The Sai River flowing through Azumino receives the Hotaka River and the Takase River here. This spot is the confluence of the three rivers. Many rivers that flow down from the Northern Alps merge into a single river at this point.

[Torii Pass - toriitoge-] Overview A roughly 6 km mountain trail linking Narai inn on the Kiso Kaido with Yabuhara inn. In the Edo period it was famous as one of the Nakasendo’s toughest stretches, a place that made straw-sandalled travelers limp with pain. Today it is a popular, atmospheric trekking route. Hikers from Japan and abroad walk this pass in large numbers. From the summit you can look west to Mitakesan and east to Kiso Komagatake. Along the old road you will find numerous haiku and waka monuments and stone Buddhas, including those honoring Matsuo Bashō. The pass saw battles between the Kiso clan and the Takeda clan in the Sengoku era, and in the late Edo period Princess Kazunomiya passed through here on her marriage procession. Free loan of hinoki conical hats and bear bells! This service lets walkers experience the look of Edo-period travelers, especially those walking between Yabuhara and Narai on the Nakasendo. The traditional original hinoki (cypress) hats, hand-painted with kanji, make perfect travel companions and evoke the spirit of Edo travelers. They’re great for the experience and for photo opportunities. What is a hinoki hat? A hinoki hat is one of Kiso region’s traditional crafts. It remains popular with locals and visitors as a practical fashion item and as a sunshade that traces its roots to the Edo period. How to try them You can try them at the tourist information centers listed below. We refund the full deposit when you return the items. ⚠ The deposit will not be refunded if the item is lost or damaged. (Items may be wet without issue.) Loan locations: ① Narai-juku Tourist Information Center ② Yabuhara-juku Nigiwai Hiroba Enkan ③ Kiso Village Tourist Information Center Addresses: ① 497-3 Narai, Shiojiri City ② 1019-1 Yabuhara, Kiso village ③ Lot 196, Yabuhara, Kiso village TEL: ① 0264-34-3160 ② 0264-36-3020 ③ 0264-36-2543 Opening hours: ① 9:00–17:00 ② 8:30–17:00 ③ 9:00–17:00 Closed: ① During the New Year holidays ② Every Tuesday ③ Every Monday Refundable deposit: 2,000 yen per item Payment method: Cash only

Shiojiri’s Two Signature Local Dishes: Sanzoku-yaki and Shinshu Soba ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sanzoku-yaki Actually born in Shiojiri! The bold, dramatic sanzoku-yaki that’s a hit on social media Sanzoku-yaki, a whole fried chicken thigh served with theatrical flair, actually traces its roots to a restaurant called Sanzoku in Shiojiri City. After much trial and error, the founding couple perfected the cooking method. They named the shop “Sanzoku” (bandit) and the dish “sanzoku-yaki” because a scene in the then-popular film Seven Samurai showed bandits tearing into a chicken, the shop stood near a mountain pass, and—believe it or not—the couple themselves looked like bandits. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Soba For soba lovers: the birthplace of “sobakiri” (cut soba) — Motoyama-juku in Shiojiri In earlier times, “soba” referred to a dumpling-like food similar to what we now call sobagaki. The long, thin noodles we picture today are called sobakiri (cut soba) and were distinguished from the dumpling form. The place where sobakiri first appeared is Motoyama-juku in present-day Shiojiri City. As a post town on the Nakasendo, Motoyama-juku welcomed many travelers, and sobakiri born there is said to have spread across the country along those routes. Shiojiri’s climate, with large daily and seasonal temperature differences, has long suited high-quality buckwheat cultivation, so soba has been grown here for ages. The oldest written reference to Motoyama-juku’s sobakiri appears in the haibun anthology Fuzoku Bunsen compiled by Morikawa Kyoro in Hōei 2 (1705). It records: “Soba-kiri originally came from Motoyama-juku in Shinano Province and was widely popular throughout the provinces.”

