On Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, 2026, the "Ofune Matsuri" will be held at Hotaka Shrine, evoking the romance of ancient times. The Ofune Matsuri is a grand festival where five boats, decorated with Hotaka dolls, parade through the city amidst the sounds of flutes and drums, gathering at Hotaka Shrine for a sacred ritual. The tourism association will offer a viewing tour to fully enjoy this magnificent festival. Next to the shrine, the event "Azumino Terrace" will also take place, featuring food trucks and craft shops. It's an event where you can eat, shop, see, and play. This time, it's an event that encourages thinking about "the future of Azumino"! We have prepared five special benefits for this occasion! 1. A special viewing area close to the climax scene where the two adult boats collide! 2. Includes a 1,000 yen ticket usable at the "Azumino Terrace" event with food trucks and craft shops! 3. A delightful limited edition "Ofune Matsuri" goshuin (temple seal) on half paper! 4. Entry ticket to the Ofune Kaikan, where you can learn all about the Ofune Matsuri! 5. Boost your fortune from the powerful spot of Hotaka Shrine! For more details, visit the official website. https://reserve.489ban.net/client/azumino-e-tabi/0/detail/1128736...

The golden rice fields and blooming buckwheat fields of Azumino... A wonderful landscape spreads out! Although the lingering summer heat seems to continue, the mornings and evenings have become noticeably cooler in Azumino. 😄

When mentioning Nagano Prefecture, the first highland delicacy that comes to mind is probably Shinshu soba. Nagano is one of the few inland prefectures in Japan, surrounded by mountains and crisscrossed by clear streams, which has fostered a unique mountain dining culture. This time, I visited Nagano and specifically went to "Kirishita Soba-dokoro Sagaya" to taste the famous Kirishita soba, and unexpectedly encountered a local dish full of Nagano flavor—char sashimi. The so-called "Kirishita soba" refers to soba cultivated in highlands where fog easily forms in the morning and evening, and the climate is cool. The area around Shinanomachi in Nagano Prefecture is a well-known production site, and the huge temperature differences between day and night, along with clear water sources, give the soba noodles a delicate aroma and a smooth texture. I ordered the classic "duck soba" (kamo soba). Duck meat and soba noodles are a perfect match—soba noodles are refreshing, while the fatty, sweet, and rich duck meat, when blended with the broth, not only enriches the soup's flavor but also highlights the grain aroma of the soba noodles. The fine noodles carry the rich duck oil aroma as they slide down the throat, simple yet memorable. Equally impressive is the plate of char sashimi. Although Nagano has no sea, it boasts rich mountain streams, making river fish like char and Yamame trout important mountain products. When thinking of river fish, one might worry about a muddy taste, but char, which grows in clear, cold streams, is completely different. Properly handled char sashimi has a slightly bouncy texture; as you chew, a refreshing and elegant wild aroma gradually spreads in your mouth. Looking at the translucent fish flesh with a hint of pink in the plate, one might even momentarily lose focus, thinking they are tasting the sweet flavor of summer sweetfish. From a bowl of exquisite soba to a plate of refreshing freshwater fish sashimi, Nagano, without an ocean, distills its high mountains and clear streams into a rich dining experience. This meal deeply illustrates the close and intimate connection between Shinshu cuisine and this natural landscape.

Rice harvesting has begun in various places in Azumino. As the golden carpet that decorates the landscape will soon be gone, please come and see it soon! 😆

Located at the foot of the Northern Alps, Omachi City's "La CASTA Natural Healing Garden" 🌿 As soon as you step inside, you are enveloped by the gentle scent of beautiful flowers and herbs, creating a truly soothing space...✨ It feels like being in a storybook, a wonderful place indeed. Experience nature with all your senses and refresh your daily fatigue! 😆

A beautiful stream flowing through the wasabi fields and a view from the wasabi fields along the early spring song monument in the Northern Alps.

