 days. The bus to Kamikochi is ¥1,600 one way.

Can I go in winter?

You cannot go to Kamikochi. You can drive to Shirahone Onsen all year. Local buses run from Matsumoto to Norikura Kogen in winter too.

Nearby areas and guides

• Japan Winter Road Closures 2026–27: Mountain Road Closing and Reopening Dates
• Hida-Takayama Driving Guide: Okuhida and Shirakawa-go Routes with Map
• Driving in Japan on a Foreign License: IDP or Translation
• Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return