Omachi is located around 45KM / 1-hour to the southwest of Nagano City and around 275 KM / 3.5 to 4 hour drive to the north-west of Tokyo. As there are not many train lines that access Omachi (other than the Oito Line from which it can be accessed from Matsumoto City) Shinano-Omachi Station is most easily reached using the bus from Nagano Station (we will talk about the various options and timings later in the article) after arriving from Tokyo via the Hokuriku Shinkansen - taking around 1.5 hours and 70 minutes for the shinkansen train and bus rides respectively if starting from Toyko. After stopping at Shinano-Omachi Station, many of these buses continue onto the Omachi Onsenkyo and Ogizawa Station to allow for easy access to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route located in Chubu Sangaku National Park. Both the main town and Onsenkyo boast some excellent hotels and guesthouses, restaurants and cafes, museums and galleries. Omachi sits at around 700 meters above sea level, which gives it a cooler and lighter atmosphere as it is blessed by the cold air descending from the nearby Northern Japan Alps, offering an escape from the heat and humidity of summer.
BEST THINGS TO DO AROUND OMACHI
The Three Lakes of Nishina (Aokiko, Nakatsuna, and Kizaki) offer a variety of water activities throughout the year. From smelt fishing and motor boating to stand-up paddleboarding, these lakes provide endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation in a picturesque setting surrounded by mountains. The smelt (wakasagi) fishing occurs on Lake Nakatsuna and is best from late February to the end of the winter season, as you can pair smelt fishing with ice fishing on little tents on the lake paired with a meal! You can still smelt fish until October, but it would be regular fishing from a boat. Lake Kizaki offers motorboating tours for small groups around the lake, as well as other sports like wakeboarding and biscuiting. Lake Aoki offer traditional camping experiences, as well as water activities fun for the whole family, such as SUP (stand up paddling). Lake Aoki is especially known for its fall foliage, whereas Lake Kizaki has blooming water lillies in the summer for great viewing! As all three of this lakes are in such close proximity, it makes for a great day trip in any season! Find out more information about these activities at our ‘The Three Lakes of Nishina‘ activity page
13 / TRY YOUR HAND AT “WASHI” JAPANESE PAPER MAKING / all year round
Located just a 10-minute walk from Shinano-Omachi station, Matsusaki Washi offers a unique hands-on cultural experience in the creation of “washi,” Japanese paper made from the fibers of mulberry plants. These fibers are soaked in the water that Omachi is so famous for, further contributing to the town’s identity as a “city of water.” Visitors can learn the intricate process washi making from local experts in an introductory course using simple materials, or sign up for the full course and get access to a larger collection of crafting tools! Each of these experiences start with guidance from the instructor before you are let loose for a set time period with your materials to make as much washi as you wish. Tours of the facility where you learn all about washi creation can be done at walk-in, but the actual paper making class requires a reservation beforehand! This activity provides a unique souvenir and an appreciation for the artistry and effort involved in traditional Japanese crafts.
14 / SOAK IN THE ONSEN AT OMACHI ONSENKYO / all year round
Located in western Omachi and serving as some of the closest accommodations to the aforementioned Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Omachi’s Onsenkyo is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. As a relatively new facility, the production of the famous Kurobe Dam in the 1950s sparked a staggering amount of growth in this area. The onsen boasts land area totaling 40 hectares with an impressive average of 7,000 square meters per facility, meaning you can truly appreciate the uncrowded greenery around you as you bathe the day away! The onsen’s baths are all fueled by various sources throughout the Kuzu Onsen in the Takase Valley, featuring a variety of baths, including outdoor and indoor options, each offering the therapeutic benefits of natural mineral waters. Visitors can unwind while taking in the scenic views and peaceful atmosphere at this spacious onsen near the Alpine route and Hakuba Ski Resort.
15 / THE NYAKUICHI-OJI FESTIVAL / yearly in July; 2024 Festival Dates: July 27th and 28th
The “Nyakuichi-oji” Festival, also known as the Yabusame Festival, is one of three festivals featuring traditional horseback archery in the country, and the only one that has a children’s archery event! Participants in historical attire demonstrate their skills in this ancient martial art, providing a spectacular show of precision and horsemanship. With many more events including kendo “sword” tournaments, taiko drumming, traditional dances, and shrine ceremonies, really absorb the energy of the local people in a true festival atmosphere. This festival is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity if you are present during the two select days it occurs yearly in July!
16 / ENJOY LOCAL CUISINE AND ART AT WACHIGAI / all year round
Wachi-gai, a traditional restaurant paired art museum, is a traditional Kyoto-style townhouse named after a local official of the Edo era over 150 years ago. Making use of this charming building, the first floor is a restaurant that specializes in local ingredients, and the second floor is a gallery where local artists’ crafts and photography exhibitions are held throughout the season. Visitors are welcome to drop by just for the gallery to see the local artists and artisans on display.
In the restaurant on the first floor, you can taste the local flavor of Omachi, which is advertised as the taste of the four seasons. Being located right on the “Salt Road Sengoku Kaido,” which connected the mountains of Nagano to the sea of Japan and allowed for the transport salt and marine products, you can sample their signature dish, the “Salt Road Festival Gozen”, which brings Omachi’s past prosperity as an inn town to the present day. Also providing other dishes pair with Japanese sake, pork, and vegetables, all of these are local delicacies that you should taste when you come to Omachi. You can also try your hand at cooking with local ingredients. They also have a full café menu, so that you can spend a leisurely afternoon appreciating the local cuisine.
