Takato Joshi Park in Ina City, Nagano Prefecture, is famous for its 1,500 Takato Okohigan cherry trees, an endemic species, and is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan.
Adults: (high school students and older) 600 yen , (500 yen for 20 or more people) Children: (elementary and junior high school students) 300 yen , (250 yen for over 20 people)
Access
From the direction of Tokyo
Shinjuku Bus Terminal ↓ （Express Bus｜3 hours and 25 minutes) Timetables and reservations ( highwaybus.com ) ↓ Ina Bus Terminal ↓ (Takato Bus Route, approx. 25 min. Timetable ) ↓ Takato Station ↓ (about 15 min. on foot) ↓ Takato Joshi Park
Meitetsu Bus Center (Nagoya) ↓ （Highway bus｜approx. 3 hours) Timetables and reservations ( highwaybus.com ) ↓ Ina Bus Terminal ↓ (Takato Bus Route, approx. 25 min. Timetable ) ↓ Takato Station ↓ (about 15 min. on foot) ↓ Takato Joshi Park
If you are planning to do a round trip journey from Tokyo, there is actually a cheaper way to get to Kamikochi if you make one transfer via bus. It can save you up to 10,000 yen.
Kamikochi is one of the most popular national parks in all of Japan, located in the Japanese Alps of Nagano Prefecture. Annually, visitors flock to the area to enjoy the park’s pristine clear waters, fresh air, and hiking routes. Kamikochi can be reached in around 5 hours by bus from Tokyo and 1 hour by bus from central Takayama. Once a year the park closes during the winter season and reopens in spring due to the high amounts of snow. Spring in Kamikochi can still be a bit cool, but flowers and greenery start to take light again. Kamikochi is beautiful year-round, but spring offers unique sights that set it apart from other seasons.
Enjoy Nirinso Flowers Blooming
In Kamikochi there is a famous wildflower which blooms in Spring. The Nirinso is a small, delicate flower that blooms in fields around Kamikochi. You can spot these flowers by taking only a five minute walk from Kappa Bridge, the main photo spot in Kamikochi, or a 10 minute walk from the bus parking lot to Konashidaira Campground.
Nirinso
Nirinso is a wildflower that is part of the buttercup flower family, and is native to Japan and commonly found in the woodlands. The flowers can be spotted at Konashidaira Campground, located next to Kappa Bridge, the main bridge in Kamikochi and bloom starting May.
Enjoy Wildlife Make Their Return
If you’re a fan of birdwatching, in spring, many birds wake from their hibernation and can be seen all around the park. Other wildlife such as monkeys, ducks and weasels can also be seen all around the park as they make their return for spring.
Wild Birds
The Kamikochi area has over 100 variety of birds. Some varieties include the Grey Wagtail, Brown Dipper, Bush Warbler, and Pygmy Woodpecker.
Tips for Spring in Kamikochi:
Cold Temperatures: Although it is spring, temperatures in Kamikochi can still be quite cold especially during early April. It is advisable to wear thermals and prepare for some snow to still be on the ground. There also instances where you can still see snow on the mountains or on the paths during early spring.
Some Hiking Routes in Kamikochi:
Route (from Parking Lot)
Time Taken (one way/way up)
Taisho Pond Trail
1 hour
Mt.Yakedake
5 hours
Karasawa Hutte
5 hours
Opening dates:
Kamikochi reopens April 17th, 2025.
While day trips are possible, if you truly want to enjoy the Japanese Alps, we recommend booking a hotel on the premises or staying in the nearby onsen area, Okuhida or in Takayama City so you can take your time in Kamikochi. For those with more time on their hands, we recommend staying 2 or more days as the area has many breathtaking hiking routes spread throughout the Nagano and Gifu regions. Okuhida also offers many ryokan (Japanese Inn) and onsen (hot spring bathing) for nature lovers.
