A Short 2-Day, 1-Night Hakuba Trip from Tokyo: Cherry Blossoms and Japanese Alps Views

Don't miss this 2-day, 1-night trip that takes you to see cherry blossoms against the spectacular backdrop of the Japanese Alps in the town of Hakuba, Nagano Prefecture. Escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and enjoy nature to the fullest. It's an easy trip from Tokyo, taking only about an hour and a half.

This trip packs it all in: cherry blossoms at Oide Park, sweeping mountaintop views, relaxing in an outdoor onsen, and a stop at Zenkoji Temple before heading back to Tokyo. It covers sightseeing, rest, and recharging all in one trip — so let's get going.

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Day 1 Itinerary: Visit Hakuba, See Cherry Blossoms and the Japanese Alps

★ 8:00 AM: Depart from Tokyo Station

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fZwcnDztgF78EgJx6

★ 8:10 - 9:40 AM: Head to Nagano Prefecture (Nagano)

The trip to Nagano Prefecture takes about an hour and a half. We recommend picking up some food or a bento for breakfast at the train station beforehand.

・Access: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen departing at 8:11 AM from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station. The ride takes 1 hour 27 minutes.

・Transport cost: ¥8,140

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iMGPwuKTz9ugZHsa8

★ 9:50 - 10:10 AM: Rent a Car at Toyota Rent a Car

For a trip in Hakuba, renting a car is the most convenient option. You can book in advance through the website https://rent.toyota.co.jp/th/ and choose the car type you want. To drive in Japan, you'll need an international driving permit.

・Access: It's a 4-minute walk from Nagano Station to Toyota Rent a Car (about 270 meters).

・Hours: Open daily 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

・Cost: Car rental starts at ¥10,000 / day

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BnCMVq2SW8oLLWSb8

★ 11:10 AM - 1:10 PM: See Cherry Blossoms with Alps Views at Oide Park

Oide Park is one of the most beautiful cherry blossom spots in Japan, known for a rare sight called the "Triple View" — pink cherry blossoms, a clear blue river, and snow-capped Alps peaks, all in one frame. The surroundings are quiet, set among nature and a small village. It's best to visit from late April to early May, when you have a chance to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom against a backdrop of peaks still dusted with snow. The park has several vantage points, including the Oide suspension bridge, a popular photo spot overlooking the Himekawa River, and a lookout on a small hill a short walk up.

・Access: About a 1-hour drive from Toyota Rent a Car to Oide Park (44 km).

・Parking: Free parking available

・Hours: Open 24 hours

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6JL5YQ1rMWP7Haaz5

★ 1:20 - 2:40 PM: Lunch at Shoya Maruhachi

For lunch, try Japanese food at Shoya Maruhachi, a restaurant set in a historic house more than 160 years old. The interior is full of valuable antiques, from samurai armor to Japanese drums and wooden lanterns, giving it a classic, warm feel.

The menu focuses on fresh ingredients from Nagano Prefecture and seafood from the Sea of Japan. A must-try highlight is the Kuroge Wagyu Hitsumabushi, a rice bowl topped with Kuroge Wagyu beef that you can enjoy in several different ways. There are also charcoal-grilled dishes, fragrant handmade soba, and fresh sashimi sets to choose from.

・Access: About a 6-minute drive from Oide Park to Shoya Maruhachi (3.2 km).

・Parking: Free parking available

・Hours: Open daily 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

・Price range: ¥1,000 - ¥2,000

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/b2tZLqDZGCVKBQcN7

★ 3:00 - 4:30 PM: Ride the Gondola up to Hakuba Mountain Harbor

This is another key landmark, sitting atop Mount Iwatake at about 1,289 meters above sea level, celebrated as one of the most beautiful viewpoints over the Northern Japanese Alps. From here you get a panoramic view of peak after peak stretching as far as the eye can see.

The highlight is a large wooden deck that juts out over the valley, giving you the feeling of floating in the middle of nature. There's also The City Bakery, a famous bakery where you can stop for a treat, and another must-do activity is the Yoo-Hoo! Swing, a giant swing on the edge of a cliff that is both thrilling and beautifully scenic.

