Escape the neon lights of Tokyo and step straight into the Edo period. This immersive 2-day bus tour takes you from Shinjuku deep into the scenic valleys of Nagano and Gifu Prefectures. Walk the historic Nakasendo trail through the beautifully preserved post towns of Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku. Unwind at Hirugami Onsen, a hidden hot spring haven celebrated for its dense, nutrient-rich waters that leave your skin feeling completely rejuvenated. Complete with iconic local gastronomy and visits to ancient spiritual power spots, this is the ultimate traditional Japanese countryside experience.
Options
Japanese-Western Style Room (Beds & Tatami Area) or Japanese Style Room (Futon on Tatami) (For 2 people / Price per person)
Japanese-Western Style Room (Beds & Tatami Area) or Japanese Style Room (Futon on Tatami) (For 3 people / Price per person)
Japanese-Western Style Room (Beds & Tatami Area) or Japanese Style Room (Futon on Tatami) (For 4 or 5 people / Price per person)
The Highlight
- Walk the Historic Nakasendo Trail: Stroll through Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku, two iconic post towns that look exactly as they did centuries ago.
- Rejuvenate in "Beauty Serum" Waters: Enjoy an overnight stay at Hirugami Onsen, boasting rare, velvety waters rumored to shave three years off your skin’s age!
- Taste Famous Local Gastronomy: Savor the legendary Toge no Kamameshi (traditional clay-pot rice) for lunch on Day 1, and indulge in a seasonal Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.
- Visit Japan’s Ultimate Power Spot: Explore Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya, one of the oldest and most spiritually significant Shinto shrines in the country.
- Panoramic Gorge Views & Local Shopping: Take a scenic stroll at Tenryu Gorge (Sorasanpo) and hunt for artisanal jams and local treats at a regional roadside market.
The Experience
Day 1: Journey to the Spiritual Highlands & Luxury Onsen Stay
Your historical escape begins at the bustling urban center of Shinjuku, where you will gather to board a comfortable, modern tour bus at 9:20 AM (please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to departure).
Note for specific high-season dates: On select departures—specifically June 6, 13, 20, 21; September 27; October 24; and November 14, 15, 21—the bus will depart 20 minutes earlier at 9:00 AM to optimize travel times.
Leaving the Tokyo skyline behind, the bus takes the scenic mountain highway into Central Japan. Your first major destination is the legendary Oginoya Suwa branch for a deeply satisfying lunch stop. For about 50 minutes, you will indulge in their signature Toge no Kamameshi—Japan’s most famous station lunch box, featuring beautifully seasoned rice, local meats, and vegetables cooked and served in an authentic ceramic clay pot, paired perfectly with a side of hot mountain vegetable soba noodles.
After lunch, you will visit the ancient grounds of Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya, recognized as the grand head shrine of all Suwa shrines and one of the oldest Shinto sites in the entire country. Flanked by the soaring peaks of the Japanese Alps, this stunning shrine is widely celebrated as a massive natural "power spot" that radiates spiritual energy. You will have roughly 50 minutes to walk beneath its towering trees, admire the historic wooden architecture, and independently soak in a peaceful atmosphere known for bringing good fortune, success, and prosperity.
As the sun begins to set, the tour arrives at the tranquil valley of Hirugami Onsen, where you will check into Yumoto Hotel Achigawa. This hidden hot spring village is famous across Japan for its ultra-smooth, highly alkaline waters, which are so incredibly nourishing that locals claim a single soak can leave your skin looking three years younger! Take your time exploring the hotel’s spectacular outdoor rock pools and atmospheric cave baths. Your first day concludes with a grand culinary experience: a traditional multi-course Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner showcasing the absolute best seasonal and regional ingredients from the Shinshu area.
Day 2: Step Back in Time on the Samurai Trail & Local Flavors
Start your second morning feeling completely refreshed with a hearty, traditional Japanese set breakfast served right at the hotel. There is absolutely no need to rush, as the tour features a delightfully slow 10:00 AM departure, giving you ample time to sleep in or sneak in one final, therapeutic morning soak in the hot springs. Once checked out, the bus journeys into the majestic Kiso Valley to explore the legendary Nakasendo highway—the historic mountain route that once connected Kyoto to Edo (modern-day Tokyo).
