Zenkōji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Motozencho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. It is renowned for its long history, deep spiritual traditions, and distinctive architecture. The temple is said to have existed before Buddhism became divided into the various sects known today, and it remains an independent, non-sectarian Buddhist temple. The exact date of its foundation is uncer...»
A Sacred Shrine at the Foot of Mount Togakushi Togakushi Shrine is one of Japan’s most revered spiritual sites, located in the northwestern part of Nagano City at the foot of sacred Mount Togakushi, which rises to an elevation of 1,904 meters. The shrine complex consists of five shrines: Okusha, Chusha, Hokosha, Kuzuryusha, and Hino-mikosha. For centuries, the area has been associated with mount...»
The Hokusai Museum is a museum located in Obuse, Kamitakai District, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated primarily to the works of Katsushika Hokusai, one of Japan’s most internationally renowned ukiyo-e artists. The museum is also a member of the Japan Ukiyo-e Association and has earned recognition both in Japan and abroad as an important center for Hokusai research. Although it is situated in the quie...»
Shinshu Soba is the traditional style of soba associated with Nagano Prefecture, historically known as Shinshu. Made primarily from buckwheat flour, these Japanese noodles are one of the region’s most celebrated culinary traditions....»
Togakushi Soba is a traditional style of soba, or Japanese buckwheat noodles, associated with the Togakushi area of Nagano City. Togakushi is renowned for its deep connection with soba culture and is home to many highly skilled soba makers. Togakushi is sometimes described as a town where almost every household has someone skilled at making soba. Soba has long been closely connected with everyday...»
It's made an anniversary of death of Mr. Buddha on February 15, but it's offered at a make family Buddhist altar on March 15 of January late in Iizunacho. "And, I shoulder, oh, pull" and children went to a Zen temple and amajo to have this. HAN TEN was turned over and the form was changed in the inside, and there were the twice, 3 times and the child who goes to have this and. It was one of the pl...»
When work in a rice field was settled for the time being in the Kami-ina area formerly, relative's people gathered, and a rice dumplings-on-a-stick meeting was held. It hung time slowly and was some time of the fun clear sky when an adult and a child make and eat rice dumplings-on-a-stick by everyone while making small talk....»
Buckwheat flour is dissolved in water and it's stirred in the Japanese radish cutting into fine strips boiled rather hard. Because it can be made a thing seen as the soba limit and a short time when it's larger in the quantity of Japanese radish than buckwheat flour, I say "sou soba". Only Sukagawa where the one which is being made in the Nagano prefecture is Sakae-mura and Yamanouchi-machi. It is...»
"Nidoimo (twice potato)" was named so because it was harvested twice a year. The ingredients for nidoimo no misodengaku are nidoimo, egoma and onikurumi (wallnuts) and they are all produced in Toyamago. Imodengaku, made with local foodstuff, is a valuable food culture....»
OYAKI FARM is a unique visitor facility in Nagano Prefecture where you can discover the traditional food culture of Shinshu through freshly baked oyaki, hands-on workshops, factory tours, shopping, and a café with beautiful views. The facility is operated by Irohado, a long-established oyaki maker founded in Nagano in 1925. In addition to tasting freshly made oyaki, visitors can watch how these t...»
St.Cousair Hill is a picturesque destination in Iizuna Town, northern Nagano Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy wine, local food, and beautiful countryside scenery. Set on a hill with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, the site brings together the St.Cousair flagship store, a winery, a restaurant, a chapel, and vineyards. The peaceful setting, reminiscent of the French countryside, of...»
Nagano City is the capital of Nagano Prefecture and the largest city in the prefecture by population. Located in northern Nagano, it serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the Hokushin region. Together with Matsumoto in central Nagano, it is designated as a core city of Japan. The city is best known internationally for Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan's most important Buddhist temp...»
The Hanashina Kofun Group is an important collection of ancient burial mounds scattered across present-day Chikuma City in Nagano Prefecture. Centered around four large keyhole-shaped burial mounds, known in Japanese as zenpō-kōen-fun, the group offers a fascinating glimpse into the political and social world of ancient Japan. All four principal burial mounds are designated as National Historic S...»
