A special HIS-exclusive 2-day autumn tour departing Nov 21 & 22 only! Enjoy Japan’s best stargazing at 1,400m elevation, admire the rare sight of autumn leaves and cherry blossoms together in Obara and Korankei, relax in a ryokan of your choice, and stroll the scenic “Sora Sanpo” sky walkway. A perfect getaway to enjoy foliage, sakura, and hot springs in Gifu and Nagano during peak season!
Options
Tenryu Suijin Onsen – Hana Kaoru Yado Yoshinotei
Hirugami Onsen – Yurui no Yado Keizan
Hirugami Onsen – Yutori no Sato Inaka
The Highlight
- Nov 21 & 22 Only! Japan’s Best Night Sky Tour (MOE Certified) – HIS Exclusive Charter Event
- Back by popular demand! Includes a free DIY Starry Sky Lantern Kit for all participants♪
- Marvel at 4,000 blazing maple trees in Korankei, the rare Obara Shikizakura blooming in autumn, and walk the stunning Tenryukyo Sora Sanpo Sky Corridor!
- Relax in a ryokan of your choice!
The Experience
★Exclusive Night Sky Viewing Before the Waning Moon Rises – Private HIS Event★ ★Ranked No.1 in Japan for Continuous Star Visibility! ★Ride a gondola to 1,400m for an unforgettable stargazing experience!
Nagano’s Achi Village—once certified by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as the clearest starry sky in the country—offers breathtaking views thanks to its high altitude, clean air, and complete lack of artificial light. Board a gondola to the mountaintop at 1,400 meters for the Starry Sky Night Tour. During the viewing session, all lights are turned off, revealing a sky full of stars so close, it feels like you could touch them. A truly magical experience you won’t find in the city.
Note:
- In 2006, Achi Village was ranked No.1 in Japan for star observation by the Ministry of the Environment’s national Star Watching Network.
- The summit gets very cold—please bring warm clothing.
- Stargazing takes place on a grassy area; a groundsheet or mat is recommended.
Includes a DIY “Handheld Starry Sky Lantern”!
- Create your own charming lantern to light up the night with the soft glow of “stars” and “moonlight” on the highland plateau. The magical ambiance makes for beautiful, photo-worthy moments!
- Bring your lantern along and enjoy this special HIS-exclusive night event to the fullest.
Included: Starry Sky Lantern Kit (with LED light and batteries) No glue, scissors, or cutters needed – safe and easy to assemble!
Korankei
- Legend has it that a monk planted the first maple trees here during the Edo period. Today, Korankei is considered one of Japan’s top autumn foliage spots, with around 4,000 maple trees painting the landscape in vibrant hues. Visitors can stroll along the scenic Asuke River and explore charming old streets reminiscent of historic inns. With 11 varieties of maple trees, you can enjoy comparing the unique shapes and colors of their leaves.
Obara Shikizakura
- Shikizakura is a rare type of cherry tree that blooms twice a year—once in spring and again in autumn. The Obara area is known for its stunning “red and white” scenery, where fiery autumn leaves and delicate cherry blossoms bloom side by side. With around 10,000 Shikizakura trees planted throughout the area, it offers one of Japan’s most breathtaking seasonal views.
Here’s a natural English translation and light rephrasing for each ryokan introduction, suitable for a tour brochure or website:
Relax in a ryokan of your choice!
① Fudou Onsen – Hanabishi
- Enjoy a traditional irori-style Japanese kaiseki dinner, a specialty of the inn.
- Gaze at the stunning night sky of Achi Village, ranked No.1 in Japan for star visibility.
- The hotel’s onsen uses hot spring water that is both diluted and reheated for comfort.
② Tenryu Suijin Onsen – Hana Kaoru Yado Yoshinotei
- Savor a carefully prepared Japanese kaiseki dinner.
- Relax in an open-air bath under a sky full of stars.
- A scenic hot spring inn nestled in the Southern Alps, overlooking the Tenryu River.
③ Kumegawa Onsen – Yumoto Kumegawa
- A standalone ryokan with its own natural spring source.
- Proudly features high-quality alkaline water with a pH over 10.
- Dinner includes a Japanese kaiseki meal made with locally sourced ingredients.
④ Hirugami Onsen – Yurui no Yado Keizan
- Enjoy a delicious Japanese kaiseki dinner.
- Relax in the famous “beauty bath” onsen known for its skin-enhancing properties.
⑤ Hirugami Onsen – Yuttari no Sato Inaka
- Soak in the renowned "beauty bath" waters of Hirugami Onsen.
- Indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet with over 60 Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, including freshly prepared items from the open kitchen.
- Unwind in 19 different types of baths, with options for both men and women.
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝ Information about Tour Place of departure and destination: From Osaka to Gifu/Nagano/Aichi Number of days of travel: 2 Days Means of transportation: Bus Name of bus company: International Motor Vehicles Osaka or equivalent Meal(s): Breakfast x 1, Dinner x 1 Minimum number of passengers to operate. 20 Number of GUIDE：1
Tour Operator Information Company Name: H.I.S. Co., Ltd. Department Name: Inbound Travel Division DMC Business Department West Japan Group Kansai Team Address: Mainichi Intecio 16F 3-4-5 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8215, JAPAN Registration No: No. 724 by the Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency Membership: Full Member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Contact Information Department Name: Inbound Travel Division DMC Business Department West Japan Group Kansai Team Address: Mainichi Intecio 15F 3-4-5 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8215, JAPAN Tel: +81- 50-1745-1444 Opening hour:10:00~18:00 (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
General Travel Services Manager: Eri Tomiyama *The Tour Operations Manager is responsible for transactions related to your travel at the sales office, handling your travel arrangements. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the explanations provided by the staff about this travel contract, please do not hesitate to contact the above-mentioned Tour Operations Manager.
