Minimum Guests
2 Person
Activate Day
0 Nights/ 1 DaysBest Travel Time
|
Period |
Weather & Scenery |
Highlights & Tips |
|
May - Jun |
Mild (10-20°C), blooming fruit trees |
Cherry/peach blossoms at Hokosha; minimal crowd; snow patches in shaded areas |
|
Jul - Aug |
Cool (15-25°C), lush greenery |
Prime hiking season; 400-year cedar avenue in full shade; avoid noon heat |
|
Oct - Nov |
Crisp (5-18°C), autumn foliage |
Red/gold leaves contrast with vermilion torii; hot soba perfect post-hike |
|
Dec - Feb |
Cold (-5-8°C), heavy snow |
Snowshoeing available; "snow country" serenity; check trail accessibility |
Post-Hike Onsen (Hot Spring) Shuttle Solutions
Option 1: Budget-Friendly · Public Bus Connection (For Budget-Conscious Travelers)
|
Stage |
Specific Arrangements |
Duration |
Key Reminders |
|
Hiking End → Bus Stop |
Walk from Chusha to "Togakushi Chusha-mae" Bus Stop (200m, 3 minutes) |
3min |
English timetables available at the stop; post-15:30 departures are 16:10 and 17:10 |
|
Bus Journey |
Take Bus #57 to "Togakushi Onsenkyo" Stop (passes Hokosha, travels along Togakushi River with beautiful scenery) |
15min |
IC card or cash payment accepted; vehicles equipped with snow chains in winter (Dec-Feb) with over 95% punctuality rate |
|
Recommended Onsen |
Togakushi Onsen Yunomoto-kan (3-minute walk away) |
- |
Outdoor bath with forest views; free yukata and lockers provided; business hours: 10:00-22:00 |
|
Return Transportation |
Take Bus #58 from "Togakushi Onsenkyo" Stop back to Nagano Station (last bus 18:40) |
70min |
Recommend arriving 10 minutes early for boarding; can catch up on sleep on the bus to recover energy |
Option 2: Comfort · Onsen Ryokan Shuttle (For High-End Customized Travelers)
|
Stage |
Specific Arrangements |
Duration |
Key Reminders |
|
Reservation Service |
Contact the onsen ryokan 72 hours in advance to book the shuttle (recommended: Togakushi Kogen Suimeikan) |
- |
Need to provide number of hikers and gathering time at Chusha; English email reservations accepted (info@suimeikan.jp) |
|
Shuttle Details |
Commercial vehicle waits promptly at Chusha Parking Lot at 16:00 (holds sign with guests' names) |
25min |
Mineral water and towels provided on board; hiking gear can be stored; wet clothes temporary storage service available |
|
Onsen Experience |
Private onsen + Hinoki (cypress) bath (includes shoulder and neck massage service, advance reservation required) |
- |
Western-style yukata provided; kaiseki cuisine after onsen can be customized (additional ¥2,000 / person) |
|
Return Arrangement |
Ryokan arranges shuttle to Nagano Station (two departures available: 17:30 or 19:00) |
60min |
Wi-Fi equipped on the vehicle; hand warmers provided in winter to enhance comfort |
Option 3: In-Depth · Extended Hike to Onsen (For Nature Enthusiasts)
|
Stage |
Specific Arrangements |
Duration |
Key Reminders |
|
Hike |
Hike from Okusha along the "Onsenkyo Renraku Michi" (Onsen Town Connection Road) to Oku-Togakushi Onsen (4.2km, gentle downhill, no elevation gain) |
90min |
English signs along the path; passes through bamboo forests and streams, wild birds observable (May-Oct) |
|
Onsen Experience |
Oku-Togakushi Hiden-no-Yu Setsugekka (onsen located right at the end of the hike) |
- |
Century-old wooden onsen house; only 5 indoor baths with high privacy; freshly baked onsen manju (steamed buns) provided |
|
Return Transportation |
