Takato Joshi Park, located in Ina City, Nagano Prefecture, is a popular spot selected as one of the 100 best castles in Japan, and is also famous for its magnificent autumn foliage. The autumn leaves of approximately 250 maple trees all turning red at the same time is a spectacular sight.
Maple leaves in Takato Joshi Park
Takato Joshi Park in 2024: Best time to see the autumn leaves
■Weather News Takato Joshi Park Best to see November 8, 2024- Falling leaves November 15, 2024-
Main Events Takato Soba “New Soba Festival” is held at the same time! The original type of soba is called “spicy sauce soba” and features sauce seasoned with grilled miso, spicy daikon radish, and green onion. In autumn, visitors can enjoy new soba made from locally produced flour.
Sales of “Chestnut Takato Joshi Manju
Takato Historical Exploration Rally
Access to Takato Joshi Park
From the direction of Tokyo
Basta Shinjuku ↓ (Highway Bus｜About 3 hours and 25 minutes) *Timetable and reservation ( highway-bus.com ) ↓ Ina Bus Terminal ↓ (Local bus, Takato line, about 25 min. Timetable ) ↓ Takato Station ↓ (about 15 min. on foot) ↓ Takato Joshi Park
From the direction of Nagoya
Meitetsu Bus Center (Nagoya) ↓ (Express Bus｜About 3 hours) *Timetable & Reservation ( highway-bus.com ) ↓ Ina Bus Terminal ↓ (Local bus, Takato line, about 25 min. Timetable ) ↓ Takato Station ↓ (about 15 min. on foot) ↓ Takato Joshi Park
What is the highest point in Japan? It is Mt. Fuji, known to all Japanese! Its elevation is 3,776 meters above sea level!
For those who are considering climbing Mt. There are multiple trailheads and four different routes to the summit of Mt!
Fuji Subaru Line Fifth station (Yamanashi side) Yoshida route climbing from the trailhead at an elevation of 2,305 meters Climbing time: about 6 hours uphill, about 4 hours downhill
Fifth station at Susuriguchi (Shizuoka Prefecture side) The Susugi route climbs from the trailhead at an elevation of 1,970 meters. Climbing time: about 6 hours uphill, 3 hours downhill
Gotemba-guchi new fifth station (Shizuoka Prefecture side) Gotemba route climbing from the trailhead at an elevation of 1,440 meters Climbing time: about 7 hours uphill, 3 hours downhill
Fujinomiya Fifth Station (Shizuoka Prefecture side) Fujinomiya route climbing from the trailhead at an elevation of 2,380 meters Climbing time: 5 hours ascent, 3 hours descent
2024 Opening date of Mt. Yoshida Route: Monday, July 1, 2024 – Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Susugi Route, Gotemba Route, Fujinomiya Route: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 – Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Which trailhead do you recommend?
If you live in the Tokyo area and are a beginner climbing or mountaineering Mt,
The Yoshida Route at the fifth station of the Fuji Subaru Line is recommended.
Reason 1 The elevation at the starting point is as high as 2,305 meters! 1,471m left to the summit!
If you are going by car, the Fujinomiya route, which has the highest starting point at 2,380 meters above sea level, is also recommended, but there are significant disadvantages to driving. You or someone accompanying you must drive. The return trip is very sleepy and difficult due to fatigue, and dangerous. I drove to my first Mt. The monotonous highway driving on the way back was very, very hard.
Also, with today’s strict environmental regulations, you must park your car at the parking lot at the base of the mountain and transfer to a shuttle bus to reach the trailhead.
Reason 3 There are many mountain huts, so you can rest assured when the need arises.
The disadvantage of the Yoshida Route is that it is the most popular course, so it is crowded in high season.
If you are physically fit and prefer an open route, the Gotemba route is recommended. For access to the Gotemba route Take the bus bound for “Mizugatsuka Koen” from bus stop No. 1 at Fujiyamaguchi, Gotemba Station. Timetable and Fare (Gotemba Station→Gotemba-guchi Shin-gogo-me)
Recommended Route Fuji Subaru Line Fifth StationYoshida Route Access and transportation information to
<Recommended! > ~Express Bus~.
Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal ⇓ fifth station on Mt Fuji （Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station) Two round trips per day from 5/7/2024 to 6/30/2024! Travel time: approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes Fee: 3,800 yen (1 adult, one-way, web fare)
Shinjuku Station ⇓ (Express: approx. 60 min. 2,360 yen) ⇓ Ohtsuki station ⇓ (Fujikyu Line) ⇓ Fuji Station ⇓ ( Local bus: 1,570 yen ) ⇓ fifth station on Mt Fuji （Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station)
~Automobile~.