Please read and understand the Terms and Conditions below. Travel Terms and Conditions: Domestic Package Tours Travel Agency Terms and Conditions: Section of Package Tour Contract
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- Japanese
Itinerary
- Include: Dinner
- 10:30Umeda (Meeting at 10:15 / Departure at 10:30)
- Tenryukyo Ohashi “Sora Sanpo” Sky Walk (Experience the awe-inspiring suspension bridge opened in November 2019 / approx. 40 mins)
- 16:10Check-in at Your Selected Ryokan (Arrive around 16:10) ① Fudou Onsen Hanabishi ② Kumegawa Onsen Yumoto Kumegawa ③ Tenryu Suijin Onsen Yoshinotei ④ Hirugami Onsen Yurui no Yado Keizan ⑤ Hirugami Onsen Yutori no Sato Inaka
- Dinner: Traditional Japanese Kaiseki Meal
- Starry Sky Night Tour (Departs around 18:00 / Returns around 21:30) ※ Enjoy breathtaking stargazing at 1,400m in Achi Village, ranked No.1 in Japan for star visibility! ※ Note: Stargazing may be affected by weather. If the gondola is suspended due to bad weather, the fare will be refunded. No chairs provided—bring a mat. It gets very cold, so warm clothing is essential. Please wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.
- Include: Breakfast
- 09:30Hotel (Depart around 9:30)
- Obara Village (Admire the rare Shikizakura, cherry blossoms that bloom twice a year / approx. 60 mins)
- Korankei Gorge (Be amazed by 4,000 maple trees in full autumn color / approx. 90 mins)
- Seki Drive-In (Rest stop with restroom break / approx. 30 mins)
- 18:30Umeda (Arrive around 18:30)
Price Details
Add-on Items
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
- This tour is a Japanese tour. The tour conductor will provide language support using a translator (Pocket Talk).
- This is not a private tour; you will enjoy the tour with other guests.
- If the minimum number of participants (20) is not met by (14) days before the scheduled date, the tour on that date might be canceled.
- Drinking alcohol on the bus is prohibited.
- Please note that odd-numbered groups will, in principle, share seats on the bus
- The order of the itinerary may be partially changed.
Important Booking Information
Important Notes for the Starry Sky Night Tour:
- It can get very cold during the night tour, so please bring warm clothing. A flashlight and hand warmers are also recommended.
- Stargazing may not be possible depending on weather conditions. However, the tour will proceed even in rainy weather if the gondola is operating.
- In the event of strong winds or severe weather and the gondola is suspended, no refunds will be given. Instead, a souvenir of equivalent value to the gondola fare will be provided.
- Chairs are not provided at the stargazing site. Please bring your own mat or groundsheet to sit on.
- For groups with an odd number of people, there is a chance you may be seated next to other guests on the bus.
- Delays due to traffic or weather may shorten the time spent at some destinations. Thank you for your understanding.
Important Notes During Bus Tour
- Please refrain from drinking alcohol on the bus.
- Members of the odd-numbered group may need to share seats with other passengers on the bus.
- As stipulated by Japanese law, please wear your seat belt on the tour bus.
- Please remain seated and avoid walking while the tour bus is moving.
- Seating on the bus is assigned by H.I.S staff. Please do not change your seat during the tour.
- Please be punctual and arrive at the designated meeting place on time. The bus will depart on time and will not wait for latecomers.
- Latecomers who wish to rejoin the group will be responsible for all transportation fees. 8.Please wear the sticker provided by the tour guide visibly.
- Avoid sticking the sticker on leather goods, as it may leave marks.
- Do not use the seat reclining function or adjust the seat settings.
- Please set all electronic devices, including mobile phones and game consoles, to silent mode.
- Talking on mobile phones and making video calls are prohibited on the tour bus.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited on the tour bus.
- Arrival times at each sightseeing spot may vary depending on traffic conditions.
- The use of drones for filming or other purposes is prohibited during the tour.
- Please do not use perfume, sprays, or change baby diapers on the bus, as it may disturb other passengers.
- Manage your valuable belongings yourself.
- After the tour, please take all your trash with you and do not leave any on the bus.
- Ensure you do not forget or leave any personal belongings on the bus after the tour.
- For fruit-picking tours, please note that fruit is to be consumed only on the farm. Bringing it home in your own bag is strictly prohibited.
- If you fail to follow these regulations and cause a disturbance on the bus, you may be asked to leave the bus, even during the tour.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation made at least 21 day(s) before departure date, Fully refundable (100% refund)
- Cancel during 8 ~ 20 day(s) of departure, will charge 20%
- Cancel during 2 ~ 7 day(s) of departure, will charge 30%
- Cancel on 1 day(s) before departure, will charge 40%
- Cancel on activities date, will charge 50%
