2024 Chino Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)

Taking the Cable Car at Kirigamine Highland

Originally, we planned to take a trip on Japan's most beautiful road, the Venus Line. We discovered that this high mountain road passes through many highlands, including Yachiho Highland, Shirakaba Pond Tateshina Highland, Kirigamine Highland, and Kurumayama Highland. After leaving Shirakaba Pond, we planned to head to Kirigamine Highland. In the summer, you can take a cable car to the top of the mountain to enjoy the scenery or hike down. The views are truly stunning. In winter, this place is a skiing paradise, so the cable car we took is actually the same one used for skiing in winter. It was a really special experience. Before taking the cable car, the sky was clear with beautiful blue skies and white clouds, offering an amazing view! We even switched cable cars midway. By the time we reached the top, it started to get foggy, sometimes clear and sometimes foggy! And it gets really cold at the top with the fog and wind. At the summit of Kirigamine, there is a huge round ball, which is a weather station, as well as the Kurumayama Shrine, and an excellent observation deck with great views. Taking the Cable Car at Kirigamine Highland Kitayama, Chino, Nagano 391-0301 Japan

#Shirakaba Lake

A bit too commercialized but still beautiful. We visited in Fall and saw the maples with different shades of colors. There's many stores and restaurants nearby and a Teddy Bear museum too. Beautiful lake with about 4km circumference. A lot of recreational activities around- amusement park, canoe, swan boat, kayak, freshwater fishing and good running lane. For 1500-2000 yen you can catch rainbow trout, bass,and wakasagi(depending on the season). Shirakaba craft beers are available at the Lawson convenience store.

#Old Temple

It is an extremely beautiful place. The momiji leaves are the most beautiful I have ever seen. It was well worth it to come here. I recommend it if you are looking for a stunning autumn leaves location. We visited this temple in November and it was nice timing to enjoy Autumn leaves. Actually the prime time for Autumn leaves in this temple was November but as you can imagine, prime time means too many people. The color of the leaves are changing and aging day by day but a few days before or after the peak, I would say, is the best timing to enjoy Autumn leaves without crowd.

#Momiji♥️

If your looking for an autumn 🍂 viewing then this temple is one of the best. Although it’s small area but if you want to see this kind of momiji (Japanese maple plant) in stanning red color. A temple in Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, which has a history of more than 50 years and has beautiful autumn leaves. There are 10 main parking lots and other temporary parking lots. During the fall foliage season, the contrast between the green of the 300-year-old cedar trees on the approach to the shrine and the bright red of the maple trees makes for a very popular photo opportunity. The best time to see the autumn leaves is from late October to mid-November. If you check Googlemap, there are people who have uploaded photos, so it would be nice to see the photos and decide to visit.

Fall things in Nagano

1st stop at Choen-ji Temple. A little temple erected in a rural village at the foot of the Yatsugatake. Choen-ji turns into a piece of art in early November. A dazzling autumn foliage corridor ushered us to the main hall, a golden path of Ginko leaves below our feet and the sky ablaze with red Momiji above our heads. 2nd stop. We had our lunch at Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira FamilyLand. An amusement park in the highlands. Ikenotaira Familyland features many fun attractions, a large hot spring facility, a museum, and an enviable natural environment. We barely had time so we didn't try all the rides 🥺 We went to see the Peter Rabbit by cable car. Last stop. Mishakaike Pond is a scenic spot in Nagano Prefecture which is known for reflecting the seasonal natural scenery like a mirror. Depending on the time of the day it is said to look completely different. It is located deep inside the mountains of Nagano. #celebratewithtrip

The blood-red maple leaves at Choenji Temple in Nagano, Japan are stunning.