Nearby Attractions/ Hiking Routes
Mt.Norikura
Mt.Norikura is the highest mountain that can be reached by bus (and bicycle!). The mountain is only a 1 1/2 hours away by bus from Kamikochi. To get here, depart from Hirayu Bus Terminal for Honokidaira Bus Terminal. From Honokidaira Bus Terminal, there are buses once an hour that take you to Mt. Norikura.
Okuhida Onsengo
Okuhida Onsengo is a onsen resort area 20 minutes from Kamikochi. Some popular hiking routes include: Mt.Kasagatake, Mt.Yake, and Nishihotakadake.
Garyuzakura is one of the oldest cherry blossom trees in Japan (over 1,100 years old) and is surrounded by a park and tranquil nature.The surrounding neighborhood, Ichinomiya, has hundreds of cherry blossom trees lined up against the natural rivers and mountains, making it a beautiful place to experience the surrounding nature. Next to Garyuzakura around 3 minutes by foot is Mizunashi Shrine, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Takayama. Ichinomiya is known as the heart of Takayama and because there are less buildings, visitors can truly enjoy a true sense of the countryside here.
🌸 Ichinomiya Cherry Blossom Festival 🌸 Date: April 14th, 2025 (tentative)
Hours: 11:00AM~2:00PM Check updates about the event: here
How to get there:
By bus: Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #1 (Gero Line) ⬇ Ichinomiya Bus Stop (15 mins)
Fukuji Onsen is an adorable onsen town with a retro morning market, ramen shops, and plently of onsen or Japanese hot springs. This cherry blossom garden in Fukuji is the only one of its magnitude in the area. Fukuji is one out of the 7 hot spring neighborhoods in the Okuhida area of Takayama. The Okuhida area includes not only the hot spring but also hiking, waterfalls, and the Shinhotaka Ropeway. In Fukuji Onsen, there is also a (secret) open mountain viewing balcony area where anyone is free to sit and relax here.
🌸 Fukuji Onsen 🌸
While you’re in the area, you can enjoy the Okuhida Area (home of Shinhotaka Ropeway, mountain hiking, and high quality hot springs!)
Fukuji Onsen Morning Market
Hot springs & local Hida cuisine
Hida Beef at Izakaya TaranokiOnsen at Isurugi no Yu
How to get there:
By bus: Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #5 (for Hirayu) ⬇ Hirayu Bus Terminal (Platform 1) ⬇ Fukuji Spa
3. Sakurano Park (Kokufu, Takayama)
What to do in the area: Sakurano Park is a spot spacious park in Takayama City where most locals can enjoy picnics and enjoy looking over the river. During the cherry blossom season, vendors sell hot snacks in the park area. It is also close to Hida Furukawa, the town that inspired the anime movie, Kimi no Nawa (your name). You can take a picture of the train station and library in the movie while enjoying cherry blossoms in the surrounding area.
🌸 Sakurano Park 🌸
Directly next to the park is a restaurant famous for yakiniku (Japanese bbq) and also a large assortment of Japanese set dishes.
How to get there:
By bus: Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #2 (for Furukawa/Kamioka) ⬇ Sakurano (19 minutes)
What to do in the area: Miyagawa Ryouchi Park is a local spot with enough space to host several hanabi (flower viewing) parties. Many people bring their pets here in the spring season. The park is a 12 minute walk from the main shrine in town, Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine.
🌸 Miyagawa Ryouchi Park 🌸
Nearby is a local favorite cheesecake store, Le Ceil! They sell seasonal cheesecakes but careful–they sell out quickly and only make a limited amount a day!
Strawberry Basque CheesecakeLe Ceil Cheesecakes
How to get there:
By bus: Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #2 (for Furukawa/Kamioka) ⬇ Sakurano (19 minutes)
Hida City is home of the neighborhoods Hida Furukawa and Hida Kamioka. The charm of Hida City is that there are less buildings compared to Takayama, so you can really “feel the countryside” of the Hida Area. The cherry blossoms are scattered all over town, so if you rent a bicycle and ride around, you are bound to find many local spots local students and commuters get to enjoy. Some of the main cherry blossom attractions in town will be listed below.
