Visitor Guide to

Shinanomachi

Englishwww.shinanomachi-nagano.jp

Nagano, Japan

Experience more: Explore the wonderful natural environment of Shinanomachi

長野県信濃町

The Iyashi no Mori
Healing Forest
Relax naturally: Take a walk in
the woods at Iyashi no Mori
Shinanomachi was the first town in Japan
to conduct medical research on the mental
and physical healing effects of forest
environments, and is widely known as a leader
in forest therapy. Conducted in partnershipwith doctors and universities, this research
confirmed that forest therapy has a numberof medical benefits such as lowering bloodpressure, reducing stress hormones, andincreasing immune activity. The healing powerof the forest can bring back “time lost” totoday’s stress-filled society. Welcome to Iyashi
no Mori Healing Forest, Japan’s highlands
resort!

Hiking trail
３Coursesfor Enjoying Iyashi no
Mori Healing Forest

Naena Taki (Naena Falls) Course

This longer walking course leads fromthe Kurohime Highlands to Naena
Falls, one of Japan’s 100 most scenic
waterfalls, and offers the ultimate intherapeutic “forest bathing.”
Distance:
Time:
Location:

PAGE. 02

About 7 km
About 4.5 hours
Kurohime Kogen—
Myoko Kogen

Ojika Ike (Ojika Pond) Course

Perfect for beginners, this course
loops through the forests and fields
surrounding Ojika Pond, anenvironment filled with the sounds ofbabbling streams and twittering birds.
Distance:
Time:
Location:

About 1.2 km
About 1.5 hours
Kurohime Kogen

Zo no Komichi (Elephant’s Path)
CourseThis relatively easy walking course
near the shores of Lake Nojiri, where
Naumann elephant fossils have been
excavated, offers therapeutic “forest
bathing” with lake views and breezes.
Distance:
Time:
Location:

About 2.5 km
About 2 hours
Lake Nojiri

With Abundant Forests and Gentle People
Shinanomachi Has “Healing Power”
C.W. Nicol
Writer. Born in South Wales, UK, in 1940. After serving in various
environmental and conservation positions around the world, including
technician at the Fisheries Research Board of Canada Arctic Biological
Station, Environmental Emergency Ofﬁcer at the Environmental Protection
Service of Canada, and game warden at the Semien Mountains National
Park in Ethiopia, Nicol has lived in Shinanomachi since 1980. Beginning in
1986 he started acquiring neglected woodlands and working to regeneratethem through his Afan Woodland Trust. In 2005, in recognition of these
activities, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire(MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II. In 2016 he received the 26th Midori no Bunka(Green Culture) Prize from the National Land Afforestation Promotion
Organization. Also in 2016, the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited theAfan Woodland Trust.

Interview

C. W. Nicol
Writer, Environmentalist

What Drew Me to Shinanomachi
and Kept Me HereA long time ago I conducted research andexploration in the Arctic and in Ethiopia andmany other regions. I saw many parts of theworld but found myself particularly drawn
to the natural beauty of Japan and decided I
wanted to live here. At the time I would havebeen happy to live in any rural part of thecountry. After a while a friend invited me
to Shinanomachi. I spent a year living in an
old house with a thatched roof and foundthe people very friendly and the town very
comfortable. Thatʼs when I began thinking it
would be a good place to settle.
The town has much to recommend it. The
air is good. The water is clean. The food̶
mountain greens, mushrooms, vegetables,
freshwater fish̶is delicious. With Tokyo
not far away, the location is ideal. This iswhere Iʼve been able to pursue my dreams.
I couldnʼt have done so in the city. Everyone
who visits from overseas remarks on how
wonderful the nature and people are here in
Shinanomachi.

The Healing Effect ofShinanomachiʼs Forests

Abundant forests in which ﬂora and faunacoexist have been scientifically provento have a healing effect. Such abundantOriginally from the United Kingdom, C.W. Nicol is a prominent writer and environmentalist
in Japan. After being involved in environmental conservation activities around the world,he settled in Shinanomachi in 1980. Currently, he is engaged in forest regeneration at theAfan Woodlands in Kurohime Kogen. We asked him to share his thoughts on the appeal of
Shinanomachi and its natural environment that he knows so well.

