Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel | Nagano Matsumoto 7-Day Itinerary
๐ Japan's Major Transportation ๐ JR/Trains Most JR lines accept Suica cards, but not all. For instance, the line from Nakatsugawa to Matsumoto to Nagano doesn't accept IC cards. Whether it's reserved or non-reserved seating, express or local trains, you'll need to buy tickets. For long-distance travel, it's best to consult and buy tickets before entering the station. If you board by mistake, you can also purchase tickets on the train or at the station exit, look for the word "Seisai" which means ticket adjustment or recharge in Japanese. ๐ BUS Tickets for frequently running buses can usually be bought on the spot. Direct travel buses from Matsumoto to Kamikochi should be booked in advance, while tickets back to Niijima can be purchased on the day. ๐ DAY1 Shanghai โ๏ธ Nagoya ๐ Nagoya - It's very convenient to transfer to various tourist areas in central Japan from here, and the city is full of shops for shopping. We used Nagoya as our first stop to rest and replenish supplies. Arc'teryx, Howrๅฑฑๅบ, Montbell, and Patagonia are all concentrated in the Sakae shopping district. If you plan to buy outdoor gear, it's recommended to travel light and leave half your suitcase empty for shopping. ๐ DAY2 Nagoya - JR - Nakatsugawa (drop off luggage) - Bus - Magome-juku - Tsumago-juku - Bus - Namikata - JR - Nakatsugawa ๐ Nakasendo Way from Magome-juku to Tsumago-juku on foot, Nakatsugawa is a nearby transfer town and where we stayed. We chose a hostel-like hotel, and it was an unforgettable experience sleeping in a large dorm with seven friends. The barbecue in Nakatsugawa was still on our minds, maybe because we were tired from walking, the plain white rice that day was especially fragrant. ๐ DAY3 Nakatsugawa - Suzuka - Matsumoto Initially, we planned to go to Narai-juku as well, but decided against it due to the rush and having to carry luggage and children. ๐ Lake Suwa - Chosen as a must-visit spot because of "Your Name", the day's itinerary was from Nakatsugawa to Shinano-shi and then to Suzuka. Shitsumi Park offers a high vantage point over Lake Suwa, and it was cherry blossom season, so we spent two leisurely hours here. There's a children's playground and a big slide that adults can enjoy too! ๐ Matsumoto City - Checked into a hot spring hotel to wash away the fatigue. ๐ DAY4 Matsumoto City One-Day City Walk Matsumoto City is small and surrounded by mountains, quiet and beautiful. Matsumoto Art Museum is closed on Mondays, and if it's a holiday, it will be postponed by one day. ๐ DAY5 Matsumoto - Kamikochi ๐ Kamikochi - There are many ways to get from Matsumoto to Kamikochi, including direct buses (book in advance on the website), or by train to Niijima and then by bus. Accommodation in Kamikochi needs to be booked after checking the official website and sending an email. The place we booked was a 10-minute walk from Kappa Bridge, but it was acceptable. ๐ DAY6 Kamikochi - Nagano City ๐ There is a direct bus from Kamikochi to Nagano, but since we saw only one at 15:00, we took a bus and then a train back to Matsumoto before heading to Nagano. Nagano has hosted the Winter Olympics, and from the station to Zenkoji Temple, there's a commercial street, and tourist shops start to increase as you approach the temple. ๐ DAY7 Ogi Shrine ๐ In Nagano City, you can reach it by taking bus 70 or 73. ๐ DAY8 Nagano - JR - Nagoya - Meitetsu - Airport Follow me! Stay tuned for detailed travel guides. #FreeTravelInJapan #Hiking #JapanTravelGuide #Nagano #Matsumoto #OffTheBeatenPathTravelJapan #HikingHealsMe #KamikochiHiking
