Free! A "Seriously" Rural Village Walk | Tokyo Day Trip 🌱

【FREE!】A Seriously Rural Village Walk
My village, Saihara in Uenohara City, is a real countryside untouched by tourism.
Uenohara is only a 1.5-hour train ride from Tokyo!
Because of that, authentic Japanese rural scenery remains as it is.
Let’s walk through this beautiful countryside together to refresh both body and mind!

Since I live here and have experience as an inbound tour guide, I’d love to show you around and share some history and culture as we walk together.

I traveled as a backpacker for over 10 years, and I really feel this is the kind of place travelers are looking for.
It’s a peaceful, cozy place where real human life and nature naturally coexist together. The air and water taste amazing, and the local grandparents living here are truly kind and lovely!

Come hang out!

◆Schedule
10:00 : Meet at Biryukan（びりゅう館）
10:10 : Morning Walk
-- View from a small hill
-- Walk through the village and farm fields
-- Visit an old shrine with a 300-year-old tree
12:00 : Lunch time!
-- Local traditional dishes at the restaurant.
1:00 : Afternoon Walk
-- Walk to a secret waterfall on private land
3:00 : Drinks/beer at Biryukan
3:30 : Wrap up

◆Meeting Point
Haoki no Sato Biryukan (羽置の里 びりゅう館)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/o3M6BFMFK5nFD4rp6

◆How to Get Here
By Car: Free parking available at Biryukan.
By Bus: Click HERE for Details
Take the JR Chuo Line to Uenohara Station. Go to South Exit, Bus Stop No. 1.
- Bus Departure: 8:40 AM for Tsurutoge (鶴峠) or 8:50 AM Kosuge-no-Yu (小菅の湯)
- Get Off At: Gakko-mae (学校前) at 9:29 AM or 9:39 AM
- Fare: ¥1,020 one-way (Suica, Pasmo, or Cash)
- Biryukan is right across the street from the bus stop!
- Return Bus: 3:51 PM bound for Uenohara Station.
⚠️Important Bus Tip: This is the only bus in the morning, so please don't miss it!

◆Lunch
Lunch will be at Biryukan's restaurant using fresh local ingredients (self-pay).
- Vegetarian and Vegan options are available if you let me know in advance.
- Let me know if you have any food allergies too!

◆Quick Notes
- Walking: Everyone is welcome, but we’ll be walking for about 4 hours total.
- Group Size: Needs at least 7 people. If we don't hit 7 by 5:00 PM the day before, I’ll have to cancel and will let you know then.
- Weather: Canceled if it rains (I’ll notify you by 5:00 PM the day before).
- Time: We’ll start right on time so everyone stays on schedule.

◆Why Free?
Saihara has no schools, no hospitals, no supermarkets, and naturally, no job opportunities.
I absolutely love living here, but if things stay the same, this village might disappear in a few decades.
To keep living here and help bring some fresh energy back to the village, I’d love to work as a tour guide here full-time. But of course, people won't just start paying to visit Saihara right out of the blue!
So I figured, why not start by showing people how awesome this place is for free?
No pressure at all, just come on over and take a deep breath of fresh countryside air. Hope to see you soon!