forests can be found here in Shinanomachi.
In cooperation with medical institutions, wetested visitorsʼ blood and blood pressure
before and after walking in the forest, andeveryone exhibited lower blood pressureand higher immunity in the “after” testing.
We had children draw pictures after walking
in the woods and you could see the effect it
had on their drawings and gestures. I thinkwoodlands are the future of Shinanomachi̶
quiet, free of unpleasant smells, and easyon the eyes. The sounds of the forest̶thebabbling of little streams, the twittering of
songbirds, the calls of frogs and insects̶
speak gently to people. Half of our DNA isfrom the sea, but the other half is from theforest. Woodlands are where our hearts
belong. We have two horses now living at
the Afan Woodlands Trust that are engaged
in horse logging, a traditional, eco-friendly
way of hauling timber. In the future we hopeto also use horses for equine therapy andfor mountain safaris.

if sheep were kept there to eat the weeds,
and even better if there were horses, too. I
also very much like the view looking downon Lake Nojiri and its surroundings from theupper part of Mt. Madarao

A Note to Readers

Japanese people, and particularly those in
Shinanomachi and other rural areas, arekind and always willing to help someone
in trouble. If you need anything, donʼt be
afraid to ask! Shinanomachi has good
forests, many places where you can camp,
and inns that are accustomed to guests
from overseas. If youʼve come all theway to Japan, you should definitely jumpin and experience the wonderful naturalenvironment of Shinanomachi.

Favorite Scenery and Spots in
Shinanomachi

My favorite place, of course, is the Afan
W o o d l a n d Tr u s t , b u t t h e v i e w o f M t .
Kurohime from the Kurohime Fairy Tale
Museum is also lovely̶very much like thescenery in Europe. I think it would be nice

The view from the Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum

Afan Woodland Trust
From Regenerating the Forest to
Reviving the Mind and Revitalizing the Community
Japan was covered in abundant forests since ancient times andits people lived in harmony with a beautiful natural environment.
Swept aside by the waves of rapid economic growth, however,more and more forests were devastated. Writer C.W. Nicolbegan working to regenerate the forests of Kurohime in 1986 in
the hope of bringing back Japan’s beautiful natural environment
and a love of nature in people’s hearts. Thanks to its many
supporters, the ecosystem of the Afan Woodlands is comingback to life year by year and many regionally endangered
animals and plants have returned. Using horses to haul felledtimber and plow fields, the trust seeks to enable people to live
fully in an environment that is naturally suited to Japan.
(The Afan Woodlands still cover a relatively small area. The environment is easily
altered by the presence of people, so access is prohibited as a rule.)

PAGE. 03

Lake Nojiri
Slow time: Glide on the waters ofa mysterious mountain lake
Formed when volcanic debris from Mr. Kurohime
created a dam, Lake Nojiri is designated a
special area within the Myoko–Togakushi Renzan
National Park and still offers outstanding lake
scenery. Lake Nojiri is also well known as asummer retreat for residents of Japan fromoverseas, a tradition that began in 1922 when
missionary Daniel Norman left Karuizawa, which
he felt had become too famous, in search of aclimate similar to his native Canada. Learningof refreshing Lake Nojiri and its mountainous,
forested surroundings, he established a retreat
for foreign residents in the Kamiyama area
along the lake’s southwest shores. Because local
residents have always prioritized conservation,
Lake Nojiri avoided the over-development ofJapan’s “leisure boom” years and remains abeautiful spot. Uga Shrine, founded in 730,
stands on Biwa Island (also known as Benten
Island). The shrine’s current main sanctuary
was built in 1655. The island and shrine can bereached by pleasure cruiser, canoe, or rowboat,
and many people come from far away to pray.

PAGE. 04

Miles Peterson
An American born in 1991, Peterson wasborn and raised in Japan. After attending
an international school in Japan, hemajored in marine biology at a college
in Colorado in the United States. After
graduation he moved to Shinanomachi,
which he had visited every year as achild. Now part of the team at Dancing
Snow Myoko Outdoor Adventures, heworks as a nature guide throughout theregion including in Kurohime Kogen,Madarao Kogen, and Myoko Kogen.

Interview

Miles Peterson

Nature Guide(Climbing, Skiing, Kayaking)An American born and raised in Japan, Peterson went to college in the United States
but then moved to Shinanomachi, where he had spent time in his youth. Today heworks as a nature guide, sharing the outdoors that he loves with all sorts of people.
We asked him for his thoughts on how to enjoy Shinanomachi.

