Kamikochi Sawando Parking ＆ Transport Guide (2026 Updated)| Keiryuso Siorie
When traveling to Kamikochi, Norikura, or the Japan Alps (Mt. Yarigatake & Mt. Hotaka) by private car or rental car, you must park your vehicle at the base area due to strict year-round private car restrictions.
The main gateway on the Nagano/Matsumoto side is the Sawando Area (Sawando Onsen). Here, you will find both Municipal (City-run) and Private parking lots, each offering different payment methods and rules for vehicle types (motorcycles, camper vans, etc.).
This comprehensive guide answers all your essential questions: "Where should I park?", "Can I pay with a credit card or digital wallet?", "Can I take a taxi or bus with pets?", and "How do fixed-rate taxis work?"
⚡ Quick Summary: 3-Second Overview
Flat Parking Rates: Parking fees across Sawando are mostly standardized (¥800/day for standard cars). Choose based on convenience and facility features.
24/7 & Cashless (Municipal Lots): City-run lots offer 24-hour automated gates and accept major Credit Cards, QR code payments, and IC/E-money.
⚠️ CASH WARNING: Municipal automated payment machines DO NOT accept ¥5,000 or ¥10,000 bills (Only ¥1,000 bills and coins are accepted).
⚠️ Lost Ticket Fee: Losing your municipal parking ticket results in a flat ¥4,000 penalty fee.
🚫 NO PETS ALLOWED: Pets are strictly prohibited on all shuttle buses and taxis bound for Kamikochi (even inside carriers/crates).
Fixed-Rate Taxis: Fares vary by pickup zone (Sawando Upper vs. Sawando Lower). Many taxis now accommodate up to 5 passengers.
💰 Parking Fees, Bus/Taxi Fares ＆ Facilities
1. Parking Fees (Per Day / 24h)
Standard Passenger Car: ¥800
Motorcycles / 2-Wheelers: ¥400 (Private parking lots only)
Microbus: ¥1,600 / Large Bus: ¥3,200
Note: For Municipal lots, an additional ¥800 is automatically added every midnight (24:00).
2. Shuttle Bus Fares to Kamikochi (Adults)
Standard Fare (Sawando Area ↔ Kamikochi): One-way ¥1,600 / Round-trip ¥3,000
Cha-arashi Bus Stop Only: One-way ¥1,500 (Slightly cheaper from the innermost lot)
3. 🚕 Fixed-Rate Taxi Fares & Capacity
Taxis operate on a fixed-fare system depending on the departure zone. While 4-passenger sedans used to be the standard, 5-passenger taxis are now widely available, making taxi travel very cost-effective for families and small groups.
Sawando Upper Zone (Upper area closer to Kamikochi: Iwamidaira, Cha-arashi, etc.)
To Taisho Pond: ¥4,200 / To Imperial Hotel: ¥5,100 / To Kamikochi Bus Terminal: ¥5,400
Sawando Lower Zone (Lower area closer to Matsumoto: Sawando Ohashi, Sawando Bus Terminal, Ashiyu Footbath Park, etc.)
To Taisho Pond: ¥4,900 / To Imperial Hotel: ¥5,700 / To Kamikochi Bus Terminal: ¥6,000
Note: Taxis also strictly prohibit pets.
💡 Smart Tip for Groups & Families!If you take a taxi to Kamikochi, boarding from the Sawando Upper Zone (such as Iwamidaira or Cha-arashi) reduces the driving distance, making the fare cheaper (¥5,400 vs ¥6,000 to the Kamikochi Bus Terminal)!
⚠️ Municipal vs. Private Parking Lots
Feature | Municipal (City-run) Lots | Private Lots |
Hours | 24 Hours (Automated Gates) | Staffed Hours (Varies by location) |
Payment | Credit Cards, QR Payments, E-Money, ¥1,000 Bills | Cash / Selected Digital Payments |
High-Denomination Cash | ❌ No ¥5,000 / ¥10,000 bills | Varies |
Motorcycles | ❌ Not Allowed | ✅ Allowed (Some covered spots) |
Camper Vans / RVs | ❌ Not Allowed (Except Lot #4) | ✅ Allowed |
Short-term Parking | ✅ Free under 1 Hour | Varies |
🎯 Which Parking Lot Should You Choose?
Arriving Late Night / Early Morning OR Prefer Cashless Payment:
👉 Municipal Lot #3 (Kasumizawa) or Municipal Lot #2 (Ashiyu Park)
Open 24/7 with automated gates accepting Credit Cards, PayPay, Apple Pay, etc. (Remember: No high-value cash bills accepted).
Need Coin Lockers for Large Luggage:
👉 Municipal Lot #3 (Kasumizawa) - Sawando Bus Terminal
Features 20 large coin lockers inside the terminal so you can leave heavy bags behind before hiking.
Traveling by Motorcycle:
👉 Tomoshibi Parking (Private) or other private lots
Municipal lots do not allow motorcycles. Tomoshibi offers covered motorcycle spots right in front of our inn.
Traveling in a Camper Van / RV:
👉 Private Lots OR Municipal Lot #4 (Iwamidaira)
Lot #4 is the only city-run lot that accommodates standard-sized camper vans.
Want Reserved / Covered Parking or Onsen Access:
👉 Sawando Ohashi Parking (Private)
Offers the only reservable covered parking spots in the area and includes discount vouchers for the adjacent "Azusa Kohan-no-Yu" day-use hot spring.
