Private day trip · Day trip from Tokyo
From Tokyo: Chino Jomon Venus & Tateshina Customizable Tour
See the National Treasure Jomon Venus figure in Chino, Jomon pottery at Idojiri, and the mountain lake of Tateshina, all in one day.
Private · your group only◆11 hours◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
About 5,000 years ago, the high plains around Mount Yatsugatake were home to many Jomon villages. The people made strong, decorated pottery and clay figures called dogu. Two of the most famous dogu in Japan were found here, and both are National Treasures.
We pick you up at your hotel in central Tokyo and drive west to Nagano, about 2.5 to 3 hours. Our first stop is the Idojiri Archaeology Museum in Fujimi. It shows hundreds of Jomon pots from local sites, with bold faces and snake shapes on them. Entry is included.
After lunch we visit the Togariishi Museum of Jomon Archaeology in Chino. Here you see the Jomon Venus, a round clay figure, and the Masked Goddess, a large figure with a triangle mask. Both are National Treasures of Japan. Next to the museum are rebuilt pit houses of the Togariishi site, so you can picture how people lived. Entry is included.
In the afternoon we drive up to Tateshina Lake, a small lake at about 1,250 m under the Tateshina mountains. There is time for a short walk around the shore and a coffee before we head back.
We drive back to your hotel in Tokyo in the evening. The tour is about 11 hours in total, with about 5.5 hours of driving.
Your guide explains how the Jomon people lived by hunting, fishing and gathering, and why so many clay figures were found in this area. The drive also gives you wide views of the Yatsugatake mountains and the Suwa basin.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One group per van, for 1 to 6 people.
If a museum is closed on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed.
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- See the Jomon Venus, a 5,000-year-old National Treasure
- See the Masked Goddess figure at the Togariishi Museum
- Admire bold Jomon pottery at the Idojiri Archaeology Museum
- Explore rebuilt Jomon pit houses at the Togariishi site
- Take a short lakeside walk at Tateshina Lake
Said plainly
Both museums usually close on Mondays and on some days after holidays. We run this tour on days when the museums are open If the Togariishi Museum is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead spend the time at other Jomon sites and the pit house park near Chino Tateshina is cooler than Tokyo. Bring a light jacket. In winter the lake may be frozen and some shops closed
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
See the Jomon Venus, a 5,000-year-old National Treasure
See the Masked Goddess figure at the Togariishi Museum
Admire bold Jomon pottery at the Idojiri Archaeology Museum
Explore rebuilt Jomon pit houses at the Togariishi site
Take a short lakeside walk at Tateshina Lake
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide (also Hindi/Urdu)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Togariishi Museum of Jomon Archaeology entry
- Idojiri Archaeology Museum entry
Yours — paid on the day
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional souvenir purchases
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
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From¥94,000
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