Achi Village in Nagano Prefecture, celebrated as home to "Japan's best starry sky," is teaming up with the city of Iida to launch a new sightseeing bus service. From September 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029, the trial "Iida☆Nakatsugawa Line" will connect Nakatsugawa Station in Gifu Prefecture to Iida Station by way of the historic town of Magome and Hirugami Onsen.
Achi Village sits in a quiet mountain valley at the southern tip of Nagano Prefecture. Hirugami Onsen, which first began flowing in 1973, is an alkaline simple sulfur spring with a pH of 9.7; its smooth, silky water has earned the area a reputation as the "hot spring of beautiful skin," with a texture some liken to soaking in warm lotion.
Since 2012, the village has also built its identity around the night sky. Following a nationwide survey by Japan's Ministry of the Environment that ranked Achi the best location in the country for stargazing in 2006, the village has continued developing stargazing events and viewing spots around that distinction.
To improve access from various directions, Achi currently operates the "Achi☆Hirugami Direct Bus, Matsumoto Line," connecting JR Chuo Main Line's Matsumoto Station and the Iida Igara bus stop on the Chuo Expressway Bus Shinjuku Line with Hirugami Onsen.
Now, for three years from September 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029, the village is trialing a second route aimed at both inbound and domestic travelers visiting for the starry sky and the Hanamomo no Sato flowering peach orchards: the "Iida☆Nakatsugawa Line," a scheduled sightseeing bus linking Nakatsugawa Station in Gifu Prefecture to Iida Station via Magome and Hirugami Onsen.
Service Overview
The scheduled sightseeing bus runs two round trips a day between Nakatsugawa Station in Gifu Prefecture and Iida Station, traveling by way of Magome and Hirugami Onsen.
Travelers can stay in Achi Village's Hirugami Onsen for up to about 27 hours and 40 minutes, arriving around 11:13 AM and departing around 2:52 PM the following day.
The service is aimed at both inbound and domestic travelers visiting Hirugami Onsen in Achi Village.
Operation Period
September 1, 2026 (Tuesday) through March 31, 2029 (Saturday)
*The bus does not run from December 1 through March 19 each year.
*The operation period is subject to change.
Fare
A flat fare of ¥1,500 (tax included) applies no matter where passengers board or alight.
Adults and children pay the same fare. Children age 1 and under who do not need a seat ride free.
Boarding and Payment
Boarding without a reservation: Available only when seats remain open on the day of travel. [Cash payment when boarding]
Web reservation: Advance reservations are accepted through the day before travel. [Credit card payment]
Japanese: https://mstb.tourbooking-japan.com/A/ja-JP
English: https://mstb.tourbooking-japan.com/A/en-US
Timetable and Stops
Iida Station → Nakatsugawa Station
| Stop | Morning Service | Afternoon Service |
|---|---|---|
| Iida Station (Iida Station-mae Police Box) | 9:00 AM | 2:15 PM |
| Igara Bus Stop (Platform 3) | 9:13 AM | 2:28 PM |
| Hirugami Onsen (in front of Hirugami Kukan) | 9:37 AM | 2:52 PM |
| Magome (drop-off only) | 10:05 AM | 3:20 PM |
| Nakatsugawa Station (Platform 4) | 10:22 AM | 3:37 PM |
Nakatsugawa Station → Iida Station
| Stop | Morning Service | Afternoon Service |
|---|---|---|
| Nakatsugawa Station (Platform 4) | 10:25 AM | 3:40 PM |
| Magome (pick-up only) | 10:45 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Hirugami Onsen (in front of Hirugami Kukan) | 11:13 AM | 4:28 PM |
| Tenryukyo Station | 11:32 AM | 4:47 PM |
| Igara Bus Stop (Platform 3) | 11:51 AM | 5:06 PM |
| Iida Station (Iida Station-mae Police Box) | 12:00 PM | 5:15 PM |
*This bus cannot be used solely for travel between Magome and Nakatsugawa Station.
*For travel only between Magome and Nakatsugawa Station, please use the Magome Line instead.
About Achi Village
Achi Village's Star Village Achi Tourism Promotion Council was established in 2012 to make the most of the village's "Japan's best starry sky" designation for regional revitalization and tourism. Since then, the village has hosted the "Sora no Rakuen: Japan's Best Starry Sky Night Tour" from August 2012, "Unkai and Stars: Sora no Rakuen Unkai Harbor" from October 2014, and "Sora no Rakuen Winter Night Tour" from December 2016. Cumulative attendance across these events had surpassed 1.3 million visitors as of the end of March 2026.