Your first stop is Tsumago-juku, a beautifully preserved post town that serves as a living museum. You will have 50 minutes to wander through streets that look exactly as they did centuries ago; Tsumago was the first town in Japan to aggressively ban modern cars and unsightly power lines, perfectly safeguarding its architectural heritage.
Next, a short, scenic drive brings you to the neighboring mountain post town of Magome-juku, famously known as the birthplace of the prominent Japanese literary figure, Shimazaki Toson. Magome is entirely unique for its steep, stone-paved hill path, which is lined on both sides with meticulously kept wooden facades, rustic waterwheels, and vibrant flora. You will enjoy a generous 120 minutes of free time here to conquer the picturesque slope at your own pace, photograph the incredible vistas, browse artisan craft shops, and sit down for a local lunch of your choosing.
Before making the trip back to Tokyo, the bus pulls up for a final 30-minute stop at the bustling Roadside Station Minami-Shinshu Toyooka Marche. This premium marketplace acts as the region's culinary center, showcasing ultra-fresh produce brought in daily by local farmers. It is a fantastic opportunity to hunt for unique, edible souvenirs, particularly the highly sought-after "Kaa-chan No Tezukuri" (Mother's Handmade) series, which features exceptional regional fruit jams, authentic pickles, and rich fruit juices. Finally, the bus rejoins the highway, bringing you smoothly back to Shinjuku Station by approximately 8:00 PM.
Note for early-departure dates: For the special dates mentioned on Day 1 that depart Shinjuku at 9:00 AM, the return time on Day 2 will similarly be shifted 20 minutes earlier, arriving back in Shinjuku at approximately 7:00 PM.
Hotel Information
Yumoto Hotel Achikawa Address: 503-115 Chisato, Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Tel: +81-265-43-2800 Official Website: http://www.hotel-achigawa.jp/
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Information about the operating company
Name: H.I.S. Co.,Ltd.
Department Name: Inbound Travel Division DMC Department Kanto Team
Address: 11F, Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Central Park Building, 6-13-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
Registration number: No.724 by Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency
Information about the tour Place of departure and destination: from TOKYO to NAGANO & GIFU Number of days of travel: 2 Days Means of transportation: Chartered bus Name of bus company: Chūō Kōtsū or similar Meals: Lunch x1, Dinner x1, Breakfast x1 Minimum number of passengers to operate: 25 People Number of GUIDE(s)：1
Contact Information Address: 11F, Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Central Park Building, 6-13-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan Tel: +81- 80-9410-9390 Opening hour : 10:00~18:00 (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
Tour Operations Manager: Nagamine Kenji
- The Tour Operations Manager is responsible for transactions related to your travel at the sales office handling your travel arrangements. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the explanations provided by the staff about this travel contract, please do not hesitate to contact the above-mentioned Tour Operations Manager.
Please read and understand the Terms and conditions below. Travel Terms and Conditions:Domestic Package Tours Travel Agency Terms and Conditions:Section of Package Tour Contract
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Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- Japanese
Itinerary
- Include: Lunch, Dinner
- 09:05Meeting time in Shinjuku, in front of the Cocoon Tower (08:45 AM for select peak dates).
- 09:20Departure from Shinjuku via highway (09:00 AM for select peak dates)
- 12:00Lunch at Oginoya Suwa (Famous "Toge no Kamameshi" clay-pot rice & mountain vegetable soba, ~50 mins).
- 13:05Independent exploration of Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya Shrine (~50 mins).
- 15:30Arrival and check-in at Hirugami Onsen (Yumoto Hotel Achigawa).
- Evening: Traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner and free time for hot spring baths.
- Include: Breakfast
- 08:00Traditional Japanese set breakfast at the hotel.
- 10:00Relaxed checkout and departure towards Kiso Valley.
- 10:40Stroll through the historic preservation streets of Tsumago-juku (~50 mins).
- 12:00Explore Magome-juku (Stone-paved hillside post town & free time for lunch, ~120 mins).
