"Matsumoto as the hub of central Japan " a Matsumoto Travel Page by RoseAmano

Matsumoto is located in relatively central Japan, and is a convenient transfer point to Tokyo (three hours by JR special express "Super Azusa"), western Japan hub such as Nagoya, to western Sea of Japan coastal town such as Toyama (via the Tateyama Alpine Route trek), as well as to the famed ski slopes of Nagano Prefecture which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics.

You can access here via an Express Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station (three hours by JR special express "Super Azusa"). Matsumoto is located in relatively central Japan, and is a convenient transfer point to Tokyo (three hours by JR special express "Super Azusa"), western Sea of Japan coastal town such as Toyama (via the Tateyama Alpine Route trek), as well as to the famed ski slopes of Nagano Prefecture which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics.

Once here there are a number of branch lines taking you further inward to ski resorts, or hiking, etc.

Here is also a famed historical points such as Matsumoto Castle, and preseved architecture from various eras such as Edo (1603-1868) and Meiji (1868-1912) eras.