Shinshu Zenkoji Nakamise Street is a charming stone-paved shopping street that stretches along the approach to Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. Located between the Niomon Gate and the Sanmon Gate, the approximately 400-meter-long street is lined with around 50 shops and establishments, including temple lodgings, restaurants, cafés, and souvenir stores. For centuries, Nakamise Str...»
Matsushiro Castle is a historic castle site in Matsushiro, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. Originally known as Kaizu Castle, it is closely associated with the famous Battles of Kawanakajima between Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin during Japan's turbulent Sengoku period. The castle was also known by names such as Kaizu Castle and Kayatsu Castle. The name Kaizu is traditionally said to have been ...»
Bunbu School was a domain school established by the Matsushiro Domain in Shinano Province during the late Edo period. It was created to educate the sons of samurai families in both academic subjects and martial arts. Today, many of the school's original buildings remain remarkably well preserved, and the site is open to the public by Nagano City. It is an exceptionally valuable example of a hanko...»
Chokokuji Temple is a historic temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism located in Matsushiro, Nagano City. Its mountain name is Sanada-zan, and the temple enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha as its principal image. Chokokuji is best known as the family temple and ancestral temple of the Sanada clan, the samurai family that ruled the Matsushiro Domain during the Edo period. With its historic buildings, ...»
Suzakura Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Izumidaira, Nagano City. The shrine is especially famous for a single magnificent cherry tree standing within its grounds. Known as the Suzakura Shrine Jindai-zakura, this ancient tree is designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan and attracts worshippers and cherry blossom enthusiasts from across Nagano and beyond....»
Saikoji Temple is a historic temple of the Jodo school of Buddhism in Nagano City. Its mountain name is Karukayazan, while its formal name is Jakusho-in. The temple's principal object of worship is the Karukaya Parent-and-Child Jizo, and Saikoji is also famous for its tradition of e-toki, the practice of explaining Buddhist stories and teachings through illustrated scrolls. Locally, the temple is...»
Zozan Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Matsushiro, Nagano City, dedicated to Sakuma Zozan, a prominent thinker, scholar of military science, and reformer of the late Edo period. A samurai of the Matsushiro Domain, Zozan was known for studying Western learning and introducing new scientific and political ideas to Japan during a period of dramatic change. The shrine stands on the site of Sakum...»
The Sanada Treasures Museum is a municipal museum in Matsushiro, Nagano City, dedicated to the history and heritage of the Sanada family, one of the most famous samurai families of Japan's Sengoku period. The museum houses and displays a remarkable collection of cultural treasures associated with the Sanada family, including armor, swords, household furnishings, paintings, historical documents, a...»
The Matsushiro Underground Imperial Headquarters Ruins are the remains of a vast underground complex constructed in Matsushiro, Nagano City, during the final stages of World War II. The project was intended to relocate Japan's political and military leadership from Tokyo to a secure inland location in preparation for a possible decisive battle on the Japanese mainland. The enormous network of tun...»
Kawanakajima Battlefield Historic Park is a large urban park in the Sarashina area of Nagano City, associated with the famous battles between two of Japan's most celebrated warlords, Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin. Also known simply as the Kawanakajima Battlefield, the park combines historical sites, monuments, greenery, and recreational facilities. It is a popular destination for visitors int...»
Chausuyama Dinosaur Park is a unique outdoor attraction on Mount Chausuyama in Shinonoi, Nagano City, where nature, imagination, and prehistoric life come together. The park is part of the 33-hectare Chausuyama Nature Botanical Garden, which was developed on land affected by a historic landslide. Scattered throughout the greenery are life-size models of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures f...»
Chausuyama Zoo is located on the lower slopes of Mount Chausuyama in Shinonoi, Nagano City. Opened in 1983 as part of a commemorative project for the 80th anniversary of Nagano City, the zoo has developed around the concept of a “zoo in the forest.” Rather than separating the animals completely from their natural surroundings, the zoo makes use of the existing woodland landscape to create a relaxi...»