Shinanomachi: The Simple Charm of an Earlier Time in JapanHow I Came to Shinanomachi

I was born and raised in Japan. My parents
had a cabin at the International Village on
Lake Nojiri so we came to Shinanomachi
every summer and winter. I ﬁrst moved tothe town four years ago after graduatingfrom college in the United States. I majoredin marine biology there and now help out
at the Nagano prefectural research center
while working as a nature guide. As a child
I learned to ski in Kurohime Kogen andﬁshed Lake Nojiri in the summer.

Working in Shinanomachi

During summers I work as a climbing
guide and teach canoeing and kayaking.
In the winter I work as a backcountry ski
and snowshoe guide in Kurohime Kogen,Madarao Kogen, and Myoko Kogen. There
are a lot of visitors from overseas in thewinter but in the summer itʼs about ahalf-and-half split between domestic andoverseas. These activities are all things Iʼve
enjoyed doing since I was a boy, and thenin college I trained and got certified as a

Miles shares the wonders of Shinanomachi’snatural environment with people all year round.

Museumguide. I also like to pick wild greens andoften take visitors into the mountains to
do so. Shinanomachi still has beautiful rural
scenery and draws a lot of visitors fromoverseas who want to enjoy a sense of thereal Japan.

Favorite Scenery and Spots in
Shinanomachi

I like to climb Mt. Madarao from theSugakawa area; the view of Mt. Kurohime
and Lake Nojiri from the peak is fantastic,
especially in the evening as the sun falls
behind the mountain. When I go out
kayaking in the morning on Lake Nojiri, theway the rising sun reddens the mountains
is also very beautiful. In the winter themorning sun brings a hint of pink to thesnow in the mountains. I often go to Naena
Falls between Shinanomachi and Myoko,too. The foliage there in the autumn isfantastic and brilliantly colored.

A Note to Readers

I became a nature guide because I reallylove the outdoors and wanted to share itwith all sorts of people. Shinanomachi reallyhas an amazing natural environment. A lotof old-fashioned rural Japanese scenery
can still be found, too, like old houses andshrines and temples. The location is good,
too. There are mountains to climb, theocean is easy to get to, the city of Nagano
is close by̶you can get anywhere pretty
easily. Shinanomachi is right at the centerof it all, and I hope youʼll come and enjoy
the townʼs simple pleasures!

Lake Nojiri Naumann
Elephant Museum(Nojiri-ko Museum)

Lake Nojiri Floating Lanterns
and Fireworks Festival

This fireworks festival has been an annual
summer tradition in Shinanomachi sincethe 1920s. Taking up a different theme
each year, the fireworks display packs
a special punch when exploding over
the water’s surface due to the uniqueacoustic characteristics of the lake.
Illuminated floating lanterns released on
the lake add a magical and distinctively
Japanese touch.

Located on the shores of Lake Nojiri, the museum conducts research and presents exhibits related to thesurrounding area’s natural environment and history stretching from 50,000 years ago through to the presentday. It focuses on archeological excavations that began in 1962 and have continued for more than 50 years.
Highlights include life-sized models of Naumann’s elephants and Yabe’s elk based on excavated fossils and anarea where visitors can handle real fossils.
Hours:
09:00–17:00 (09:00–16:00 from 1 Dec–19 Mar)
Closed:Last day of May, June, Sept, and Oct (if a Sunday or holiday, closed the next day)
Admission: Age 16+ ￥500 / Age 6–15 ￥300

PAGE. 05

Kurohime Kogen
Breathe deep: Wander among beautiful
flowers and scenery with a European touch
Part of a national park, Mr. Kurohime is sometimes called the Mt. Fuji ofthe Shinano region because of its conical shape. The Kurohime Kogen
highlands spread out at the mountain’s eastern foot. Local ski resorts
offer 100% natural powder snow in the winter while summer brings
beautiful cosmos flowers and autumn colorful foliage. There are manysmall hotels, pensions, and rental cottages in the area where you canstay and relax in whatever style suits you, whether you prefer the cool,refreshing summers or the magical snowy winters.

Mountain Climbing
HikingMt. Kurohime has a number of maintained climbing trails, themost popular of which starts at the Ohashi trailhead. After
passing through forests of massive beech trees, the path leads
to expansive highlands marshland around 80% the way up the
Nishi trail, to Nanatsuike Pond, and then to outstanding views
from the summit. On a clear day you can see the mountains of
the Northern Alps, Shiga Kogen, and even Mt. Fuji.

