5 Days in Nagano and Tokyo Itinerary

I recently went on a 5 day trip to Japan to visit my family, and experienceed the Japanese summer. It was a short but sweet trip because I was able to spend time my family and friends, and also visit places that I haven’t been to yet. It was my 5th time in Japan but it was my first summer ever.

Here’s a summary of my 5 Day trip in Japan where I visited Nagano and Tokyo. You can click on the “Detailed Itinerary” link to know more about these places and how to get there.

Day 1 – Detailed Itinerary

5 Days in Nagano and Tokyo — My view of Nagano from Limited Express Shinano bound for Shiojiri Station

Arrival
Tokyo Station
Nagano Station
Shiojiri Station

Day 2 – Detailed Itinerary

Matsumoto Station
Matsumoto City Museum of Art
Seikando Bookstore
Nawate Dori
Yohashira Shrine
Matsumoto Castle
Blueberry Azumino

Day 3 – Detailed Itinerary

Narai-juku
Zenko-ji Temple
Shinjuku
Do-C Gotanda – my first capsule hotel experience

Day 4 – Detailed Itinerary

Hie Shrine
Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street and Kaminarimon
Tokyo Skytree and Asahi Beer Headquarter Building
Roppongi
Shibuya
Harajuku

Day 5 – Detailed Itinerary

Shinagawa Station
Departure

I purchased a JR East Pass (Nagano-Niigata Area) on Klook to explore Nagano and Tokyo Prefectures. This pass allowed me to get unlimited local, rapid, limited express, and shinkansen train rides on the JR East lines. The JR East Pass (Nagano-Niigata Area) is valid for 5 days and it’s perfect for my trip. I purchased it for roughly Php8000, and when I computed my train fares, it would have costed me about Php16000. So I saved about 50% off from train fares!

I was also able to use the JR East Pass (Nagano-Niigata Area) on the Narita Express (NEX) train between Tokyo and Narita International Airport.

If you have a tourist visa in Japan, and planning to visit multiple prefectures, I recommend purchasing a JR Pass to save some money and time from train rides. Train rides is still the best way to explore Japan. Their massive and modern rail system will enable you to explore most parts of country.

I hope this travel guide will help you explore Japan. If you have question, please leave a comment below or message me on my social media accounts.