Kankeiji Temple stands in Higashinomoncho, Nagano City, just beside the eastern gate of Zenkoji Temple. Officially known as Jufukuzan Muryoin Kankeiji, it belongs to the Chinzei branch of the Jodo school of Buddhism. Although it is located just steps from one of Nagano's most famous Buddhist temples, Kankeiji has a quieter and more intimate atmosphere. Its long history, religious traditions, hist...»
Hasedera Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Shionozaki, Shinonoi, Nagano City. It belongs to the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism and is officially known as Kinpusen Hasedera. Locally, it is often called Shinano Hasedera to distinguish it from other temples with the same name. Among the many Hasedera temples found throughout Japan, the temples in Yamato, Kamakura, and Shinano are traditiona...»
Nagano City Joyama Zoo is a charming, family-friendly zoo located inside Joyama Park in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. With its convenient location near the famous Zenkoji Temple, free admission, and a variety of animals and children's attractions, the zoo is an enjoyable place to visit while exploring central Nagano. Although Joyama Zoo is relatively small compared with large zoos in Japan, its...»
Mount Iizuna, also known as Mount Iizunayama, is a beautiful mountain in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture. Rising to an elevation of 1,917 meters, it stretches across Nagano City, Shinano Town, and Iizuna Town. The mountain is popular with hikers, mountain enthusiasts, and travelers seeking to experience the natural beauty of the Nagano region. The name Mount Iizuna can also refer collectiv...»
Lake Reisenji is a beautiful man-made lake in Iizuna Town, Nagano Prefecture. It was created on the Sobe River, a tributary of the Shinano River system, originally as an agricultural reservoir. Surrounded by the forests and highland scenery of the Iizuna Highlands, the lake has also become a popular destination for outdoor recreation and sightseeing. Carp, crucian carp, and black bass inhabit the...»
Nagano City Museum is a municipal museum located in Kojimada-machi, Nagano City. As a formally registered museum, it introduces the natural environment, history, culture, and everyday life of the Nagano Basin and the surrounding Shinano region. The museum aims to deepen understanding of the relationship between local people and their environment while serving as a place where knowledge and cultur...»
Togakushi Geological and Fossil Museum is a natural history museum in Nagano City dedicated to the geology, fossils, and natural environment of the Togakushi region and the wider Nagano Basin. Its collections provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the geological history of the area and discover how the landscapes around Nagano were formed. The museum has its roots in the former Togakushi...»
Ikuma Arishima Memorial Museum is a cultural facility in Kamijo, Shinshu-Shinmachi, Nagano City, dedicated to the life and artistic achievements of Ikuma Arishima, a Japanese Western-style painter who made an important contribution to the development of modern art in Japan. The museum was established in October 1982 after Arishima's former residence was relocated from Kamakura to Shinshu-Shinmach...»
Mount Togakushi is a 1,904-meter-high mountain in Nagano City and one of the most distinctive peaks of the Togakushi Range. It is recognized as one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Shinshu and one of the Five Mountains of Northern Shinshu. With its dramatic rock formations, rich natural environment, and deep connections to Japanese mythology and mountain worship, Mount Togakushi has attracted both p...»
Rokaku Lake is a beautiful man-made lake created by Minouchi Dam on the Sai River in Nagano City. Surrounded by mountains and forests, the lake offers a peaceful landscape that changes dramatically with the seasons. The name “Rokaku Lake” was given by Ikuma Arishima, the Japanese painter who had a deep affection for this region. The name evokes an image of cranes gracefully moving across the surf...»
The Nagano Olympic Museum preserves and shares the memories, achievements, and cultural legacy of the 18th Winter Olympic Games and Winter Paralympic Games, held in Nagano in 1998. The museum originally opened in 1999 and is located inside the Nagano Olympic Memorial Arena, known as M-Wave. The venue itself was one of the important facilities associated with the Nagano Winter Olympics, making the...»
The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum is a major cultural institution in Nagano City, located within the green surroundings of Joyama Park just east of Zenkoji Temple. Designed to harmonize with the surrounding landscape, the museum offers an appealing combination of art, architecture, nature, and views. The museum traces its origins to the former Shinano Museum of Art. Today, it serves as a cultural...»