Gohbara-juku (Gohbara-juku) Location: Gohbara, Hirooka, Shiojiri City Gohbara-juku was the first post town on the Zenkoji Kaido after it branched from the Nakasendo at Seba-juku. It was established in Keicho 19 (1614) when Hidemasa Ogasawara, lord of Matsumoto Castle, developed the Zenkoji Kaido (the Hokuriku side route) to connect Nakasendo’s Seba-juku with the Hokkokukaido. Rather than an existing settlement becoming the post town, Gohbara’s original village lay on the east bank of the Narai River in the Ueno land division. When the post station was laid out, the settlement was moved around Genna 5 (circa 1619) to its present site together with the Kataishi hamlet, which had been on the west bank, to create the new post town. Highlights of Gohbara-juku Houses were laid out with wide frontages of five to six ken, featuring main gabled roofs with the short side facing the street and sparrow deterrents on the ridges. Each house has a forecourt with planted trees, creating an attractive streetscape, and shop names are displayed at every residence. Sōetsu Yanagi, called the father of the mingei (folk craft) movement, praised Gohbara-juku in his essays, saying the entire post town was “a single splendid work of art.” On the north side of the post town stands Gofuku-ji, which served as a resting place for Emperor Meiji during his imperial tour in Meiji 13 (1880). Read more about the Nakasendo and the five post towns in the city here↓

Motoyama-juku (Motoyama-juku) Location: Shiojiri City, Soga Honzan Motoyama prospered as the gateway to Kiso Road and the exit from the Matsumoto Plain. Two-story houses with latticework fronts line the streets, preserving a strong sense of the past. The town is also introduced as the birthplace of sobakiri (cut buckwheat noodles). In Keicho 19 (1614), Shiojiri, Seba, and Motoyama were designated as new post towns on the Nakasendo. Unlike Shiojiri and Seba, which were formed by relocating people from neighboring villages, Motoyama developed from a medieval settlement. It was the 32nd station counting from Edo, situated 30 cho from Seba Post Town and 2 ri from Niegawa Inn (Niegawa-juku). The post town divided into Kamimachi to the south and Shimomachi to the north, with the honjin, wakimotonjin, and dispatch office at its center. South of the town stood Hachiman Shrine, Choukyuuji, and Joukouji; to the north was Suwa Shrine, and across the Narai River lay Ikeo Shrine, though some temples were later abandoned. Because Motoyama bordered the Owari Domain in Kiso, a checkpoint was located south of the town to inspect women and timber. In Tenpo 14 (1843) the town had 117 households and 34 inns. Compared with Seba Post Town’s three-ken frontage, many houses in Motoyama had four- to five-ken facades. The town suffered several great fires, but surviving buildings date from the late Edo to Meiji periods. Facing the street, they feature hirairi degekata construction and second-floor rooms with senbon-koshi lattices, retaining much of the post town atmosphere. Notably, three residences built around the Meiji era—the Akiyama Family (Wakamatsuya), the Tanaka Family (Ikeda family), and the Kobayashi Family (Kawaguchi Family)—are registered tangible cultural properties of Japan. The honjin, Kobayashi residence, hosted Princess Kazunomiya, daughter of Emperor Ninkō, when she married Tokugawa Iemochi in Bunkyū 1 (1861), and it later accommodated the Meiji Emperor during his tour in Meiji 13. Each house still carries its traditional shop name, offering a glimpse into the past. The town’s specialty is soba. A note by Unrin in Hōei 3 (1706) in the miscellany Fūzoku Bunsen records Motoyama as the birthplace of sobakiri. Historic sites include the Motoyama Castle Ruins on a small hill behind the town, said to have been guarded by the Motoyama Minbu branch of the Kiso clan; Ike no Gongen (Ikeo Shrine), known for votive plaques for rain rituals, sericulture, and eye disease cures, whose shrine grove is a Shiojiri City natural monument; and the Shitamachi Stone Figure Group, featuring Dosojin, Koshin stone monuments, and inscribed tablets. For articles on the Nakasendo and the city’s five post towns, click here↓

October 25, 2025Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture Okusohana Nature Garden Beech Forest The Autumn leaves of the Okusohana Nature Garden, where huge beech trees grow in clusters, It was a different world! Autumn leaves and yellow leaves! A walk in the yellow forest looking for a bright red color made me spend a luxurious time. It is a good memory of the ♪ trip

October 23rd Azumino, where the Northern Alps and pastoral landscapes are beautiful Today’s clear autumn sky let us see all the way to the mountains of Hakuba! The rice ears have already been completely harvested, but delicious rice will be planted again next year.