Blessed with clear weather in Azumino, the rice ears are heavy with grain. The forecast predicted temperatures rising to 37°C during the day, so please be cautious of heatstroke!

Introducing September Event Information in Nagano City✨ 〈Don't forget to tap the 'save' mark if you want to refer back later!〉 1. Togakushi Soba Festival: Half-Soba Walking Tour This year, 21 soba shops are participating, and by purchasing the half-soba walking ticket book "Soba Goyomi" (2,000 yen including tax), you can enjoy a half serving of zaru soba (approximately three pieces) at three different shops. 【Event Period】September 1 (Tue) – October 4 (Sun) *Excluding September 19 – 25 【Price】Half-soba walking ticket book "Soba Goyomi" includes three tickets for 2,000 yen (including tax) 【How to Purchase】Make a reservation on the official website and pay in cash at the pickup location *Limited to 57 copies per day *For more details, please check the official website. 2. Sanada House Garden Light Up "Gensou" The Sanada House Garden in Matsushiro will be illuminated with enchanting lights! Additionally, there will be a concert by Ecole de Matsushiro Club and special guests! A projection mapping on the storehouse of the Sanada House Garden, which was well received last year, will also take place as a special project. 【Event Dates】September 19 (Sat), September 20 (Sun) 【Time】18:00 – 20:30 (Doors open at 17:30, last entry at 20:00) 【Venue】Matsushiro Sanada House 【Price】General 400 yen, Elementary and Junior High School Students 100 yen *Free for Elementary and Junior High School Students on September 19 (Sat) *For more details, please check the official website. 3. Togakushi and Iizuna Highlands "All-Inclusive Experience! Stamp Rally" Participate in the target experience content to get stamps! Enjoy the refreshing green season in the highlands! 【Event Period】August 1 (Sat) – October 31 (Sat) 【Event Location】Togakushi and Iizuna Area 【How to Participate and Prize Details】 (1) Participate in target experience content (various activities such as camping, E-bike rentals, nature experiences, soba making, etc.). (2) Collect two stamps → Receive an original sticker! (3) Collect three stamps → In addition to receiving a badge set designed with Togakushi Mountain and Iizuna Mountain, you can also enter a lottery for a luxurious prize! 【Stamp Collection Locations】 Togakushi Campground Iizuna Nagano Forest Village Togakushi Tourism Association Iizuna Highlands Tourism Association Nagano City Tourist Information Center, etc. 4. Zenkoji Binzuru Market Held as a handmade market inspired by the beloved disciple of Buddha, "Binzuru-san"! Various food and craft shops gather, creating a market enjoyable for makers, buyers, locals, and tourists alike. 【Event Date】September 12 (Sat) *Regularly held on the second Saturday from April to December 【Time】10:00 – 16:00 【Venue】Around Zenkoji 5. Shinshu Ramen Expo 2026 Famous ramen shops from all over the country gather! Enjoy ramen that is hard to find in Nagano! Take this opportunity to enjoy your favorite ramen! 【Event Dates】 First Act: September 11 (Fri) – September 15 (Tue) *Closed on September 16 (Wed) and September 17 (Thu) for replacements Second Act: September 18 (Fri) – September 23 (Wed, Holiday) 【Time】10:00 – 20:00 *Until 19:00 on September 15 and September 23 【Venue】Nagano Omotesando Central Square 【Price】Free admission, 1 bowl for 1,000 yen (including tax) Tickets will be sold at the venue ticket machine *Cash only *For more details, please check the official website. *"Miso Kin" is fully reservation-based online. 6. Nagano Craft Beer & Food Festival 2026 This year, it will be held at "Nagano Omotesando Central Square"! Eighteen breweries from Nagano Prefecture will participate, including three breweries from Nagano City. It's an event for a wide range of people to enjoy beer and food. 【Event Dates】September 4 (Fri) 15:00 – 20:30 September 5 (Sat) 11:00 – 20:30, September 6 (Sun) 11:00 – 16:00 *Last order is 30 minutes before closing 【Venue】Nagano Omotesando Central Square 7. Night Pool at Sun Marine Nagano Spend a summer night in a fantastical illuminated pool that is different from usual! Photography is allowed in the normally prohibited pool area! Enjoy unlimited rides on the slides♪ You can enjoy it at a great price with all-you-can-drink and light meals included! 【Event Dates】September 5 (Sat) 21:30 – 23:30 【Price】 Advance ticket 3,500 yen Same-day ticket 4,000 yen *Includes all-you-can-drink and light meals *No entry for those under 20 years old *For more details, please check the official website or account #Event Information #Light Up #Gourmet Events #Nagano City #Nagano Tourism

