Japan Alps Winter 6 Days: Nagano and Gifu

長野 Japan Alps Winter 6 days: Nagano and Gifu

Introduction Lying at the heart of central Japan, Shinshu and Hida Please ask for information about our tour extensions: - the traditional names for Nagano and northern Gifu spend more time in the Hida region with our Prefectures - have flourished since ancient times as a Takayama extension, visiting the UNESCO thatched- cultural crossroads between east and west Japan. The roof community of Shirakawa-go and the wonderful region is also home to the Northern Alps, a range of teahouses of Kanazawa; enjoy spectacular views of 3,000-metre high mountains often called “the roof Mount Fuji from the Hakone hot-spring area and of Japan”, and an area of great scenic beauty, offering the rural village of Oshino Mura; be charmed by the superb views, unspoiled natural landscapes and some of peaceful agricultural community of Asuka while staying Japan’s best Onsen hot springs. in a delightful small inn or with a local family for a unique homestay experience. Explore the feudal castle town of Matsumoto, then head into the Oku-Hida mountains to discover the biodiverse highlands and secluded Onsen hot springs. Continue onwards to Hida-Furukawa and Takayama. An unforgetable winter experience.

Yudanaka Onsen Snow Monkeys Choose a pre-tour 1-night extension to visit Yudanaka Onsen hot-spring village in northern Nagano. Here the famous Japanese macaque “snow monkeys” come to warm themselves in the outdoor hot-spring baths during the cold winters, enjoying the natural setting just like humans.

1 DETAILS TOUR LENGTH AND PRICES SEASON Train tickets and pre-bookable bus 6 days Recommended from January until tickets for intermediate journeys; March. Round-trip cable car tickets in Oku- Please see the website for the prices Hida; Snowshoe walking experience we offer in each currency. in the Northern Alps highlands TYPE AND LEVEL OF TRIP WHAT’S INCLUDED with a fully-trained local instructor; Local culinary experience in Hida- This trip features leisurely walking 5 nights at Japanese Onsen Furukawa, with lunch; Detailed day- and optional snowshoeing. accommodation; 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 5 dinners; Train tickets by-day itinerary and local support by from Tokyo or Nagoya to Matsumoto telephone; Our Preparing for your Trip and train tickets ending in Takayama; and Travelling in Japan Guidebooks

ITINERARY

Day 1 > Arrive in Matsumoto along the way. This evening stay at a lovely hot-spring Nestled between mountains in the heart of Japan, this Ryokan inn set in a peaceful remote mountain village feudal castle town serves as gateway to the Japan Alps within the snow-covered region, surrounded by and is home to one of Japan’s best-preserved and most the area’s beautiful natural setting and backdrop of evocative castles. Spend the night at an Onsen Ryokan majestic mountains. The Ryokan has lovely indoor and inn in the vicinity of Matsumoto. outdoor hot-spring baths. The waters here have long been revered for their theraputic healing qualities. We supply train tickets for your journey from Tokyo or from Nagoya to Matsumoto, with scenic views along Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers the way. If arriving in Matsumoto earlier in the day, take Inn) in the Japan Alps the opportunity to visit Matsumoto Castle, the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, which houses the world’s largest DAY 3 ➤ Snowshoe walking in Norikura Highlands collection of Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and Explore pristine winter landscapes with a full day of some of the back alleys and outlying areas of the town guided snowshoe walking. The gentle scenic walk takes where much of its heritage from olden times can still you through serene snow-covered forest before taking be seen. in views of impressive frozen waterfalls, frozen lakes, and grand vistas of the surrounding Alpine mountain Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers range. Transportation from your inn, snowshoes, Inn) in the vicinity of Matsumoto walking poles and lunch are provided.

No previous experience is necessary to enjoy the snowshoe walk.

Walking distance: 6-7km / 3.7- 4.3 miles Elevation gain: 98m/321 feet of ascent and 236m/774 feet of descent Time: About 7 hours in total, including lunch and rest breaks

Relax and enjoy another evening at the same Onsen Ryokan inn in the mountain village.

DAY 2 ➤ Travel into the Japan Alps Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Enjoy the morning in Matsumoto, before travelling Inn) in the Japan Alps onwards by local train and bus up into the Northern Japan Alps, viewing panoramic winter landscapes

2 DAY 4 ➤ Travel further into the Oku-Hida mountains Explore this engaging town, known for its master Travel by local bus further into the Oku-Hida woodworkers and carpenters using local timber and mountains. Enroute, take the opportunity to visit a traditional carpentry techniques which do not use local Onsen town and Onsen museum within the nails. Or discover one of the local Sake breweries and valley. The town offers visitors several different thermal walk alongside the atmospheric townhouses and bathing opportunities. From here, continue onwards Setogawa canal. to a secluded Onsen Ryokan inn with an atmospheric traditional setting deep in the Oku-Hida region for your Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers overnight stay. Inn) in Hida-Furukawa

Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers DAY 6 ➤ Hida-Furukawa and transfer to Takayama Inn) in Oku-Hida Spend the morning discovering secrets of the area’s Japanese cuisine with a culinary experience at the DAY 5 ➤ Hotaka mountain range and Hida-Furukawa home of a local resident in Hida-Furukawa. Learn Travel by morning bus to the Hotaka mountain how to prepare dishes unique to the region. Travel range. Ride a cable car a thousand metres up into the onwards by afternoon train to Takayama where the mountains to a breathtaking viewpoint looking out tour ends. If time allows, you may wish to explore over the surrounding Northern Alps. Here lies Japan’s Hida-Furukawa further before heading onwards by a third-highest peak, Mount Okuhotaka. During times later train. of heavy snow, visitors can experience walking along a ‘snow corridor’, a narrow pathway between soaring As an alternative to the culinary experience, from snow walls in a winter wonderland setting. January to early March we can instead request a morning local outdoor snow activity for you. Head onwards via Takayama to the peaceful castle town of Hida-Furukawa, surrounded by mountains, for the night.