Where is Okumikawa?
Hiding between Kyoto and Tokyo, Okumikawa is a region of 4 mountain towns, nestled in the North-Eastern corner of Aichi Prefecture. Heard of Okumikawa (or Aichi)? Most people haven't, even though almost everyone passes by the area!
It may seem difficult to get here and get around for some people, but for lovers of Japan's real culture and countryside scenery, it's just part of the journey. For tours for 1 or 2 guests, we have a very convenient way to show you around Okumikawa that makes getting around particularly easy.
Toyohashi Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train is about 1 hour from us - almost all tourists don't know how close they come to this incredibly special area when they pass through.
People in Japan often still use the very old Province system to talk about their area, and often it captures more of the local spirit and culture compared to the Prefecture system. We are in the "Mikawa" Province, in the deep or "Oku" part (so Oku-mikawa). Okumikawa has a range of attractions and atmospheres, coming from millennia of history and unique cultures that developed around the region. On our tours and experiences we want to share that culture and history with you!
Mt. Horaiji really is the jewel of Okumikawa, and it's located in Shinshiro City, accessible by bus from Hon-Nagashino or Yuyaonsen Station (more on that below).
Getting to Okumikawa by car
Renting a car and driving in countryside Japan is easier than you may think! It gives you freedom and a way to see real Japan that you can't really get on public transport. There are convenient rentacar companies in nearby major cities (Toyohashi, Hamamatsu, Nagoya), and even in the hot spring village of Yuyaonsen in Okumikawa itself. On our custom package tours we can help to organise car rental for you, included in the package.
Using the highway system, from Tokyo in 3.5-4.5 hours, Nagoya in 1.5-2 hours, Kyoto in 2.5-3.5 hours, Osaka in 3-4 hours.
Getting to Okumikawa by public transport
Almost all public transport trips to Okumikawa and Mt. Horaiji will use the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train to Toyohashi Station, then the JR Iida Line. The Tokaido Shinkansen is one of the most popular Shinkansen lines, running between Tokyo and Osaka. The JR Iida line (spelled i-i-d-a) stops at various locations through Okumikawa. It's a very quaint and small train line with great views of Japanese countryside, and dramatic mountainscapes further North. We help our guests to choose the best train routes when they visit, taking into account things like IC Card payment that is not always available.
From Tokyo:
2.5 to 3.5 hours, using the Tokaido Shinkansen and JR Iida line.
From Nagoya:
2 to 3 hours, using one of 3 train lines to Toyohashi, then the JR Iida line.
From Kyoto/Osaka:
3 to 4 hours, using the Tokaido Shinkansen and JR Iida line.
How do I get to Mt. Horaiji?
If staying in the area (e.g. Yuyaonsen)
Staying in the area is our recommendation so you can enjoy the incredibly relaxing atmosphere, and the onsen hot springs at Yuyaonsen Village (which has a train station). From Yuyaonsen there is a bus that goes to the Parkway up the mountain, with easy access to the Horaisan Toshogu Shrine, Horaji Hondo (main temple building), and the more challenging climbing higher up the mountain. On our tours we look after organising transport routes, and we can even help you find and book accommodation on a custom package tour.
To climb Horaijisan the 'correct' way as they did for over 1,000 years (from the bottom, from the Omotesando village), you can take the JR Iida Line a couple of stops South to Hon-Nagashino Station, then take the bus to 'Horaiji' bus stop. From there you can see the Omotesando main temple street village, climb the 1,425 stone steps, see the sights up on the mountain, then even hike back down to Yuyaonsen, or take a bus down (or if you really want a challenge, keep climbing the mountain before returning).
As a day trip
Day trips to Horaijisan are possible, but they do require good planning and an understanding of the public transport system (not recommended for first-time visitors to Japan). Day trips from Nagoya are fairly normal, but with good planning and motivation, day trips on your way between Tokyo and Kyoto are also possible. We have some day-trip-possible set tours here, but we also create custom guided tour itineraries for our day-trip guests.
For day trips, most people choose to climb the steps, using the bus from Hon-Nagashino Station. If you leave Nagoya a bit early, it's possible to arrive with good timing for lunch before the climb, then returning for dinner at Toyohashi on your way back to Nagoya.