1. Kamioka Castle (Hida Kamioka)
What to do in the area: Kamioka Castle overlooks the entire city of Kamioka and is breathtaking in the spring. Around the castle grounds are a wide variety of cherry blossom trees scattered all over the premises. As it is next to a middle school, sometimes you can catch children running around playing tag here.
How to get there:
By bus: Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #2 (for Furukawa/Kamioka) ⬇ Nissato (1 hour~)
What to do in the area: Gosho Sakura is a long road of cherry blossom trees that line the Miyagawa River in Hida Furukawa. Every spring, they light up this beautiful road from 6PM~10PM. The cherry blossoms are right next to Ayuno Bridge– officially, the spot isn’t on google maps but is greatly celebrate by the locals
How to get there:
By bus: Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #2 (for Furukawa/Kamioka) ⬇ Hida Furukawa Station ⬇ Sugisaki Station (~4 minute walk) ⬇ Gosho Sakura (on the intersection of Ayuno Bridge and Daie River)
You can access Shirakawago from several major cities in Japan by direct bus. Shirakawago cannot be accessed by train, but you can get there by the following cities without any transfers. Below we’ll show you the different bus timetables departing from Nagoya, Takayama, Kanazawa, and Toyama!
Route #1: Takayama to Shirakawago by Bus
Warning: Tickets for this route is extremely popular. Often you cannot buy a ticket the same day from the station. We advise you to book a mobile ticket on the website above, or buy your tickets in person a day prior. There are two types of tickets: unreserved and reserved. Unreserved means that you can stand in line and pay for the ticket directly, but most likely all seats will already be sold out. There are also special tickets that stops at Ainokura Village and Shirakawago (this is a separate set ticket that must be purchased directly with Takayama Nohi Bus Center).
*Those who hold the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” and ”SHORYUDO Bus Pass” cannot use it to make an online reservation. If you hold either of these passes, please proceed with Takayama Nohi Bus Terminal.
The bus center at Meitetsu Nagoya Station is located on the 3rd floor. To access from Nagoya Station, exit at the Sakura-dori side, and head towards the separate building, Meitetsu Nagoya Station. If you enter Meitetsu Nagoya Station from the basement floor, turn right at the cake store HARBS and board the elevators on the left side only (the right side doesn’t stop at the 3rd floor). There is a small waiting room and a family mart next to the ticket office.
Nagoya is the 4th largest city in Japan. As it is in the center of Japan, it is in an ideal spot to travel from as it is very easily accessible to other areas. We recommend traveling from Nagoya as a base because it is very convenient, affordable, and most importantly, fun. We explain in detail how transfer to Shirakawago, Takayama, and even Nara in the cheapest way possible from Nagoya below.
This bus stop is located outside Kanazawa Station right before the famous wooden station gate. Purchase your ticket online or at the ticket office located next to the bus terminal. This route is useful for those who arrive in Kanazawa via the Hokuriku Shinkansen. You can access Kanazawa station from Tokyo if you take the Kagayaki Shinkansen (~2hrs 30 mins) or the Hakutaka Shinkansen (~3hrs). If you are coming from Kyoto, take the Tokaido-Sanyo Line and transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen (~3hrs to get to Kanazawa Station.
This boarding point is convenient if you are coming from Tokyo. To reach Toyama Station from Tokyo, use the Hokuriku Shinkansen. From Tokyo, you can access Toyama Station on the Kagayaki Shinkansen (~2hrs 8mins) or the Hakutaka Shinkansen (~2hrs 30 mins). If you are coming from Nagano, take the Kagayaki Shinkansen (~1hr 20 mins) or the Hakutaka Shinkansen (~1hr 40 mins). There are also special set tickets which take you to Gokayama and Shirakawago (only in Japanese) that can be purchased from convenience store ticket machines.
