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Summer and winteractivities maps includedOGAKUSHI

1Some history
SpringSummer andAutumn
Activities

Togakushi is a major center for Japan’s native Shinto
religion, as well as for Buddhism. For more than 1000years, people have been searching for peace and spirituality
here. In a total of 33 caverns discovered in the steep
Togakushi range, hermits lived an ascetic life ofmeditation far away from the world. For many centuries,
the Five Shrines have been a focus of pilgrimage, and thesurrounding forest is still seen as a sacred treasure. TheBuddha engraved into a rock in the Muromachi era(1392-1573) is an eloquent testimony to this period.
Also, Togakushi is closely connected to the Ninja martialarts, because Nishina Daisuke, founder of the famous
Ninja school, used the area as a hideout.

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3WaterAs pure running water is everywhere in this area, belief
in “Kuzuryu” the nine-headed dragon god of water, has
always been very strong in Togakushi.

4Nature guide, mountain guide,bird watching instructor.

For more details about the above services, please contact
the Togakushi Tourist Information Center (see back page)

1904

Togakushi Tourism Association declines all responsibility foraccidents occurring when unaccompanied by guides.

5Kagamiike（O-7）

この地図の作成に当たっては、国土地理院長の承認を得て、同院発行の数値地図 25000（空間データ基盤）を使用したものである。
（承認番号 平19総使、第593号）

A little about Togakushi

Togakushi has long been one of the few Japanese villages of its size situated above 1280m
in elevation. In 2005, the village was incorporated into Nagano City, but the will of thevillagers to preserve Togakushi’s authenticity and natural heritage is strong. The area has
been designated as an important preservation district of historic buildings since 2016.

6Walking

Togakushi is laced with peaceful walking trails.

7Some suggestions:・ Lake walk (3h): from the Chusha Nishi parking
area, Midori-ga-Ike, Kagami Ike, Suzuri Ishi,
Kotori-ga-Ike.
・Five shrines walk (2h30m): starting with the 274
steps of Hokosha, this walk takes you to thefive Togakushi shrines, ending with Okusha.
・ Pilgrim’s path (8h): from Nagano’s Zenkoji
Temple to Okusha shrine.

Togakushi Tourist Information Center

戸隠観光情報センター／戸隠観光案内所

Kotoriga ike（A-8）

Campsite

8Hokosha（G-9）

A spacious campsite surrounded by a silver birch
forest with tent sites, bungalows, cottages andauto-camp spaces.
Chusha（A-8）

Togakushi Campsite（A-4）

Open : late April~late OctoberContact and reservation :http://www.togakusi.com/camp/
Okusha（O-5）

Zuijinmon（G-6）

Bird watching

Togakushi is one of Japan’s most famous
bird sanctuaries. More than 40 species
gather here during the warm season.

Trekking and trail running

Daidai-Kagura

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Things to do and seeThere are plenty of trekking courses
leading to the peaks of the Togakushi
range. We recommend hiring anexperienced guide to accompany you
as the mountains are hazardous inany season.
You may meet bears in this area, so it
is better go in a group and attach abell to your rucksack.

Soba Try original Togakushi soba (buckwheatnoodles) at more than 30 restaurants. You can even try
making soba by yourself at places like Tonkururin.
Bamboo crafts Handcrafted baskets and otheritems made of local bamboo are on sale in the manysouvenir shops.
Bokujo A pasture where you can get close to horses, sheep, goats, ducks and otherfarm animals is located next to the camping area.
Ninja Village & Ninja House Various attractions and activities
for children related to the ancient Ninja discipline.
Togakushi Folk Museum A collection of antiques and Ninja
accessories.
Geological Museum Fossils, including the bones of whales
from the time when Togakushi was still under the sea, are on
display in the museum.
Daidai-Kagura is a dance ceremony offered to the deities in gratitude forblessings received or as a prayer for divine protection or assistance. It takes place
twice a month from April to October at the different shrines of Togakushi.

1011Accommodations

Shukubo inn, originally reserved for pilgrims, offers a unique way to enjoy theatmosphere of Togakushi. Additionally, a large choice of western-style hotels andpensions, and Japanese-style minshuku and ryokan are available. To make areservation, please visit our website (see back page).

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GAKUSHI

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Summer and winteractivities maps included

Snowshoeing
WinterActivities

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Fun and easy to learn, snowshoeing is the best way
for people of all ages to explore the back country anddiscover the natural beauty of Togakushi. Places
usually difficult to reach in summer because of thedense vegetation become accessible in the winter withsnowshoes. Togakushi’s extensive network of crosscountry ski trails are also open to snowshoeing. Evenfor families with young children, this is an idealmeans to observe wildlife, visit the forest’s oldest
trees, and more…

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Cross-country skiingAccess to the 34 km of signed cross-country trails(see map) is completely free of charge. Running along
the foot of the Togakushi range, the trails connect
such scenic locations as Lake Kagami and the great
thatched gate at the entrance to the Okusha Shrine.
Moreover, there are few restrictions at Togakushi, so
those who seek more adventure are free to leave themain trails.

45（G-6）

National Park

Most parts of Togakushi are included in the “ Myoko-Togakushi renzan NationalPark” The “Shokubutsuen”, or forest reserve, is one of them. Rare species ofwildlife and flowers , like “Mizubasho, ” are highly protected here and people
come from far away to see them. The park is accessible to wheelchairs.

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Kagamiike（O- 8）

Zuijinmon（G- 6）

Alpine skiing & snowboarding

Togakushi is famous for its regular snowfalls and excellent powder snow. On a
600m vertical drop, the resort offers a total of 20km of runs open to skiers andsnowboarders. From the top of Mt.Meno(1748m), the highest point of the resort,a spectacular 360ﾟ panorama encompasses great views of Lake Nojiri, theJapanese Alps, and Mt. Asama. Private and group lessons are available from fivedifferent schools.
URL: https://www.togakushi.com/ski/

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Snowboard park

Togakushi also has a snowboard park where you can hone
your boarding skills on a variety of rails, boxes, walls, andkickers. Helmets and nerves of steel are highly recommended!

Kids snow park8

A special space for children to enjoy skiing andsledding safely. Open to adults too (entrance fee).
Nursery Togakushi’s Nin nin accept children from 18
months old (reservation and childcare fee are required).

Head writer Sylvie Jacquot

Sylvie works as a freelance journalist and as an inbound advisor for theTogakushi Tourism Association. She has been living in Nagano for a longtime and is such a big fan of Togakushi that she decided with her husband
to establish their home here in 2004.

9Facebook (in English)
Twitter (in English)10

http://facebook.com/togakushi.kanko.en
http://twitter.com/infotoga_en

Getting there

Skiing and snowboarding schools
Guides for telemark skiing
Guides for snowshoeing
Guides for cross-country skiing
Rental skis, snowboards and snowshoes

Centrally located between Tokyo and the Kansai area,
Togakushi is easily accessible even for short trips andweekend outings.

For more details about the above services,
please contact the Togakushi Tourist Information
Center.

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Togakushi Tourist Information Center

Tel 026-254-2888 Fax 026-254-2678
Mail : info@togakushi-21.jp
Website : http://togakushi-21.jp

この地図の作成に当たっては、国土地理院長の承認を得て、同院発行の数値地図 25000（空間データ基盤）を使用したものである。
（承認番号 平19総使、第593号）

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Togakushi Tourism Association declines all responsibility foraccidents occurring when unaccompanied by guides.

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Access map
令和元年 8月