Takaido etc. ⇓ (Chuo Road) ⇓ Otsuki JCT ⇓ (Chuo Highway, Fujiyoshida line) ⇓ Kawaguchiko IC ⇓ Fuji Parking (Formerly Yamanashi Prefectural Fuji Hokuroku Parking Lot) ⇓ ( Shuttle bus: 45 minutes, 2,100 yen round trip) ⇓ fifth station on Mt Fuji （Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station)
There are two main ways to travel from Shinjuku to Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture by public transportation.
1. From Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station on the JR Limited Express Azusa 2. Take a highway bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Matsumoto Bus Terminal
There are two ways to go. It would depend on where you live, your objectives, and your budget. We compared the “JR Limited Express Azusa” and “Highway bus“.
There is no such thing as one is better than the other, so it comes down to the purpose of your visit and what your priorities are. I think it depends on your purpose of use and what your priorities are.
▶ For details and reservations of highway buses, please visit ” Highwaybus.com Highwaybus.com”.
▶ For details and reservations of JR Limited Express Azusa, please visit “JR-EAST Train Reservation“.
I will write here from my personal and subjective point of view.
The closest station to me is Mitaka Station on the JR Chuo Line, so before the coronavirus pandemic, I used the JR Limited Express Azusa almost 100% of the time. Recently, however, I use the highway bus about 70% of the time and the JR Limited Express Azusa about 30% of the time.
Why is that?
For reference, Mitaka Station is easily accessible to “Shinjuku” and “Tachikawa” where the JR Limited Express Azusa stops, in about 15 minutes. Therefore, when going to Matsumoto, the only option was always the “Azusa” train.
However, the significant increase in travel to Matsumoto, teleworking, etc., and the Corona disaster have changed the way I work and my sense of values, Travel time has also turned into time for work and other activities.
The top priority before the coronavirus pandemic was [That there are convenient schedule]. [The quickness (short travel time)]. [Cost] but
Our top priorities right now are. [That there are convenient schedule]. [That I can also make the most of my travel time.] [Cost] The company has changed.
As a result, highway bus have become more convenient.
Why is that?
In my personal and subjective opinion, it highlighted three weaknesses of Azusa that had not bothered me much before the Corona disaster.
Azusa’s Weaknesses (1) The mobile WI-FI I always bring is very unstable. Especially from Hachioji to Kofu is unstable. I have resigned myself to the fact that the train runs through the mountains and has many long, narrow tunnels, as in the past, because it is a conventional train line.
Azusa’s Weaknesses (2) It is a bumpy ride. It may seem surprising, but for those who suffer from motion sickness, express buses are recommended. My son and wife get dizzy every time and seem to have a hard time.
I also get dizzy when working on the computer when I’m sleep deprived or tired.
We have changed our behavior to overcome the above two weaknesses.
Give up work and go to bed! Or drink! And work after arriving at your destination or after returning home (T T)
Azusa’s weaknesses (3) High prices.
I didn’t mind it before because it was only a few times a year, but now that I use it more often, I’m very concerned about the price.
There used to be discount tickets such as coupon tickets and special tickets, but in March 2019, coupon tickets and special tickets will be discontinued, and reservations will be made through JR East’s website, “JR-EAST Train Reservation“ Ticketless Discounts Tokudane 10% off *10% off the price of a good deal. Tokudane 30% off *30% off the price of a good deal. Only two are left.
It would be nice to be able to use the “Tokudane 30% off(トクだ値30％OFF)” discount, but it is extremely difficult for me, as I mostly use it for business purposes and my schedule is not fixed until the last minute.
That’s when I noticed a revolutionary solution. It is a Highway bus.
Highway buses connect Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, directly connected to Shinjuku Station, andthe Matsumoto Bus Terminal next to Matsumoto Station via the Chuo Expressway and Nagano Expressway.
Mobile WI-FI is always stable. Also, since most of the way is on the highway, shaking is not a concern. On the way, we also like to refresh ourselves with a break at the Futaba Service Area.
Furthermore, the price is very reasonable. Price list↓↓
Therefore, the means of transportation to Matsumoto was changed from the JR Limited Express Azusa to the highway bus.
*When traffic congestion is expected on the expressway, such as on weekends, or when accurate arrival is required, we use Azusa.
▶ For details and reservations of highway buses, please visit ” Highwaybus.com Highwaybus.com”.