Book ryokan shuttle to Nagano Station6 |
75min |
Recommend departing from Okusha before 15:00; carry a lightweight backpack to reduce hiking burden |
Local Culinary & Cultural Highlights
|
Experience |
Details |
|
Togakushi Soba |
Must-try at Chusha: "Zaru-soba" (cold soba with dipping sauce) or "Kake-soba" (hot soup soba). Recommended: Chusha Soba-ya |
|
Chestnut Sweets |
Stop at Obuse Town (en route) for "Mont Blanc"—creamy chestnut dessert at Sakurai-kanseido |
|
Sacred Rituals |
Okusha offers "Omamori" (blessed amulets); ask shrine priests for English explanations |
|
Forest Therapy |
Cedar avenue emits phytoncides—ideal for mindful walking; a popular nature healing experience among Western tourists |
Essential Gear List
|
Category |
Items |
|
Footwear |
Waterproof hiking shoes (snow boots Dec-Feb); trail runners May-Oct |
|
Clothing |
Layered system: quick-dry base + fleece; rain jacket (Jun-Sep) |
|
Equipment |
Light trekking poles (optional, for descents); 1.5L water bottle |
|
Extras |
Insect repellent (May-Aug); camera (cedar avenue & torii gate photo ops); swimsuit (for public onsen) |
|
Documents |
Cash (small shops have no card readers); bus timetable (updated 2026) |
Safety & Logistics Tips
1. Transport: From JR Nagano Station, take Bus #57/58 to "Togakushi Hokosha" 6. Buses run hourly.
2. Trail Markings: Paths are well-signposted in Japanese/English; follow red "Okusha" arrows.
3. Weather Alert: Check Togakushi Weather 1 day prior—avoid trails during thunderstorms.
4. Accessibility: Hokosha-Chusha section is stroller-friendly; Okusha ascent has gentle slopes (no stairs).
5. Onsen Etiquette: Wash body thoroughly before entering the bath; no swimsuits in public baths (small towels allowed on head); tattoos may require advance notice at some onsen.
Tour Timeline
If you need to increase or reduce the number of travellers, please contact us for customised arrangements.
-
1-Day Hiking Trail with Hot Spring (Hokosha → Chusha → Okusha, Moderate Difficulty)
Difficulty: ★★☆ | Distance: 8.5km | Elevation Gain: 420m
Suitable for: All fitness levels; cultural & nature enthusiasts
Checkpoint
Altitude
Time
Duration
Key Actions
Hokosha (Lower Shrine)
830m
08:30
0min
Arrive via bus from Nagano Station (1hr); explore shrine grounds—note the ancient "Hidden Gate" symbolism
Trailhead Start
850m
09:00
0min
Begin hike on paved path; follow "Okusha" signs; initial section lined with apple orchards
Mid-Trail Rest Stop
920m
10:00
1hr
Pause at wooden bench; view Togakushi Volcano; refill water at vending machine
Chusha (Middle Shrine)
980m
11:00
1hr
Visit 700-year-old sacred tree; lunch at local soba shop (try "Togakushi soba"—handmade specialty)
Cedar Avenue Entrance
1020m
12:00
1hr
Enter 2km path lined with 400-year cedar trees—comparable to California Redwood Park
Vermilion Torii Gate
1150m
13:00
1hr
Photograph iconic torii gate; respect stone cairns (prayer offerings, do not disturb)
Okusha (Upper Shrine)
1250m
13:30
30min
Participate in "Ni-rei Ni-haku I-rei" (2 bows, 2 claps, 1 bow) ritual; explore shrine museum
Descend to Chusha
980m
14:30
1hr
Take shortcut trail; enjoy autumn foliage (Oct) or snow-dusted pines (Dec)
Bus Departure (Chusha)
980m
15:30
0min
Return to Nagano Station via bus (1hr10min); total hiking time: 6.5hrs
- None
Accommodation
We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.
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