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. A 3 minute walk away is Mizunashi Shrine, the main shrine of the area. It is also one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Takayama. Ichinomiya is known as the heart of Takayama and you can really get a 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 (well of course) onsen or Japanese hot springs. This hot spring town is one out of 7 in the Okuhida Area of Takayama. While you’re in the area, you can enjoy not only hot springs but also hiking, waterfalls, and the Shinhotaka Ropeway. There is also a (secret) open 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 where most locals enjoy picnics and enjoy looking over the river. During the cherry blossom season, vendors sell hot snacks. As it is close to Hida Furukawa, you can also take the bus to visit the town where you can overlook even more cherry blossoms.
🌸 Sakurano Park 🌸
Hours: 11:00AM~2:00PM Check updates about the event: here
How to get there:
By bus: Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #2 (for Furukawa/Kamioka) ⬇ Sakurano (19 minutes)
Miyagawa Ryouchi Park isa local spot with enough space to host several hanabi (flower viewing) parties.
🌸 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)
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~)
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)
1. [Hirayu Bus Terminal (Hirayu Onsen) Route] How to take a highway bus from Basta Shinjuku to Hida Takayama and transfer at Hirayu Bus Terminal next to Kamikochi.
2. via Matsumoto Take a highway bus from Basta Shinjuku to Matsumoto Bus Terminal and transfer at the Matsumoto Inter-mae bus stop.
First, let’s look at the Hirayu route. Although it takes about 30 minutes longer than the direct bus from Shinjuku to Kamikochi, the round-trip fare is more than 10,000 yen less than the direct bus from Shinjuku to Kamikochi. In addition, you can enjoy Okuhida Onsenkyo (hot spring resort) such as Hirayu Onsen.
Click here for the version via Matsumoto via Matsumoto Interchange bus stop and Matsumoto Railway Kamikochi Line.
Kamikochi is always restricted to private cars and cannot be entered by private cars.
The only ways to enter Kamikochi are by bus, licensed cab, on foot, or by bicycle. Therefore, the highway bus is by far the most convenient way to get to Kamikochi from Tokyo!
However, since highway buses are convenient, they are popular and crowded, making the price somewhat more expensive. Save a little money! Here is a guide to a backstage technique that makes it easier to make reservations.
Niijima Station ｜ (local bus ) about 1 hour 15 minutes
Kamikochi Bus Terminal
■ For express buses ■ 8,000 – 16,000 yen (adult one-way) Main price range 12,000 – 14,000 yen
Basta Shinjuku / Shibuya Bus Terminal (Mark City) / Yaesu South Exit of JR Tokyo Station ｜ (Express Bus, Sawayaka Shinshu-go ) about 4 hours 30 min~5 hours ｜ Kamikochi Bus Terminal
Buses from Shinjuku are especially convenient and numerous. However, highway buses from Shinjuku (Basta Shinjuku) to Kamikochi are very popular, so reservations are difficult to obtain and the fares are a bit expensive. So, here is a backdoorhighway bus routethat is relatively inexpensive and easy to book,
Shinjuku (Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal) | (Highway Bus to Hida Takayama ) about 4 hours and 40 minutes ｜ Hirayu Bus Terminal ｜ ( local bus ) about 25 min. ｜ Kamikochi Bus Terminal
Express bus routes are available. The fare is approximately 6,500 yen (one-way for adults).
Hirayu Bus TerminalHirayu Bus Terminal
Hirayu Bus Terminal is the gateway toKamikochi, Mt. Norikura, and Shin Hotaka Ro on the Gifu Prefecture (Takayama City) side. Hirayu Bus Terminal is also the stop for highway buses from Basta Shinjuku to Takayama, with 5 to 7 round trips being made daily.
If you head to Kamikochi via this Hirayu bus terminal, you can save more than 10,000 yen round trip.
Location of Kamikochi and its surroundings
If you are going to Kamikochi by car: On the Matsumoto City side in Nagano Prefecture, park at Sawatari Parking Lot, and on the Takayama City side in Gifu Prefecture, park at Akandana Parking Lot (Hirayu Onsen) and transfer to a bus for a 20-30 minute ride.
If you are going to Kamikochi, going via Hirayu Bus Terminal is not only economical but also healing. The reason…
(1) Save more than 10,000 yen round trip via Hirayu!
Shinjuku ⇔ Kamikochi 【By direct round-trip bus】About 26,000 yen
Shinjuku⇔Hirayu⇔Kamikochi [Round trip, via Hirayu] Approx. 14,200 yen, a savings of over 10,000 yen
Shinjuku→Hirayu→Kamikochi→Shinjuku [If you take a direct one-way bus, one way via Hirayu] about 21,000 yen and save about 5,000 yen.
Another trick is to take a highway bus from Shinjuku to Matsumoto, get off in front of the Matsumoto Interchange, and transfer to the Matsumoto Railway Kamikochi Line from Oniwa Station . This is also very economical and convenient. Click here for more details…
(2) Healing in a famous hot spring. So what kind of place is Hirayu Onsen?
