Major city · Japan
Chino茅野市
Spend a full day exploring the lakes, museums and nearby trails; add a night in an onsen inn if you want hot‑spring relaxation.
Chino sits at the foot of the Yatsugatake range and offers easy access to lakes, moss‑rich forests and hot‑spring inns. A few hours cover the main sights; an extra night lets you soak in the Oku‑Tateshina onsen.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow)
- Airport
- MMJ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chino110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chino, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyStandard mountain‑trail precautions apply; watch for sudden weather changes and stay on marked paths.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMMJ Matsumoto Airport (check travel time to Chino).
- Getting aroundAlpico bus network covers the city and lake trailheads; train service limited to Chino and Aoyagi stations, so rely on buses or taxis for most trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride (local)check¥200–300 (≈ US$2–3)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry¥500–800 (≈ US$4–6)
- Budget bedGuesthouse dormitory bed, a night, per person¥3,000 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedOnsen ryokan room (double), a night, per room¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedOnsen ryokan room (double), a night, per room¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · High ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MMJ Matsumoto Airport (check travel time to Chino)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chino: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
5 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Alpico bus network covers the city and lake trailheads; train service limited to Chino and Aoyagi stations, so rely on buses or taxis for most trips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Suwa
goDoor to door: ≈45 min (check)
Alpico bus, about 20 min
Lake Suwa and Suwa‑taisha shrine.
Matsumoto
goDoor to door: ≈1 h (check)
JR Chuo Line, about 40 min (check)
Matsumoto Castle and historic streets.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Chino Station area
Convenient for trains and buses; limited dining options.
Oku-Tateshina Onsenkyō
Hot-spring inns in a natural setting; requires a bus or taxi from the station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse dormitory bed2 × 1 night × ¥4,000 | ¥8,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥8,000 | ¥16,000 |
| Alpico bus day pass2 × ¥1,200 · check | ¥2,400 |
| Soba meal2 × ¥800 · check | ¥1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥2,800 |
| Trip total≈ ¥15,400 per person per day, bed included | ¥30,800≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and JR Pass excluded.
Prices of common things
| Soba bowl | ¥800–1,200 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Coffee | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bus ride (local)check | ¥200–300 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Museum entry | ¥500–800 (≈ US$4–6) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Train service is infrequent; check bus timetables for early returns.
- Winter snow can close mountain trails; verify conditions in Jan–Feb.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Chino茅野市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Osaka; other embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- JR Chuo Line Chino → Matsumoto: about ¥1,200 (≈ US$9) reserved, 40 min (check)
- Alpico bus Suwa round‑trip: about ¥1,200 (≈ US$9) per person
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the bathroom? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chino. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in an onsen ryokan for full hot‑spring experience.
- Include a guided moss‑walk on the Fairy Tale Route for nature lovers.
Sources
Ask about Chino
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