3 Days | MJR-03 | Forest Post-Town Journey｜Nagoya → Nagano Highlands → Kawagoe
Overview
3 Days 2 Nights ｜Forest & Post Town Journey | MJR-03
Route : Osaka / Nagoya → Narai-juku → Matsumoto → Nagano → Zenko-ji → Togakushi Highlands → Nagano → Kawagoe
Tour Code: MJR-03
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Departure: Osaka / Nagoya
Tour Ends: Kawagoe (Gateway to Tokyo)
Theme: Forest Exploration ｜ Historic Post Towns ｜ Castle Heritage ｜ Temple Culture ｜ Little Edo Experience
This journey combines historic post towns, sacred forests, ancient temples, and traditional castle towns into one unforgettable route through the heart of Japan. From the preserved streets of Narai-juku to the spiritual atmosphere of Togakushi and the nostalgic charm of Kawagoe, travelers can experience a slower and more authentic side of Japan beyond the usual tourist destinations.
Unlike traditional group tours, MOVE JAPAN focuses on small-group travel, flexible route connections, comfortable transportation, and a more relaxed pace. The journey is designed not only around destinations, but also around the experience of traveling through Japan itself.
Along the way, travelers will enjoy scenic mountain roads, forest landscapes, rural countryside views, and historic cultural districts, making the journey feel less like a tour and more like a road-trip adventure across Japan.
The result is an experience that feels closer to a cinematic journey through Japan than a conventional sightseeing itinerary.
Inclusion & Exclusion
- Hotel accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- 6 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
What To Expect
- Day 1Nagoya → Narai-juku → Matsumoto → Nagano
10:00 ｜Departure from Nagoya Station
Osaka Departure Option
Guests staying in Osaka may conveniently travel to Nagoya by Shinkansen and join the tour upon arrival.
Approximate travel time:
- Shin-Osaka → Nagoya: 50 minutes
This allows travelers from the Kansai region to easily access the route without changing the main itinerary.
12:00 – 13:30 | Narai-juku
One of Japan’s best-preserved post towns along the historic Nakasendo Route.
- Historic Nakasendo Post Town
- Traditional Edo-period Streets
- Free Exploration
Lunch at Leisure
13:30 – 14:30 | Transfer to Matsumoto
14:30 – 17:00 | Matsumoto Castle
- Matsumoto Castle
- Nakamachi Street
- Nawate Street
- Castle Town Walk
17:00-18:30 | Transfer to Nagano City
Evening｜Hotel Stay in Nagano
- Toyoko INN or similar hotel
- Day 2Zenko-ji & Togakushi Forest Journey
08:30 | Departure from Hotel
09:00 – 10:30 | Zenko-ji
- Main Temple Hall
- Nakamise Street
- Traditional Temple District
Free Exploration
10:30 – 11:30 | Transfer to Togakushi Highlands
11:30 – 16:00 | Togakushi Shrine
- Togakushi Shrine
- Ancient Cedar Avenue
- Forest Trail
- Kagamiike Pond
- Highland Scenery
Lunch at Leisure
Recommended:
- Togakushi Soba
- Local Mountain Cuisine
16:00 – 17:00 | Return to Nagano City
Evening｜Hotel Stay in Nagano
- Toyoko INN or similar class hotel
- Day 3Nagano → Kawagoe
Morning｜Hotel Breakfast
After breakfast, begin the final day of the Forest Post-Town Journey.
09:00 | Hotel Check-out
Transfer from Nagano to Kawagoe
12:00 – 17:00 | Kawagoe
Known as “Little Edo”, Kawagoe preserves the atmosphere of old Japan through its historic streets and traditional architecture.
Free Exploration in Little Edo
- Kurazukuri Warehouse District
- Toki no Kane Bell Tower
- Kashiya Yokocho Candy Alley
- Taisho Roman Street
- Local Cafés and Shops
Lunch at Leisure.
Enjoy the atmosphere of one of Japan’s best-preserved Edo-era towns.
Tour Ends in Kawagoe, Gateway to Tokyo
Kawagoe is conveniently connected to central Tokyo. Direct train services provide easy access to:
- Ikebukuro (Approx. 30 min)
- Shinjuku (Approx. 35–40 min)
- Shibuya (Approx. 40–45 min)
Guests may continue independently to Tokyo hotels, airports, or other destinations following the conclusion of the tour.
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, Nagoya, 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