▶ For details and reservations of JR Limited Express Azusa, please visit “JR-EAST Train Reservation“.
Number of services (survey date: January 24, 2022)
18 round trips/day
24 round trips/day
the time required
Approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes
Approx. 3 hours and 20 minutes
Price (survey date January 24, 2022)
Regular fee ¥6,620 Ticketless discount ¥6,520 Tokudane 10% off: ¥5,950 (*10% off the price of a good deal.) Tokudane 30% off: ¥4,620 (*30% off the price of a good deal.)
Regular price ¥3,900 Web payment ¥3,600 2 web coupon tickets @¥3,250 x 2 4 web coupon tickets @¥3,150 x 4
on-time rate (of operation)
Weekdays: ✔/Weekends: ✔
The trains are almost always on time, but because they are conventional trains, delays of 5 to 10 minutes are common.
Free Wi-Fi and mobile Wi-Fi routers are unstable in many tunnels and mountainous areas.
✔ Free Wi-Fi available
Stable connection with both Free Wi-Fi and mobile Wi-Fi router that you bring.
Toilet
✔
It is spacious and comfortable. Car 10 is recommended for passengers with small children. There is a universal restroom with diaper changing facilities in Car 9 next door.
✔
There is also a break at the Futaba service area.
Shaking
High speed driving at relatively high speeds in mountainous areas causes severe lateral shaking
Relatively little shaking since most of the roads are highways.
View
△
Fuji and the Yatsugatake and Southern Alps, but unfortunately there are many tunnels!
✔
Fuji, the Yatsugatake Mountains, the Southern Alps, and Lake Suwa!
JR Limited Express Azusa
Highway bus
Number of services
18 round trips/day
17 round trips/day
the time required
Approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes
Approx. 3 hours and 20 minutes
Price
Regular fee ¥6,620
Regular price ¥3,900
Ticketless discount ¥6,520
Web payment ¥3,600
Tokudane 10% off: ¥5,950 (*10% off the price of a good deal.)
2 web coupon tickets @¥3,250 x 2
Tokudane 30% off: ¥4,620 (*30% off the price of a good deal.)
4 web coupon tickets @¥3,150 x 4
on-time rate (of operation)
Weekdays: ✔ /Weekends: ✔
Weekdays: ✔ / Weekends: △
Power source (outlet)
✔
✔
Wi-Fi
△ Free Wi-Fi available
✔ Free Wi-Fi available
Toilet
✔
✔
Shaking
High speed driving at relatively high speeds in mountainous areas causes severe lateral shaking
Relatively little shaking since most of the roads are highways.
Shinjuku – Matsumoto: JR Limited Express Azusa / Highway Bus Comparison chart (Survey date: January 24, 2022)
▶ For details and reservations of highway buses, please visit Highwaybus.com
▶ For details and reservations of JR Limited Express Azusa, please visit “JR-EAST Train Reservation“.
In that case, the route is Mitaka Station ｜ (JR Chuo Line: about 15 minutes) ↓ Tachikawa Station ｜ (about 5 minutes walk) ↓ Tachikawa Minami Station ｜ (Tama Toshi Monorail Line : about 4 minutes bound for Tama-Center) ↓ Kōshū-Kaidō Station ｜ (about 7 minutes walk) ↓ Chuo EXPWY Hino
This is the root
For reference, Mitaka to Matsumoto is JR Limited Express Azusa ¥5,980 with ticket-less discount Travel time is about 2 hours and 40 minutes
Highway bus ¥3,284 with 2 coupon tickets, the trip takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
▶ For details and reservations for highway buses, please contact ” Highwaybus.com “
These are recommended accommodations that our staff actually stayed at and found to be highly cost-effective.
Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto A modern, stylish budget hotel specializing in overnight stays, located directly near the Matsumoto bus terminal. Full service, including drink service for early check-in and tea rice with evening meal service. The large baths, modeled after the Shirakotsu Onsen hot springs, separate for men and women, are also attractive. In addition, children of elementary school age and younger sleep for free. Even more savings if you bring your children!
Hotel M Matsumoto Located right in front of the Matsumoto Bus Terminal on the 6th floor of a building that also houses Maruzen Bookstore and Daiso, this capsule and business hotel offers the best value for money, with a bright and clean atmosphere, and is safe for women traveling alone. Fully-equipped lounge, manga, etc. There is a large public bath with a gender-switching system. It is especially recommended for solo travelers and those staying before Kamikochi.
Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Ekimae It is about 400m 5 minutes away from the Matsumoto bus terminal. It is a stylish new hotel with an elaborate design that is also used for weddings. It is also recommended for women’s trips, etc.
Autumn is the perfect season for hot springs, food, and sake.
This time is perfect to enjoy onsen (hot springs) and sake on my own. I prefer unique and less crowded onsens as I’ll be solo tripping this time around.
Okuhida Onsenkyo is the perfect place for such a luxurious trip. Okuhida Onsenkyo has the largest number of open-air baths in Japan. Moreover, there are special open-air baths that cannot be found in the Kanto area (around Tokyo).
When you think hot spring, you might think of drinking beer, but when I think of Okuhida, I think of sake. Most onsens have beer vending machines, but Okuhida is part the region of Hida, famous for producing nationally acclaimed sake.
This time, I decided to go to Okuhida Onsen by highway bus for a one day trip to enjoy the hot springs and drinks by myself.
==PR==
Further into Kamikochi! Did you know that it is easy to get to Okuhida Onsenkyo at the foot of the North Alps? It takes 4 hours and 30 minutes from Basta Shinjuku to Hirayu Bus Terminal, the entrance to Okuhida Onsenkyo, by direct highway bus! There are 5-6 round-trip direct buses running every day! For more information on highway buses, please visit highwaybus.com.
Furthermore, at 2,702 meters above sea level from the Hirayu Bus Terminal, it is “the highest bus stop in Japan! Super! Cool and super! Direct bus service to Norikura summit (Tatamidaira) bus terminal with its spectacular view takes only 60 minutes.
Keio Bus LINE official account opened!
==Text Continued==
6:50 Arrive at Shinjuku Bus Terminal Board the 7:05 express bus to Hida Takayama!
You can check seat availability and make reservations for highway buses at highway-bus.com.
7:05 Next I leave for Okuhida Onsenkyo .
Early in the morning, I was a little sleep deprived so I knocked out in the bus. The expressway bus arrived at the Dangozaka service area on the Chuo Expressway for a break. We had a 10-minute break here. There were a lot of food places here and attractions, so 10 minutes almost didn’t feel like enough time! The bus made its way back to the Chuo Expressway. From the bus you can see the Southern Alps on the left and Yatsugatake on the right, and its extremely gorgeous.
Next, I took a break at the Suwako service area. The view of the Lake Suwa, was gorgeous and inspired the famous anime movie “Your Name”. I bought a cup of coffee to wake myself up.
The bus exits the expressway at the Matsumoto IC and continues on the mountain road toward Kamikochi and Takayama for one hour. The entrance to Kamikochi, famous for its mountain resorts, and the Kama Tunnel come into view. This time, after passing by this tunnel, it only takes about 10 minutes to reach…
11:43 a.m. I arrived at Hirayu Bus Terminal, the gateway to Okuhida Onsenkyo. It is a refreshing highland about 1200m above sea level. The wide sky and the steep mountains are wonderful and the air is so fresh.
I decided to have lunch here.
11:46 I decided to have lunch at a soba noodle restaurant next to the bus terminal. It is quite a nice place to eat!
I opened the menu and was lost in thought when I saw the words “Apo Soba”? What’s Apo? I had never heard of it before.
The waitress told me that it is a Hida dialect word for fried rice cake.
Since I was in the mood, I decided to order this Apo soba.
It tasted more like fried dumplings than fried rice cakes? But it was sweet and delicious!
12:26 p.m. I went to Mobility Station Okuhida to pick up the small EV rental car I reserved No one is there ^^;;; It appears to be an unmanned store. I went through the procedures while looking at the usage instructions I received in my e-mail in advance. Surprisingly, the procedure was completed easily. I received the key from the key box and we are on our way.
Is this a rental car and bike rental vending machine?
This rental car had a discount for express bus users and was 1,000 yen/8 hours.
12:39 Finally, I left for the hot springs. Is this a car? It looks like a go-cart at an amusement park.
I started driving at a leisurely pace at about 30 km. The car behind me made space for me as if it were saying, “After you!” It definitely attracted a lot of attention. I could feel others eyes on me ^^;;;.
13:06 Arriving at the North Alps Bridge Since I came this far, I decided to stop that can only be reached by car.
13:18 After leaving the North Alps Bridge, I headed for the open-air baths at Fukayama-so!
At the entrance to the Fukayama Villa, turn left at the point where the guard against falling rocks and snow has been cut off, and follow the path toward the river.
13:29 I arrived at the deep mountain lodge and parked my mini car.
The Fukasanso seems to be on the other side of the river across the suspension bridge.
