#SHIMO IMAICHI STATION PORTABLE#

Every year, sometime between April and May, the park blossoms with pink moss, rolling out a carpet of vibrant flowers with shades from deep fuchsia to blush pink and violet. Japan is known for the pink blossoms of its cherry trees, but in spring you can get your fill of even more pink flowers at Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu of Yamanashi Prefecture. Travel Tip: It's worth checking for ongoing events in Matsumoto because the castle town holds many fun and cultural festivals throughout the year, like the Taiko drum festival in July and the ice sculpture festival in January. This takes about 3 hours, which is 30 minutes longer than transferring from Nagano. Getting There: The fastest way to get to Matsumoto is to take the bullet train to Nagano and then transfer, but you can also take a longer but more direct route on the Azusa Express Train. The keep of the castle is the most prominent structure, but a wander through the grounds also offers a chance to see the surrounding towers and the inner and outer gates. One of Japan's most famous structures, its black exterior makes it a striking sight to behold and its history as the seat of the shogun is just as interesting. Best known for its impressive 16th-century castle, Matsumoto is a charming town with interesting attractions like the Timepiece Museum, but Matsumoto Castle-also known as the Crow Castle-is what everyone comes to see. it's worth it to make it out to Matsumoto. Matsumoto is a bit far and hard to reach from Tokyo, but if you're going to Nagano, which is an hour away by car.

#SHIMO IMAICHI STATION PORTABLE#

These savory and portable stuffed dumplings are a stable of Nagano and make great snacks for the road. Travel Tip: Be sure to pick up a few oyaki dumplings while you're in town. Getting There: Nagano can be reached from Tokyo with a 90-minute ride on the Shinkansen bullet train If you prefer to stay in town you can also visit the Zenko-ji Temple is home to the statue of Buddha ever to be brought to Japan. In warmer weather, there are many hiking trails in this mountainous area, such as the one to Hakuba Happo Pond or you can take the two-hour hike up to Togakushi Shrine, a sacred area with major significance in Japanese mythology. You can also see the snow walls of the Tateyama Snow Corridor, which hug the sides of Japan's highest road, or visit the favorite hot springs of the wild snow monkey population. Between December and March, Nagano is one of the best places to ski in Japan, but there's a lot more going on in the winter than just snow sports. Nagano first took the world stage during the 1998 Olympics and is surprisingly easy to visit from Tokyo in a day thanks to the speedy bullet train.

Shimo imaichi station