November 24th The western sky over Azumino is turning red The Northern Alps suddenly lit up with sunset colors The weather is expected to worsen from tomorrow

November 23rd On the middle day of the three-day holiday in Azumino It looks like we'll be blessed with wonderful weather!! You can clearly see the Northern Alps

Use the Zenkoji Omotesando Walk-and-Taste Ticket to enjoy sweets at a great value ✨ 1. “Koi-yaki and Matcha Set” Fujita Kuemon Shoten Enjoy koi-shaped pastries called koi-yaki along with a bowl of matcha, rather than the usual tai (sea bream) shape. Koi-yaki made with seasonal ingredients are also popular. Phone: 026-219-2293 Hours: 6:30 until sold out Winter hours (Dec–Feb): 7:00 until sold out Closed: Irregular holidays 2. “100% Apple Juice” Shinshu Monzen Bakery Kura The shop is a renovated storehouse over 120 years old next to Zenkoji Daikanjin Temple, offering a calm, welcoming space. We also recommend their high-quality breads made with domestic wheat. Phone: 050-8883-6606 Hours: 10:00–16:00 Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday 3. “Nagano Apple Pie” PATISSERIE Ringo no Ki Nagano Ekimae Located right in front of the Nagano Station intersection, the shop is extremely easy to reach. They offer a wide selection of Nagano-flavored confections and fresh Western-style pastries. Phone: 026-227-1222 Hours: 9:00–19:00 Closed: None (closed only on January 1) 4. “Two Soba Manju” Okashitsukasa Kiyoe A wagashi shop tucked into a lane on the west side of Zenkoji in the monzen town area. In addition to the signature sweet Ishigoromo, which showcases craftsmen’s skills, they also sell oyaki and dango. Phone: 026-232-7396 Hours: 8:00–18:00 Closed: Thursday (open on public holidays) Zenkoji Walk-and-Taste Ticket This value ticket lets you choose and purchase items from 19 shops offering Nagano specialties and sweets! ✨How to use✨ 1. Buy a ticket (¥700 per ticket, tax included) Tickets are available at the Nagano City Tourist Information Center and at some participating shops (12 stores). 2. At shops listed in the pamphlet, exchange the stickers attached to the ticket (five ¥100 stickers and four ¥50 stickers) for products. 3. Turn in used tickets to exchange for a prize (receive an original bag!). The ticket costs less than buying items separately and lets you sample many shops’ flavors in small portions, making it perfect for a food-walking tour ✨ For more details, see the highlights on @nagano_cvb! #walk-and-taste #sweets #gourmet #Nagano City #Nagano Prefecture #Nagano Tourism #Nagano Travel #nagano #naganocity

This is the autumn foliage of Kaida Highlands in Kiso town. On clear days you can see MtOntake beautifully, and lively Kiso Horses as well!

This is the autumn foliage around Lake Ontake in Otaki village. Looking out over the scene, the landscape is entirely awash in autumn colors and truly beautiful!

This is the autumn foliage at Nezame-no-toko in Agematsu Town. The vibrant colors add to the usual beauty of Nezame, creating an even more stunning scene!

The road in Hiyoshi, Kisomachi, Kiso Koma Highland… The crimson autumn leaves and the carpet of fallen leaves are truly beautiful! Photo taken on: November 14, 2025

This is Iwaide Kannon in Okuwa village. The autumn leaves surrounding Iwaide Kannon have turned bright red and look very beautiful!

The parking area around Kijishi no Sato Yamaichi in Azuma, Nagiso town is ablaze with stunning crimson autumn leaves! Photo taken on November 14, 2025.

I climbed Yatsugatake's main peak, MtAkadake (2,899 m), via Kenkai Ridge while also inspecting the trail. It was my first time on Kenkai Ridge at this season. From around Daitengu, the path turned snowy and shaded sections were icy and very slippery. I put on chain spikes for the descent. The weather was perfect, but strong west winds made the summit cold. It already felt like winter up there, and the mountain hut is closed at this time of year. Hikers should take care. Climbing Kenkai Ridge in the deep winter is extremely dangerous; there have been recent fatal accidents. If you plan to climb, do so in the snow-free season.

November 17th A breathtaking view from the summit of Mount Nagamine this morning A morgenrot draping the Northern Alps A sea of clouds covering the Azumino Plain For this view, visit Azumino at dawn The tourism association organizes the "Stay in Azumino: Mount Nagamine Spectacular View Tour" For details, visit the official website

Snow-capped mountains in the Hakuba area of the Northern Alps From Azumino, view Mt Jiigatake, Mt Kashimayarigatake, Goryu-dake, and the Hakuba Sanzan…

The Northern Alps' 3,000-meter peaks visible from Azumino Below flows the Hotaka River, fed by the Northern Alps This is the view from Azumino Ohashi Bridge!!

November 16th This weekend brings clear, calm skies to Azumino after a long while From Ohisama Road you can see the beautiful MtJonen

The rural landscape of MtAriakeyama and Azumino From the village it looks like the shape of Mount Fuji. It is called Mount Shinano Fuji I expect its summit will soon be capped with snow and look more like Mount Fuji.

November 15th Good morning A Morgenrot morning in Azumino The rising sun hit the Northern Alps, turning them red This weekend looks set to bring clear, pleasant weather in Azumino

Autumn leaves have descended on Azumino no Sato. Vivid colors now spread across Azumino. Everyone’s beloved Mt Jonen has even begun to don a dusting of snow!!

Country roads in Azumino The Northern Alps lie ahead… Take a leisurely walk through Azumino in autumn and discover its beautiful scenery!