This is the gateway to Okuhida Onsenkyo. It is the largest hot spring resort near Kamikochi, with about 30 accommodations of various sizes. The town spreads out around Hirayu Bus Terminal, and most of the hot spring resort is within walking distance. In addition to lodging facilities, there are also a variety of day-trip hot spring facilities and restaurants. The hot spring water is abundant and hot. There are about 40 sources, gushing about 13,000 liters per minute of hot spring water at a high temperature of about 90°C.
Tsuyu-kusa A ryokan with a completely private hot spring for overnight stays with no meals. Onsen ryokan located a 3-minute walk from Hirayu bus terminal. Self check-in/check-out, so late arrivals and early morning departures are OK! A popular, small, cost-effective onsen ryokan. Please make reservations as early as possible! >>> Search availability, check rates, and make reservations
Hirayu-kan This onsen ryokan is a 3-minute walk from the Hirayu bus terminal and has a full range of onsen (hot spring) facilities. The ryokan has a particularly wonderful open-air bath. The ryokan offers a variety of plans, including overnight stays with no meal and one-night breakfast plans. There is also a convenience store inside the inn, which is recommended for consecutive nights or mid- to long-term stays. >>> Search availability, check rates, and make reservations
Hirayu Onsen Town seen from Awa PassHirayu Onsen Folk Museum
Hirayu Bus Terminal – Kamikochi Bus Terminal Adults 1,500 yen one way, 2,800 yen round trip Children 750 yen one way, 1,400 yen round trip Details/Timetable
Keio Bus LINE official account opened!
Kamikochi Recommended Model Course
*The model course below is based on the summer schedule. Please note that some buses may operate seasonally. Please check the timetable, etc. in advance.
1. hiking & cyclingAn active experience in the great outdoors!
Day 1
Departure from Shinjuku 8:15→(Shakado PA, Suwako SA) → Arrival at Hirayu 12:55
Hirayu Onsen 13:00-14:00Lunch
Hirayu Exploration Path, Hirayu Great Falls, etc. Hiking 14:00-16:30
Hirayu Onsen check-in around 16:30 (overnight stay)
Departure from Nishiho Dokubetsu at 10:30→(trekking)→arrival at Nishihomaruyama at 11:30→(trekking)→arrival at Nishiho Sanso at 12:00
Nishiho Villa Lunch
Nishiho Villa 13:00→(trekking)→Nishihotaka-guchi station 14:45→(ropeway)→Shinhotaka Onsen station 15:10
Shin Hotaka Ropeway 15:55→(Takayama-bound local bus) → Arrival at Hirayu Bus Terminal 16:28
Hirayu Forest Bathing
Hirayu Bus Terminal 18:05→(Suwako SA, Shakado PA, etc.) →Arrive Shinjuku 22:45
5. enjoy the spectacular view of Norikura Tatamidaira at an elevation of 2,702 meters and Kamikochi!
Day 1
Departure from Shinjuku 10:25p.m. → (overnight stay in car)
2nd day
→Arrive at Kamikochi Bus Terminal at 5:20
Kamikochi (breakfast, walk, lunch)
Depart from Kamikochi Bus Terminal at 15:00 → (Awa Tunnel) → Arrive at Hirayu Bus Terminal at 15:25
Check-in at Hirayu Onsen around 16:00
3rd day
Hirayu Bus Terminal 8:00→(Norikura Skyline) -> Norikura Tatamidaira 9:00 arrival
Norikura Tatamidaira (walk and lunch)
Kamikochi Bus Terminal 14:00→(Norikura Skyline) →Hirayu Bus Terminal 15:00
Hirayu Bus Terminal 16:05→(Suwako SA, Shakado PA) →Arrive at Shinjuku 20:45 *You can also enjoy cycling between Hirayu and Norikura-dake (Tatamidaira) on a rental e-bike!
*The above model course is based on the summer schedule. Please note that some buses may operate seasonally. Please check the timetable in advance.
Shinjuku – Hirayu Bus Terminal (to Hida Takayama) Adults 5,800 yen – 6,200 yen Children 2,900 yen – 3,100 yen Details, Timetable, Reservations
Hirayu Bus Terminal – Kamikochi Bus Terminal Adults 1,500 yen one way, 2,800 yen round trip Children 750 yen one way, 1,400 yen round trip Details/Timetable
Hirayu Onsen Recommended Accommodations
Tsuyu-kusa A ryokan with a completely private hot spring for overnight stays with no meals. Onsen ryokan located a 3-minute walk from Hirayu bus terminal. Self check-in/check-out, so late arrivals and early morning departures are OK! A popular, small, cost-effective onsen ryokan. Please make reservations as early as possible! >>> Search availability, check rates, and make reservations
Hirayu-kan This onsen ryokan is a 3-minute walk from the Hirayu bus terminal and has a full range of onsen (hot spring) facilities. The ryokan has a particularly wonderful open-air bath. The ryokan offers a variety of plans, including overnight stays with no meal and one-night breakfast plans. There is also a convenience store inside the inn, which is recommended for consecutive nights or mid- to long-term stays. >>> Search availability, check rates, and make reservations
