5 Day Itinerary: Active Summer
Highlights
Day 1 - Togakushi Shrine, Lake Nojiri
Day 2 - Hike Mt Myoko, Tsubame Outdoor Onsen, Naena Falls
Day 3 - Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel, Bungy Jump, Kusatsu Onsen
Day 4 - Hike Mt Asama, Karuizawa
Day 5 - Shakuson-ji Temple, Unno-juku Post Town, Bonsai Cafe
This itinerary is aimed at people looking for an active trip in Japan.
Starting/finishing at Nagano Station.
Car required.
Day 1
Pick up a rental car from Nagano station (5% discount on Klook) and it’s about a 45-minute drive to Togakushi Shrine.
Togakushi Shrine
Togakushi Shrine, located in Togakushi, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, is a Shinto shrine situated at the base of Mount Togakushi within Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park. The shrine consists of five separate areas known as the lower, middle, and upper shrine areas (Togakushi Hōkō-sha, Hino-miko-sha, Togakushi Chū-sha, Togakushi Oku-sha, and Kuzuryu-sha), with each area approximately 2 km apart.
The path leading to the upper shrine is adorned with more than 300 Cryptomeria trees, some of which are believed to be as old as 900 years. The term "Kuzuryu" refers to a nine-headed dragon, symbolizing its ability to summon rainfall, which results in Togakushi village being blessed with abundant mountain spring water.
I would suggest an hour for the shrine visit and you could also tack on the Togakushi Ninja Museum close by.
Lake Nojiri
Drive on towards Lake Nojiri to visit a Uga Shrine in the middle of the lake. You have the option to visit the shrine by boat, SUP, or a swan pedal boat.
The ferries from Line Plaza Dock operate hourly from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, excluding the winter season. The fare for adults is 1,100 yen, while children under 15 can travel for 550 yen.
Stay in Lake Nojiri / Myoko Kogen area. Feel free to use my 5% hotel discount code on Klook. You also might want to check out the Guest House Lamp, which has a good reputation for its sauna.
Naena Waterfall
One of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls and for good reason. The power in this waterfall comes from the snowmelt in one of the heaviest snowfall regions in Japan. It’s an incredible sight and just a short walk from the parking area.
Stop off at Centotto Ice Creamery on the way through!
(The total drive time today is around 2-2.5 hours)
Day 2
Wake up nice and early! We’re going hiking :)
Mount Myoko and Tsubame Outdoor Onsen
Mount Myoko has to be one of the most beautiful mountains in Japan and it’s listed as one of Japan’s top 100 mountains. It’s a 10.5 km (6.5 m) trail starting at 1,100 m elevation and reaching the 2,454 m summit. That’s a 1300 m elevation gain and the same on the descent. The suggested active time is around 6-7 hours on average and will take more or less depending on your pace. Check out my Mount Myoko Instagram post for a preview.
The trail starts and finishes at Tsubame outdoor onsen and this hot spring is just beautiful. It’s FREE but there is a donation box at the entrance if you’re feeling generous. The women’s bath is on the right and the men’s is on the left.
Stay another night in Myoko Kogen. If you like coffee (I do!!) my favorite is from Lime Resort Hotel. There’s also a nice place to hang out at night called Sessions by the Pond where they usually set up an outdoor firepit at night. Great views of Mount Myoko! There’s a wonderful tourist information center a short walk away too!
Stay anywhere in the area! Most places are great but if you want something special try out Akakura Kanko Hotel up the mountain or Lime is also great.
(The total drive time is minimal - just the side trips)
Day 3
Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel
Less than a few hours’ drive away is the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel - super Instagrammable tunnels inside a dramatic gorge with massive stone cliffs, forming one of Japan's Three Great Gorges. Renovated in 2018, it now features a two-story building with a café on the first floor and a foot bath on the second floor near the tunnel entrance.
The entry fee is 1000 yen and the official website is found here. You will probably need just an hour at the gorge before moving on but don’t forget to check out free onsen footbath at the top of the cafe.
Jump back in the car, and get ready to jump off a bridge just an hour away.