MuseumKurohime Fairy Tale Museum

Kurohime Kogen has a long involvement with writers of picture books and fairy tales, and many
children’s stories were even created here. The Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum exhibits a wideranging collection centered on the works of German writer Michael Ende, author of Momo and
The Neverending Story. It also has fairy tale and picture books from around the world, as well as
the folk tales of Nagano prefecture. The museum’s beautiful natural setting amid the forests andmeadows of Kurohime is itself like something from a fairy tale.
Hours:
Open:
Closed:Admission:

PAGE. 06

09:00–17:00
5 April–30 November
Last day of May, June, Sept, and Oct (if a Sunday or holiday, closed the next day)Age 16+ ￥600 / Age 6–15 ￥400

Madarao Kogen
Expand horizons: Enjoy the ever-changing colors and vistasof the four seasons
Madarao Kogen is a highlands resort area at the foot of Mt. Madarao. Locatedat an elevation of about 1,000 meters, the area offers a wide range of outdoor
activities from spring through fall such as hiking, ziplining, and walking throughexpansive fields of lilies. In the winter, Tangram Ski Circus and Madarao Kogen Ski
Resort are popular destinations for abundant powder snow.

Photo Credit : Nagano Tourism Organization

HikingHikingAmong the many maintained trails for day
hiking, one of the best is the Lake Nojiri
View Trail leading from Hotel Tangram tothe peak of Mt. Madarao. Along the way, theLake Nojiri Terrace is a great spot to take inthe outstanding views of Lake Nojiri below,
the other four mountains that make up
the Hokushin Five Peaks, and the Northern
Alps in the distance. The summit of Mt.
Madarao also marks the starting point for
the 80-kilometer long Shin’etsu Trail.

ResortMadarao Tokyu Resort

At the heart of the Madarao Kogen area, the resort
includes facilities such as hotels, restaurants,
banquet rooms, and hot springs, and also functions
as a ski lodge and golf clubhouse.
Hot Spring Characteristics: Simple hot spring (lowalkalinity, low tonicity, high temperature)
Effective in Treating: Neuralgia, muscle pain, sore
joints, stiff shoulders, chills, bruises, fatigue

PAGE. 07

Winter Activities

PAGE. 08

Jump in: Ski the deepest powder snow in Nagano

Kurohime Kogen
Ski area Snow Park
Located at the base of Mt. Kurohime,
Kurohime Kogen Snow Park offers abalanced variety of beginner, intermediate,
and advanced trails to ensure a good time
for people of all skill levels. The eleventrails offer incredible views and varied
terrain from top to bottom. Particularly well
suited for families, the park even includes
a kids-only area. Other activities include asnowmobile course, a winter Strider course,
sledding, and playing in the snow.
http://www.kurohime-kogen.co.jp/

TangramSki area Ski Circus
With dynamic runs that take advantage of the natural terrain,
Tangram Ski Circus is connected to the adjacent Madarao Kogen Ski
Resort. Purchase of a Mountain Pass gives you access to all 30 trails
extending across both areas. There is a well-equipped kids park, aterrain park, and terrific snow activities like snowmobiling and snow
rafting. From family-oriented trails to powder runs through the treesthat follow the natural wooded terrain, there is something for every
skill level from beginner to advanced.
A shuttle bus is available that connects Tangram Ski Circus with
the nearby Myoko Akakura ski area. When staying in Shinanomachi,
you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding across a broad area including
Kurohime, Madarao, and Myoko.
http://www.tangram.jp/eng/

Cross-country Skiing

Kurohime Kogen is home to one of the bestcross-country ski courses in the country.
Called Dowa no Mori Snow Wave (Fairy
Tale Forest Snow Wave), it commands
spectacular views of Mt. Kurohime and Mt.
Myoko. Rental equipment and changing
rooms are available, making it easy foranyone to join in.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a terrific way to experience
the woods in winter. You can follow animal
tracks through an extraordinary all-whiteworld while walking through forests filledwith huge trees that are only accessible inwinter. We recommend joining a tour led by
an experienced guide who knows the terrain
and where to find the best views.

Pond Smelt Fishing

During the winter, you can try fishing forpond smelt from a covered boat on Lake
Nojiri. The interior of the boat is heated andwarm, and you can bring boxed lunches,coffee, and drinks on board with you.

PAGE. 09

Summer Activities

Get active: Play in the refreshing green outdoorsof the summer highlands

Camping and Barbeque

Shinanomachi has a number of campsites, both along theshores of the lake and in places offering panoramic views of
Mt. Kurohime and Mt. Myoko. Prices vary, but you can choose
from tent sites, auto sites, and bungalows depending on thestyle you prefer. There’s nothing better than enjoying the coolbreezes of Shinanomachi with a barbecue during the day andthen going to sleep under a star-filled sky at night—something
you can’t experience in Tokyo or Kyoto!