On August 23rd, Azumino experienced a stunning sunrise 😆 Waking up early was truly rewarding.

At the Roadside Station Yachiho Kogen's Bloomin, there are plenty of apples on display✨ The red, ripe apples are lined up in the store👀🍎 As the season progresses, it's exciting to see various fruits appearing on the shelves! When you stop by, be sure to take a look♩

At Roadside Station Yachiho Kogen's Bloomin, you can find a wide variety of plums on display! 👏🏻👏🏻 A plum harvest calendar is also posted at the store, which can help you choose the right variety.✨ Enjoy the plums that are unique to this season!

[Notice of Closure] Thank you for always visiting Yachiho Highland Nature Park and the Flowering Tree Garden. We will be closed on September 3rd (Thursday) at both Yachiho Highland Nature Park and the Flowering Tree Garden. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to those who planned to visit, and we appreciate your understanding.

The morning in Azumino and sunflowers In this season filled with greenery, the yellow petals stand out The mornings in Azumino are cool and pleasant, perfect for a walk 😄

Nagano's soul food, "oyaki" is a local dish from Nagano Prefecture made with a dough of wheat or buckwheat flour, wrapped around various fillings such as vegetables, wild plants, mushrooms, and sweet red bean paste. Today, I would like to introduce you to the oyaki from "Azumidō" 😄 They offer over 40 different types of oyaki throughout the year. Inside the shop, there is an irori (traditional sunken hearth) where you can grill and enjoy the oyaki you purchase.♫ Located right by the Azumino Interchange, make sure to stop by Swan Garden when you visit Azumino!

✨The day has finally arrived❗️ The 19th Azumino Fireworks✨ The "Azumino Fireworks," which colors the summer night of Azumino, will kick off at 7 PM on Friday, August 14th. The fireworks, launched at the foot of the Northern Alps and surrounded by rich nature, are truly spectacular❗️ Please enjoy the grand display of blossoms, light, and sound up close against the clear night sky😆 For more details, visit the official website https://azumino-hanabi.com//

A rainbow has appeared over Azumino! 😄 Such a beautiful rainbow 🌈 is something you don't see every day. If you're sightseeing in Azumino, be sure to look up at the sky! 😆

The Highland Guide Training Session A training session for highland guides was held at Yachiho Highland Nature Park✨ This year's theme was "Plants and Moss" During the training, we walked through the park with the instructor, who provided explanations about the plants and moss found in the nature park. Even in areas we usually walk through, focusing on the plants and moss led to many new discoveries👀

Rice Field Owner System, Second Round Grass Cutting We will remove the barnyard grass mainly growing in the rice paddies The rice ears are growing well☺

The lotus flowers blooming in the fallow fields of Azumino are at their best They are blooming near the Prefectural Children's Hospital♪ *This is private land and fallow fields managed by individuals. Please enjoy quietly while respecting the manners and avoiding any obstruction to the farm roads and surrounding traffic.

