How to travel from Matsumoto to Sendai, Japan

The distance between Matsumoto and Sendai is around 473km (294 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 3h 25m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Matsumoto to Sendai by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out SendaiMatsumoto if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Nagano then Omiya(Saitama) and then to Sendai(Miyagi/Jr).

  • Duration3h 25m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    ¥18,890($140)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Matsumoto (MMJ) to Sendai (SDJ).

  • Duration3h 35m
  • Flight time2h 50m
  • Typical cost
    ¥62,975($460)
Operated by

Fuji Dream

+ 3 others
💰 Cheapest
3
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Bus terminal Shinjuku Tokyo and then to Sendai Station.

  • Duration9h 5m
  • Departsevery 4 hours
  • Typical cost
    ¥11,775($86)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Sendai.

  • Duration5h 55m
  • Distance473km (294 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Matsumoto and Sendai

There are several options for getting from Matsumoto to Sendai by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ¥11,775 ($86) and will take around 9h 5m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 3h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥18,890 ($140).

The distance between Matsumoto and Sendai is around 473km (294 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 342km (212 miles)

It takes around 3h 25m to get from Matsumoto and Sendai by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 5h 55m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Matsumoto to Sendai is to take the train which takes around 3h 25m and will set you back approx ¥18,890 ($140).

The cheapest way to travel between Matsumoto and Sendai, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ¥11,775 ($86) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Matsumoto and Sendai. It typically takes around 3h 25m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Matsumoto to Sendai. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Nagano and Omiya(Saitama). These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 3h 25m.

Japan Railways Limited Express, Japan Railways (JR) and Japan Railways Shinkansen run train services between Matsumoto and Sendai. Trains depart hourly and will take around 3h 25m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Matsumoto and Sendai. It typically takes around 9h 5m and departs every 4 hours.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Matsumoto to Sendai. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Bus terminal Shinjuku Tokyo. These services run every 4 hours and will take a minimum of 9h 5m.

Alpico Group, JR Bus Tōhoku and Willer Express run regular bus services between Matsumoto and Sendai. Buses run every 4 hours and take around 9h 5m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Matsumoto and Sendai. Flights depart from Matsumoto (MMJ) and arrive at Sendai (SDJ) - via New Chitose (CTS). The flight takes around 2h 50m.

There is no direct flight from Matsumoto to Sendai. There is however a flight that goes via New Chitose (CTS). This services will take at least 3h 35m (not including layover time).

The flight from Matsumoto to Sendai typically takes around 2h 50m. Flights depart from Matsumoto (MMJ) and and arrive into Sendai (SDJ).

The closest major airport to Sendai is Sendai Airport (SDJ) (SDJ) which is approximately 15km (10 miles) from Sendai. Yamagata Airport (GAJ) (GAJ) and Narita International Airport (NRT) (NRT) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Matsumoto and Sendai. The distance is around 473km (294 miles) by road and it will take around 5h 55m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Matsumoto to Sendai is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 25m and will usually cost around ¥18,890 ($140).

How do I get from Matsumoto to Sendai

Compare travel optionsbetween Matsumoto and Sendai

Transport options from Matsumoto to Sendai
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
3h 25m
¥18,890($140)
hourly546km (339 miles)
Train via Shinjuku(Jr)4h 55m
¥17,385($125)
hourly554km (344 miles)
Fly
3h 35m
¥62,975($460)
every 30 mins1,352km (840 miles)
Bus
9h 5m
¥11,775($86)
every 4 hours659km (409 miles)
Drive
5h 55m
¥6,845($50)
on demand473km (294 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Matsumoto and Sendai

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Sendai

The following major airports near Sendai offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Japan and internationally.

SDJ
Sendai Airport (SDJ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
15km (10 miles) from Sendai
GAJ
Yamagata Airport (GAJ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
46km (29 miles) from Sendai
NRT
Narita International Airport (NRT)
International Airport
Distance
281km (174 miles) from Sendai