Gokayama (Ainokura Village), a less busy alternative to Shirakawago
Gokayama’s Ainokura Village & Shirakawago from TAKAOKA STATION
Located ~23km north of Shirakawago, Gokayama (famous for its Ainokura Village) is another thatched roof village so isolated, it can mostly only be accessed by car. It offers a far less busy and more intimate experience than Shirakawago. From Takaoka Station there are also set bus tickets that stop at both Gokayama and Shirakawago. The following set tickets can be purchased at convenience stores (Japanese only). Tickets must be redeemed at the Kaetsuno Bus Ticket Center on the first floor of Takaoka Station.
More information on the set tickets (Japanese only): here
Set tickets: 1. Kaetsuno Bus Gokayama-Shirakawago Free Ticket Ticket from Takaoka Station/Shin-Takaoka Station → Gokayama → Shirakawago. Sale period: January 29, 2025 to March 31, 2025 Price: 3,500 yen (adults) / 1,750 yen (adults)
2. Kaetsuno Bus Gokayama Free Ticket Ticket between Takaoka Station, Shin-Takaoka Station and Gokayama (Sasarakan-mae). Sale period: January 29, 2025 to March 31, 2025 Price: 2,500 yen (adults) / 1,250 yen (children)
3. Kaetsuno Bus Takaoka ⇒ Shirakawago One-way Free Ticket One way ticket from Takaoka Station/Shin-Takaoka Station to Shirakawago. Sale period: January 29, 2025 to March 31, 2025 Price: 2,000 yen (adults) / 1,000 yen (children)
Gokayama’s Ainokura Village & Shirakawago from TAKAYAMA STATION
You can also visit Gokayama from Takayama Nohi Bus Station, with one departure time at 8:30 AM. This set ticket tour runs for 8,000 yen.
This set ticket tour includes: -Roundtrip ticket to and from Takayama Station -Stops at Gokayama (50 minutes) -Stops at Shirakawago (2 hrs & 40 mins)
This winter, a limited-edition shuttle bus service will connect between Matsumoto and Hakuba, one of the world’s best snow resorts abundant with slopes, powder snow, and a variety of courses that attract skiers and snowboarders from Japan and abroad.
This shuttle bus is only: 1,000 yen/one way
To Hakuba (Matsumoto→Hakuba)
Cheap shuttle bus: 1,000 yen
This is convenient for heading to Hakuba after sightseeing in Matsumoto. Date of operation: January 24th, 2025 ~ February 12th, 2025
Matsumoto Bus Terminal Departure: 8:30 PM ↓ Arrive at Hakuba Goryu 10:20 PM Arrive at JR Hakuba Station at 10:25 PM Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal 10:30 PM arrival
JR Oito Line 1,170 yen｜Time required: about 1 hour and 50 minutes (in case of express train: about 1 hour｜+1,020 yen)
It is also possible to go from Matsumoto Station to Hakuba Station by train. Direct train timetable from Matsumoto Station Departure: 9:20 AM Departure at 10:41 AM (Limited Express Azusa +1,020 yen) Departs at 11:20 AM Departs at 2:09 PM
Above is the timetable for direct trains. Some trains transfer at Shinano-Omachi Station.
To Matsumoto (Hakuba→Matsumoto)
1,000 yen shuttle bus｜Reservations required
This is convenient when traveling between Hakuba and Matsumoto Date of operation: January 24, 2025 ~February 12, 2025
Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal Departure: 9:00 AM JR Hakuba Station Departure: 9:05 AM Hakuba Goryu Departure: 9:10 AM ↓ Arrive at Matsumoto Bus Terminal at 11:00 AM Matsumoto City Museum (Daimyo-machi) Arrival at 11:05 AM Arrive at Matsumoto Castle (in front of City Hall) at 11:10 AM
