Itinerary 1 itinerary
Day 1
Meet at meeting point: Enza Cafe & Ramen Enza 1421-1 Yamanouchi-machi, Takano-gun, Nagano, Hirao Kamibayashi 381-0401 Please wait at the outdoor seats adjacent to the cafe's takeaway counter at 1:50 PM. Since this is the last pickup stop, our arrival may be slightly delayed depending on traffic conditions.Meet at meeting point: Iiyama Station The bus will arrive at the designated vehicle loading/unloading area in front of the Tourist Information Center. Please ensure you are at the exact location on time; the bus cannot wait for passengers who are inside the station or elsewhere. Missed departures are strictly non-refundable.
Meet at meeting point: Please look for our bus among the buses parked in the North-side parallel parking area. Our guide will be right in front of the bus. Please ensure you are boarded at least 10 minutes before departure. The bus will depart promptly at the scheduled time. Missed departures are strictly non-refundable.
Attractions and Activities: Jigokudani Monkey Park (Ticket included) (13:50~14:40) The journey to the park involves a scenic 2km walk along an unpaved forest trail, surrounded by majestic cedar trees, offering a true immersion into Japan's pristine nature. The park itself is relatively compact; one hour is usually more than enough to see everything. However, please remember these are wild animals. You may encounter monkeys on the trail before even reaching the park entrance. We strongly recommend heading straight into the park first to see the main hot spring area. If you spend too much time with monkeys outside the gates, your time inside may be cut short. For a unique experience, look across the river from the park to the historic inn. In winter, you can often see monkeys and overnight guests sharing the outdoor bath! This facility also offers day-trip bathing for ¥1,500. If your timing is perfect, you might even find yourself soaking in the hot spring alongside a curious snow monkey. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! 1 hr(s)50 min(s)
Attractions and Activities: Sake Storehouse Art Museum - Gallery Tamamura Honten (Free entry) [CLOSED on Sundays & New Year's Holiday] (15:45~16:00) Established in 1805, this historic brewery boasts a legacy spanning over 220 years. Tamamura Honten produces both the award-winning traditional sake "Engi" and the pioneer of Japan's craft beer scene, "Shiga Kogen Beer." Part of the magnificent 150-year-old wooden structure has been beautifully preserved and transformed into an art gallery. Here, you can immerse yourself in the owner's curated art collection while enjoying tastings and shopping. Experience more than just a brewery, discover a true sanctuary of Japanese culture. 15 min(s)
Attractions and Activities: Shibu Onsen (Free entry) [STORES are CLOSED on WEDNESDAYS] (16:00~16:40) With 1,350 years of history, Shibu Onsen is one of Nagano's oldest hot spring towns. Traditional wooden ryokans and stone-paved streets create a nostalgic atmosphere, with retro game parlors, shrines, and temples. Keep an eye out—local wild monkeys also live here, scurrying across the rooftops! The town is famous for its nine communal onsens (Soto-yu). It is a local tradition to collect stamps from all nine onsens on a special "Tenugui" towel; completing the set is said to grant a wish. While these onsens are locked for overnight guests, visitors can experience the main onsen, O-yu, by purchasing a ticket for ¥800. Shibu Onsen's charm lies in its maze-like back alleys. On our tour, an expert guide will lead you through these secret paths, following the ultimate route designed to showcase the very best of Shibu Onsen's historic charm without getting lost. 40 min(s)
Attractions and Activities: Kokugonji (Free entry) [Mid-April ~ November ONLY] (17:00~17:10) Kokugon-ji is a temple in the countryside of Nakano, originally built in the year 825. The temple is home to a well now recognised as one of Shinshu's famous waters. It is considered to be enmeisui, or water capable of extending your life! Despite the quiet and little-known location, the temple is surrounded by over 1000 cherry blossom trees, making it a stunning location during the spring. Located between Shibu Onsen and Iiyama Station. (Not applicable for guests dropping off at Shibu Onsen.) 15 min(s)
Guests leave on their own: End the tour on your own and bring your trip to a happy conclusion For those not returning to Iiyama or Nozawa Onsen, Shibu Onsen will be the final drop-off point of the tour. While the scheduled arrival is 16:40, delays of 30+ minutes may occur in winter due to road conditions or group delays.
Guests leave on their own: End the tour on your own and bring your trip to a happy conclusion While the scheduled arrival is 17:30, delays of 30+ minutes often occur in winter due to road conditions or group delays. As arrival times are not guaranteed, please avoid making tight Shinkansen or dinner bookings.
Guests leave on their own: Iiyama StationEnd the tour on your own and bring your trip to a happy conclusion While the scheduled arrival is 17:10, delays of 30+ minutes often occur in winter due to road conditions or group delays. As arrival times are not guaranteed, please avoid making tight Shinkansen or dinner bookings.
*Itinerary times are in the local time of the place of visit and may be subject to changes due to weather conditions, road conditions, and other factors. We appreciate your understanding.