Bungy Japan Sarugakyo Bungy
Sarugakyo boasts Bungy Japan's third tallest bridge, standing at an impressive height of 62 meters above the Tone River. This remarkable location offers visitors the chance to step onto the Akatani Suikan Bridge, specially designed to carry water over the valley and enjoy a stunning view of the majestic Tone River below from a specially designed platform.
The cost is just 14,000 yen and includes GoPro footage of your jump! The location can be found here.
From here it’s another 1 hour and 20 minutes for a special evening in an onsen town where you can stay the night.
Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉) is one of Japan's most popular hot spring resorts, famous for its abundant, high-quality hot spring water that supposedly cures everything except a broken heart.
This place has been a hot spring hotspot for centuries, but it gained even more popularity when Dr. Erwin von Baelz, a German doctor who worked for the imperial court in the late 1800s, raved about Kusatsu's healing waters.
Situated at a cool altitude of 1200 meters in the beautiful mountains of Gunma Prefecture, Kusatsu offers skiing in winter and fantastic hiking opportunities for the rest of the year. You can explore nature trails, and then chill out with a relaxing dip in the hot springs.
Stay in Kusatsu Onsen tonight. There are so many great hotels to choose from.
(The total drive time today is around 4.5 hours)
Day 4
Hike day! And maybe some retail therapy…
Mount Asama
Mt. Asama (浅間山) is a majestic volcano situated at the border of Nagano Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture, reaching an impressive altitude of 2,568 meters. The Japan Meteorological Agency designates it as an active volcano, resulting in regulated access to the summit area.
When the volcanic activity level is low, adventurous souls can embark on a thrilling climb up Mt. Maekake - the mountain summit that looks across to Mt Asama. Two trailheads serve as starting points for this exhilarating journey: "Asama Tozan-guchi" and "Takamine Kogen Hotel." I recommend parking at the information center and taking the trail across the ridgeline. This is the best route for views along the way.
I have a detailed description of the trail here.
After the hike head over to Karuizawa for a completely different feel to Japan.
Karuizawa
Situated at an altitude of approximately 1000 meters, this charming town offers a delightful retreat from the summer heat. Originally promoted as a mountain getaway by Western residents of Japan in the late 1800s, Karuizawa continues to attract affluent urbanites who own second homes there. The advent of the Hokuriku Shinkansen has made Karuizawa easily accessible, with a travel time of just over an hour from central Tokyo.
The town of Karuizawa presents a wide range of outdoor activities to be enjoyed throughout the seasons. In the summer, visitors can engage in tennis, hiking, cycling, and golfing, while winter offers the delights of skiing and ice skating. Additionally, Karuizawa boasts excellent outlet shopping opportunities for those seeking retail therapy. As part of Japan's Romantic Road, Karuizawa also offers stunning autumn foliage, typically reaching its peak from mid-October to early November each year.
Stay in Karuizawa tonight and make the most of some of the best high-class restaurants in Japan.
(The total drive time today is around 2 hours)
Day 5
Shakuson-ji Temple
Just 30 minutes from Karuizawa is this rare mountain-side temple built right into the rock face. Shakuson-ji is over 1000 years old and really flies under the radar for temples in Japan. You can park here and it’s just a 15-20 minute walk up to the FREE temple. Grab a bamboo stick for the walk up to feel like you’re on a pilgramage :)
You’ll DEFINITELY want to stop at the Bonsai cafe that I covered in my Instagram post. A very unique experience in Japan where you are given a bonsai with your siphon tea.
And! If you’re a coffee lover, I would highly recommend & espresso cafe - great coffee in a traditional Japanese building.
Unno-juku Post Town
Not too far away in Tomi is Unno-juku (海野宿跡) which is an old traditional post town of Hokkoku Kaido. It’s a really beautiful walk along the old street with some artesian stores and museums.
From here, you can start to drive back to Nagano Station.
(The total drive time today is around 2 hours)
Let me know what you think about this itinerary! There are plenty of side trips to take along the way if you want to add more :)
Happy travels!
Matt
