Nagano Travel Itinerary
Nagano Two-Day Itinerary
Especially for travelers planning to visit northern Nagano Prefecture, Nagano City, and Snow Monkey park.
This is a 2-day itinerary that includes plenty of Nagano’s charms with bicycles, the most exciting way of transportation.
What's highlight about Nagano?
Riding a bicycle, you can fully experience the beauty of Nagano and enjoy sceneries, sky, and pleasant breeze that you would not notice by car or train.It’s a great way to experience real Nagano andwill be deeply engraved in your mind.
Your trip will definitely be wonderful if you visit Nagano, which is completely different from big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.
Anyway, thank you for your interest in Nagano! !
What people visit Nagano?
Those who are visiting Japan for the first time and are on their way from Tokyo to Kanazawa or Takayama,Gihu, or those who are visiting Japan for more than second time and are looking for a new and rural Japan.
And naturelovers who enjoy the cozy atmosphere , mountain climbing, and trekking. Of course, there are also people who choose Nagano “Just because’.
highlights
・Visit Snow Monkey Park, one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Nagano, at your own pace.
・You can enjoy not only the park also stunnnig scenery and the hidden jem of Nagano.
・Stay at historical hot spring area.
Nagano cyclig trip in 2days Itinerary
- Day1 World famous Snow monkeys and traditional Onsen,
- Day2 Go off the beaten track and find hidden gem（Nojiri Lake,falls,peaceful counryside)
- map
We introduce the itinerary that departs from Tokyo early in the morning and arrives at Nagano Station at 9 o’clock.
If you arrive in Nagano in the afternoon or evening, you will stay overnight near Nagano Station and start your first day the next day.
２DAY NAGANO ITINERARY: DAY 1
7：20 Tokyo station(JR SHINKAN-SEN)
9:13 NAGANO Station(NaganoNagano Electric Railway)
9:50 Obuse station
10：00 Get your bike at maaru
Rent a bicycle and explore Nagano at your own pace with a free route without a guide.
Upon departure, you will receive instructions on safe riding and road conditions from a local cyclist staff member.
You can leave any unnecessary luggage at the store.(free)
12：00 Lunch
Let’s eat ramen, soba noodles, and local cuisine.There are several restaurants near the park or along the way.
13：30-14:30 Snow monkey park
Snow Monkey Park is about a 10-30 minute walk from the bicycle parking lot.
It’s about 18 km to the snow monkey park, and it takes about 2 hours including a break.
15:00 Shibu Onsen Traditional Ryokan area
Discover hot spring towns, streets full of traditional Japanese inns, footbaths, cafe, local food, and other attractions.
16:00 Check in
Near the Snow Monkey Park,theare are many accomodations.Hotels,Ryokan(Japanese style hotel),hostels,and guest houses.
Some accommodations have hot springs. There is also communal hot springs available only to guests staying at Onsen area.
Enjoy Yudanaka/Shibu onsen night
Enjoy the night in an old-fashioned hot spring town.
２DAY NAGANO ITINERARY: DAY 2
Go off the beaten track.
If you are using an Ebike or have energy, we will introduce you to Lake Nojiri and Naena Falls.
For those who want to spend a more relaxing time, we will introduce the Iiyama area, which has many flat roads. Of course, it is also a good idea to spend more time around your accomodation, then return to Obuse and sightsee around Obuse.
First, we will introduce the itinerary for going to the lake.
9：00 Depart Onsen
Let’s start another day!
12：00 Lake Nojiri /Lunch
30km from Shibu Onsen, first 12km downhill. The second half of the 18km climb is 425m.
Lake Nojiri is a lake located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by the majestic Myoko Plateau and Kurohime Plateau, it is approximately 550m above sea level. You can swim in the summer.
The scenery and atmosphere are different from Obuse and Yamanouchi town where Snow Monkey is located.
Have a wonderful time cycling around the lake and relaxing at a lakeside restaurant.
Option: Naena falls
9km from Nojiri lake.
It takes 1.5 hours round trip to the waterfall. A 15 minute trek from the waterfall parking lot.
The waterfall is very impressive due to the large amount of water.
It is also called Earthquake Falls because of the loud sound of the water.
Option:MOROKOSHI-KAIDO（corn road）
This area(Shinanomachi )is a corn-producing area with all the best features: clean air, clean water, and volcanic ash soil rich in organic matter.
Its flavor is sweet and juicy, similar to fruit, as the sugar content increases due to the difference in temperature between day and night.
Shinanomachi has “Morokoshi Kaido”,it means corn road or corn street, 30 min-ride from Nojiri Lake.Google Maps shows one of the stores.
During the season from late July to late August, local highland vegetables and corn are sold at direct sales stands along the road, which is crowded with many tourists. .
People around Nagano go all the way to Shinanomachi to get sweet corns.
15：00 Depart Lake Nojiri area
The return trip is 20-25 km. Mostly downhill. The best reward time.
Be careful not to ride too fast.
16：30 Arrived at Obuse. bicycle return
If you have energy, go sightseeing in Obuse. Museum and sake brewery tour.
If you have a hotel near Nagano Station, you can return in about 40 minutes.
ITINERARY: DAY 2 For those who want to spend a more relaxing time
10：00 Depart Onsen
Bofore checking out,walking around your accmodation. You can also enjoy hot springs and footbaths in the morning.
11：30 Iiyama
Flat rural way along the CHIKUMA river.less cars and wide road make your cycling easy and fun.
Enjoy orchard,moutains,river view.
If you don’t want to clime,Iiyama is the best way to ride around.The best time to see the yellow flowers is from late April to early May.It’s a nice place to visit even in other seasons.
14:00 Depart Iiyama
It’s about 20 kilometers from Iiyama to Obuse, and you can return in 1 to 2 hours.
15：30 Obuse
It’s about 20 kilometers from Iiyama to Obuse, and you can return in 1 to 2 hours.
Obuse is the town where Katsushika Hokusai visited, and the Hokusai Museum and Ganshoin, where Hokusai’s works are on display, are must-sees.
Katsushika Hokusai is an artist who had a great influence on famous Western painters such as Van Gogh.
Obuse town has a reputation for being calm and beautiful.
There are sake breweries where you can compare and purchase sake.
16：30 Return bike
Bicycles must be returned by 5pm.
If you are running late, please contact us and we can extend your time.
map
Obuse-Snow monkey park
Snow monkey park-Lake Nojiri
Lake Nojiri -Obuse
Iiyama -Obuse
Hints and Variations
>The second floor of the rental store is a private accommodation. It is also a good itinerary to start from here and do a snow monkey round trip on the first day, then go to Lake Nojiri or other places on the second day.
There is a discount on the rental fee for guests.
>Wherever you go, don’t play too late. It’s hard to move after dark by bike.
>It’s very hot from July to September, so we recommend earlier start.
Reservation required
No cancellation fee, at least 24 hours in advance of the start date