To my shock…
I was looking at the river from the suspension bridge while going for the open-air bath, and I could see naked people in the distance! Oh…oh…my hips…
I can’t see them clearly from far away, but I think there are men and women of all ages… For a moment, my mind started to panic! ？？？？？
This is the legendary open-air bath I came all the way for!
I immediately went to the front desk of the ryokan to pay the bathing fee, and found a sign at the entrance. It read, “For one-day bathing, please put 500 yen in the mailbox on the left.”
I thought, “It’s just a mailbox. Are you just going to put money in here?” I went inside and asked the staff and they confirmed what the sign said.
I was surprised at the lack of human contact out here ^^;; So, I deposited 500 yen and went to the hot spring!
The entrance to the changing rooms is to the left for men and to the right for women.
The changing room was unexpectedly very well maintained (not to be rude!) Here you can take off your clothes, grab a towel, and head to the hot springs.
The main attraction here is the open-air mixed bathing open-air baths on the riverbank. There are also men-only and women-only baths. Women are supposed to wear bathing suits in the mixed bathing open-air baths and bathing suits that can be rented for a fee (500 yen) at the ryokan.
I understood why men and women of all ages bathed together. The women were all wearing bathing suits or bathing gowns. I felt relieved. ^^ ^^
In case you are wondering, the women-only open-air bath is surrounded by a wall, but the men-only bath is in full view from the suspension bridge, although it is a short distance away ^^;;;.
There appear to be four open-air baths: two for men, one for women, and one for mixed bathing.
First, I decided to enter the men-only area, which is closest to the changing rooms and furthest from the riverbank.
It was very comfortable ^^ The temperature is 41 degrees, the perfect temperature for me. It is clear and colorless, and a flower of hot water floats. It is pleasant hot water with a little smell of sulfur. The wind felt pleasant. Finally, at the mixed bath which is the closest to the riverbank, I could enjoy a superb view of the North Alps. I felt so embarrassed, so I rewrapped the towel tightly and head for the onsen.
The moment I entered, I forgot my sense of shame with the wonderful view, the great hot water, and the tremendous feeling of freedom. ^^;;;
It’s great. It feels good. It’s wonderful.
It is worth the 6 hour drive to come here. It is wonderful. I’m glad I came^^ On this day, I met a man who told me that he drove 8 hours by motorcycle from Osaka to go to this hot spring, and I agree.
This is awesome! It’s the best!
14:41 I departed from Fukasanso with great satisfaction.
15:12 Arrived at Mobility Station Okuhida. I returned my car. Again, it was unattended. After parking the car, plug it in and start charging. Put the key back in the key box again to complete the return.
Unlike gasoline-powered cars, you do not need to refuel before returning your car.
15:21 Walk to another open-air bath, Hirayu-no-yu at Hirayu Folk Museum. You can enter this bath for a small fee (about 300 yen).
It is an iron-rich, brownish-brown hot spring. The temperature is a little high, about 44 ℃, according to the sensory value! The tangy hot water and the cool breeze are pleasant.
15:54 Go to Izakaya “Rokuji” where you can enjoy local cuisine and drinks in the same Hirayu Folk Museum. Beer is great after a hot spring bath.
First of all, draft beer. Chicken tataki sashimi, Hida beef skewers, and steak as a snack.
Local Sake Glass
For rice, Rokuji’s special rice topped with an egg.
I was so engrossed in the food and drinks that I forgot to take pictures ^^;;; images on the WEB site… m(_ _)m
17:38 Fully satisfied, I departed from Rokuji and walked to the bus terminal.
17:46 Arrival at Hirayu Bus Terminal
18:05 Boarding a bus bound for Shinjuku After enjoying a hot spring bath, drinks and food… All that’s left is to sleep! Very satisfied with the luxurious holiday ZZZzzz…
22:32 Arrival at Shinjuku Bus Station!
==PR==
Further into Kamikochi! Did you know that it is easy to get to Okuhida Onsenkyo at the foot of the North Alps? It takes 4 hours and 30 minutes from Basta Shinjuku to Hirayu Bus Terminal, the entrance to Okuhida Onsenkyo, by direct highway bus! There are 5-6 round-trip direct buses running every day! For more information on highway buses, please visit highwaybus.com.
Furthermore, at 2,702 meters above sea level from the Hirayu Bus Terminal, it is “the highest bus stop in Japan! Super! Cool and super! Direct bus service to Norikura summit (Tatamidaira) bus terminal with its spectacular view takes only 60 minutes.