Why not rent a bicycle for a ride throughShinanomachi’s natural environment?
Water Activities

You can enjoy all sorts of water activities on Lake Nojiri
including canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding(SUP), waterskiing, and wakeboarding. Instructors areavailable to provide both guidance and life preservers,so even beginners can enjoy the water safely. Explore
scenic spots only reachable from the water or visit
Benten Island by pleasure cruiser to pray at the
mysterious Uga Shrine, which was founded in 730.
Enjoy the refreshing experience of cutting through thewind while moving across the surface of the lake.

PAGE.10You can go all the way around Lake Nojiri,
follow the Naena Falls course, or—if you’refeeling especially energetic—head to the
Togakushi Shrine “power spot.” There arealso longer courses such as the Shin’etsu
Five Highlands Route. It feels really refreshingto cycle in the cool highlands breeze. Rental
bicycles are available at the tourist information
center in Kurohime Station and at many local
accommodation facilities. Some hotels havemountain bikes available, too. A variety oftrails are available to suit every skill level frombeginners to advanced riders.

Seegan Mabesoone
Born in France in 1968, his real name isLaurent Mabesoone. He first encounteredhaiku while studying in Japan during highschool, then studied Issa at the Universityof Paris in France before returning to Japanand earning his PhD at Waseda University.
Over the ensuing 20 years and more he has
lived in the northern Nagano area as a haiku
poet, Issa scholar, and university lecturer.
During the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano
in 1998, while working as a Coordinator forInternational Relations at the prefectural
office, he proposed and ran a cultural
program to welcome visitors called “OneHaiku for the Olympics.”

out to those who might be crushed by thepowers that be, an eye for discriminationand the weak. Because Issa was a poet fromthe countryside in Shinanomachi, he hada rebelliousness not found in the city, andan ability to express things clearly throughhis haiku. I think this spirit is something theJapan of today really needs.

Favorite Scenery and Spotsin Shinanomachi

Shinanomachi: A Land of Nature and Culture Where Issa Was Born

The earthen storehouse where Issa lived
for the last six months of his life̶a place
emblematic of the Shinshu region. Issa
died during the winter, and it must havebeen desperately cold and dark in thestorehouse. There was, however, one southfacing window that let in a ray of sunshine. I
think this signiﬁes the attitude of the peopleof this region, who live their lives guided byconviction. Also Lake Nojiri. I like to takea rowboat out to Benten Island and sit on
the beach at the right side. The view of Mt.
Kurohime from there is spectacular̶a viewof the same mountain that Issa loved.

My Encounter With Issa

A Note to ReadersInterview
Seegan Mabesoone
Haiku Poet, Issa Scholar,
University Lecturer

Born in France. First encountered haiku
while studying in Japan. Has lived in Nagano
prefecture for more than 20 years as a haiku
poet, Issa scholar, and university lecturer. We
asked him to talk about what makes haiku
and Kobayashi Issa so appealing.

I loved poetry when I was a boy and wanted
to be a poet when I grew up. At the age of
16 I came to Japan for the ﬁrst time as an
exchange student while in high school. In theschool library I found and read a collectionof Matsuo Bashoʼs haiku in English
translation. I didnʼt understand it very wellat the time, but it really drew my interest.
European poetry is lyric, but Japanese haiku
express depth. By not revealing everything,
they can suggest many things even in sucha short format. I really wanted to learn more
about this poetic form and decided to study
classical haiku.
I later majored in Japanese literature
at the University of Paris, completed mydoctoral course, and then was drawn to
Kobayashi Issa as I continued my studies
on linked verse and haiku. Raised in rural
France, I had a bit of a country bumpkin
complex, and I think Issaʼs circumstancesand rebellious spirit really resonated withme. I also appreciated that he lived as hepleased yet wrote about the feelings of theweak, and I decided to focus my studies
on his haiku. I had written haiku myself in
French but while traveling in the south ofFrance at the age of 25 a Japanese haiku
suddenly came to me: daidai no / hanani hikarete / haha no umi [Drawn by theblossoms / Of the bitter orange̶ / My
motherʼs sea]. Although I was very pleased
to have written a haiku in Japanese, atthe same time it make me feel that I reallyneeded to live in Japan, so I decided toreturn.
During the 1998 Olympic Winter Gamesin Nagano, while serving as a Coordinatorfor International Relations, I helped welcome
visitors from overseas with the “One Haiku
for the Olympics” program. I had reallylooked forward to visiting Shinanomachi,
where Issa was born and lived late in life,
and when I did I found such wonderfulnatural surroundings, and nice people, too.