Iizuna Highlands, also known as Iizuna Kogen, is a scenic highland area in the Imoi district of Nagano City. Located at elevations of approximately 800 to 1,200 meters, the area stretches across the foothills of the sacred Mount Iizuna to the southeast. With its forests, wetlands, lakes, mountains, cultural heritage, and outdoor facilities, Iizuna Highlands is one of the area's most diverse desti...»
Iizuna Resort Ski Area is a popular ski resort in Iizuna Town, Nagano Prefecture. The resort stretches across the eastern slopes of Mount Reisenji, one of the subsidiary peaks of Mount Iizuna, one of the Five Mountains of Northern Shinshu. Its convenient location makes it accessible from Nagano City, while the surrounding forests and mountain scenery provide a distinctly alpine atmosphere. The re...»
The Mizuno Museum of Art is a museum in the Wakasato district of Nagano City specializing in Japanese painting. Operated by the Mizuno Museum of Art Foundation, it opened in 2002 to showcase the collection of modern and contemporary Japanese paintings assembled over many years by Masayuki Mizuno (1940–2009), the founder of HOKTO Corporation, a company well known in Japan for its mushroom productio...»
Okususo Nature Garden is a beautiful natural park in the Kinasa area of Nagano City, located in the upper reaches of the Susobana River. At an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters, the area is surrounded by extensive beech forests and is known for its wetlands, ponds, and pristine mountain scenery. Located deep in the mountains of northern Nagano, Okususo offers visitors a peaceful escape into...»
Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden is a nature-rich botanical garden in the Togakushi area of Nagano City, located within Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park. Set at an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters, the garden spreads across a cool highland landscape where visitors can observe the plants, birds, and wildlife characteristic of the Togakushi area. With walking trails winding through fore...»
Gansho-in Temple is a historic Soto Zen Buddhist temple in Obuse, Nagano Prefecture. With a history dating back around 600 years, the temple is known as the family temple of Fukushima Masanori, a powerful feudal lord of the early Edo period. It is also famous for its extraordinary ceiling painting, “Phoenix Looking in All Directions”, created by the renowned ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai late ...»
Miwa Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in the Miwa district of Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. The shrine is an ancient Shikinaisha, meaning that it is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, an important tenth-century record of officially recognized shrines in Japan. Miwa Shrine was also traditionally counted among the Seven Shrines of Zenkoji and has long been an important place of worship for loca...»
Takei Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in the Higashimachi district of Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. Together with Tsumashina Shrine and Yufuku Shrine, it is traditionally known as one of the Three Guardian Shrines of Zenkoji, protecting the sacred area around the famous Zenkoji Temple. According to shrine tradition, its origins date back to around 692, making it one of the ancient places of ...»
Tsumashina Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in a quiet residential area of Minami-Nagano, Nagano City. It is traditionally regarded as one of the Three Guardian Shrines of Zenkoji Temple, together with Takei Shrine and Yutaka Shrine, and is also counted among the Seven Shrines associated with Zenkoji. The shrine has long been closely connected with the religious history of the Zenkoji a...»
Yubuku Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Hakoshimizu, Nagano City. For centuries, it has been closely associated with the religious life of the Zenkoji area and is traditionally regarded as one of the Three Guardian Shrines of Zenkoji, together with Takei Shrine and Tsumashina Shrine. It is also counted among the Seven Shrines associated with Zenkoji. The shrine was formerly classified as a G...»
Matsushiro Onsen is a hot spring area in the Matsushiro district of Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. It was once known as Kagai Onsen, and today it is enjoyed by visitors as a peaceful hot spring destination surrounded by the historic atmosphere of Matsushiro....»
Yawataya Isogoro is a long-established producer specializing in shichimi togarashi, the famous Japanese seven-spice blend, based in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. Its history dates back to 1736, during the Edo period, when the founder, Kan'emon, began selling chili peppers on the grounds of Zenkoji Temple. With a history spanning more than 280 years, Yawataya Isogoro is regarded as one of Japan'...»
Suzaka City is a charming destination in northern Nagano Prefecture where historic streets, beautiful mountain scenery, traditional culture, and local food come together. Once a prosperous castle-town-like settlement serving as the administrative center of the Suzaka Domain during the Edo period, Suzaka later developed into an important center of the silk industry. The prosperity of those days ca...»
