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SHINETSU TRAIL

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Trip Includes

  • 5 nights accommodation

  • All meals

  • All activities, guiding and transportation within tour

Trip Excludes

  • Airfare to/from Japan

  • Alcoholic Beverages

  • Travel insurance, medical coverage, etc.

  • Transportation to Nagano Station and from Iiyama Station

trip type

Group Tour

or

Private Tour

dates

activities

Snowshoeing

Hiking

Snow Monkeys

Soba Making

and more...

location

Nagano

ITINERARY

Day 1 October 16th

Meet in Nagano City

We meet in Nagano City at 3:00 PM and take the Nagano Dentetsu Line 45 minutes to Yudanaka Station. We have some time to relax and walk around the quaint hot springs village before enjoying a kaiseki style meal in our ryokan.

Accommodation: Japanese Inn

Meals Provided: Dinner

 

Day 2 October 17th

Shiga Kogen

Today we hike the 48 Lakes trail in Shiga Kogen, a national park and ski resort. After an initial ascent, a long windy descent brings us to Lake Onuma, famous for its teal blue water, Autumn colors and Shinto Torii gate reminiscent of Miyajima. The total walk is around 3.5 hours including time for lunch. Our driver picks us up at the end of the day and we return to Shibu Onsen where we enjoy a meal at a local mom and pop restaurant.

Accommodation: Japanese Inn

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Distance: 12 km

The Walk: 100% Forest Road

Difficulty: 3.5

Option to Walk Less: No

 

Day 3 October 18th

Section 2, Akaike Pond to Wakui

We depart early this morning by vehicle from our accommodation in Shibu Onsen to Akaike Pond. We pass through the Numanohara Wetlands and Lake Nozori before climbing 30 minutes to the peak of Mt. Kenashi, where we have lunch. It’s another 5km descent from here to Wakui. The ryokan picks us up at the end of the day and dinner is in the ryokan.

Accommodation: Japanese Inn

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Distance: 10.7 km

The Walk: 70% Trail, 30% Paved Road

Difficulty: 3.75

Option to Walk Less: No

 

Day 4 October 19th

Section 3, Wakui – Hotokegamine

We transfer to Wakui this morning and start our day’s walk to Hotokegamine. We will make our way to the Tomikura Gap, which was a salt trading route in the Edo Period between the provinces of Echigo and Shinano. We will see various points of historical interest along the way that remind us of this trail’s long history. The road continues to the Sobu Reservoir at the base of Mt. Kuroiwa. The mountain is a natural monument of Japan, being a rare habitat area for both Gibu Butterflies and Hime Gibu Butterflies, as well as a species of mountain frog. After walking past Kitafuruike Wetlands, we walk through a cedar forest and end the day above Togari Onsen Ski resort, where our ryokan from last night picks us up.

Accommodation: Japanese Inn

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Distance: 13.4 km

The Walk: 100% Trail

Difficulty: 4.0

Option to Walk Less: No

 

Day 5 October 20th

Section 5, Sekida Gap - Busuno Gap

Our ryokan takes us to the Sekida Gap, where we begin today’s walk. Although today is flatter than the other days, it does have a series of undulating up and downs. We are in a wilder part of the Shinetsu Trail today, give us spectacular views of the surrounding countryside on clear days. Our cabins in the woods pick us up and we have some time in the afternoon to rest before going out to an onsen and dinner in Togari Onsen village.

Accommodation: Cabins

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Distance: 12.4 km

The Walk: 100% Trail

Difficulty: 4.0

Option to Walk Less: No

 

Day 6 October 21st

Nabekura Kogen to Iiyama Station

After breakfast, we transfer to Iiyama Station. The tour ends here and your tour leader will help arrange your onward transfer. Iiyama Station is on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, with direct access to Kanazawa and Tokyo.

PACKING LIST

Attire & Equipment

  • Clothing – Pack for 4 days of walking. Laundry service is not available at the hotels

  • Hiking pants and shorts for walking

  • Thick socks

  • A windbreaker or waterproof jacket in case of rain

  • Shoes – Good hiking shoes that have been worn in. Please wear your shoes before bringing them on a trip

  • Poles – You will want hiking poles as some sections of the train have uneven footing or steep ascent/descents

  • Protection from the Sun – Hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, etc.

Additional Items

  • Passport – Please make sure it does not expire within 6 months of our trip and that you have at least one blank page

  • We also recommend bringing a photocopy of your passport in case the original is lost or stolen

  • Credit Card – Many businesses in Japan will accept major credit cards (although there may be an international transaction fee)

  • Cash – For the places that don’t, we recommend bringing at least $200 ~ $300 per person.

  • Debit Card – Along with your PIN number for cash withdrawals in case you run out

  • Important Documents – We recommend having a copy of your passport, travel insurance, and medical insurance policies

  • Camera – Don’t forget your charger or extra batteries

  • Toiletries – Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, nail clippers, and whatever else you need!

  • Medication – Please inform us beforehand if there is anything we should know in regards to your medications

CANCELLATION

  • 60 ~ 31 Days Prior to Arrival: 20% of the Total Costs

  • 30 ~ 4 Days Prior to Arrival: 50% of the Total Costs

  • 72 Hours or Less Prior to Arrival: 100% of the Total Costs

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