First visit the Issa Memorial Museum toget a sense for Issa. Then go to Benten
Island on Lake Nojiri. After stepping off
onto the island, you follow rows of towering
cryptomeria up into a sacred world. In
Japan it is believed that spirits reside in thetrees and the lakes and in all things. Thisis consistent with the animism of Issa. The
essence of travel is coming into contact withpeople and cultures. Beautiful scenery byitself is not something you remember. Get toknow the locals, encounter their culture, andenjoy a trip you will never forget.

Issaʼs Appeal

Issa expressed both animism and arebellious spirit, and loved both humanity
and nature. When I first encountered Issa
the things I was doing were not gettingmuch recognition, and I found his haiku
encouraging. There is an attitude of
defiance toward authority in Issaʼs haiku
that is not found in those of Basho, a shout

The cryptomeria trees on Lake Nojiri’s Benten Island

Kobayashi Issa

Known as one of the Edo period’s three great haiku poets, Issa wasborn in 1763 to a farming family in the town of Kashiwabara along
the Hokkoku Kaido post road (now part of Shinanomachi). After his
mother died when he was just three years old, his father remarried
and had another son. Issa’s relationship with his stepmother was
fraught and although he was the eldest son he was sent to Edo at
the age of 15. In his twenties he decided to become a haiku poet.
Although not blessed with a happy family life, he visited students
in the northern Shinano area, teaching and publishing haiku, andproduced more than 20,000 poems including those collected in
Oraga haru [The Spring of My Life]. Many of his haiku express asense of affection for nature, small animals, and children, whileothers express an antiestablishment spirit. His work has had anenormous influence on contemporary haiku.

MuseumIssa Memorial Museum

Kobayashi Issa (1763–1828) is a much-loved haiku poet of the late Edo period who wrote many
poems expressing an affection for the small and the weak, such as ware to kite / asobe ya oya
no / nai suzume [Come / Play with me / Orphaned sparrow] and yasegaeru / makeru na issa /kore ni ari [Scrawny frog / Don’t give in / Issa is with you]. Located in Issa’s hometown, the Issa
Memorial Museum offers an opportunity to reflect on his life and work through the many precious
materials in its collection. The facility also includes a local history wing displaying numerous folk
items. On-site highlights include the graves of Issa and his family and the commemorative Haikai-ji
hermitage. Issa’s former home, a nationally designated historic site, is just a short walk away.
Hours:
Closed:09:00–17:00
Last day of May, June, Sept, and Oct (if a Sunday or holiday, closed the next day)(only open weekdays from 1 Dec to 20 Mar)
Admission: Age 16+ ￥500 / Age 6–15 ￥300 (Half price during winter period)
PAGE.11

Home to the Most Delicious Corn in Japan
Shinanomachi is famous for its corn. The roadleading to Togakushi is lined with cornfields andshops selling grilled corn on the cob. During
the peak season in August every shop bustles
with people lined up for a this savory treat. The
highlands climate with its big large temperatureswings between night and day makes for sweet,
delicious corn.

Treat yourself:
Taste local specialties andstock-up on crafts
1. Kirishita Soba
For buckwheat, the greater the difference intemperature between day and night, the stronger
the flavor. The Kurohime area is so cool in themornings and evening that mist forms even in
the summer, making it an ideal spot for growing
buckwheat. Flavorful and aromatic with a chewy
mouthfeel, soba made from buckwheat grown in
Shinanomachi is known as Kirishita Soba (“beneaththe mist soba”) and has many fans among soba
lovers throughout Japan.
2. Shinshu Salmon
A hybrid of rainbow trout, which are meaty andeasy to raise, and brown trout, which are resistant
to disease, Shinshu salmon bring together thestrengths of both in a fish with beautiful silvery
skin. Because the fish are sterile, the energythat would normally go to making roe is instead
directed to producing a more flavorful flesh known
for its fine texture and pleasant, melt-in-the-mouth
feel.

1.

2.

3.

4.

