Lying around 4 hours / 270km to the west of Tokyo, the Tenryu Riverlands are a world away from the hustle and hum of the city. It may take a little extra effort to get there, but those who do discover a place of natural beauty, traditional culture and lots of adventure on and around the river.
Where are the 'Tenryu Riverlands'?
The name ‘Tenryu Riverlands’ refers to a scenic and culturally-rich region in the south of Nagano Prefecture – a region dominated by the Tenryu River, subsidiary waterways, farmlands, forests and mountains. Iida is the largest city in the riverlands, lying approximately 4-hours / 270km to the west of Tokyo, 2-hours / 120km to the north-east of Nagoya, and 2.5-hours / 165km to the south of Nagano City. For visitors heading to the region using the train network from locations including Tokyo and Nagoya – or further afield from Kyoto or Osaka – it will be easiest to take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Toyohashi Station and transfer to the JR Iida Line for the onward journey to Iida Station via Tenryukyo Station. One of Central Japan’s most scenic train journeys, the line follows the Tenryu River for much of the way, taking you deep into the heart of country and back to a place of tradition and adventure.
How to Get to the Tenryu Riverlands
While the Tenryu Riverlands take time to get to, the journey is simple from starting points as far away as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. The Tokaido Shinkansen runs from Tokyo Station in the east to Shin-Osaka Station in the west. Among the stops along the line including Kyoto and Nagoya, Toyohashi Station acts as your gateway to the Riverlands. Running north from Toyohashi, the JR Iida Line runs almost 200km to Iida Station – the largest city in the Riverlands – along with stops at Hiraoka Station and Tenryukyo Station, and for much of that distance, follows the beautiful Tenryu River. Considered one of Japan’s most beautiful rail lines, it is best enjoyed using the Limited Express ‘Inaji’ service from Toyohashi. For example, for visitors coming from Tokyo to join our 2-Day Tenryu River Rafting, Tea-Picking & Tokimata Fireworks Festival Tour, the following service would get you to Tenryukyo Station in-time:
Tokyo: 08:33 – Toyohashi: 09:53 – Tokaido Shinkansen ‘Hikari’ service
Toyohashi: 10:08 – Tenryukyo: 12:24 – Limited Express ‘Inaji’ service
When coming from Osaka, Kyoto or Nagoya, this service would also get you to Tenryukyo in-time:
Shin-Osaka: 08:15 – Kyoto: 08:30 – Nagoya: 09:08 – Toyohashi: 09:36 – Tokaido Shinkansen ‘Kodama’ service
Toyohashi: 10:08 – Tenryukyo: 12:24 – Limited Express ‘Inaji’ service
*Train times are subject to change. Please reconfirm before starting your journey by inquiring with us or checking an official Japan Railways schedule.
One of Japan's most beautiful rail journeys but largely unknown by international visitors, travelling the Iida Line is an experience unto itself and just another reason to go that little bit further to discover a deeper part of Japan.
Introduction to Our Tenryu Riverlands Tours
Nestled in the south of Nagano Prefecture, the Tenryu Riverlands are defined by the river from which it takes its name and a unique blend of tradition and adventure. For centuries, the Tenryu River served as a water road to the coast, stretching over 200km to the Pacific Ocean and in doing so, offering an alternate route into the mountainous heart of Japan. As such, life revolved around the river and distinct local industries and craft emerged.
While traffic on the river is much reduced in modern times, very quietly, it is now emerging as a place of adventure with whitewater rafting and other outdoor activities establishing the Tenryu Riverlands as a place where tradition meets adventure. We offer the following tours in the region:
Fruit Picking and Rafting in the Tenryu Riverlands Tour / April - November
Perfect for those looking for excitement and hands on activities, our 1-Day tour of the Tenryu Riverlands includes fruit picking, a tasty local lunch, and an afternoon of rafting on one of Nagano's most famous rivers. Known for its fruit production, southern Nagano is one of the top places in Japan when it comes to the number of grape and apple orchards. The 'Shine Muscat' grapes are particularly famous globally and grow well in the climate provided by the Ina Valley. Blueberries, peaches, and more round out the rest of the year, with something always available from April through November. Beyond just providing a great place for fruit orchards, the Tenryu River also makes a great spot for rafting, with white waters, calm patches, and stretches of beautiful gorges surrounded by high rock cliffs. The rafting here is just exciting enough to be fun, while also easy enough for anyone to do - no experience is needed and the whole family can enjoy a day cooling off in the waters of Nagano.
Tea-Picking Experience of the Legendary Tea: A Deep Dive to the Tenryu Riverlands 2 Day Tour / Mid-May - September
This fun and engaging two-day tour takes you on an unforgettable journey through the stunning Tenryu Riverlands, beginning with an exhilarating river-rafting adventure and a delicious barbecue dinner on the first day. After a day filled with excitement, you’ll unwind at a traditional ryokan with an onsen, where you can relax and rejuvenate in the soothing hot springs while enjoying the serene surroundings.
The second day deepens your exploration of the region's charm, with a serene traditional river boat ride and the unique experience of tea-picking in the terraced tea fields of Nakaisamurai, one of Nagano’s most picturesque locations. After another day of adventure, you’ll return to a hot spring hotel overlooking the breathtaking Tenryu Gorge. This tour offers the perfect blend of outdoor thrills, cultural experiences, and relaxation, making it a truly memorable and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages!
Pickup Locations for Tours
Looking to escape from the city for a little while? Already in rural Japan and looking for another experience to complete your stay? In either case, we can offer pick up from your preferred location in the following areas:
-- Nagoya (And Surroundings)
-- Nakatsugawa
-- Kiso Valley (Nakasendo)
-- Matsumoto
-- Hirugami Onsen
-- And more!
We understand that many of the meet up points listed for the above tours can be difficult to reach. With many of the stations listed being remote and on lines that only have a limited number of trains departing each day, travelers who are not yet used to getting around in Japan may have concerns about arriving on time. For that reason, we offer our pickup service to facilitate the ease of your trip to the Tenryu Riverlands, especially for larger groups of guests who will find it more difficult to book seats on trains or buses.
Additionally, our pickup service can be used to string together multiple destinations in the area. For example, if you are looking to visit a hot spring town in rural Japan for a 1-night stay, followed by a rafting trip the next, we can handle transport on each day for your group to ensure a smooth and enjoyable excursion. Please feel free to contact us for pricing and details!