We'll guide you to five hidden gems in Okushinshu and Hakuba!
① Takase Valley: A hidden gem accessible only by authorized vehicles! Enjoy the cobalt blue waters of the Takase Dam reservoir and the spectacular views of the Northern Alps!
② Renge Shiraike Forest Park: A secluded mirror pond where the patterns of the sky are reflected.
③ Takanami Pond: The mystical pond with its towering rock face, Myojo-san Mountain.
④ Aoni Village: Terraced rice fields offering views of the Northern Alps and the quintessential Japanese landscape.
⑤ Oide Suspension Bridge: On a clear day, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hakuba Three Peaks! A spot often described as "Japan's original landscape."
[Travel conditions]
Departure/Destination: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Nagano, Niigata
Trip duration: 1 night, 2 days
Transportation used: Chartered bus
Bus company: Chuo Kotsu Bus (some sections on day 2 are operated by Hakuba Kotsu)
Meal plan: Breakfast 1 time, Lunch 1 time (packed lunch), Dinner 1 time
Accommodation: Resort Inn Marion Shinano or equivalent in Kitaazumi-gun.
Room type: Japanese-style room / Western-style room [Twin / Triple] *Includes bath and toilet
[Equivalent Class]
Sunplaza Tsugaike*Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin and triple] / Hotel Weisserhof Hachibei *Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin and triple] / Japanese-Western style rooms / Happokan *Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin] / Felzein Gakusui *Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin] / Japanese-Western style rooms / Hakuba Esquina *Japanese-style rooms / La Montagne Furuhata *Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin] / Sunrise Tanne *Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin] / Okanoue Hotel Miyagawa *Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin] / Japanese-Western style rooms / Hotel Goryukan *Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin and triple] / Hotel Bellheart *Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin] / Japanese-Western style rooms / Hotel Sunny Valley *Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin] / Hotel Oak Forest *Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin, triple, and quadruple] / Hakuba Hotel Hananosato *Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms [twin and quadruple] / Hotel Duele *Western-style rooms [twin] / Japanese-Western style rooms / Villa Score Hakuba (Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms [twin, triple]) / Inner Village Miyama (Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms [twin], Japanese-Western style rooms) / Hotel Grand Tsugaike(Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms [twin, triple], Japanese-Western style rooms) / Hotel Cerulean Alpen (Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms [twin], Japanese-Western style rooms) / Espoir Misawa (Western-style rooms [twin], Japanese-Western style rooms, Japanese-style rooms) / Hakuba Yama no Hotel (Western-style rooms [twin, triple], Japanese-style rooms) / Hotel Ogiya (Western-style rooms [twin, triple], Japanese-style rooms) / Oka no Ue Hotel (Japanese-Western style rooms, Western-style rooms [twin], Japanese-style rooms) / Hotel Stella Bella (Japanese-Western style rooms, Western-style rooms [twin], Japanese-style rooms) / Hosono-kan (Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms [twin], Japanese-style rooms) / Bellecour Inomata (Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms [twin], Japanese-Western style rooms)
*Some rooms at Ferzein Takesui, Sunrise Tanne, Okanoue Hotel Miyagawa, Hotel Goryukan, Hotel Cerulean Alpen, Espoir Misawa, Hotel Ogiya, Okanoue Hotel, and Hotel Stella Bella do not have private bathrooms. *When using a Japanese-style room or a Japanese-Western style room, you may be required to lay out the futon yourself, or the futon may already be laid out upon arrival. Please be aware of this in advance. The accommodation will be at our discretion.
Minimum number of participants: 25
Tour guide: 1
Guide: 0 (Guidance will be in Japanese) *A licensed tour guide will not accompany the tour.
[Travel planning/execution]
Company Name: Club Tourism International Inc
Address: 1-9-6 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Registration Number: Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 1693
Affiliated travel industry association: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) Regular Member
[Consignment Sales]
KKDAY JAPAN Co., Ltd.
2nd Floor, WESTALL Yotsuya Building, 1-22-5 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004, Japan
Registered Travel Agency No. 2045, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency
Member organization: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
A minimum of 25 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 14 day(s) before the departure date
Please arrive at the designated location 15 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
You will be divided into several groups to board the minibuses and taxis for the Takase Valley and the sightseeing on the second day. The tour guide will be in only one vehicle, so the tour guide may not be in the same vehicle as you.
We will provide you with a bento box lunch when you depart from the hotel on the second day. Please carry it with you yourself after that.
The best time to see the autumn leaves may vary depending on weather conditions. While departure dates are set based on typical timings, please be aware that the leaves may not be at their peak on your departure day. Even if you cancel your tour reservation due to the autumn foliage conditions, the prescribed cancellation fee will apply. *Typically mid-October to early November
A fee of 1,500 yen per meal will be charged for any changes to the meal plan due to food allergies, religious reasons, etc., plus any difference in price. Please notify us at least 14 days before your departure date.
Delays due to transportation delays, or non-participation, will also be subject to cancellation fees. The tour will depart at the stated departure time.
The order of the itinerary may be changed, and in such cases, the tour guide will inform you on the day of the tour.
Please note that if you book with an odd number of people, you may be seated with a mixed-gender group on the bus.
No, access to Takase Dam and the deeper parts of Takase Valley is generally restricted to authorized vehicles only. This ensures the preservation of the natural environment and visitor safety in this secluded area. Most visitors experience this section through organized tours or designated shuttle services.
A standard taxi from Nanukura Sanso might not be able to proceed directly to Takase Dam due to the restricted access policy in Takase Valley. Specialized shuttle services or tour-affiliated transport are typically used for this route. Travel time can vary, but generally takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on road conditions.
From Shinano-Omachi, you would typically take a local bus to Nanukura Dam. Beyond Nanukura Dam, Takase Valley, including Takase Dam, is a restricted access area. The most convenient way to reach Takase Dam is by booking an organized tour that provides authorized transportation into this secluded valley.
The best season to experience the stunning autumn foliage in Takase Valley is typically from late October to early November. During this period, the valley transforms with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, offering spectacular views against the backdrop of the cobalt blue Takase Dam lake and the Northern Alps.
Takase Dam is notable for its impressive scale and the striking cobalt blue color of its dam lake. Surrounded by the majestic Northern Alps, it is situated in a deep, secluded valley. Its unique feature is the restricted access, allowing only authorized vehicles, which contributes to its preserved natural beauty and hidden gem status.
Takase Valley offers unique natural scenery throughout the year, primarily due to the pristine cobalt blue waters of Takase Dam's lake and the dramatic backdrop of the Northern Alps. Its restricted access status helps preserve an untouched landscape, showcasing distinct seasonal changes from lush summer greenery to vibrant autumn colors and serene winter snowscapes.
At Renge Hakuchi Forest Park, visitors can expect a serene and picturesque experience focused on its 'mirror lake.' This secret pond beautifully reflects the sky, creating a tranquil and photogenic landscape. It's an ideal spot for peaceful walks, quiet contemplation, and capturing stunning natural reflections.
Aoni Village is a scenic highlight, offering a glimpse into Japan's original landscape with its picturesque terraced rice fields framed by the majestic Northern Alps. The Oide Suspension Bridge provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Hakuba Sanzan mountain range on clear days, embodying the essence of Japan's untouched natural beauty.