It only takes a short 2-hour train ride to get to Chino from Tokyo.
Once at the station, you will be picked up by your personal driver who will be at your disposal for the rest of your journey. You can also rent a car, arrange a taxi, or utilize bus services as you like.

Enjoy authentic matcha green tea with traditional Kanten (agar) sweets, while observing a beautiful Japanese garden covered with snow.

Suwa Taisha is one of Japan’s oldest sanctuaries, first mentioned in Japanese literature in the 7th century. Built to hold the sacred rituals which animate the spiritual life of the region, this is the largest and most elaborated of the Suwa Taisha shrines. Take time to observe the detailed carvings of the shrine buildings and the massive ceremonial drum. If you like, you can also join a special purification ceremony and receive the local deity's blessing.

Soba ("buckwheat") is a traditional food in Nagano Prefecture and Chino is no exception. Stop by this small family-run restaurant and try some soba noodles.

This is a very popular cafe/pastry shop that sell both Western and Japanese sweets. Take your time and enjoy a parfait made with seasonal fruits or matcha green tea served with a hot cup of green tea or carefully hand-dripped coffee from Brazil.

In most of the hotels, you can choose Japanese or Western style breakfast.
​At Tateshina Kaoru Kaze, in order for guests to feel refreshed and energized before starting a day, the tasteful breakfast is prepared to enhance metabolism by balancing ingredients that warm up or cool down the body temperature.

Indigo blue can be made from various kinds of plants depending on where you are in the world. The Japanese indigo, called ai, is extracted from "tade," an endemic plant in Japan. Interestingly enough, the name "Tateshina" also comes from this plant.
Japanese indigo is characterized by a deep, elegant and rustic feel.
Tateshina Ai offers a workshop to experience dyeing with indigo. You can make your very own indigo handkerchief and/or tablecloth.

*This activity is limited to guests staying at Tateshina Ai

This small bakery restaurant is situated in the highland area of Tateshina at an elevation of 1,200 meters. Their specialties include apple danish, crunchy yet fluffy croissants, pizzas made with lots of homegrown vegetables, savory onion soup and much more. All ingredients are genuine products from the area.

Mount Kurumayama boasts an average sunshine rate of 70% throughout the winter season. On a clear day, you can enjoy an unhindered view of the three ranges of the Alps, Mount Fuji and the Yatsugatake Mountains. The ski resort features a total of eight ski slopes designed to suit all levels, from children just beginning to learn how to ski or snowboard to advanced skiers and snowboarders.

All three resorts have natural free-flowing Onsen baths. You can also relieve the fatigue of the day with a relaxing massage.

The dinner at Tiny Garden includes salad/appetizer buffet and main dishes to choose from several options. ​They use locally grown ingredients such as Fukumidori chicken, Shinshu salmon, venison and highland vegetables, taking enough time to bring out the flavor of the ingredients to the fullest.

Breakfast of Tateshina Shinyu Onsen starts with fresh local vegetable “Sunny Salad” and continues with six assorted dishes and Yudofu (simmered tofu by Shinshu soybeans); a perfect combination to have a wonderful start of the day.

A small café run by a local couple inside a renovated old folk-house. They have only one menu which features a selection of typical seasonal dishes. Enjoy a delicious lunch and don't forget to ask for desserts. We recommend their selection of Tenyose, elegant and colorful cakes made with Kanten (agar).

People have inhabited the region at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains uninterruptedly for over 10,000 years. Visit the Jomon museum to see some of the beautiful artifacts made by the first settlers, who lived in close contact with nature. The two voluptuous statuettes of the “Jomon Venus” and the “Masked Goddess” which dates back more than 5,000 years are especially remarkable.

The philosophy of Kamosuya is to deliver genuine food made with local ingredients and lots of care. The central elements of every meal are fermented foods, such as miso and tsukemono (pickles), all hand-made by the owner. Western style breakfast is also available.

In Winter the waterfalls along Shibu-gawa River freeze and a glimmering layer of ice covers the rocky walls of the gorge. If you put crampons on, you can easily hike most of the trail and the icefalls make for some great winter photography.
* A private tour in English can be arrange upon request.

There are several gibier (game meat) restaurants in Chino, and Auberge Espoir is an intimate high-end restaurant where every dish is prepared with the utmost care and highest-quality ingredients. The chef values the season of its ingredients and serves wild edible plants in spring, local highland vegetables in summer, natural mushrooms and wild chestnuts in autumn and wild game dishes in winter. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of world-class wines, liquors and cigars to go with the elegant and tasty food.

Yatsugatake Ohisama prepares flavorful vegetarian meals made with locally grown ingredients. Their cuisine is in harmony with nature and follows the rhythm of the land and its seasons; the perfect breakfast to start your day!

There are plenty of Onsen facilities in Chino with various different hot spring sources. In recent years, the dynamic open-air bath where you can enjoy the beautiful nature became very popular. ​Shake off the cold, get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a relaxing bath in the clear air of the highlands.