Sugadaira Highland is a beautiful highland area extending from northern Ueda City to Suzaka City in Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,250 to 1,650 meters, it forms part of Joshin'etsukogen National Park. Its cool climate and rich natural environment make Sugadaira a popular destination throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy changing seasonal scenery, while the refresh...»
Garyu Park is a spacious urban park in Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture, where beautiful natural scenery, history, and local culture come together. The park was developed in 1931 and designed by Seiroku Honda, Japan’s first forestry doctorate holder, who was also involved in the design of Meiji Shrine and Hibiya Park. Recognized as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites, as well as one...»
Suzaka City Zoo is a municipal zoo located within Garyu Park in Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture. Closely connected with the local community, the zoo has been a popular place for recreation since it opened on October 1, 1962. Its compact size and warm atmosphere make it an appealing destination for families and travelers looking for a relaxed wildlife experience....»
Yonako Takizan Fudoji Temple is a historic temple of the Shingon Buddhism tradition, located in Yonako, Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture. It is known as one of Japan’s Three Great Sacred Sites dedicated to Fudo Myoo, and stands at the foot of sacred Mount Yonako, with the spectacular Yonako Waterfall Group rising deep in the mountains behind it. The temple’s principal image is a standing statue of ...»
Obuse Town is a charming destination in northeastern Nagano Prefecture, known for its rich history, beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and exceptional local food. Although Obuse is one of the smallest municipalities in Nagano Prefecture in terms of area, it has become one of northern Nagano's most popular tourist destinations. Obuse is particularly famous for two things: chestnuts and Katsus...»
Tanaka Honke Museum is a private museum in Koku-machi, Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture, housed within the former residence of the wealthy Tanaka merchant family. The family prospered from the middle of the Edo period onward, and their former home preserves a remarkable glimpse into the lifestyle and culture of a prosperous merchant household in premodern Japan. The museum occupies an expansive sit...»
Togura Kamiyamada Onsen is a historic hot spring destination in Chikuma, Nagano Prefecture. The name “Shinshu Togura Kamiyamada Onsen” collectively refers to the Togura and Kamiyamada hot spring areas on the left bank of the Chikuma River, together with the Shintogura Onsen area on the right bank. From its beginnings as a traditional hot spring retreat, the area developed into a lively resort town...»
Yonako Great Falls is a spectacular natural attraction in Yonako, Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture. The site is famous for two impressive waterfalls, Gongen Falls and Fudo Falls, whose powerful vertical drops create one of the most striking waterfall landscapes in northern Nagano. Recognized as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and selected as one of the 100 Best Waterfalls in Japan, Yonako Great F...»
The Japanese Museum of Lighting is a unique cultural museum in Obuse, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the history and culture of “light” in Japanese life. Located in the courtyard of Chikufudo's main store, the museum introduces the many types of lighting devices that Japanese people used to illuminate their homes, shops, temples, and communities before modern electric lighting. For visitors from...»
The Obuse Museum & Nakajima Chinami Museum is an art museum in Obuse, Nagano Prefecture, created to promote local culture and introduce the beauty of art to visitors. The museum is particularly known for its collection of works by Chinami Nakajima, a celebrated Japanese-style painter born in Obuse, while also presenting exhibitions that explore the town's rich artistic and cultural heritage. ...»
Jokoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Obuse, Nagano Prefecture, belonging to the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism. Also affectionately known as “Tsumago Koyaku-shi”, the temple is especially famous for its Yakushido Hall, a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan. Surrounded by abundant nature, Jokoji offers a peaceful combination of history, Buddhist faith, traditional architect...»
Obuse Winery is a highly regarded winery in Obuse, Nagano Prefecture, known for producing distinctive, high-quality Japanese wines. Its story began in 1942, when founder Ichinojo Soga began making cider from locally grown apples. Over the decades, the winery evolved from fruit wine production to the cultivation of European grape varieties and the production of authentic wine. Today, Obuse Winery ...»
