RENT & RIDE JAPANNagano, Ueda, Kakeyu & Utsukushigahara
Kakeyu Onsen & Utsukushigahara Highland Tour
A two-day ride from Hachioji to Shinshu-Ueda: soak at the historic Kakeyu Onsen, then carve the Venus Line up to the 2,000 m Utsukushigahara plateau — a cool escape ideal even in midsummer.
- DISTANCE
- 480 km
- DURATION
- 20 h
- LEVEL
- Intermediate
This two-day onsen tour heads from Tashilog Garage in Hachioji to Shinshu-Ueda via the Chuo and Nagano Expressways. Explore the samurai history of Ueda Castle, fill up on Ueda's famous walnut soba, then check into the tranquil hot-spring village of Kakeyu in the mountains.
Highlights
- Kakeyu Onsen: A centuries-old healing hot-spring village with clear, odorless simple thermal water, and charming spots like the Monju-no-yu bath and Godaibashi bridge.
- Utsukushigahara & the Venus Line: A plateau at roughly 2,000 m elevation offering 360-degree panoramas and cool breezes — one of Japan's finest scenic winding roads.
- Ueda Castle: The Sanada clan's stronghold that repelled the Tokugawa army twice; a must for history fans.
Riding Tips
Day two is high and cold at dawn and dusk, so bring a layer even in midsummer. The Venus Line and museum close in winter, so the best window is roughly late April to mid-November.
- Day 1
- 1START
Tashilog Garage
Start point. Head onto the Chuo Expressway from Hachioji.
TIPSPack a warm layer — the plateau is chilly morning and night.
- 2SPOT~50 min
Ueda Castle Ruins Park
Sengoku-era castle associated with the Sanada clan.
HISTORYBuilt by Sanada Masayuki in 1583, this castle is famed for repelling the Tokugawa army twice.
TIPSStroll to the Higashi-Koguchi gate and Sanada Shrine; allow about 40–60 minutes.
Open in Google MapsPhoto: Oleg Podlesnykh / UnsplashImage - 3FOOD~60 min
Katanaya Soba
A long-established, generously portioned soba restaurant famous in Ueda.
TIPSFounded in 1961; its signature sweet-miso 'kurumi (walnut) soba' and huge portions are legendary. Expect a queue, so arrive early. Please confirm hours.
Open in Google MapsPhoto: Michael Lee / UnsplashImage - 4SPOT~30 min
Monju-do & Godaibashi Bridge (Kakeyu Onsen)
The iconic old temple and covered bridge of the Kakeyu hot-spring village.
HISTORYLegend says Monju Bodhisattva, taking the form of a deer, revealed the hot spring to a hunter — the origin of the name Kakeyu ('deer-taught bath').
TIPSWalk to Godaibashi over the Uchimura River and up to Monju-do; about 30 minutes.
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Image - 5LODGING~720 min
Kakeyu Onsen Sansuikan
A small wooden inn nestled in the satoyama; the night-one lodging.
TIPSA quiet seven-room inn with atmospheric indoor and open-air baths of wood, earth and stone, known for vegetable-forward country cooking. Please confirm motorcycle parking and room type at booking.
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Image - Day 2
- 6VIEW~60 min
Venus Line (toward Utsukushigahara)
One of Japan's finest scenic winding roads across the highlands.
TIPSCruise past pastures and grasslands. The road closes in winter, so ride roughly late April to mid-November, and watch for sudden weather changes.
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Image - 7VIEW~75 min
Utsukushigahara Open-Air Museum
An open-air sculpture museum on the sky-high 2,000 m plateau.
HISTORYOpened in 1981 alongside the Venus Line as a sister museum to Hakone's Open-Air Museum, it displays around 350 contemporary sculptures across a vast grassland.
TIPSThe adjoining Michi-no-Eki offers a 360-degree panorama. It's cool even in summer, so bring a jacket. Open roughly late April to early November.
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Image - 8FOOD~45 min
Yamamotogoya Furusatokan (shop & light meals)
A mountain lodge on the Utsukushigahara plateau, good for a light meal and rest.
TIPSA lodge that also serves as a base for plateau walks; the shop offers light meals and Shinshu specialties. Hours and menu vary by season, so please confirm.
Open in Google MapsPhoto: Landon Martin / UnsplashImage - 9VIEW~30 min
Suwako Service Area
A rest stop on the way home, overlooking Lake Suwa.
TIPSA handy break on the Chuo Expressway; enjoy the Lake Suwa view and local souvenirs before returning to Hachioji. Don't forget to refuel.
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Image - 10GOAL
Tashilog Garage
Return.