October 23rd Azumino in autumn Today the sun felt warm during the day, and a walk with views of the Northern Alps was perfect! Be careful, as mornings and evenings are cold.

The Nakasendo and Five Post Towns within Shiojiri City Along the Nakasendo, there were 69 post towns stretching from Nihombashi in Edo to Sanjo Ohashi in Kyoto. Although the Shiojiri area had more hills and slopes than the Tokaido, travelers could keep to their planned schedules because prolonged delays caused by river closures were rare. Within Shiojiri, the Nakasendo included five post towns: Shiojiri-juku, Seba-juku, Motoyama-juku, Niekawa-juku, and Narai-juku. 1. Shiojiri-juku (the 30th station from Nihombashi) Shiojiri-juku stood on the border between the Matsumoto and Suwa domains. A checkpoint called the kuchidome-bansho, which inspected rice and prohibited goods, was established there. Honjin and waki-honjin served officials on sankin-kotai, and by the late shogunate period the number of inns ranked second on the Nakasendo and first in Shinano. 2. Seba-juku (the 31st station from Nihombashi) Seba-juku lies at the fork between the Nakasendo and the Zenkoji Kaido. It hosted one of the Nakasendo’s three kanmearisho, offices that measured grain. A great fire in the early Showa era destroyed much of the post town’s appearance, but a stone lantern marking the old fork remains. 3. Motoyama-juku (the 32nd station from Nihombashi) Said to be the birthplace of soba-kiri noodles, Motoyama-juku prospered as the gateway to Kiso and the exit of the Matsumoto Basin. Its honjin accommodated Princess Kazunomiya when she married Tokugawa Iemochi, and later served as lodgings during Emperor Meiji’s imperial tour in Meiji 13 (1880). 4. Niekawa-juku (the 33rd station from Nihombashi) Niekawa-juku marks the entrance to the eleven post towns of the Kiso Road. Niekawa Sekisho checkpoint guarded this key transport chokepoint on the Nakasendo, and the town developed through lodging services and long-distance trade. 5. Narai-juku (the 34th station from Nihombashi) Famed as “Narai Senken” with a thousand bustling shops in its heyday, Narai-juku still preserves much of its historical atmosphere and today draws many visitors as a popular tourist destination.

Cosmos blooming in a fallow rice field The Northern Alps are turning color, and Azumino has grown chilly in the mornings and evenings.

[Mt. Kiritou] Mt. Kiritou rises to 1,305 meters and is a popular destination for day hikes. It sits near the middle of the Central Divide that runs east to west across Nagano Prefecture. From the summit you can take in wide views of Matsumoto, Ina, and the Suwa area, as well as the Northern and Southern Alps, MtOntake, Yatsugatake, and even MtMyoko on the far horizon. From late April into May, delicate reddish-purple okinagusa flowers greet hikers. [Hiking Routes] Mt. Kiritou has three main hiking routes, each with its own appeal. Choose the route that suits you and give Mt. Kiritou a try! 1. Shimotonishijo Course 2. Ono Course (commonly called the Kattori Course) 3. Central Divide Course Note: In winter, crampons and other cold‑weather mountaineering gear are essential. 1. Shimotonishijo Course Access by car: about 15 minutes from Shiojiri IC on the Nagano Expressway Access by train: nearest station JR Midoriko Station Parking: about 40 spaces Toilets: one men’s and one women’s toilet at Yamanokami Nature Garden Related: Yamanokami Nature Garden, okinagusa This route starts at Shimonishijo to the north of Mt. Kiritou. From the Yamanokami Nature Garden parking area it takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. From the parking area you walk along forest paths through the Nature Garden and past Tamarazu no Ike toward the trailhead, warming up your legs before the climb. 2. Ono Course (commonly called the Kattori Course) Access by car: about 20 minutes from Shiojiri IC on the Nagano Expressway Access by train: nearest station JR Ono Station Parking: about 10 spaces Toilets: temporary toilets available (closed in winter) Related: Mt. Kiritou winter sample itinerary This route starts from Ono to the south of Mt. Kiritou. The trail passes historic spots such as the Kattori Castle Ruins and a stone monument to Ontake Daigongen. It takes about 1 hour 10 minutes from the parking area, and it is the steepest of the three courses. 3. Central Divide Course Access by car: about 15 minutes from Shiojiri IC on the Nagano Expressway Access by train: nearest station JR Midoriko Station Parking: about 10 spaces Toilets: none Related: Oshibayama, nirinso (two‑leaf anemone) The trailhead lies slightly toward Shiojiri from the watershed park at Utou Pass. The route climbs via Oshibayama to Mt. Kiritou and takes about 2.5 hours. The scenery and terrain change rapidly on the way to the summit, offering a varied mountain trail. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Requests for a safe and enjoyable climb of Mt. Kiritou Please protect plants for nature conservation. Take your trash home to help protect the environment. The Mt. Kiritou area experiences frequent lightning, so monitor the weather carefully. Do not enter any prohibited areas. Never start a wildfire. Be aware of dangerous wildlife such as bears, hornets, and poison‑sumac species.

