Secret Japan

[sudrak]

Hello
Do you know a cool village near Nagano? By "near", I mean not more than 45 minutes from Nagano station y using public transports.
I am searching such a place for 2 days : one day for a hike, and one day for a onsen. I have already found 2 interesting onsen, both are in Yamada Onsen. Is Yamada Onsen peaceful and is it possible to stay there ? Are there some interesting hikes? Do you know how much time we need to go from Nagano to Yamada Onsen, and how?

Except Yamada Onsen, do you know some other cool villages near Nagano and which 1-day hike can you advise me ?

Thank you in advance

[sanji]

Yamada Onsen is an amazing place, which is really a hidden gem. This is one of my favorite destination in the country, and I have been there several times...

For a stay there, I definitively would recommend Taki No Yu ryokan. A very simple and economical place, but with one of the best onsen in Japan, and really nice food for the price.

Link : http://www.takinoyu.jp

For the access, this is more tricky. I have always drove there, by far the easiest solution. There is a bus running from Nagano to Yamada Onsen town (40 minutes) and then you need to take a taxi, or perhaps you can arrange to be picked up by the ryokan...

For the hike, I am not sure (always been there in winter except once). But I am confident the area must offer many possibilities for people who want to hike, as it is close the Manza and Kusatsu...