RENT & RIDE JAPANAchi Village & Hirugami Onsen, Southern Nagano
Achi & Hirugami Onsen Starry Sky Tour
From Hachioji via the Chuo Expressway to southern Nagano's Achi Village. Stay in Hirugami Onsen—Japan's top stargazing village—and tour the autumn colors of Sonohara and the Heavens Sonohara foothills on this two-day trip.
- DISTANCE
- 520 km
- DURATION
- 20 h
- LEVEL
- Intermediate
This two-day onsen tour starts at TASHILOG GARAGE in Hachioji and heads west on the Chuo Expressway toward Achi Village in southern Nagano. The destination, Hirugami Onsen, is a beauty-of-the-skin hot spring in a village certified by Japan's Ministry of the Environment as having the nation's best starry skies. Quiet inns line the valley stream, and at night you can look up at a blanket of stars on a guided tour.
Course Highlights
- Long Chuo Expressway cruise — From Hachioji IC through Suwa and the Ina Valley, riding south through a landscape framed by the Southern and Central Alps.
- Autumn colors at Sonohara and the Heavens Sonohara foothills — A ropeway with major elevation change offers an aerial walk through the famous three-tiered autumn foliage.
- Hirugami's silky hot spring and starry skies — Stay at a traditional inn with soft, smooth spring water and enjoy Japan's finest stargazing.
- Shinshu soba — Fuel up on Achi's signature soba before the ride home.
Riding Tips
The route mixes mountain roads with long expressway stretches. Pack warm gear and plan your fuel stops. On autumn weekends the ropeway area gets crowded, so an early start is recommended.
- Day 1
- 1START
Tashilog Garage
Start point. Depart Hachioji in the morning and head to southern Nagano via the Chuo Expressway.
TIPSAn early start is recommended for the long ride. Fill up before departure.
- 2FOOD~60 min
Soba-dokoro Onihira Honten
A famous soba restaurant on Route 153 in Achi Village, known for its house-milled rustic soba.
TIPSThe signature 'Onihira' is a generous three-portion soba served on a large seiro. Try the mountain-vegetable tempura and gohei-mochi rice skewers too. Expect a queue in autumn, so arrive early.
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Image - 3VIEW~120 min
Fujimidai Kogen Ropeway Heavens Sonohara
A ropeway roughly 2,500 m long with about 600 m of elevation gain, leading to a 'sky garden' at the summit famous for its three-tiered autumn colors.
TIPSPeak foliage is usually mid-October to mid-November. From the summit (about 1,400 m) you get a vast panorama of the Southern Alps. There is a large car park at the base station; the ropeway ride is about 15 minutes each way.
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Image - 4SPOT~40 min
Tosando Sonohara Visitor Center (Hahakigikan)
A visitor center for exploring the Sonohara district, with souvenirs, a dining area, and an attached cafe.
HISTORYThe Sonohara district sits at the foot of Misaka Pass, crossed by the ancient Tosando highway, and is a storied place referenced in classical Japanese poetry. Nearby are sites linked to the Buddhist master Saicho (Dengyo Daishi).
TIPSThe attached cafe serves coffee and matcha brewed with local Sonohara water. A good stop to gather information on foliage and village walks.
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Photo: takami torao (Koiroha (talk) 08:00, 21 August 2009 (UTC)) / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain - 5LODGING~840 min
Hirugami Onsen Achi-no-Sato Hirugami
Lodging for day one. A hot spring inn with an open-air bath under starry skies and silky, skin-friendly waters.
TIPSReserve the Heavens Sonohara stargazing night tour in advance. Parking is available (please confirm motorcycle parking and room types directly). Check-in around 15:00.
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Image - Day 2
- 6SPOT~40 min
Hirugami Onsen Morning Market
Day two begins with a morning market in the onsen town, offering local vegetables and specialties.
TIPSOpen from early morning. Stroll along the Achi River and enjoy a free foot bath nearby.
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Image - 7FOOD~60 min
Teuchi Soba Mikkaan
A handmade soba shop on Route 153, about five minutes from Hirugami Onsen, dedicated to Shinshu-grown buckwheat.
TIPSOpen roughly 11:00–14:30, closing when the soba runs out. Signature dishes include zaru soba and a three-style tasting plate milled from a single batch of buckwheat. A great lunch before the ride home.
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Image - 8ONSEN~40 min
Hirugami Onsen Village (Foot Bath & Stroll)
Stroll the onsen village where inns line the Achi River, pausing at the red bridge and the free foot bath.
TIPSHirugami's iconic red bridge is pedestrian-only. Soak in the onsen atmosphere before getting back on the Chuo Expressway for the return.
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Image - 9GOAL
Tashilog Garage
Return. Head back to Hachioji via the Chuo Expressway.
TIPSThe Chuo Expressway often congests in the evening, so plan a return with some buffer time.