- 02:45Souvenir shopping at Toyooka Marche roadside market (~30 mins). Kaa-chan handmade jams are very popular among other products!
- 15:15Return journey to Tokyo via highway.
- 20:00Arrival back at Shinjuku Station area (west side) (07:00 PM for select peak dates).
Price Details
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
- This tour is primarily intended for Japanese participants, but a limited number of places are available for foreign visitors, who will have an assistant available throughout the tour.
- Maximum Group Size: this tour can accommodate up to 6 non Japanese passengers per day. For larger groups, please contact our customer support directly.
- Child Pricing Eligibility: Discounted rates for children (ages 6–11) and toddlers (ages 3–5) are only applicable when the room is shared with at least 2 adults.
- Age Restrictions: Children aged 2 and under are not permitted to participate in this tour.
- Adult-to-Infant Ratio: For safety reasons, the number of toddlers/infants (ages 3–5) in a single booking cannot exceed the total number of adults in the same group.
- Minor Policy (Under 18): Participants under 18 traveling alone, with peers, or with an adult who is not their legal guardian must submit a signed Parental Consent Form after booking. Failure to present this form may result in the cancellation of your boarding privileges.
Important Booking Information
Bus & Seating Arrangements
- Punctuality & Early Departures: The standard bus departure time from Shinjuku is 09:20 AM , with a required check-in 15 minutes prior. However, for departures on June 6, 13, 20, 21; September 27; October 24; and November 14, 15, 21, the bus departs 20 minutes earlier at 09:00 AM.
- Seat Sharing: Solo travelers and odd-numbered groups may be required to share double seats with other passengers on the bus.
- Pair Seating: Guests booking together as a pair (2 travelers) will automatically be assigned adjacent seats next to each other.
Hotel & Room Conditions
- Room Assignment: Specific room types (Standard Japanese-style or Japanese-Western style) cannot be selected in advance and are assigned randomly on the day of arrival.
- Bathroom Facilities: All rooms are equipped with a private toilet but do not feature an attached shower or bathtub. Guests must use the hotel’s large communal hot spring baths.
- Facility Restrictions: The hotel's unique cave bath or sauna facilities may close unexpectedly without prior notice due to daily operational conditions.
- Smoking Policy: All hotel rooms on this tour are originally designated as smoking rooms. However, a thorough chemical deodorization process will be meticulously performed on your room prior to your check-in.
Meals
- Child Meals (Ages 6–11): Children will be served a traditional meal similar to the adult menu.
- Toddler Meals (Ages 3–5): Toddlers will be served a specialized children's menu.
Co-Sharing Tour Etiquette (Local Standards) Because this is a co-sharing bus tour enjoyed by both international travelers and local Japanese guests, we kindly ask all participants to respect local cultural standards to ensure a harmonious journey:
- Voice Volume & Phone Use: Please keep conversation volumes low and respectful while inside the bus. Voice calls on mobile phones are strictly prohibited during the drive (please set devices to silent mode).
- Audio Devices: Always use headphones or earphones when listening to music, watching videos, or playing games on personal devices, keeping the volume at a level that does not leak to neighboring seats.
- Strict Punctuality: Japan's tour schedules operate down to the exact minute. Please return to the bus by the precise meeting times announced by your assistant (announced time = departure time) at each sightseeing stop. The bus will depart on time to avoid penalizing the rest of the group.
- Onsen (Hot Spring) Manners: Before entering the communal hot spring baths, you must wash and rinse your body thoroughly at the provided sitting shower stations. Swimsuits are strictly prohibited in the hot springs—guests enter completely unclothed (men and women are separated). Additionally, large visible tattoos may not be permitted in public bathing areas; if you have small tattoos, please cover them with flesh-colored, waterproof stickers before entering the baths (please purchase them before the tour starts).
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation made at least 21 day(s) before departure date, Fully refundable (100% refund)
- Cancel during 8 ~ 20 day(s) of departure, will charge 20%
- Cancel during 2 ~ 7 day(s) of departure, will charge 30%
- Cancel on 1 day(s) before departure, will charge 40%
- Cancel on activities date, Non-refundable (0% refund)