3. Matsuo Sake
Matsuo is fine quality Japanese sake made using
sake rice grown in the rich natural environmentof Shinanomachi without any added exogenous
enzymes. In order to produce its full-bodied
sake, the brewery has made its yeast mash using
wooden dakidaru canisters ever since it was
founded in 1875.
4. Shinshu Forged BladesThis local tradition began nearly 450 years ago
during the Sengoku period when local people
learned forging techniques from blacksmiths
who had moved to Shinanomachi to make andrepair armor and bladed weapons. Shinshu forgedblades are known for their toughness, sharpness,
and ability to hold an edge, qualities derived
from each being carefully hammered into shape
being by hand. The biggest difference between
Shinshu blades and those produced elsewhereis the extreme thinness of the edge steel, whichmeasures just one-sixth the total thickness of theblade. Great skill is required to produce thin edge
steel, which has a major influence on sharpness.

PAGE.12

Try Making Soba Noodles
in Shinanomachi!
Why not try making your own soba noodles in
Shinanomachi, home of Shinshu soba? Just knead,roll, cut, boil, and eat. Whether your noodles are
thick or thin, the taste of those you make yourself isalways special. Many people in town have mastered
the skill of making soba. Learning by watching them
can teach you a lot about Japan’s culture of soba.

Events

Tradition and Sports
Jan
		
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
		
Aug
		
Sep
		
		
		
Nov
Dec

Dondo yaki bonfires (1)Cross Country Ski Race (2)Lake Nojiri opens
Issa Festival (3)Kurohime Trail Running Race (4)Lake Nojiri Floating Lanterns and Fireworks Festival (5)Lake Nojiri Triathlon (6)Bon Odori Festival (7)Uga Shrine Festival (8)Shin’etsu Five Mountains Trail Running Race
Shin’etsu Five Highland Long Ride
Kurohime Kogen Craft Festival (9)Autumn festival lion dance (10)Start of pond smelt fishing season
Ski resorts open

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Area Attractions
There are many things to do in the Shinanomachi area. You canenjoy the beauty of ancient Japan by visiting Shinto shrines andBuddhist temples rich with history and tradition, experiencing
the grandeur of the natural environment, or walking throughtowns reminiscent of the old days.

1

4

8

7

5

9

3

Castle in Joetsu
1 Takada(Cherry Blossoms at Night)

2 Myoko Ski Area
Togakushi 6

Shinanomachi

Snow Monkey Park
3 (Jigokudani
Yaen Koen)

5 Zenko-ji Temple
9
Tateyama Kurobe
Alpine Route6

6

4 Obuse7 Karuizawa
8 Matsumoto Castle
Photo Credits: National Tourist Organization (photos 3, 4, 7, 8) / Zenko-ji Temple (photo 5)

1. Takada Castle in Joetsu (Cherry Blossoms at Night) ：35 min by car / 60 min by train + 15 min on footTakada Park is renowned as one of the three best spots in Japan for viewing cherry blossoms at night. When the three-tiered turret of Takada Castle is illuminated andthe park filled with 3,000 hanging paper lanterns, the reflection in the moat of 4,000 cherry trees creates an intoxicating scene that stirs the hearts of visitors.
2. Myoko Ski Area ：15 min by car / 8 min by train + 15 min by bus / 20 min by Tangram Shuttle BusThis expansive ski resort located at the foot of Mt. Myoko, with some of the heaviest snowfall in Japan, offers powder snow throughout the season. A variety of hot
springs also bubble up throughout the area, making it a perfect spot to relax and explore.
3. Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen) : 50 min by car / Tangram Loop Bus (twice a week)
Famous worldwide as the only place in the world where you can see monkeys soaking in hot springs, the monkey park is located in Jigokudani, an area whose namemeans “Hell valley” because of the geyser that emits a constant stream of hot water and steam.
4. Obuse : 45 min by car / 70 min by train
Obuse is famous for the Hokusai Museum, which displays the work of Edo period ukiyo-e master and painter Katsushika Hokusai, and for a scenic townscape that takes
advantage of local history. Known also for growing chestnuts, the town has a number of shops that specialize in chestnut confections, making it a perfect spot to taste
and compare a variety of sweets. Pictured is Hokusai’s ceiling painting at Gansho-in Temple.
5. Zenko-ji Temple : 30 min by car / 35 min by train
Zenko-ji is one of Japan’s most famous temples, with a history dating back 1,400 years. The current main hall, a designated national treasure, joins the Great Buddha
Hall at Todai-ji Temple in Nara and the Sanjusangen-do Hall in Kyoto as one of Japan’s largest wooden buildings.
6. Togakushi :15 min by car / 60m min by bicycle
Togakushi Shrine boasts a history of more than 2,000 years at the foot of sacred Mr. Togakushi. The forested approach to the Okusha upper shrine includes a
500-meter stretch lined with cryptomeria that were planted 400 years ago.
7. Karuizawa : 80 min by car / 90 min by train
Karuizawa is one of Japan’s most famous summer resorts. The shopping mall adjacent to Karuizawa Station is located in a wonderful natural setting and offers 200
stores including outlet shops for famous brand clothing, interior items, sundries, and outdoor gear.
8. Matsumoto Castle : 80 min by car / 80 min by train
Built roughly 400 years ago during the Sengoku period, Matsumoto Castle is a national treasure and the oldest of Japan’s existing castles with five-tiered, six-story
keeps. The contrast of white and black makes a magnificent sight against the mountains of the Alps.
9. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route : 120 min by car / 120 min by train
From 15 April through 22 June, just after the route opens fully for the season, you can take a Snow Wall Walk through a dynamic corridor of snow whose walls stretch
more than 10 meters high.

