Winter is a season of celebration and snow fun. Many are looking forward to this freezing season to enjoy skiing and snowboarding. But not everyone is the same. If skiing is not your thing, this is the perfect article for you!
Iwatake Mountain Resort is actually the same place as the ski resort (Iwatake Snow Field). It is one of the best places in Hakuba to enjoy the views of the Japanese Alps in winter. On the terrace, you can order a cup of hot chocolate and muffins from The City Bakery while enjoying the majestic mountain views. The YooHoo! Swing is a must attraction for those non-skiers to try.
Recommended period: Late December – March
How to get there: From JR Nagano station, take Alpico’s bus to Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort bus stop. During winter, there are only a few buses that stop at the closest bus stop, so you can opt to get off at Happo Bus Terminal and catch a taxi or ride a ski resort shuttle bus to the destination.
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See the bus timetable from Nagano to Hakuba >
See all the bus timetables to Hakuba >
Togakushi Shrine is one of the ancient shrines that appear in Japanese mythology. It is especially popular in summer and autumn as you can enjoy the ancient pilgrimage trail that connects the five shrines in Togakushi. In winter, you can enjoy a different atmosphere as the path to Togakushi Okusha Shrine (the upper shrine) is covered with pure snow. There are also much fewer travelers, very quiet and romantic. We even have witnessed a couple’s marriage proposal here! (But it could be a disaster if the weather does not cooperate. So, check the weather forecast before you go.)
Our recommended walking course in winter is from Togakushi Okusha bus stop to Togakushi Okusha Shrine, or at least to the red Zuishinmon Gate, which is about halfway to Okusha Shrine.
Recommended period: Late December – Early March
How to get there: Take Alpico’s bus no. 70 or no. 73 from bus stop no.7 in front of Alpico Kotsu and get off at Togakushi Chusha bus stop. It is an about 1-hour walk from the bus stop to Togakushi Okusha Shrine. (In other seasons, you can get off the bus at Togakushi Okusha bus stop, which is about 20 minute’s walk closer to the shrine.)
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See all the bus timetables to Togakushi >
Please check Tsugaike Snow Wow! official website for the operation status and attractions available before going.
Recommended period: Late December – March
How to get there: The easiest way is to take Alpico’s bus from JR Nagano station to Tsugaike Kogen bus stop.
Recommended period: Mid-December – March
How to get there: From JR Nagano station, take Alpico or Naganoden’s bus from bus stop number 24, and get off at Nozawa Onsen bus stop. There are two roundtrip buses running daily.
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See the bus timetable from Nagano to Nozawa Onsen >
Recommended period: December – March
How to get there: From Matsumoto station, it takes about 20 minutes on foot. But you can also choose to ride a “Town Sneaker” city sightseeing bus (North course), which departs every 30 minutes on weekdays, and every 20 minutes on weekends.
Recommended period: December – Early March
How to get there: From JR Nagano station, take Shinano Tetsudo’s Kita-Shinano line train to Kurohime station (30 minutes). From there take a taxi for another 10 minutes to the lodge.
Recommended period: Late December – Early March
How to get there: Our recommended tour guide and accommodation are based in Norikura Kogen. To get there, take an Alpico’s Kamikochi line train to Shin-Shimashima station, then change to a bus for Norikura Kogen. Get off at N-29 Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Center.
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See the train/bus timetable from Matsumoto to Norikura Kogen >
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Winter hiking (snowshoeing) to Kamikochi
Kamikochi is not the only place to enjoy a winter wonderland. Our favorite place to snowshoe is Norikura Kogen (highlands). The reason is that there are so many locations and courses to choose from. You can go snowshoeing to admire the frozen “Zengoro Falls” that turns into fantastic blue color, or even snowshoe on a frozen “Ushidome” pond! Our recommended tour guide and accommodation is Guesthouse Raicho.
Recommended period: Late December – Early March
How to get there: Our recommended tour guide and accommodation are based in Norikura Kogen. To get there, take an Alpico’s Kamikochi line train to Shin-Shimashima station, then change to a bus for Norikura Kogen. Get off at N-29 Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Center. Guesthouse Raicho is about 600 meters from the bus stop.
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See the train/bus timetable from Matsumoto to Norikura Kogen >
Shirahone Onsen is unique with its pretty bluish-milky hot springs water. Thanks to its location in a remote valley with heavy snowfalls, you can indulge in the serene snow scenery while relaxing in a hot spring. In this little village, there isn’t even a single convenient store, perfect for those who seek absolute tranquility and beautiful nature.
Recommended period: Late December – Mid-March
How to get there: During the winter season from November 16 until April 16, you can take an Alpico train (Kamikochi line) from JR Matsumoto station to Shin-Shimashima station, then change to a bus bound for Shinrahone Onsen. However, during the green season, you have to change one more time from Shin-Shimashima station to Sawando Bus Terminal, then to Shirahone Onsen.
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See the train/bus timetable from Matsumoto to Shirahone Onsen >