2-Day Relaxed Bus Tour of Nakasendo Samurai Trail from Shinjuku: Tsumago, Magome & Hirugami Onsen

Day 1: Journey to the Spiritual Highlands & Luxury Onsen Stay

Your historical journey commences in the lively district of Shinjuku, where you will convene to board a modern, comfortable tour bus at 9:20 AM (please ensure your arrival at least 15 minutes before departure).

Note for specific high-season dates: On selected departures—specifically June 6, 13, 20, 21; September 27; October 24; and November 14, 15, 21—the bus will set off 20 minutes earlier at 9:00 AM to enhance travel efficiency.

As you leave the Tokyo skyline behind, the bus travels along the picturesque mountain highway into Central Japan. The first noteworthy stop is the famed Oginoya Suwa branch for a gratifying lunch break. For approximately 50 minutes, you will savor their signature Toge no Kamameshi—Japan’s renowned station lunch box, which contains exquisitely seasoned rice, local meats, and vegetables prepared and served in a traditional ceramic clay pot, complemented by a side of steaming mountain vegetable soba noodles.

Following lunch, your exploration continues at the historic grounds of Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya, acknowledged as the principal head shrine of all Suwa shrines and one of the most ancient Shinto sites in Japan. Nestled among the towering peaks of the Japanese Alps, this magnificent shrine is celebrated as a significant natural "power spot" that emanates spiritual energy. You will have around 50 minutes to stroll beneath its towering trees, admire the historic wooden structures, and immerse yourself in the serene ambiance renowned for bestowing good fortune, success, and prosperity.

As dusk falls, the tour arrives at the serene valley of Hirugami Onsen, where you will check in at Yumoto Hotel Achigawa. This hidden hot spring village is famed throughout Japan for its exceptionally smooth, highly alkaline waters, which locals claim can make your skin appear three years younger after just one soak! Feel free to explore the hotel’s stunning outdoor rock pools and atmospheric cave baths. The day concludes with an exquisite culinary experience: a traditional multi-course Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner featuring the finest seasonal and regional ingredients from the Shinshu area.

Day 2: Step Back in Time on the Samurai Trail & Local Flavors

Begin your second morning feeling rejuvenated with a hearty, traditional Japanese set breakfast provided at the hotel. There’s no need to hurry, as the tour includes a leisurely departure at 10:00 AM, allowing you plenty of time to sleep in or enjoy one last therapeutic morning soak in the hot springs. After checking out, the bus travels into the majestic Kiso Valley to explore the historic Nakasendo highway—the ancient mountain route that linked Kyoto to Edo (modern-day Tokyo).

Your first stop is Tsumago-juku, a beautifully preserved post town that acts as a living museum. You will have 50 minutes to meander through streets that retain their historical appearance; Tsumago was the first town in Japan to strictly prohibit modern vehicles and unsightly power lines, effectively preserving its architectural legacy.

Next, a short and scenic drive will take you to the neighboring mountain post town of Magome-juku, recognized as the birthplace of the distinguished Japanese literary figure, Shimazaki Toson. Magome is distinctive for its steep, stone-paved hill path, flanked on both sides by well-maintained wooden facades, rustic waterwheels, and vibrant plant life. You will have a generous 120 minutes of free time to tackle the scenic incline at your leisure, capture stunning views, browse artisan craft shops, and enjoy a local lunch of your choice.

Before returning to Tokyo, the bus will stop for 30 minutes at the lively Roadside Station Minami-Shinshu Toyooka Marche. This premium marketplace serves as the culinary heart of the region, featuring ultra-fresh produce delivered daily by local farmers. It’s a great opportunity to seek out unique edible souvenirs, especially the coveted "Kaa-chan No Tezukuri" (Mother's Handmade) series, which includes exceptional regional fruit jams, authentic pickles, and rich fruit juices. Finally, the bus will head back to the highway, bringing you smoothly back to Shinjuku Station by around 8:00 PM.

Note for early-departure dates: For the special dates mentioned on Day 1 that leave Shinjuku at 9:00 AM, the return time on Day 2 will also be adjusted 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/

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

Highlights

• Walk the Historic Nakasendo Trail: Wander through Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku, two renowned post towns that remain unchanged from centuries past.
• Rejuvenate in "Beauty Serum" Waters: Experience an overnight visit at Hirugami Onsen, known for its unique, silky waters believed to make your skin appear three years younger!
• Taste Famous Local Gastronomy: Delight in the renowned Toge no Kamameshi (traditional clay-pot rice) for lunch on Day 1, followed by a seasonal Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.
• Visit Japan’s Ultimate Power Spot: Discover Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya, one of the country’s oldest and most spiritually important Shinto shrines.
• Panoramic Gorge Views & Local Shopping: Enjoy a picturesque walk at Tenryu Gorge (Sorasanpo) and search for handmade jams and local delicacies at a regional roadside market.

Itinerary

• Meeting time in Shinjuku, in front of the Cocoon Tower (08:45 AM for select peak dates).
• Departure from Shinjuku via highway (09:00 AM for select peak dates)
• Lunch at Oginoya Suwa (Famous "Toge no Kamameshi" clay-pot rice & mountain vegetable soba, ~50 mins).
• Independent exploration of Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya Shrine (~50 mins).
• Arrival and check-in at Hirugami Onsen (Yumoto Hotel Achigawa).
• Evening: Traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner and free time for hot spring baths.
• Traditional Japanese set breakfast at the hotel.
• Relaxed checkout and departure towards Kiso Valley.
• Stroll through the historic preservation streets of Tsumago-juku (~50 mins).
• Explore Magome-juku (Stone-paved hillside post town & free time for lunch, ~120 mins).
• Souvenir shopping at Toyooka Marche roadside market (~30 mins). Kaa-chan handmade jams are very popular among other products!
• Return journey to Tokyo via highway.
• Arrival back at Shinjuku Station area (west side) (07:00 PM for select peak dates).

Price Details

Included

• Experience fees
• Accommodation
• Japanese guide
• Round-trip transportation
• Air-conditioned bus
• Breakfast
• English/Chinese -Speaking Assistant
• Lunch on the first day
• Dinner on the first night

Not included

• Expenses not mentioned

Important 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).

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.

How to Use

Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.

Cancellation Policy

• 21 or more day(s) before the activity date: 0% cancellation fee
• Between 8 and 20 day(s) before the activity date: 20% cancellation fee
• Between 2 and 7 day(s) before the activity date: 30% cancellation fee
• 1 day(s) before the activity date: 40% cancellation fee
• On the activity date: 100% cancellation fee