The JR Oito Line runs through Azumino... It passes through rural landscapes From the window, you can enjoy the lush green rice fields and the mountain range of the Northern Alps. 😊

When you come to Azumino, be sure to look for the mountain "Mt. Ariake." It has a shape similar to Mount Fuji, and is also called Shinano Fuji. 🗻 This morning, there were no clouds, and it was clearly visible. It's easy to spot, so give it a try! 😆

This morning in Azumino, we were blessed with weather that allowed us to see the distant peaks of Hakuba. 😄 At this time of year, clouds can quickly roll in and obscure the mountains...💦 Wake up a little earlier and enjoy the scenery of Azumino! 😆

A Town That Makes You Love Mornings – Azumino The early rice ears are beginning to ripen in the fields The dew is shining in the morning sun Although the sunlight is strong, it feels like a summer morning in Azumino, with cool air making it a pleasant morning.

Kajika no Sato Park, a waterfront park in Azumino, is a well-maintained area dedicated to the revival of the stream-dwelling Kajika fish. It also features a campground, offering a fantastic location with views of the Northern Alps. 😆

Spacious Azumidaira A lush rural landscape unfolds This view faces directly north.

The lotus flowers at Seigen-ji Temple in Azumino are beautiful. Here, you can find a cedar tree-lined path reminiscent of Togakushi Shrine's inner sanctuary, and on the right side of the grounds, there is a lotus field.

2026 Limited to this summer! "Azumino Summer Vegetable Curry" An original curry made with fresh and delicious summer vegetables from Azumino! Available at 15 local restaurants Serving period: Until Monday, August 31, 2026 *Please note that the situation may change depending on each restaurant's circumstances This time, we introduce 【café twinkle】 Its name is "Tomato Curry Doria with Summer Vegetables and Ground Meat." The hot doria baked in a stone oven is exciting even before you eat it. When you dig in with a spoon, you find a creamy white sauce and curry under the gooey cheese, which pairs well with multigrain rice. The vegetables used in the curry are fresh, allowing you to taste their natural sweetness. The cheese, white sauce, and curry harmonize perfectly, appealing to women's preferences. However, the portion is substantial, ensuring that men will also be satisfied. Additionally, I enjoyed a great weekday lunch that comes with a mini salad and drink. After much deliberation, I chose the popular Margherita pizza lunch. The wood-fired pizza is made with domestically-produced wheat, giving it a chewy texture, and it is delicious! The dining space has both first and second floors, and this time I had lunch on the second floor. The L-shaped counter seats by the window offer a prime view of the Northern Alps. Next to it, there are spacious sofa seats prioritized for families with babies, allowing families to dine comfortably. The cat-themed decor creates a lovely atmosphere, making it a great place to relax. ----------------- Store Information ----------------- café twinkle 【Address】 2218-2 Hotaka, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture 399-8303 【Phone】 0263-88-7537 【Business Hours】 Lunch 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last Order until 2:00 PM) 【Closed】 Irregular holidays (announced on Instagram monthly) 【Parking】 Parking available Please check with the store for the latest information. Don't forget to like and save for future reference!

2026 Limited to this summer! 'Azumino Summer Vegetable Curry' An original curry made with fresh and delicious summer vegetables from Azumino! Available at 15 local restaurants Serving period: Until Monday, August 31, 2026 *Please note that this may change depending on each restaurant's situation Introducing this time is 【Ramen & Cafe Mugi Kobo Kakashi】 The concept of the shop is "a ramen shop that can be easily entered by a woman alone" The exterior is stylish and Western, as it also serves as a cafe The shop is equipped with a barrier-free entrance What I had was the 'Rich and Delicious Vegetable Curry Ramen' As stated on the menu, "Curry x Ramen is the fateful meeting of national dishes!!" The carefully simmered curry and ramen soup create an addictive flavor You can top it with fried summer vegetables yourself Additionally, for an extra charge, you can choose from a variety of toppings like small rice, cheese, chashu, and flavored eggs, which is another charm (The types of vegetables may vary slightly depending on the day's supply) Also, I recommend the most popular 'Natural Ingredient Salt Ramen' The soup is simply delicious! You get hooked on its light yet rich flavor! All ramen uses natural ingredients, focusing on salt, and the broth is made by carefully extracting Mongolian rock salt over 72 hours The noodles are slightly thin and curly. They feel gentle on the stomach It was so delicious that I ended up drinking it all! In addition to ramen, the menu is rich with meals like hamburgers and grilled meat plates The cafe menu is also abundant, with various desserts to choose from, making it a place to relax and unwind Near the shop, you can find Azumino City New General Gymnasium ANC and Nanbu Park. Please stop by before or after your exercise! ----------------- Store Information ----------------- Ramen & Cafe Mugi Kobo Kakashi 【Address】 182-8 Toyoshina, Azumino City, 399-8205 【Phone】 0263-87-6578 【Business Hours】 Lunch 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Dinner 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM 【Regular Holiday】 Tuesday (the following day if it's a holiday) 【Parking】 Dedicated parking available Please confirm the latest information with the shop. Don't forget to like and save so you can review it later!

