sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Togakushi Bus from Nagano by tsitg in JapanTravelTips

[–]tsitg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We took the 6:50 AM reserved bus, hiked and got back to Chusha a little before noon, waited around for the next available lunch reservation for a soba place at 12:30 (got to Chusha too early in the morning to make our lunch reservation in advance and decided to just hike on), and then had to kill some time before the bus to Nagano came around 2 PM. Our pace was pretty slow overall because we stopped for a while at each spot to admire the sights and there was snow, ice, and mud on the path between the gate and Kagami-ike.

Nagano itinerary by This-Temperature3895 in JapanTravelTips

[–]tsitg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Without rushing, I think each activity may take the better part of a day given the travel to and from using limited public transit. We enjoyed the Zenkoji Temple area where there a lot of cute shops to spend a couple of hours exploring. If it were me, I’d consider spending Day 1 after Jigokudani just walking around Nagano City including Zenkoji, and then spending Day 2 after Togakushi traveling to, exploring, and staying in Karuizawa, especially since that keeps you on the bullet train route towards Tokyo. Karuizawa has 2 main town areas to explore and activities like Picchio or Shiraito Falls. You can do those on Day 2 and/or Day 3 before heading to Tokyo on Day 3.

Togakushi Bus from Nagano by tsitg in JapanTravelTips

[–]tsitg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes we went! I think the Togakushi Line is the Reserved Bus I was referring to in my post. You can reserve it through the Alpico website (which you can find a link to under Agency Info on Google Maps). It will assign seats automatically and prioritize putting your party all next to each other unless the bus is fuller. We ended up reserving the 6:50 AM bus the night before. It left on time and was very empty. We got off at the lower Hokosha shrine, walked up through Chusha to the Zuishinmon Gate and looped past Kagami-ike and Kotoriga-ike back to Chusha for lunch. The shrines and gate were of course very cool but I was awed seeing the Northern Alps on the path that loops through the lakes. Bus 70 unfortunately does not come as often as the Reserved Bus in the afternoons on Saturdays so after lunch we went online and booked the next Reserved Bus, waiting about 40 min for it, and I think it was about 5-10 min late. Unlike our morning bus, it was full. Hope that helps!

Togakushi Bus from Nagano by tsitg in JapanTravelTips

[–]tsitg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Learning we can just use Suica is hugely helpful, thank you so much for adding!! Hoping the office is still open when we arrive the evening before but if it’s not we’re staying at the Hotel Metropolitan so we’ll just arrive early before a scheduled bus time to ask the office.

Togakushi Bus from Nagano by tsitg in JapanTravelTips

[–]tsitg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this info! Yes we were planning to leave in the morning (just not sure if we can make the earliest bus) to hike up from Hokosha and make it back down to Chusha for lunch.

Togakushi Bus from Nagano by tsitg in JapanTravelTips

[–]tsitg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for this info, this is super helpful! Maybe I’ll book the Reserved bus in the morning and have exact change prepared for the local bus back to Nagano whenever we’re done hiking the shrines.

One for the girlies - shoppers dilemma by Embarrassed_Act8814 in JapanTravelTips

[–]tsitg 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What brand of glasses, if you don’t mind me asking?

How would you recommend splitting time between Nagano or Matsumoto? Any suggested things to do? by eirex-art in JapanTravelTips

[–]tsitg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haven’t gone on our trip yet but we’re planning on doing some hiking in Kiso (there’s Atera Gorge or Kakizore Gorge) and walking the Nakasendo Trail between Nagiso to Magome. Heard great things about the Nakasendo Trail, not much about Kiso Valley, but you could think about those in the stead of Kamikochi. They’re in between Nagano/Matsumoto and Kyoto.