Takayama Village is a peaceful mountain community in northeastern Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by forests, high mountains, clear streams, and beautiful countryside. Known for its spectacular seasonal scenery and the Shinshu Takayama Hot Spring Village, Takayama offers travelers a chance to experience a quieter and more natural side of Nagano. The village stretches from the fertile plains borderi...»
Shinshu Takayama Hot Spring Village is the collective name for eight hot spring areas scattered along the Matsukawa Gorge in the central part of Takayama Village, in northern Nagano Prefecture. Each hot spring has its own source, mineral composition, water color, atmosphere, and surrounding scenery, making the area a rewarding destination for both onsen enthusiasts and nature lovers. From seclude...»
Yamada Onsen is the central hot spring resort of the Shinshu Takayama Hot Spring Village in Takayama Village, northern Nagano Prefecture. Nestled in a peaceful mountain setting surrounded by clear streams and forests, the resort combines a long history dating back to the Edo period with the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese hot spring town. Takayama Village was once part of the historic provin...»
Takayama Village in northern Nagano Prefecture is a peaceful mountain destination surrounded by forests, highlands, and beautiful winter scenery. During the snowy season, the village becomes a destination for skiing, snow play, and other winter activities, with two distinctive snow resorts offering very different experiences. Yamada Onsen Kids Snow Park is designed primarily for families and begi...»
The Matsukawa River flows through the mountainous landscapes of northern Nagano Prefecture before joining the Chikuma River. Rising in the mountains of Takayama Village and passing through Obuse Town and Suzaka City, it forms part of the Shinano River water system. The most scenic section is Matsukawa Gorge, a dramatic mountain valley famous throughout Japan for its spectacular autumn foliage. Th...»
Kaminari Falls is a spectacular waterfall in Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture, where the Matsukawa River plunges through the dramatic landscape of Matsukawa Gorge. The waterfall is approximately 30 meters high and 5 meters wide, creating an impressive wall of rushing water, mist, and sound. Its powerful roar resembles the sound of thunder, which is reflected in its name, “Kaminari,” meaning th...»
Yataki Falls is a magnificent waterfall in Matsukawa Gorge in Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture. With a total drop of approximately 180 meters, it is one of the most impressive natural sights in the region. True to its name, Yataki means “Eight Falls,” and the waterfall is characterized by a series of eight connected pools and cascading sections. Together, they create a remarkable landscape in ...»
Takayama Village's Five Great Cherry Trees refers to five magnificent single cherry trees scattered throughout Takayama Village in Nagano Prefecture. Estimated to be between 150 and 600 years old, these venerable trees have grown alongside the village's history and become an integral part of its rural landscape. Each tree was selected for its age, size, historical significance, and distinctive be...»
Issa Museum is a village-run registered museum in Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture, dedicated to the life and literary legacy of Kobayashi Issa, one of the most celebrated haiku poets of the late Edo period. The museum's official name is Historical Park Shinshu Takayama: Issa's Village, while “Issa Museum” is the name by which it is commonly known. Its purpose is to preserve and introduce the ...»
A Historic City in Northern Nagano Chikuma City is located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, in the Hokushin region, and stretches across the middle reaches of the majestic Chikuma River. Surrounded by mountains and rich in cultural heritage, the city offers a fascinating combination of natural beauty, ancient history, traditional townscapes, and hot spring culture. Chikuma City was est...»
A Long-Established Japanese Inn in Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen Sasaya Hotel is a historic Japanese ryokan located in Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Founded in 1903, during the Meiji period, the inn has more than 120 years of history and has continued to welcome guests with traditional Japanese hospitality, elegant surroundings, and relaxing hot spring baths. The extensiv...»
Chishikiji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Kamiyamada, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Belonging to the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism, the temple is officially known as Seigenzan Chishikiji and enshrines the Eleven-Headed Kannon, or Juichimen Kannon, as its principal Buddhist image. Surrounded by the peaceful landscapes of the Chikuma River and the mountains of Shinshu, Chish...»