It was partly cloudy in Azumino today, but yesterday was clear. Jikkasegi Canal flowing through Azumino. A duck rested its wings. The distant mountains of Hakuba stretched into view.

Trail to the summit of Mount Nagamine The satoyama hills of Azumino are at the height of their autumn colors now!! Just behind Eboshimine, which sits between Mount Kojo and Mount Nagamine

October 25, 2025 Nagano City Kinasa Okususobana Nature Garden I wandered through the park to enjoy the autumn leaves. The forest stretched as far as I could see, dyed in fall colors. Several ponds and wetlands dot the area. On this day I was especially drawn to Yoshiike, a breeding site for the black salamander and the forest green tree frog. Leaves sank into the pond while reflections added depth to the scene.

Autumn Scenery in Nagawacho Mountains in the Wada area, Nagawa Town, and scenes from Nagakubo-juku. These are the autumn leaves you should see and feel in person at the spot. The Wada area has two campsites. Camping here in autumn feels especially wonderful 🍂⛺!! Miyashita Hills Auto Campsite http://www.miyashitahills.jp// TEL 0268-88-2915 Akakura no Mori Auto Camping Ground https://akakuranomori.sakura.ne.jp// TEL 0268-88-3126 Nakasendo Wada-shuku and Nagakubo-juku are particularly charming at this time of year. Please come and visit 😊❤️

Northern Alps, MtJonen and the Great Ginkgo The bright yellow ginkgo leaves stood out against Azumino’s clear blue sky!! You can see it as you drive up to the Central Entrance Parking of National Alps Azumino Park, Horigane-Hotaka Area.

November 9th The Bell Ringing Hill Assembly Hall in Azumino is a historic building that served as the setting for the NHK radio drama "The Bell Ringing Hill." The autumn leaves were just at their peak!

Enjoy great value gourmet treats with the Zenkoji Omotesando Tasting Ticket✨ 1. “Nori-wrapped Yaki-musubi” Suyakame Zenkoji Store Suyakame Zenkoji Store sits just past the Zenkoji Niomon Gate at the start of the cobbled Nakamise-dori Street. Their freshly grilled rice balls wrapped in nori and their miso soft-serve pair perfectly with a stroll around the temple approach. Phone: 026-237-2239 Hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Wednesday 2. “Handmade Oyaki” Maruhachi Takiya The first floor offers many original souvenirs, and the second floor serves hand-cut soba made from locally milled flour. A parking lot that fits 13 large buses makes this a good stop for groups. Phone: 026-232-4424 Hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: None (closed occasionally) 3. “Two Steamed Oyaki” Ogawanosho Daimon branch You can enjoy regional oyaki and roasted soba tea by a rustic irori hearth, a sight that’s becoming rarer. The dishes highlight the natural flavors of local ingredients—the taste of Nagano home cooking. Phone: 026-232-5786 Hours: 9:00–17:00 (irori open 10:00–15:00) Closed: Wednesday (subject to change) Zenkoji Tasting Ticket This value ticket lets you choose and purchase items from 19 shops, including Nagano specialties and sweets! ✨How to use✨ 1. Buy a ticket (700 yen each, tax included) 2. Redeem the sticker coupons on the ticket at listed shops (five 100-yen stickers and four 50-yen stickers) for products 3. Exchange the used ticket for a prize (receive an original bag!) The ticket is cheaper than buying items individually and lets you sample tastes from various shops—perfect for a food stroll✨ For more details, visit the Nagano Convention & Visitors Bureau HP. #Tasting walk #Oyaki #Gourmet #Nagano City #Nagano Prefecture #Nagano tourism #Nagano travel #nagano #naganocity

Kiso is now at peak autumn color, and the scenery is truly beautiful. The mountains and roadside trees have turned vivid reds and yellows, creating landscapes that look like paintings. Be sure to experience this seasonal natural beauty while it lasts.

On October 25, 202, Okusuzuhana Nature Garden in Kinasa, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture A valley stretched from the far end of the park toward Myoko and Kurohime. The entire forest was painted in autumn colors and it was breathtaking. I enjoyed the beautiful fall foliage again this year. This place is a hidden gem!

Panoramic view from the summit of Mount Nagamine The chilly Azumino valley lies under a sea of clouds, with the Northern Alps towering beyond You can only see a scene like this on an Azumino morning!

Azumino Full Moon This is the Harvest Moon setting behind the Northern Alps On cold mornings a sea of clouds spreads below, and the view of the Northern Alps from Mount Nagamine is spectacular!!

Shiojiri-juku Location: Shiojiri City, Shiojirimachi The old Nakasendo route that crossed Misawa Pass, Ono-juku and Ushikubi Pass from Shimosuwa-shuku was abolished in 1613 (Keichō 18). From 1614 (Keichō 19) the Nakasendo was rerouted via Shiojiri Pass and the new Shiojiri-juku was established. The town layout work was overseen by Ogasawara Hidemasa, lord of Matsumoto Domain. He laid out the new Shiojiri-juku in an east–west plan southwest of the old post town. The honjin was one of the largest on the Nakasendo, and the post town also featured a noticeboard area and a Matsumoto Domain checkpoint. Plots in the post town were typically three to four ken wide. By 1843 (Tenpō 14) the town had 166 households, including 75 inns — the largest number among the 26 post towns of Shinshu, due to its position at a road junction below Shiojiri Pass. Major fires in 1828 (Bunsei 11) and 1882 (Meiji 15) destroyed much of the town, but the Ono family house, a National Important Cultural Property, still evokes the town’s former appearance.