The clear air and gentle breeze make for a pleasant autumn day Morning walk in Azumino In the distance you can see Mt. Fuji of Shinano

October 18th It’s a clear autumn day in Azumino A straight sunlit road stretches toward Mt. Jōnen

October 4, 2025 Kami-Suwa Kaido Town Walk and Sake Stroll 2025 On that day, a major event took place in Suwa: “Kami-Suwa Kaido Town Walk and Sake Stroll.” Along the route from Kami-Suwa Station, within about 1 km along National Route 20, five of Suwa’s famous breweries stand side by side, and for the event the area from Suwa 2-chome to the Motomachi traffic lights was turned into a pedestrian zone. The five breweries of Suwa proudly served their signature sake. This year, a hinoki masu (cypress sake cup) and a participant sticker worn on the left chest functioned as the festival passport, creating an event where guests could enjoy the aroma of hinoki along with fine sake. Tickets were limited to 3,000, and popularity was so high that they sold out by September 14—half a month earlier than last year. This time, foodie Kasai couldn’t make it to the site… but a staff member from the same association kindly provided photos! Local restaurants once again showcased their skills with snack stalls, and neighborhood groups offered their own stalls as well!!! Although it rained on the day, the ticket exchange at 11:00 at Suwachao was bustling. The town began to liven up ahead of the pedestrian zone opening at 12:00, and by the official start at 13:00 lines formed in front of the five breweries as people queued for their favorite labels. The opening featured greetings from the mayor of Suwa City and the head of the Chamber of Commerce, followed by the local traditional kiyari work songs, which marked the start of the Sake Stroll. Afterward, the kiyari performers walked along the Kaido, responding to requests and continuing their songs until about 17:00. From 14:00, local dance troupes energized the venue. Stall lines were huge, offering yakitori, eel, karaage and san-zoku-yaki (mountain-bandit-style fried chicken), chicken wings, game dishes, skewers, candied apples, yakisoba, and more. The food stalls were a great success. People enjoyed delicious sake and tasty local dishes. We met so many smiling faces—thank you very much. Next year, to ensure visitors are satisfied and entertained while securing understanding and cooperation from the local community, all our staff will continue working hard to keep Suwa lively and thriving. https://nomiaruki.com// https://nomiaruki.com/machiaruki-nomiaruki/...

The ridgeline of the Northern Alps as seen from Azumino Sky Path — 'Panorama Ginza' Traverse Hike the ridgeline from Mt. Tsubakuro to Mt. Ōtenjō, enjoying views of Mt. Yari!

Most of the rice in Azumino’s rice fields has already been harvested. A few patches still remain!! The landscape evokes the feeling of autumn. May it become delicious new rice!!

This morning’s Azumino white carpet the white buckwheat flowers nearby were blooming beautifully I’m looking forward to the day I can try them as new soba!!

A paragliding launch platform at the summit of Mt. Nagamine This is Azumino’s only panoramic terrace You can clearly see the terrain of Azumino!!

