Villages to Sacred Peaks; Explore the heart of the Japan Alps
Takayama, Matsumoto
4 days and 3 nights
One-room rental or old private house inns, Norikura Hakuunso, Matsumoto Jujo, etc.
2~6 persons
Please contact us for the details.
Takayama, Matsumoto
4 days and 3 nights
One-room rental or old private house inns, Norikura Hakuunso, Matsumoto Jujo, etc.
2~6 persons
Please contact us for the details.
News
- 7/14/2025 2025/09/20 Sales period Possible implementation period~2025/10/10
- 9/30/2025 This year's tour is over. We are now accepting bookings for the 2026 tour.
Tour information
2025/09/20 Sales period Possible implementation period 10/10 *This year's tour is over.
This is a 4-day/3-night mountain sightseeing tour to one of the "Kita Alps Traverse Route" starting from Takayama, a village in the northern region of the Japanese Alps, Chubu-Sangaku National Park, which is also called the roof of Japan, through a mountain village, over 3000m peaks, to Matsumoto, a village beyond the mountains, in the form of reliving the origin of the Japanese people. The tour will take you to the "Kita Alps Traverse Route," a 4-day/3-night mountain sightseeing tour to relive the origins of Japan.
Include Licensed Guide Interpreter services.
Tour information
- Day 1:
After strolling through the historic streets of Takayama, enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional crafts. Through this, you'll gain insight into the local culture and way of life rooted in Takayama's rich woodworking heritage. For dinner, savor exquisite Shojin-ryori (traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) at the renowned restaurant Kakusho. Accommodation will be either a whole-house rental in the city or a renovated traditional farmhouse in the countryside.
Day 2:
Begin your day with a spiritual purification experience at Senko-ji Temple, located in the satoyama (foothill countryside), before heading to Mount Norikura. Here, you'll take part in meditation and a traditional kaji-kito (blessing ritual). After enjoying a bento lunch at the temple, travel by car to Norikura Tatamidaira, the trailhead high in the mountains. Stay overnight at Hakusanso, a mountain lodge at Tatamidaira. In the evening, learn about the history of Mount Norikura from the lodge manager, followed by a peaceful stargazing walk.
Day 3:
If the weather permits, begin the day before dawn with a sunrise hike. Continue on a scenic trek to Kengamine, the summit of Mount Norikura, while keeping an eye out for sightings of the elusive raicho (rock ptarmigan). In the afternoon, take time to rest and simply do nothing, enjoying the highland atmosphere. Descend to Matsumoto, stopping by Azusa Suijin Shrine, dedicated to the sacred waters of Norikura. Accommodation will be at a modern hot spring inn, such as Matsumoto Jujo.
Day 4:
Visit a local sake brewery by car, where you'll learn about the art of sake-making using water sourced from the Northern Alps. This experience offers a deeper connection to how nature and human life intertwine in Matsumoto. Enjoy a lunch of soba noodles—another local specialty closely tied to the region’s water. In the afternoon, visit Matsumoto Castle, where the tour concludes with a view of the Alps you’ve crossed during your journey.
Tour cost
Please contact us for the details.
Transportation costs (taxis and public transportation)
Activity experience fees (including donations):
Day 1: Traditional craft visit and hands-on experience
Day 2: Meditation and blessing ritual at Senko-ji Temple
Day 3: Guided hike on Mt. Norikura
Day 4: Sake brewery visit and Matsumoto Castle admission
Full-time guide fee for all 4 days, as well as local activity guide fees
Not included in the tour fee:
Transportation to the meeting point and from the final drop-off point
Meals before the official tour start time and after the tour ends
Any additional food or beverages purchased individually (e.g., snacks, drinks)
Personal purchases such as souvenirs
Personal equipment or rental gear needed during the tour
Tour Details
This machiya villa is located in Hida Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. The inn is a renovated old machiya, and guests can enjoy meals such as rice balls and miso soup made with Hida ingredients while feeling the murmuring of the Enako River. In a space that combines the "crush" collected from traveling around the world and the unique atmosphere of a machiya, you can experience a stay as if you were living in Takayama.
It is also known as the "Temple of Enku Buddha", and many Buddhist statues by Enku are dedicated here. In the precincts of the temple, there is the Enku-butsu Temple Treasure House, where you can see a double-sided Tsuina statue, the national natural monument "Gobonsugi" which is over 1200 years old, and the 88 pilgrimage routes spreading over the whole mountain.
Located on Norikura-dake Tatamidaira at an elevation of approximately 2,700 meters, this mountain lodge offers comfortable accommodations. It features a large bath with a wooden tub, a terrace overlooking Tsurugaike Pond, and a location where visitors can enjoy abundant alpine flora and starry skies. Guests can also enjoy ryokan-like quality meals, facilities, and Hida woodcrafts. The possibility of seeing grouse and the ideal environment for stargazing are also attractive.
The hotel's distinctive "book hotel" concept, renovated space utilizing hot spring culture, mechanisms for experiencing the history and townscape of Asama Onsen, and efforts to contribute to the revitalization of the local community. Specifically, a variety of attractions are scattered throughout the hotel, including reading experiences in the "Otona Book Box" and "Kodomo Book Box," both of which are renovated bathhouses, all guest rooms with outdoor hot spring baths, the historic "Koyanagino-yu" bathhouse, and restaurants where guests can enjoy local food culture.
Number of applicants
2~6 persons
Cancellation Charges
32 days or more before 10,000 yen per person as an arrangement fee
31 days to 16 days prior to arrival: 30%.
15 days to 2 days prior to arrival 50%.
1 day prior 70% ・・・ 100% on the day of booking
100% on the day of the tour
Insurance
Travel Accident Insurance
Precautions and Conditions of Participation
・This tour is not open to participants under the age of 18.
・Due to the high altitude (around 3,000 meters), those with heart conditions or related health concerns are not eligible to join.
・Please note that access to the mountain may be restricted due to weather conditions. Even if access is possible, the schedule may be significantly altered.
・We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions, so please inform us in advance.
・As this tour includes overnight stays and hiking at high altitudes (close to 3,000 meters), appropriate clothing, gear, and footwear are required.
(Gear requirements vary by season—for August, please consult with us for details.)
Examples of required gear includes:
・Trekking shoes
・Waterproof rain jacket and pants
・Fleece or lightweight down jacket
・Gloves and warm hat
・Spring/autumn outdoor wear (top and bottom)
・Headlamp or flashlight
*Please note: Participants wearing only a T-shirt, shorts, or sneakers will not be allowed to join the tour.
Access / Map
Meeting place
13:00 Gather at JR Takayama Station
Drop-off point
17:00 JR Matsumoto Station