・Access: About a 3-minute drive from Shoya Maruhachi to the Iwatake Gondola Lift station (1.3 km).

・Parking: Free parking available

・Hours: The gondola station is open 8:30 AM - 4:50 PM

・Cost: Gondola fare, adults ¥2,900 / children ¥1,600

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/s5FcvxW6CTWwxiLx5

★ 4:40 - 5:50 PM: Relax at Kurashita Onsen

If you want to soak in an outdoor onsen surrounded by beautiful nature, don't miss this one. Its standout feature is a reddish-brown mineral bath, caused by high levels of iron and salt, which helps boost circulation, ease muscle aches, and keep the body warm.

All of the baths are outdoors, opening onto a 180-degree panoramic view of the Japanese Alps, letting you relax both body and mind while taking in the mountain scenery to the fullest.

・Access: About an 8-minute drive from the Iwatake Gondola Lift to Kurashita Onsen (4 km).

・Parking: Free parking available

・Hours: Open daily 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

・Cost: Adults ¥800 / children ¥400

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CXfsxRnfGUyGQC6t8

★ 6:00 - 7:30 PM: Dinner at Sobasyubou ZEN

A soba and izakaya restaurant serving Nagano's local food. The soba here is handmade fresh each day, chewy and soft, with the distinctive aroma of Shinshu soba, regarded as some of the best soba in Japan, made with quality ingredients from Hakuba, including fresh vegetables and Shinshu beef.

A popular menu item not to miss is the cold soba served with crispy tempura, or Kurumi Soba, soba served with a rich, fragrant walnut dipping sauce. Pair it with a good sake in the evening and you have a perfect combination.

・Access: About a 4-minute drive from Kurashita Onsen to Sobasyubou ZEN (2.1 km).

・Parking: Free parking available

・Hours: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

・Price range: ¥1,000 - ¥2,000

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tABQneGC2BxydcDXA

★ 7:40 PM: Check in at Hotel Hakuba

・Access: About a 2-minute drive from Sobasyubou ZEN to the hotel (1.3 km).

・Parking: Free parking available

・Accommodation cost: About ¥23,000 / night・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3k6Kx1dY1ASQ8aHc9

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Day 2 Itinerary: Visit a Historic Temple and Shop Before Heading Back

★ 9:00 - 9:40 AM: Breakfast at Hotel Hakuba

Since the hotel serves breakfast, eat there before heading out — it is quick and saves looking for somewhere else.

★ 9:50 - 10:20 AM: Coffee at Starbucks

This Starbucks branch is considered one of the most beautiful in Japan, and a landmark in Hakuba for cafe lovers and campers alike. The building was designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, inspired by Hakuba's three peaks. The wooden structure is woven together like branches and snowflakes, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that open up a full view of the Japanese Alps.

The store is located within Snow Peak Land Station Hakuba, an outdoor lifestyle complex with a Snow Peak camping gear store, restaurants, and a green space for relaxing or outdoor activities. You can order your coffee and go sit in a camping chair, sipping it in the fresh air with a spectacular mountain view.

・Access: The Starbucks is about 350 meters from the hotel

・Parking: Free parking available

・Price range: ¥400 - ¥1,000

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/miTEpDb3rG9iZf198

★ 11:20 AM - 12:20 PM: Visit Zenkoji Temple

Zenkoji Temple is one of Japan's oldest and most important temples, located in the center of Nagano city, and a popular stop for travelers on the way from Tokyo to Hakuba. With a history spanning over 1,400 years, it welcomes worshippers of any faith.

A highlight here is walking through the pitch-dark tunnel beneath the main hall — an experience not to be missed. Before you leave the temple, don't forget to pay your respects to Binzuru-sama, a wooden statue believed to help ease illness.

・Access: About a 1-hour drive from Starbucks to Zenkoji Temple (45 km).

