Teetoo- Japan 2023 Trip Itinerary (still updating)
- Nov 1 – Arrival at Nagoya, around Nagano Station, Stay : Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Zenkojiguchi
- Nov 2 – Bus trip to visit the famous Snow Monkey Park, Nagano, Stay : Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Zenkojiguchi
- Nov 3 – Easy trek at Togakushi 5-shrines, Nagano, Stay : Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Zenkojiguchi
- Nov 4 – Visite to Zenkoji Temple and hiking at Hakuba Happo Pond, Stay : Hotel Hakuba
- Nov 5 – Relax at Hakuba Mountain Harbour and Oide Park, Stay : Hotel Hakuba
- Nov 6 – Drive to Sea of Japan, Ben-ten Iwa rock, Stay : APA Hotel & Resort Joetsu Myoko
- Nov 7 – Drive to Kiyotsu Gorge and Naena Waterfall, Stay : APA Hotel & Resort Joetsu Myoko
- Nov 8 – Drive around Lake Nojiri, train ride to Lake Suwa and Tateishi Park, Stay : Beni-ya Hotel
- Nov 9, 10 – Train ride to Shizuoka and Nihondaira Terrace sunset, Stay : Nippondaira Hotel
- Nov 11 – Train ride to Fuji City, walk around Atami City, Stay : Super Hotel JR Fujiekimae Kinenkan
- Nov 12 – Shy Mount Fuji, cheap seafood at Co-op and Numazu City festival, Stay : Super Hotel JR Fujiekimae Kinenkan
- Nov 13 – Mount Fuji, Shira-Ito Falls, Fujisan Sengan Shrine, Mount Fuji World Heritage Center, Stay : Super Hotel JR Fujiekimae Kinenkan
- Nov 14 – Mount Fuji, Hamamatsu Station and bus to hotel nearby airport, Stay : Hotel Route-Inn Tokoname Ekimae
It is Cultural Day, and the local crowd was expected to be large as it is a national holiday. We arrived early at the Alpico office to purchase our Zenkoji & Togakushi 1-Day Ticket Pass. It was the most affordable and convenient option at a price of 3,000yen each. Prior to that, we stopped by the nearby Family Mart to grab breakfast. before making our way to the bus stop in front of the Alpico office and joined the line waiting for Bus No.70 to arrive. Since it was a holiday, they had arranged for two buses to accommodate the expected weekend crowd – instead of one. Smart move!
Togakushi Shrine consists of 5 shrines: Togakushi-Hokosha (Lower Shrine), Togakushi-Chusha, Hinomikosha (Middle Shrines), and Togakushi-Okushairiguchi, Kuzuryusha (Upper Shrines). A path connects all 5 shrines, with the most popular and beautiful being the path between the Middle and Upper shrines. If you have enough time and energy, we highly recommend visiting all shrines, just as we did – to fully be immersed in the natural beauty in between all shrines. The total distance is about 7km, and it involves a steady uphill trek.
After the bus ride of 1 1/2 hours, we got off at Togakushi-Hokosha bus stop to begin our first 2km trek. The first shrine greeted us with a magnificent wooden torii gate, flanked by cedar trees. We climbed the stairs and reached the stunning Togakushi-Hokosha temple where we decided to take a break and have our breakfast.
After recharging ourselves with the ever dependable onigiri (riceballs), we continued on the forest path, which gradually transitioned from lush green to vibrant red as the foliage changed color. It was truly breathtaking.
After a leisurely 40-minute walk, we reached the main traffic road that leads to the Middle Shrine. You can’t miss it, as a large white torii gate stands out, marking the entrance to Togakushi-Chusha and Hinomikosha (Middle Shrines). Right after the entrance, there is a clean restroom to the right. It’s the last one you’ll come across for the next 2km.
Togakushi-Chusha is a grand and picturesque shrine, complete with a small waterfall beside it. Two large trees with sacred ropes, called “shimenawa”, caught our attention. These trees are said to be over a hundred years old, and one of them allowed visitors to touch and feel its power. Like japanese people likes to say – power spot.
Once we had a quick meal, we continued along the trail to the left of the temple, leading us to a car park. However, we accidentally took the wrong turn at the fork. Despite this, the walk was enjoyable due to the shade provided by the numerous trees.
Eventually, we reached another road with very little traffic. Realizing that something was amiss, we approached two locals who were engaged in conversation. They kindly pointed us in the right direction. Despite the language barrier, we managed to communicate with limited English, Japanese and lots of gestures. A real chicken and duck talk.
After changing to the suggested path, we gave a sign of relief when we encountered a few local hikers. It was a serene and picturesque stroll, particularly when some paths were completely covered in autumn leaves as the trees prepared for winter.
The walk concluded at another larger car park. This area was bustling with more people and featured two soba restaurants and a spacious restroom. As we weren’t hungry, we decided to eat later and continued onwards to the next shrine: a grand wooden torii gate that marked the entrance to the final shrine, Togakushi-Okushairiguchi (戸隠神社 奥社 随神門), also known as the Upper Shrine.
From the torii gate, it was a 2km uphill trek to the Upper Shrine, with the final 500m being slightly steeper. This popular part of the Togakushi Shrine experience is the most beautiful and popular one so expect alot more visitors. Before we knew it, we’ve arrived at the stunning Zuishinmon Gate (随神門) – a striking red structure guarded by two lion-dogs and adorned with a thatched roof covered in plants and trees. It truly was an exquisite sight to behold.
Passing through the gate, we were greeted by two rows of majestic Japanese cedar trees, creating an illusion of an endless forest in the distance. The surrounding nature was simply breathtaking. Despite the number of visitors that day, the walk remained serene, with conversation volumes kept to a minimum.
Over the next kilometer, the path became narrower and steeper as we approached the final temples: Kuzuryusha (戸隠神社 九頭龍社) and Okusha Shrine (戸隠神社 奥社). As there were no handrails, children and senior citizens do practise extra care to climb the rocky steps leading to the shrines. There is a restroom before the final steps up.
After taking some photographs at the top, we swiftly descended and headed back to the main road, eager to satisfy our growling stomachs after all the walking. Even though we retraced our steps along the same path we took earlier, there were subtle changes in the atmosphere as the sun had moved higher and cast its rays at a different angle. Although it may seem insignificant, for the purpose of photography, it made a remarkable difference – the Zuishinmon Gate now appeared even more stunning with the cast of warm sunlight.
Reaching the main road, I inscribed my surname (と in hiragana) on the waiting list for the soba restaurant, 奥社の茶屋. Fortunately, my limited knowledge of hiragana was finally put to good use. We savored dishes such as Kamo Namban (a delectable soupy soba with succulent duck meat), Tenzaru Soba (a refreshing cold dip soba accompanied by crispy tempura) and two delightful oyaki (traditional Japanese dumplings filled with pumpkin and mountain vegetables) at the charming 奥社の茶屋. To complete our meal, we indulged ourselves with smooth and creamy ice cream. As expected from Japanese standards, the staff and service were exceptional, leaving us with a highly recommendable experience.
Afterwards, we strolled across the shop and patiently waited at the bus stop for our transportation back to Nagano Station.
- Useful links:
- Experience :
- Arrive early to the bus stop and line up. Even after buying the tickets, may have to wait for the next bus if the bus(es) are full.
- Bring comfy walking shoes for the trek between all 5 shrines. Hiking shoes not necessary.
- Torii gate etiquette : It is respectful to walk under the torii gate NOT in the center but at the sides. The center area is reserved for the Gods. I also notice japanese people will bow on entering and exiting the torii gate, which marks the divide between human and God’s domain.