YAMANASHI & NAGANO
A Spiritual Retreat to Japan’s Wine Country
Central Japan is home to some truly breathtaking, unspoiled landscapes just begging to be explored. As such, it is a mecca for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors, especially Yamanashi Prefecture’s wine country, and the majestic peaks found in Nagano. It is also home to many sacred sites that can help visitors get in touch with Japanese spiritual traditions.
JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata)
Day 1
- Tokyo
- Yamanashi
- Nagano
Day 2
- Nagano
- Tokyo
For this course, we recommend utilizing the JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata) for travel. With this affordable pass, visitors can enjoy unlimited rides on all JR trains in its designated area, including shinkansen bullet trains, as well as the Narita Express and Tokyo Monorail. The pass also allows you to avoid the muss and fuss of purchasing individual tickets; just show your pass to station attendants at JR ticket gates and hop aboard!
About 120 mins
-
Chuo Line Limited Express【JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)】
Shinjuku Station – Kofu Station
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Bus【Additional fare required】
Kofu Station – Shosenkyoguchi
- Walk
Shosenkyoguchi – Shosenkyo Gorge
Explore Beautiful Scenery in Shosenkyo Gorge
Take in the seasonal sights and sounds of unfiltered nature with a hike along the picturesque trails of Shosenkyo Gorge.
Shosenkyo Gorge
Takanari, Kofu City, Yamanashi
09:00 – 17:30
Tell: +81 55-287-2158
About 90 mins
- Walk
Shosenkyo Gorge – Green Line Shosenkyo
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Bus【Additional fare required】
Green Line Shosenkyo – Kofu Station
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Chuo Line Local【JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)】
Kofu Station – Enzan Station
- Walk
Enzan Station – Winery
Info
Yamanashi Winery Tour & Tasting
Yamanashi is the most prolific wine region of Japan, with over 140 years of growing experience producing a third of all the wine made domestically. There’s simply no better place to tour vineyards while tasting the best the country has to offer.
Miyakoen
1741 Shimoiwasaki, Katsunumacho, Koshu City, Yamanashi 409-1313
Tell: +81 553-44-0444
About 180 mins
- Walk
Winery – Enzan Station
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Chuo Line Limited Express【JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)】
Enzan Station – Shiojiri Station
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Shinano Line Limited Express【JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)】
Shiojiri Station – Nagano Station
- Walk
Nagano Station – Zenkoji Temple
Info
Zenkoji Temple Buddhist Cuisine, Lodging & Morning Service
With an overnight stay at Zenkoji Temple, visitors can experience what life is like as a Buddhist monk. The peaceful surroundings are a perfect place to enjoy traditional Buddhist cuisine and meditation.
491 Nagano Motoyoshi, Nagano City, Nagano 380-0851
Hours are determined by sunrise and sunset, and change by season.
Info
About 70 mins
- Walk
Zenkoji Temple – Nagano Station
- Express Bus【Additional fare required】
Nagano Station – Jigokudani Monkey Park
Try Monkey Spotting in Jigokudani Monkey Park
Jigokudani is beautiful all year round. In addition to lovely scenery, visitors have a chance to spot the park’s famous snow monkeys, and might even see them soaking in a hot spring!
6845 Hirao, Yamanouchi City, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401
09:00 – 16:00 (November – March)
Mail: webmaster@jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp
About 100 mins
-
Express Bus【Additional fare required】
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park – Nagano Station
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Shinano Line Limited Express【JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)】
Nagano Station – Matsumoto Station
- Walk
Matsumoto Station – Matsumoto Castle
Info
Explore History at Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle’s striking appearance contrasts beautifully against its natural surroundings. A well-preserved castle is just the start of what the city has to offer visitors.
4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto City, Nagano 390-0873
About 170 mins
- Walk
Matsumoto Castle – Matsumoto Station
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Chuo Line Limited Express Azusa【JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)】
Matsumoto Station – Shinjuku Station
Info