・Parking: Available, ¥600 / 2 hours

・Hours: Open daily 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM

・Admission: Free (¥500 to enter the main hall)

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LKv1vW1XsDx9oPYR8

★ 12:30 - 1:20 PM: Shop Along Zenkoji's Nakamise Street

Zenkoji's Nakamise Street is the main street stretching from the gate to the temple, full of a retro atmosphere. Along both sides you'll find more than 70 shops, sweet shops, and souvenir stores to browse.

A must-try food is "oyaki," a Nagano local specialty similar to a steamed bun, with fillings like pickled greens, pumpkin, or miso eggplant. It's best tried hot, straight from the shop. There are also local soft-serve flavors like Shinshu apple, along with sweets and drinks made from Nagano apples, known for their sweet, fragrant flavor — a definite must-try.

・Access: The street is located at the entrance to Zenkoji Temple

・Hours: Most shops are open daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cHYy7aWwNhi2ybDj9

★ 1:30 - 2:30 PM: Lunch at Maruhachi Takiya

Take a break for lunch at this shop on Nakamise Street. It's popular with tourists since it offers both souvenirs and food in one place.

The second floor is a handmade soba restaurant known for its "Shinshu soba." The standout feature is a broth simmered from four types of dried fish combined with kombu seaweed, giving it a smooth, well-rounded flavor — perfect for a light lunch after visiting the temple.

・Access: Located along Nakamise Street

・Hours: Open daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

・Price range: ¥1,000 - ¥2,000

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/h7dwYba7yR5n6jNx6

★ 2:40 - 2:50 PM: Return the Rental Car at Toyota Rent a Car

・Access: About a 10-minute drive from Zenkoji Temple to Toyota Rent a Car (3.1 km).

・Hours: Open daily 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/op6289jFm3xFuZoS8

★ 3:00 - 4:30 PM: Shop at Don Quijote

The Don Quijote branch in front of Nagano Station is located in the West Plaza Nagano building, spanning the 2nd to 4th floors. Inside you'll find the full Don Quijote range, including food, snacks, drinks, condiments, and ready-to-eat meals.

There's also a section for cosmetics, skincare, medicine, supplements, household goods, and various sundries. The 4th floor has electronics, IT gadgets, clothing, and brand-name bags. Stop by for some shopping before heading back to Tokyo.

Get a special Don Quijote discount coupon, click here >> https://www.talonjapan.com/coupon/don-quijote-coupon/

・Access: About a 4-minute walk from Toyota Rent a Car to Don Quijote (270 meters).

・Hours: Open daily 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1cC564bK53UqZXkc6

★ 5:00 - 6:30 PM: Head Back to Tokyo

・Access: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen departing at 5:05 PM from Nagano Station to Tokyo Station. The ride takes 1 hour 23 minutes.

・Transport cost: About ¥8,340

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ye1LUHDbN4ELxgqUA

★ 7:00 - 8:30 PM: Dinner at Teppanyaki Hama

Before checking into the hotel, stop for a meal at Teppanyaki Hama, a restaurant that carefully selects A5-grade wagyu beef from across Japan, letting you enjoy hotel-quality beef at a more accessible price.

Inside there's both teppanyaki counter seating and private rooms, with experienced chefs cooking fresh right in front of you, adding to the dining experience. The wagyu here is fragrant, tender, and melts in your mouth — sure to impress.

You can reserve a seat at https://jpneazy.com/restaurants/33471?host=ej4b

・Access: Take the Marunouchi Line subway from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku Station (18 minutes), then walk about 4 minutes (350 meters) to Teppanyaki Hama.

・Hours: Open daily 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

・Transport cost: ¥210

・Price range: Starting from ¥10,000

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/biR6jejiuSC28xNu8

★ 8:40 PM: Check in at APA Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho Chuo

・Access: About a 4-minute walk from Teppanyaki Hama to the hotel (190 meters)

・Accommodation cost: About ¥27,000 / night

・MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=APA+Hotel+Shinjuku+Kabukicho+Chuo

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Cost Summary (approximate price per person)

Accommodation: ¥50,000 / night

Food: ¥17,000

Transport: ¥26,690 (including car rental)

Other expenses: ¥4,200

Total ：¥97,890