PAGE.14See you in Shinanomachi!

PAGE.15

Staying
in Shinanomachi
Shinanomachi has many individualistic andhomey accommodation facilities including
highlands pensions, large-scale resort
hotels, cozy inns, and lakeside guesthouses.

Pensions

These small accommodation facilities,
usually family run, typically offer a night’s
lodging together with dinner and breakfast.
Each pension has its own personality—
whether preparing meals using vegetablesfrom its own garden, offering guided nature
tours by the owner, or the opportunity tostay in a detached log house—so you are
sure to find one that suits you.

Guesthouses

Guesthouses offer basic lodging with aminimum of amenities and no meals, usuallywith shared, dormitory-style rooms and theopportunity to interact with other travelers
in a living room or common space. There are
guesthouses connected to outdoor schools
and to restaurants and bars, making it
easy to enjoy outdoor activities throughout
the year as well as the company of fellow
travelers.

HotelsDistinctive hotels can be found dotting eachof Shinanomachi’s three areas: Kurohime,
Lake Nojiri, and Madarao. In addition tolocation, facilities, and meals, also be sure
to check the building’s atmosphere, interior
furnishings, and the activities available so
you can find the one that best suits yourtastes and you travel style.

Naoetsu

Hokuriku Expwy

JR Hokuriku Shinkansen

Kan-Etsu Expwy

Karuizawa

NaganoMatsumoto

Komatsu Airport

Joshin-Etsu Expwy

Matsumoto Airport

Tokyo

Osaka

Chuo Expwy

Tomei Expwy

Tokyo International
Airport (Haneda)

Chubu International
Airport (Centrair)

Kansai International
AirportBy Rail

Kyoto

From
Tokyo

About 4 Hours

From
Tokyo

Shinkansen (90 min)

JR Tokaido Shinkansen

Shinanomachi Tourist Information Center (Kurohime Station)
2692-12 Kashiwabara, Shinano-machi, Nagano-ken
389-1305 Japan
TEL: 026-255-3226 Hours: 09:00‒17:00
info@shinano-machi.com

Please use e-mail when making inquiries.

Shinkansen (60 min)

NagoyaLimited Express Train(170 min)From
NagoyaLimited Express Train(170 min)From
ToyamaShinkansen (60 min)From
Kanazawa

Shinkansen (80 min)From
Niigata

Local Train(80 min)

Naoetsu

Shinanomachi Industrial Tourism
Division428-2 Kashiwabara, Shinano-machi,
Nagano-ken 389-1392 Japansyoukoukankou@town.shinano.lg.jp

Shinanomachi

About 4.5 Hours

From
Osaka

Narita International
AirportJR Chuo Main Line

NagoyaFrom
NagoyaJR Hokuriku Shinkansen

Nagano Expwy
Toyama Airport

Meishin Expwy

About 8 Hours

Shinanomachi

ToyamaKanazawa

Shinano Railway
Kita-Shinano line

From
Osaka

Local Train(35 min)Kurohime Station

Joetsu-Myoko

Niigata Airport

About 2.5 Hours

Nagano Station

Niigata

By Highway Bus

Getting to Shinanomachi

From
Niigata

Local Train(100 min)■Shinanomachi Ofﬁcial Website

http://www.shinanomachi-nagano.jp