17 / SHIKI THEATRE COMPANY KEITA ASARI MEMORIAL MUSEUM / CLOSED ON WEDNESDAYS
Located around a 25 minute bus ride from Shinano-Omachi Station (Ogizawa Line), the Shiki Theatre Company Keita Asari Memorial Museum honors the legacy of one of Japan’s most influential theatre directors. Keita Asari wished to revolutionize theater in the country of Japan and the world, and has grown to be one of the most influential drama troupes the country has produced, performing traditional Japanese stage plays, musicals (even those of western origin), and theater productions to millions across their seven theaters in Japan. Recently reopened after a renovation in 2023, the museum showcases memorabilia, scripts, and exhibits related to Keita Asari’s work and the Shiki Theatre Company, offering insight into the history and development of Japanese theatre. Although live performances are rare at this specialty museum, it is still worth a visit for those who have a special interest in theater history!
18 / MAKE SHINSHU MISO AT MARUKOME MIASA WAREHOUSE / all year round - CLOSED MONDAYS
Miso, being made from fermented soybeans, is an inseparable part of Nagano’s food culture, even to the point where Shinshu (the historical provincial name of Nagano) Miso can be found in Asian markets around the world. The Marukome Miasa Highland Fermentation Warehouse sits at a cool 1,000 meters above sea level where it is on average 5 degrees cooler, where miso production can be performed with great efficiency and effectiveness. Miso at the warehouse is aged in their characteristic cedar “neba” barrels, giving the miso a unique flavor. The warehouse has an open floor plan with many instructional aids to learn about miso production, and invites participation in their 45-minute miso making class, which can be paired with a miso-tasting class to understand firsthand the best and most unexpected items to eat with this unique seasoning. Reservations can only be made from 60 days from the desired date, with the reservations being made no later than a week from the due date. We recommend this location to gain enjoying the satisfaction of making miso from scratch.
19 / E-BIKE THROUGH THE COUNTRY ROADS OF OMACHI / April - November
E-biking is becoming more and more popular as a way to truly get the local’s view of the land while journeying in Japan. Being able to rent an E-bike right from Shinano-Omachi Station, exploring Omachi by e-bike allows visitors to enjoy the scenic landscapes around the area at their own pace. E-bike rentals offer an eco-friendly and convenient way to navigate the area’s picturesque routes and hit key areas of interest mentioned at other points in this list, with three new recommended cycling courses highlighting the best views and attractions by the Omachi Tourism Association. One route has you cycle west through the nature-rich Takase Valley to visit Omachi Dam and Nanakura Dam. This route is attractive for its dynamic scenery that is unique to Omachi City. Another route goes northward to visit the three Nishina Lakes, which would be greatly paired with the activities at lakes featured earlier in this list. The last route is a round around the town to the south, while hitting the Omachi Matsukawa area of the National Alps Azumino Park, the Suntory Shinano no Mori Mineral Water Factory, La Casta Natural Healing Garden, the national treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine, and the Salt Road. This activity is perfect for those looking to combine adventure with the beauty of nature, and is best paired with another activity!
20 / DAIO WASABI FARM / all year round
Heading south of the city of Omachi, visitors can explore Azumino’s Daio Wasabi Farm - one of Japan’s largest producer of wasabi and in itself, a beautiful destination well-worth visiting due to its local folk tale and down-to-earth construction origins which can be learned about in the recently opened museum area of the farm. Known in the West for its nasal-clearing heat, real wasabi is a much more subtle and highly versatile taste than many people realize, and be paired with many foods to enhance the taste profile. Wasabi plants can actually used in their entirety from the roots, which create the iconic spice, to the leaves and stem which are used for tempura. The plants are actually quite delicate, so you will see them covered by cheesecloth in the summer to protect them from the intense summer heat. Wasabi requires large amounts of clear water to grow and the streams and pools that actively flow across the farm create a picturesque and idyllic setting in which to wander and enjoy this local delight.
BEST PLACES TO STAY WHEN VISITING OMACHI
Omachi boasts an excellent range of accommodation options including many western-style hotels, Japanese-style “ryokan” guesthouses, as well as private onsen attached Japanese-style accommodations at the Omachi Onsenkyo. If you are visiting the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, or any of the other destinations listed above, both options near Shinano-Omachi Station and the Omachi Onsenkyo are great places to rest, as the public express buses service both of these areas. For more information including accommodation listings, see our ‘Best Places to Stay in Omachi’ page.
HOW TO GET TO OMACHI
As there is no Shinkansen line directly running from Tokyo to Omachi, the town is best reached from Tokyo by taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Nagano City and then taking the many easy to access public buses. To make it from the south from Nagoya only requires trains, but does require a transfer. Our ‘How To Get To Omachi’ page explains how to make the journey from many other popular starting points in greater detail.
why not hire one of our private charter vehicles for the day? With well trained and polite drivers, we will bring you where you want to go from the Omachi area, door-to-door. For more information on pricing and availability, please click HERE.