Early morning view from Mt. Nagamine The Northern Alps are bright and clear again today

"ONSEN Gastronomy Walking in Shinshu Oyster-Fermentation and Sweets Achieve Balance Autumn Town Walk-" Held in! First Held in in Sakaki Town! While touring the Course in the Sakaki Town of about 9 km, you can taste all the food unique to Sakaki Town at the gastronomy point along the way, and aim for the goal of Bingushiyu-sankan, which is a fascinating experience Events 🎵 In Shinshu Sakaki Town, please enjoy 🌱 a time of healing that slowly relaxes your body and mind Date: Saturday, October 18 Start time: 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. (25 people start every 15 minutes) Number of participants: 150 Participation fee: 5,000 yen

Vegiful Kitchen, the garden buffet restaurant inside Roadside Station Minami-Shinshu Toyooka Marche, run by the Toyooka Village Tourism Association, has been certified by the Japan Vegetable Sommelier Association! This is the second certified restaurant in Nagano Prefecture. To offer plenty of locally grown vegetables handpicked by vegetable professionals, local farmers ship fresh produce every morning! The ingredients used at Vegiful Kitchen are mainly vegetables and fruits grown in Toyooka Village. Because we source directly from village farmers, the vegetables and fruits we use change with the seasons. Sourcing what tastes best each day lets you enjoy produce that is ultra-fresh, safe, and secure. Our food coordinator devises the dishes that best suit each ingredient at that time. The “garden” in our garden buffet refers to the farms of local farmers in Toyooka Village and neighboring towns and villages. When guests enjoy lots of fresh, delicious local ingredients, it motivates the farmers. Please come and enjoy Vegiful Kitchen, a healthy buffet restaurant that delights customers and farmers alike and helps energize the community!

This is one of the photos when I went to Kamikochi. Maintenance, fascinated by the unspoiled nature on the other side of the road, I pressed the shutter. I deliberately took a dark shot so that I could convey a quiet space.

Jonen Peak, the symbol of Azumino Its pyramid-like silhouette stands out clearly from the village Today, many climbers set their sights on this summit! To savor Jonen Peak fully, stay at Jonen Hut — it’s the best choice!! From the hut’s terrace, enjoy the blissful view of the Hotaka range, including Mt. Yari Find information about Jonen Hut here https://www.mt-jonen.com//

Chōwa Town rice fields The weather is nice again today. The sun is out, but the breeze feels like autumn. This is a lovely season as the landscape begins to change with the coming autumn foliage. The rice paddies are gradually turning golden. I wonder if this year's harvest will come a little earlier...

Isemiya Shrine sits quietly amid the rice fields of Azumino. Behind it, you can see Mt. Ariake, the sacred body of Ariakeyama Shrine. The old pine standing at the shrine has a pleasing presence.

Autumn in Azumino, when the sky runs high and the horses grow fat… But the sun still blazes, and it looks like daytime will be a sweltering hot day… The relief is that mornings and evenings are cool, so nights aren’t restless!

Karasawa Falls, located in Chiyo, Iida City, Minami Shinshu, Nagano Prefecture, is a Healing Spot known to those in the know for its Clear streams, which boasts a drop of 30 meters, falling stream. Splash of water and sunlight shine through the trees in summer, and in autumn, you can enjoy the fantastic scenery colored by Autumn leaves. Please visit the famous waterfall, a hidden gem where you can feel the beauty of the Four Seasons. 🚙 The routes runs from Prefectural Road No. 8 through the Forest Road Senen Line. Falling rocks are scattered in places, so please drive with caution.

White buckwheat flowers blooming in Azumino Can’t wait for the new soba season! Azumino’s soba is said to have firm kernels and excellent flavor, so be sure to try it when you stop by.♪ Buckwheat fields bloom here and there near HAMA Flower Park

Rice ears have turned golden in Azumino. They have become so heavy and full that the harvest looks like it could start any day!! Beyond the Hii-sama Road, Mount Jōnen rises tall. I love the scenery of Azumino.

The Northern Alps as seen from Azumino The town’s symbol, Mt. Jonen, was clearly visible I took this photo near the tourist spot Jitensha Hiroba Here, a cycling road called the Azumino Yamabiko Bicycle Path runs along the Jukkasegi irrigation canal It’s great to admire the view while riding a rental bike!!