Kamuriki Mountain is a 1,252-meter-high mountain that straddles Chikuma City and Chikuhoku Village in Nagano Prefecture. Rising at the southwestern edge of the Nagano Basin, it is known for its beautiful natural scenery, fascinating geology, and deep connections with Japanese history, literature, and folklore. The mountain has several names, including Kamuriki-yama, Kamuriki-yama (Kanmu-dake), Sa...»
A Scenic Landscape Shaped by Nature, Agriculture, and Japanese Culture Obasute Rice Terraces, located in Yawata, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture, are among Japan's most celebrated terraced rice-field landscapes. For centuries, the terraces have been admired for their beauty and their association with Tagoto-no-Tsuki, or “the moon in every rice paddy.” When the paddies are filled with water, the ...»
Obasute Station is a small railway station on the JR East Shinonoi Line in Yawata, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Perched at an elevation of approximately 551 meters on the mountainside, the station is famous not only as a transportation stop but also as one of Japan’s most spectacular railway viewpoints. From the station, visitors can look across the broad Zenkoji Plain, also known as the Naga...»
Obasute Service Area is a highway rest area on the Nagano Expressway (E19) in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 616 meters, it stands high above the surrounding landscape and offers an exceptional panoramic view of the Zenkoji Plain. The service area is located near Obasute Station on the JR Shinonoi Line, one of Japan's Three Great Train Window Views. Howe...»
Takemizuwake Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Yawata, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Known as a Shikinaisha and Myojin Taisha, the shrine has been an important center of worship in the former Province of Shinano for centuries. It is traditionally regarded as one of the Four Great Shrines of Shinano and has long been closely connected with the people and landscape of the Chikuma Riv...»
Sarashina Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. With a long history closely connected to the former Sarashina region, the shrine is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, a tenth-century register of officially recognized Shinto shrines, and is therefore regarded as a Shikinaisha. The shrine's former status was that of a Go-sha, or district shrine, and it has been an i...»
Mizukami Funayama Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Tokura, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Standing near the Chikuma River, the shrine has long been closely connected with the history of the surrounding community. The area once flourished as Shimotokura-juku, a post town along the Hokkoku Kaido, an important highway that connected the inland regions of central Japan with the Sea of Japan. T...»
Inariyama-juku is a historic post town in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Located along the Hokkoku West Road, also known as the Zenkoji Kaido or Zenkoji West Road, it was the tenth post station when counted from Seba-juku. The town stood at an important junction where the Hokkoku West Road met the Tani Kaido. During the Edo period, this route was an important access route for travelers heading ...»
Kuwabara-juku is a former post town in the Kuwabara district of Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Located along the historic Zenkoji Kaido, also known as the Hokkoku West Road or Zenkoji West Road, Kuwabara served as an ai-no-shuku, or intermediate post station. Unlike a full post station, an ai-no-shuku provided travelers with a place to rest and goods with a place to be transferred between trans...»
Arato Castle is a medieval mountain castle located in the mountainous area of Kamiyamada, Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. It was also known as Arato Castle or Yamada Castle in historical records. The castle once belonged to the former Sarashina District of Shinano Province and is now designated as a Historic Site by Chikuma City. Today, the ruins have been developed as Chikuma City Shiroyama His...»
Apricot Village, known in Japanese as Anzu no Sato, is one of the most beautiful spring destinations in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Centered around the Mori and Kurashina districts, this rural landscape is famous for its vast orchards of Japanese apricot trees. Every spring, the hillsides are covered with delicate pink and white blossoms, creating a spectacular landscape often described as “...»
Nagano Prefectural Museum of History is a public museum located within Shinano no Sato Historic Park in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Surrounded by important archaeological and historical sites, including the Mori Shogunzuka Kofun Museum, Shina no Mura, and the Hanishina Kofun Burial Mounds, the museum provides an excellent introduction to the long history and culture of the Shinano region. Th...»
Chorakuji Temple, formally known as Obasutezan Hoko-in Chorakuji, is a historic Tendai Buddhist temple in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. Dedicated to the sacred image of Sho-Kanzeon Bosatsu, or the Bodhisattva Kannon, the temple is the 14th temple on the Shinano Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage. Built on the slopes of Mt. Obasute, Chorakuji offers sweeping views across the Nagano Basin, tradition...»