Free "Judenken Excursion Bus" connecting Naraijuku and Kiso-Hirasawa starts operation - Tour Edo inns and artisan towns by retro bus

On May 10, 2025, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, began operating the "Shigedenken Excursion Bus," a free shuttle bus connecting "Naraijuku" and "Kiso Hirasawa," which have been designated as a nationally important traditional buildings preservation district (Shigedenken). It will run until November 23 and is run by the city and the tourism association.

The Shigeden Ken Excursion Bus runs 6 times a day (10:00~16:20) on a route that connects Naraijuku's "Gonbei Parking Lot" and Kiso Hirasawa's "Kiso Kurashi no Kogeikan". The fee is free, and the capacity is 22 people, including standing.

The service is basically on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays until Sunday, November 23. In addition, during the summer vacation period of late July ~ August, there are fluctuations in the operation schedule, such as weekday operation and suspension of service on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and advance confirmation is required ( ※ ）。

The train has a retro-style design, and some of the seats are lacquered by local Kiso lacquerware craftsmen, making it a time to interact with traditional crafts. At the Kiso Kurashi Craft Museum, which serves as a departure and arrival point, Kiso lacquerware works made locally are on display.

To access Naraijuku and Kiso-Hirasawa, take the JR Chuo Main Line Limited Express from Tokyo via Shiojiri Station, get off at Narai Station or Kiso-Hirasawa Station by train at each station, and walk. By car, it takes about 30~40 minutes from the Nagano Expressway "Shiojiri IC" or the Chuo Expressway "Ina IC". It takes about 3 hours from Tokyo by train and car.

The Shiojiri Tourism Association is promoting the event by "riding the train that connects the two historic townscapes and experiencing a trip as if you were going back in time to the Edo period."

Shiojiri

Shiojiri City is located in central Nagano Prefecture and has a variety of tourist attractions, including Narai-juku and Kiso-Hirasawa Shigedenken, 16 wineries, and Takabocchi Plateau, which is known as the setting for anime and dramas.