Grand Kanto & Shinshu Loop

A loop from Tokyo covering Hakone, Mt. Fuji, Matsumoto, Kamikochi, the Snow Monkeys, Kusatsu, and Karuizawa.

Follow the scenic mountain side of the Kanto region, heading north from the Pacific volcanic zone into Shinshu, then returning to Tokyo via Joshin'etsu. This route features hot springs, castle towns, alpine valleys, and snow monkeys. Due to the frequent transfers, forwarding large luggage is highly recommended. To keep the itinerary within 12 days, Nikko and Kamakura are omitted, but you can add extra days in Tokyo at the start or end. Perfect for second-time visitors or those with a longer vacation.

Kamikochi is open from mid-April to mid-November. Snow monkeys bathing in hot springs are typically seen in winter.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Tokyo Shinjuku

Central Tokyo（Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory、Omoide Yokocho）

Take the Narita Express from Narita Airport to Shinjuku (approx. 80 minutes) and explore the area on foot in the evening.

Stay: Shinjuku

Day 2 · Tsukiji, Asakusa & Tokyo Skytree

Central Tokyo（Tsukiji Outer Market、Senso-ji Temple、Tokyo Skytree）

Connect Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Oshiage by subway, with each leg taking about 20 to 30 minutes.

Stay: Shinjuku

Day 3 · Romancecar to Gora

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Hakone Tozan Railway、Hakone Open-Air Museum、Hakone Gora Park）

Take the Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (approx. 85 minutes), then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora (approx. 40 minutes).

Stay: Gora

Day 4 · Owakudani & Lake Ashi to Lake Kawaguchi

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Owakudani、Lake Ashi）

After exploring the lake by ropeway and sightseeing boat, return to Togendai. Take a bus via Gotemba to Lake Kawaguchi (approx. 2.5 hours).

The ropeway may close due to strong winds or volcanic gases; check the status on the morning of your trip.

Stay: Lake Kawaguchi

Day 5 · Fuji Five Lakes Day Trip

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Arakurayama Sengen Park、Honcho Street, Fujiyoshida、Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway、Oishi Park）

Take a round trip on the Fujikyuko Line to Shimo-Yoshida, and use sightseeing buses around Lake Kawaguchi (short travel times).

Stay: Lake Kawaguchi

Day 6 · To Matsumoto for the National Treasure Castle

Matsumoto（Matsumoto Castle、Nakamachi & Nawate Streets）

Take the Fujikyuko Line to Otsuki (approx. 50 minutes), transfer to the Limited Express Azusa to Matsumoto (approx. 2 hours), totaling about 3 hours.

Limited express trains from Otsuki are less frequent in the afternoon; departing in the morning is safer.

Stay: Matsumoto Station·Castle Town

Day 7 · Kamikochi Valley Hike

Matsumoto（Taisho Pond、Tashiro Pond、Kappa Bridge (Kamikochi)、Myojin Pond & Hotaka Shrine Okumiya）

Take a train and bus from Matsumoto to Kamikochi (approx. 1 hour 50 minutes), hike along the valley, and return the same day.

It is recommended to book round-trip bus tickets online one month in advance. Private cars are prohibited in Kamikochi.

Stay: Matsumoto Station·Castle Town

Day 8 · Zenko-ji Temple to Shibu Onsen

Nagano（Zenkō-ji） → Yamanouchi（Shibu & Yudanaka Onsen）

Take the Limited Express Shinano from Matsumoto to Nagano (approx. 50 minutes), then the Nagano Electric Railway to Yudanaka (approx. 45 minutes).

Stay: Shibu Onsen

Day 9 · Jigokudani Snow Monkeys & Obuse

Yamanouchi（Jigokudani Monkey Park） → Nagano（Obuse & Hokusai-kan）

Take a bus to the trailhead, then walk about 30 minutes to the monkey park. In the afternoon, take a round trip on the Nagano Electric Railway to Obuse.

Stay: Shibu Onsen

Day 10 · Via Karuizawa to Kusatsu

Kusatsu Onsen（Yubatake、Gozanoyu、Kosen-ji Temple）

Take the Nagano Electric Railway to Nagano, the Shinkansen to Karuizawa (approx. 30 minutes), and the Kusakaru Bus to Kusatsu (approx. 80 minutes).

The Kusakaru Bus does not accept IC cards; check the official website for schedules.

Stay: Yubatake Area

Day 11 · Kusatsu Hot Springs to Kyu-Karuizawa

Kusatsu Onsen（Netsunoyu Yumomi Show、Sainokawara Park、Sainokawara Open-air Bath） → Karuizawa（Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza、St. Paul's Catholic Church）

Walk around Kusatsu in the morning, then take the Kusakaru Bus to Kyu-Karuizawa in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes).

Stay: Old Karuizawa

Day 12 · Kumoba Pond & Return to Tokyo

Karuizawa（Kumoba Pond、Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza）

Rent a bicycle to explore in the morning, then take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tokyo Station in the afternoon (approx. 65 minutes).