3 Days | MJH-03 | Highlands Journey | Tokyo → Karuizawa → Togakushi → Nagano → Matsumoto → Nagoya
Overview
3 Days / 2 Nights | Central Highlands Journey | MJH-03
Route : Tokyo → Karuizawa → Nagano → Zenko-ji → Togakushi Highlands → Nagano → Matsumoto → Nagoya
Tour Code: MJH-03
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Departure: Tokyo
Tour Ends: Nagoya
Theme: Highland Escapes ｜ Forest Exploration ｜ Temple Culture ｜ Historic Castle Towns ｜ Scenic Inland Japan
This journey explores the heart of Japan’s Central Highlands, combining mountain resorts, sacred temples, forest landscapes, and historic castle towns into one memorable travel experience.
From the elegant highland atmosphere of Karuizawa to the spiritual heritage of Zenko-ji and the ancient forests of Togakushi, travelers will experience a different side of Japan beyond the well-known cities and tourist routes.
One of the unique features of this journey is the balance between structured travel arrangements and personal freedom. Through the MOVE JAPAN route connection system, travelers can comfortably move between regions while still enjoying plenty of free time to explore at their own pace.
The focus of the journey is not simply transportation between destinations, but the experience of the journey itself. Mountain roads, forest scenery, rural landscapes, and the changing views of inland Japan are all intentionally included as part of the travel experience.
Unlike traditional large-group tours, MOVE JAPAN emphasizes small-group travel, flexible route combinations, comfortable transportation, and a slower, more relaxed pace. The result is an experience that feels more like a road movie through Japan’s Central Highlands than a conventional sightseeing tour.
MOVE JAPAN
Explore Freely｜Move Comfortably
A different way to travel across Japan.
Inclusion & Exclusion
- Hotel accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- 2 daily breakfasts
- Transportation during the tour
- Tour coordination support services
- Sightseeing stops as listed in the itinerary
- Applicable Japanese consumption taxes and related taxes included
- Round-trip airfare
- Meals & personal expenses
- Admission tickets & optional activities
- Personal travel insurance
- Driver & tour assistance gratuity; USD15 per person per day
Meeting And Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point.
Meeting Point
Near Nagoya Station Taiko-dori Exit (Shinkansen Side)
What To Expect
- Day 1Tokyo → Karuizawa → Nagano Highlands
08:00 | Departure from Tokyo
10:00 – 14:00 | Karuizawa
- Old Karuizawa Ginza Street
- Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
- Highland Resort Atmosphere
- Seasonal Nature Scenery
Lunch at Leisure
14:00 – 16:00 | Transfer to Nagano
Free time in Nagano City
Overnight in Nagano
18:30｜Arrive in Nagano
Hotel check-in and free evening time.
Toyoko Inn or similar hotel
Nagano Highlands area - Day 2Zenko-ji Temple & Togakushi Highlands
Morning｜Breakfast at Hotel
After breakfast, depart toward the Togakushi Highland forest region.
08:30 | Departure from Hotel
09:00 – 10:30 | Zenko-ji
One of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples with a history of over 1,400 years.
- Main Temple Hall
- Nakamise Shopping Street
- Traditional Temple District
Free Exploration
10:30 – 11:30 | Transfer to Togakushi Highlands
Enjoy scenic mountain views along the way.
Lunch at Togakushi
Famous for its traditional handmade Togakushi Soba.
13:00 – 16:00 | Togakushi Shrine
- Togakushi Shrine
- Ancient Cedar Avenue
- Forest Walking Trails
- Kagamiike Pond
- Highland Scenery
Free time to explore the forest and shrine area.
16:00 – 17:00 | Return to Nagano City
Evening Free Time
- Nagano Station Area
- Local Restaurants & Izakaya
- Shopping & Cafés
Evening｜Hotel Check-in in Nagano Area
Toyoko INN or similar hotel
Guests may freely relax and enjoy the peaceful evening atmosphere of the region.
- Day 3Nagano → Narai-juku → Matsumoto → Nagoya
Morning｜Breakfast at Hotel
After breakfast, begin the final day of the Japan Forest Highland Traverse Journey.
09:00 | Hotel Check-out
09:00 – 10:30 | Transfer to Narai-juku
10:30 – 13:00 | Historic Nakasendo Post Town
- Traditional Edo Streets
- Free Exploration
Lunch at Narai-juku
13:00 – 14:00 | Transfer to Matsumoto Castle
14:00 – 16:00 | Matsumoto Castle
- Nakamachi Street
- Nawate Street
- Castle Town Walk
16:00 – 18:00 | Transfer to Nagoya
Tour Ends in Nagoya
Thank you for joining the MOVE JAPAN journey.
We hope you have enjoyed a wonderful travel experience across Japan and created many memorable moments along the way.After the tour officially ends, guests may freely arrange their own onward travel plans, including:
- Proceeding to the airport for departure
- Continuing independent travel in Japan
- Returning to Tokyo, Osaka or other cities by personal arrangement
- Connecting with other MOVE JAPAN extension routes or optional journeys
Guests are free to plan their schedule according to their own travel needs and flight arrangements.
Friendly Reminder (Itinerary Adjustment Notice):
The schedule, attraction sequence, and meal arrangements listed in this itinerary are for reference only. Actual arrangements may be adjusted by the tour coordinator or driver-guide based on traffic conditions, weather, attraction restrictions, or other unforeseen circumstances to ensure a safe and smooth travel experience. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.
Cancellation policy
- Free cancellation up to 8 days before departure
- 25% cancellation charge within 7 days before departure
- 50% cancellation charge within 3 days before departure
- No refund for cancellations within 3 days before departure, after tour commencement, no-show cases, or voluntary withdrawal during the journey
- Bank charges, payment gateway fees, and currency exchange differences may be deducted from refundable amounts if applicable