Photo taken on November 9, 2024 Location: Choenji Temple, Nagano, Japan Transportation: JR Chino Station, then a 15-minute taxi ride for JPY 2,800 There is a song called "Why Are the Flowers So Red?" Today, I want to sing, "Why Are the Leaves So Red?" Choenji Temple (清龍山 長圓寺) is located in Chino, Nagano. It is a 15-minute taxi ride from Chino Station, costing JPY 1,300. There are no buses. On the way back, the driver was unwilling to pick us up, so we had to call a taxi ourselves. It was very inconvenient, so we walked 5.3 km back to the JR station. Such a remote location, costing time, money, and energy. A small temple that takes 5 minutes to walk around, really, 5 minutes. But I had to come here. Because, during the maple season, the maple leaves here turn blood red. I have seen blood-red maple leaves in Kyoto and Nara, but not many. Here, several maple trees blend with towering cedar trees, and there is a ginkgo tree over 20 meters tall in the temple. This year, the maple leaves were late. Yesterday, the temple's website said that the leaves would turn blood red in the next few days. I knew we were a day early because, based on last year's daily photos, the leaves were only 70% red today. Sure enough, more than half of the maple leaves were still red-black, but two trees were completely red. This amazed my companions. I spent an hour taking photos of a tree, just me, never getting enough. I didn't capture the most classic scene, but I was still moved by what I saw.

[Tokyo Area] Come to Nagano to See the Maple Leaves!

: When it comes to viewing maple leaves in Japan, Kyoto is the first place that comes to mind. Indeed, Kyoto has countless places to view maple leaves, but today we will take you to a lesser-known but beautiful place in Nagano Prefecture. ⛺: Choenji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple, officially known as Seiryu-zan Choenji Temple. The temple was built in 1649 and belongs to the Shingon sect, one of the Buddhist sects. The main buildings of the temple include the main hall, the bell tower, and the sutra library. Among them, the main hall is the most important building, enshrining the main deity of the temple. These buildings have been damaged by many historical changes but have been restored. 🛬: Many stone-carved Jizo statues stand outside Choenji Temple, creating a unique and impressive landscape. These small Jizo statues are distributed in the temple courtyard and its surroundings, with different expressions and styles due to their different construction periods. In mid-to-late November, the red of the ice maple and the yellow of the sugar maple intertwine, forming a natural wonder of this ancient temple. If you have never seen the ice maple of Choenji Temple, it is hard to imagine that maple leaves can be so red. They are dazzling and eye-catching, but not thick, like gems, clear and pleasing to the eye, giving people a cool feeling. This maple tree is called the Greenland ice maple, which presents a particularly quiet and harmonious beauty against the backdrop of the temple's traditional architecture and the bright yellow sugar maple. This is not only a visual enjoyment but also an understanding of the beauty of nature. 🧡[Transportation Tips]: Choenji Temple is located in Anayama, Tamagawa, Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan. From Tokyo, take the JR Chuo Line express train to Chino City. This train departs from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station and goes directly to Chino Station. The journey takes about 2 hours. After arriving at Chino Station, you can transfer to a local bus to Choenji Temple. The bus stop is located near the exit of Chino Station and is easy to find. The bus ride takes about 30 minutes. However, please note that there is only one bus per day, so it is especially recommended to take a taxi at the station entrance. The journey is about 6 km. Be sure to keep the driver's business card and call to book a taxi when you leave, otherwise, walking back to the station will be a very difficult journey. Before you go, remember to check the time and return schedule, and plan your trip in advance to ensure a smooth trip!

A highland resort for outdoor lovers

#japantrip A highland resort for outdoor lovers Lake Shirakaba is a mountain resort located at the base of Mt. Yashigamine, at 1500m above sea level. At its center is the lake which gives its name to the area, a 4km-long pool of water surrounded by birch trees. Lake Shirakaba is a great spot to enjoy outdoor activities. A well-maintained jogging road runs along the length of the lake, there are bikes for rent to explore the grounds and you can find a canoe school and horse-riding facility.

Nagano: Established in the Taisho Era, Tateshina Oyuyu Onsen.