📊 Overview of Sawando Parking Lots
～ Municipal (City-Run) Parking Lots ～
Municipal Lot #3 (Kasumizawa) 【Main Transport Hub】
Municipal Parking Lot #3 (Kasumizawa), the main transit hub with 410 spaces. Highlights: Directly connected to the main Sawando Bus Terminal. Home to the National Park Gate, 20 large coin lockers, food stands, and food trucks during peak season.
Bus Stop: Sawando Bus Terminal
Capacity: 410 Cars
Payment: Credit Card / QR / E-Money / ¥1,000 Cash
Taxi Zone: Lower Zone (¥6,000 to Kamikochi)
Best For: First-time visitors, families, international travelers.
Municipal Lot #2 (Ashiyu Park) 【Closest to Footbath & Inns】
Entrance to Municipal Parking Lot #2 (Ashiyu Park), featuring automated payment gates. Highlights: Located right in front of the public footbath park and our inn, Keiryuso Siorie. Free for under 1 hour. Just a 5-minute walk to the main bus terminal, with a taxi stand right outside.
Bus Stop: Sawando Bus Terminal
Capacity: 550 Cars
Payment: Credit Card / QR / E-Money / ¥1,000 Cash
Taxi Zone: Lower Zone (¥6,000 to Kamikochi)
Best For: Visitors wanting quick footbath access or staying nearby.
Municipal Lot #4 (Iwamidaira) 【Camper Van Friendly】
Municipal Parking Lot #4 (Iwamidaira) along Route 158, suitable for camper vans. Highlights: Located opposite "Glenpark Sawando". The only city lot accepting standard camper vans.
Bus Stop: Sawando Iwamidaira
Capacity: 140 Cars
Payment: Credit Card / QR / E-Money / ¥1,000 Cash
Taxi Zone: Upper Zone (¥5,400 to Kamikochi)
Best For: Camper vans, souvenir shopping at Glenpark, or taking a taxi.
Municipal Lot #1 (Ippukudaira) 【Overflow Lot】
Municipal Parking Lot #1 (Ippukudaira), primarily used during peak season. Highlights: Used mainly during peak holiday periods when other lots fill up.
Capacity: 104 Cars
Taxi Zone: Lower Zone (¥6,000 to Kamikochi)
～ Private Parking Lots ～
Sawando Ohashi Parking 【Reservable & Covered】
Sawando Ohashi Parking, offering reservable and covered parking options. Highlights: The first parking lot you reach when driving from Matsumoto. Offers reservable covered spots and discounts for the adjacent Azusa Kohan-no-Yu day-use hot spring.
Payment: Cash, Credit Cards, QR / E-Money
Vehicles: Cars, Motorcycles, Camper Vans
Taxi Zone: Lower Zone (¥6,000 to Kamikochi)
Tomoshibi Parking 【Rider & Motorcycle Friendly】
Tomoshibi Parking, friendly private lot with covered motorcycle parking. Highlights: A friendly, family-run lot right in front of our inn (Siorie). Features covered motorcycle parking.
Vehicles: Cars, Motorcycles, Camper Vans
Taxi Zone: Lower Zone (¥6,000 to Kamikochi)
Cha-arashi Parking 【Innermost & Cheapest Transit】
Cha-arashi Parking, the innermost lot closest to Kamikochi with discounted bus fares. Highlights: Located at the farthest point towards Kamikochi. Shuttle buses from here cost ¥1,500 (¥100 cheaper), and taxis use the cheaper Upper Zone rate.
Vehicles: Cars, Motorcycles, Camper Vans
Taxi Zone: Upper Zone (¥5,400 to Kamikochi)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can I pay for parking with Credit Cards, Apple Pay, or PayPay?
A. Yes! Automated machines at Municipal Lots #1–#4 and Sawando Ohashi Parking accept major credit cards, QR payments (PayPay, etc.), and IC/E-Money. If paying cash at municipal machines, please bring ¥1,000 bills or coins (¥5,000 and ¥10,000 bills are not accepted).
Q. Can I bring my dog or pet in a carrier on the bus or taxi?
A. No. Pets are strictly prohibited on all shuttle buses and taxis heading to Kamikochi, even inside pet crates or carriers, to protect the delicate ecosystem of Chubu-Sangaku National Park.
Q. What happens if I lose my municipal parking ticket?
A. If you lose your ticket, the payment machine will charge a flat lost-ticket fee of ¥4,000. Please keep your ticket safe.
Q. Can 5 people ride together in 1 taxi?
A. Yes! Many 5-passenger taxi vehicles operate in Sawando now. Small groups of 5 can travel together in a single vehicle.
🏨 Stay at Keiryuso Siorie?Guests staying at our Japanese inn, Keiryuso Siorie, can leave their vehicle in our private parking lot free of charge before check-in or after check-out!
Summary ＆ Contact Information
Including private lots and temporary overflow areas (such as private residential yards opened during peak season), Sawando offers up to 1,700 parking spaces. However, during peak autumn foliage and summer hiking seasons, parking lots can still fill up completely. Planning your travel dates and arriving early is highly recommended.
After returning from your hike, don't forget to relax and refresh at Azusa Kohan-no-Yu, a scenic day-use hot spring near Sawando Ohashi!
📞 Useful Contacts & Links
Municipal Parking Management (Piers Sawando): +81-263-93-2556
Live Parking Congestion Status: Piers Sawando Official Site
Sawando Taxi Dispatch Center: +81-263-93-3336
ALPICO Bus (Kamikochi Office): +81-263-95-2103
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