2026 Limited this summer! 'Azumino Summer Vegetable Curry' An original curry made with fresh and delicious summer vegetables from Azumino! Available at 13 local restaurants. Serving period: until Monday, August 31, 2026 *Please note that the availability may change depending on each restaurant's situation. This time, we introduce 【Toyoshina Bandoko】 The dish is called 'Vegetable Curry Set' *This is a weekday lunch menu exclusive! Using fresh local vegetables, it offers a rich flavor that perfectly balances umami, sweetness, and spiciness. Additionally, it comes with a soft-boiled egg, making it the ultimate combination with the creamy yolk in the curry! Besides the curry, it includes soba, salad, and a hot spring egg in this value menu. Another recommended dish is the Shinshu specialty 'Otouji Soba.' Unlike many places that serve it in large pots for two or more, you can order it from just one serving. The restaurant is a long-established establishment located in a robust old house from the late Edo period, offering soba made with Azumino's famous water and local ingredients in its traditional cuisine. ----------------- Store Information ----------------- Toyoshina Bandoko 【Address】 5703-16 Toyoshina, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture 399-8205 About a 9-minute walk from Toyoshina Station on the JR Oito Line 【Phone】 0263-72-6767 【Business Hours】 Lunch 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (L.O) Dinner 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM (L.O) 【Closed】 Mondays (open for lunch only on holidays) 【Parking】 Parking available For the latest information, please check with the restaurant. Don't forget to like and save for future reference!

2026 Limited this summer! "Azumino Summer Vegetable Curry" An original curry made with fresh and delicious summer vegetables from Azumino! Available at 15 local restaurants. Serving period: Until Monday, August 31, 2026 *Please note that this may change depending on each restaurant's situation. This time, we introduce "Oshokujidokoro Misato" As soon as you enter, you will see a tank with fish swimming happily, and there are plenty of comics to enjoy. With counter seating, tables, and tatami rooms, you can enjoy meals with various groups. The menu is extensive, and you can choose the amount of rice, making it a place you will want to visit repeatedly. The "Curry with Lamb and Cilantro" is an adult curry that becomes addictive after just one bite. It’s spicy and perfect for summer, guaranteed to energize you, with fresh tomatoes adding a refreshing accent. The fragrant cilantro and freshly squeezed lemon enhance the flavor, making it easy to keep eating. I also tried the popular "Shinshu Salmon Donburi." The vibrant orange and beautiful Shinshu salmon is the pride of Shinshu. It comes with a salad and small side dishes, providing a satisfying portion. Be sure to try this as well. ----------------- Store Information ----------------- Oshokujidokoro Misato 【Address】 5059-10 Horikane, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, 399-8303 【Phone】 0263-72-6952 【Business Hours】 Lunch: Reservations only Dinner: 18:00 - 22:00 【Closed】 Wednesdays Please check with the restaurant for the latest information. Don't forget to like and save this for future reference!