The retro yet clean interior raises your spirits. A lounge with 30,000 books where you can sit on an antique sofa and spend time reading in front of the fireplace. At night, an open-air bath with the sound of a mountain stream. Every aspect made for a healing stay. It was very cold on the way to the open-air bath when I stayed in November! It took some courage. But the autumn leaves and scenery were also wonderful. 📍 4035 Kitayama, Chino City, Nagano Prefecture 391-0301 IN 14:00～18:00 OUT 10:00 Number of rooms: 52 Free shuttle service available Departure times from Chino Station East Exit (10:10, 14:40) Departure times from Tateshina Oyuyu Onsen (9:30, 14:00)

Beautiful Kurumayama

#freehotelstay #Kurumayama #Japan #japantravel #Mountain Explore the scenic beauty of Kurumayama in Japan with our captivating tour. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of its lush landscapes and majestic mountains. Wander through vibrant flower fields, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and indulge in delicious local cuisine. Experience Japan’s natural wonders like never before.

Shintou Hotel | Double enjoyment of snow scenery and private bath

| Double enjoyment of snow scenery and private bath.🙋Hotel Guide: 🍃 Unique charm of the hot spring inn The hotel's hot spring inn has a strong Taisho era style, as if time is flowing backwards🕰️. The wonderful time enjoyed in the rock bath is unforgettable. The catering has reached a satisfactory standard in both visual and taste, especially the creative dishes, such as Russian soup made from beetroot and carp tea rice, which are delicious beyond imagination🍲. 🍃 Spacious rooms and natural comfort The rooms are spacious and comfortable, you can hear the sound of the nearby flowing river, and feel the soothing power of nature🌿. The meals are ingenious, delicious, especially some special dishes, which make the dining experience more unforgettable. The only small regret is that the distance from the room to the bathhouse is a bit far, and it takes some time to move🚶‍♀️. 🍃 Warm service and careful maintenance Even for the first time, you will be moved by the enthusiastic service of the staff and the careful maintenance of the old building🙏. Whether it's catering or hot springs, it's satisfying and worth revisiting. 🍃 Charming lobby and restaurant Books can be seen everywhere in the lobby, comfortable sofas and chairs, making people want to immerse in reading📚. Exquisite food makes every meal a pleasure, looking forward to experiencing the beautiful scenery here in different seasons🍁❄️. 🍃 Magnificent nature and open-air bath The quiet hotel located in the mountain villa area, its open-air bath faces the mountain view, open and comfortable🏞️. The food is creative and new, and the family-style private restaurant makes dining more comfortable. The only small regret is that the space of the private hot spring is a bit cramped, and it would be better if it could be more open. 🍃 Overall satisfaction and expectation of revisiting The smiles and quality service of the staff make the whole journey more warm. Although the hotel has a long history, it is well maintained. The food is diverse and uses local ingredients, and every meal becomes a new discovery. Looking forward to visiting this hot spring hotel again🌟. ------------------- Hotel Name: Founded in the 15th year of Taisho Tateshina Chikuyu Hot Spring (Tateshina Shintou Hot Spring)

so amazing Joy ride trip to kurumayama mountain resort. Getting There - kurumayama mountain Attractions - amazing and refreshing view Hotels - clean and goog view Food & Restaurants - good food and services Shopping - it's okay

Japan's snowy mountains 🏔️ / The super popular Kitayama Peak, the snowy scenery is amazing

Early in the morning, a group of people. Chasing the sunrise while driving. Early morning misty clouds surround. Surrounded by mountains, like a fairyland. On the way to the parking lot. Clear weather. Clouds are gradually dispersing. Beiheng Peak Truly a tourist attraction. So beautiful it takes your breath away. Besides being moved, there is nothing else left but being moved. On the morning after a heavy snowfall, you must come here to witness the stunning beauty of the frost-covered scenery. The only regret this time is that we came a week too late and much of the snow on the trees had already melted. Nevertheless, the beauty still moved me deeply. Mount Beihengyue is a sightseeing snow mountain. As it is located above a ski resort, it only takes about two hours round trip to reach the mountaintop by cable car. The snow scenery along the forest road is breathtaking, but it is recommended to come only in good weather. After leaving the forest road, the wind is strong, so be sure to wear warm and windproof clothes and gloves in advance. Cable car ticket: round trip 2100, cable car opens from 9:00 in the morning to 16:30 in the afternoon, the cable car is a large box-type cable car that can carry many people at once, don't worry about queuing for a long time. Parking lot: free 🆓