A refreshing exploration of cities in Japan during the summertime, from Tokyo city to Hokuriku and Shinetsu regions 

*This article is based on the information as of September 2022 and the latest status may have changed.

Check out the overall itinerary! 

Day 1：Tokyo activity (Hana Biyori → Edo Kiriko, Okonomiyaki)
Day 2：Take the Tateyama Alpine route → Mount Tateyama → Kurobe Dam (All in Toyama)　
Day 3：Kanetsuri Kawara → Kurobe Gorge Railway → Unazuki Onsen (All in Toyama)
Day 4：Samurai Residence → Sake Bar (All in Kanazawa)
Day 5：Shiraito Falls → Karuizawa City Walk & Cycling → The Prince Shopping Plaza (All in Karuizawa) → Matsumoto Castle (Matsumoto)
Day 6： Chubu Sangaku National Park (Nagano) →Kamikochi (Matsumoto)→ Shinjuku

My one-week trip is drawing to a close. Here is my travel itinerary for days 5 to 7. 
First, I’m going to Karuizawa, Nagano prefecture for some cycling and shopping, then to Kamikochi highlands and Matsumoto Castle for sightseeing. 

Day 5 : Visited the resort town, Karuizawa, in Nagano Prefecture 

I woke up early in the morning and headed to Kanazawa Station to get to Karuizawa Station by train, a journey that takes about two hours. Karuizawa is situated in Nagano Prefecture and is a well-loved mountain resort town with a mild summer climate. For those from tropical areas,      this is a good place to escape the hot weather of summer holidays. Check out Shiraito Falls, Kumoba Pond, and the quaint alleyways to enjoy cool, pristine nature in milder temperatures. 

My first move is to visit Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa, 23 minutes from Karuizawa by the Kusakaru bus. Shiraito Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in Japan with a width of 150 meters across, curved to showcase the 20 meter-high falling waters. Mostly consisting of spring water from Mount Asama, the waters of Shiraito Falls flow between the giant rock walls and resemble pure white silk threads. This is what gave rise to the name Shiraito, meaning white threads.

After taking in the fresh air and scenery of Shiraito Falls, I decided to unleash my inner shopaholic. Prince Shopping Plaza next to Karuizawa Station has over 240 stores ranging from high end brands to affordable goods. Perfect for someone like me! Many dining choices are available, and shoppers can enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine such as ramen, Japanese barbecue, and various flavors of rice bowls. The Nagano signature marinated pork bowl, Butadon, is a must-try. Muslim-friendly options are available too, such as Shinshu soba noodles and more. 

After enjoying a delightful dinner of Butadon, it’s time for us to hit the hay. Our accommodation for tonight is Karuizawa Prince Hotel, which is just right next to Prince Shopping Plaza. The lovely hotel is equipped with a hot spring spa, golf course, and ski facilities all in one! 

Day 6 : Karuizawa Old Town’s Cycling Tour

Karuizawa is wholly bicycle-friendly, so I decided to take a cycle through its main streets. I’m lucky that the streets are mostly flat, and that bicycle rentals are easily available. 
This is my cycling route that I took around interesting spots in this city. 
From Mampei Hotel → St Paul's Church → Moss Road → Kumoba Pond 

After a short bike ride, I decided to reward ourselves for still knowing how to ride a bike! I decided to spend tea time at the Mampei Hotel. I ordered a slice of apple pie and a cup of hot milk, which apparently is what John Lennon used to order when he was in the area. Beatles fans, take note!

You can enjoy the nature and a nostalgic atmosphere unique to Karuizawa by taking this route from St. Paul’s Church to Moss Road, and to Kumoba Pond.

Since I had a great workout today, my dormant muscles have finally awakened. I am ready to visit my final destination for today, Matsumoto Castle. I departed from Karuizawa Station to Matsumoto Station by JR Hokuriku Shinkansen and Shinano Railway, a journey that took about 2 hours.

Matsumoto Castle has a rich historical background that was established over 400 years ago. It has long been known as a moon-viewing spot and remains a popular travel destination for locals and tourists. It is one of five great national castles in Japan, and still retains its original castle keep as it was at the time. This castle will be illuminated every night and hosts an exciting light show in winter. For first-time visitors to Japan, I recommend adding Matsumoto Castle to your itinerary.

Tomorrow is the last day of my adventure along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, where I will be exploring The Pristine Nature of Kamikochi. 

Day 7: Spot the “Garden of Heaven” in Kamikochi 

I decided to wrap up this Hokuriku and Shinetsu trip by visiting the “Garden of Heaven” in Kamikochi. Kamikochi is an untouched natural region that can be accessed within two hours via shuttle bus, from Matsumoto Station to Shin-shimashima Station and finally to the Kamikochi bus terminal. 

The unspoiled natural sceneries that surround crystal clear rivers located within Matsumoto, sit at an altitude of about 1,500 meters. It is part of the Chubu-Sangaku National Park and is a National Cultural Asset of Japan. Due to its high altitude, the temperature rarely exceeds 28°C, making it a wonderful place to enjoy nature during the summer months. Vehicles are strictly prohibited from entering the area, so the air is crisp and pure. Every breath is almost even sweet!

Kamikochi is only open to the public in the summer and early autumn months. The main roads are flat, suitable for children and senior citizens. I spent about one and a half hours strolling around the area, taking in the great outdoors. It is also a popular hiking place for avid hikers. If you want to experience a different atmosphere from the city, come and visit Kamikochi! 

My seven-day trip to the Hokuriku and Shinetsu regions has finally come to an end, and it’s time to return to home sweet home, Tokyo.
Kamikochi's bus terminal offers a bus service to Tokyo. The journey takes about 5 hours and takes you to several convenient drop-off points in Tokyo. Even though it is considered a long distance from Kamikochi to Tokyo, the time whizzed by as I scrolled through all the photos and videos we took of so many interesting Japanese destinations over the past week. The great thing about this bus service is that it’s convenient and you won’t have to lug your bags around. 

We’ll say it again: The Hokuriku and Shinetsu regions truly can be easily accessed from Tokyo with different types of transport, such as the Shinkansen bullet train, bus or private car. With that said, we hope to see you traveling to these regions (and the spots we introduced) when you are in Japan. Don’t forget to share your travel experiences and photos with JNTO! 

1st Article is here
2nd Article is here