A water‑welcoming ritual took place on the Saigawa River flowing through Azumino.

At the confluence of the Saigawa, Takasegawa, and Hotakagawa rivers, a Shinto ceremony was held to pray for a bountiful harvest for the year, the prevention of water disasters, and the development of tourism.

We give thanks for the blessings of water that flow down from the Northern Alps.

Toyooka Iris Garden is still in full bloom.
Over 200 varieties of iris set against the scenic Ina Valley.
Please enjoy your visit.

For more details about the Iris Garden, see below:
https://www.vill-nagano-toyooka-kanko.jp/tourism/tourist-spot/hana/3280/

[Hanakien Opens]

Hanakien on Yachiho Kogen opens today, Saturday, May 10. 🌸
The garden is filled with blooming pink azaleas (rengetsu tsutsuji), Enkianthus (dodantsutsuji), and three-leaf azaleas (mitsuba tsutsuji), and in June the park will be dyed red with flowers. 💐💐
Come and visit us. 🌳🥰

Opening period: Saturday, May 10, 2025 – Sunday, October 5, 2025
Hours: 8:30 AM–4:20 PM (last admission at 3:30 PM)

Yachiho Kogen Natural Garden
A nature garden that captures the natural beauty of Yachiho Kogen...😌🩷

At the garden, you can enjoy three walking courses suited to your available time♬
White Trail: 1 km, about 30 minutes
Blue Trail: 1.5 km, about 50 minutes
Green Trail: 2.5 km, about 80 minutes

In spring and summer, the highland flowers bloom, and in autumn the leaves turn brilliant—there’s plenty to see!🍁
We hope you’ll come and visit😸✨✨

🌼 Azalea Mountain Park 🌼 in Toyono
Best time to visit this weekend!! *Photo taken on May 8
We are updating the flowering Information in Nagano City on our Home page!

Nagawa Town
The mountains have turned bright young green and deep forest green, growing lush and vibrant!!😄💪!
The fields reflect on the water laid across the paddies, creating a lively scene✨

Doesn’t this kind of road make you want to ride a bicycle🚵?😉


Search for Nagawa Cycle (E-BIKE)🔍
Half day (4 hours) from 1,000 yen〜

"Toshio Suzuki and Yellowtail Exhibition"
Zenkoji Temple Limited Held in Commemorative Goods are now on sale at Zenkoji Temple Gift Shop!
When you come to "Toshio Suzuki and the yellowtail Exhibition", be sure to stop by Zenko Temple!

Hot air balloon flying at the foothills of Mount Asama
Every year during Golden Week, the Saku Roux Festival is Held in in Saku City. Hot air balloons flying at the foothills of Mt. Asama have become a tradition.

Mount Jōnen as seen from Azumino under a stretch of clear weather

If you look closely, you can spot the snow pattern called “Jōnenbō” on the mountain’s slope

Can you make out the figure of a monk wearing a kasaya robe and carrying a sake flask?

People long ago used this snow pattern as a seasonal cue for tasks such as sowing seeds and planting rice seedlings, weaving it into their daily lives

Azumino is now just entering the rice-planting season

[Omachi City Flower Update 🌷]
Cherry blossoms are entering their final stage, but in Omachi City the moss phlox, rhododendrons, and flowering peach trees are coming into full bloom 🌸✨
At the National Alps Azumino Park, Omachi Matsukawa Area, which is hosting "Spring Festa 2025", you can enjoy delicate baby blue eyes (nemophila) and tulips ✨🌷
🌷Flower Report 2025🌸
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/news/88859/
🌳National Alps Azumino Park🌳
https://azumino-koen.jp/oomachi_matsukawa/

National Government Park Alps Azumino Horigane-Hotaka area is reaching peak bloom for tulips and rapeseed flowers!

A tulip field of 117 varieties totaling 320,000 bulbs and a five-million-strong carpet of yellow in the satoyama terraced-rice-field zone stretch as far as the eye can see.

For details, visit the official website of National Government Park Alps Azumino
https://www.azumino-koen.jp/horigane_hotaka/

This morning, Azumino chilled down to 3 degrees.

Under a high-pressure system, the blue sky spread above a breathtaking scene.

The white peaks of the Northern Alps reflected in a mirror-like sheet of water.

Azumino is now entering its most beautiful season.

The weather is fine and Carp streamers are swimming 🌼 comfortably in the sky
The rape flowers are also in full bloom, so please come and visit us during Golden Week!
Nagano City Nakajo "Alps Observation Square Dream Station"
[Shooting date] 2025/4/30

Against the backdrop of the snowy Northern Alps, you can enjoy a bright rapeseed field that looks like a yellow carpet!

Ipponzakura in Hakuba Village Plain, Nagano Prefecture
You can take pictures with the remaining snow of the Northern Alps in the background.
The cherry blossoms in Hakuba Village bloom late in late April.

【Nakatsuna Lake Is in Full Bloom 🌸】
The Oyamazakura cherry trees around Nakatsuna Lake, famous for their reflections on the water, are now at their peak bloom🌸I went before dawn to capture the reflections😌There was a slight breeze so the water wasn’t a perfect mirror, but mist over the lake created a magical scene✨
Sakura bloom status is 🌸
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/news/88713/

Ricefield tilling has begun here and there across Azumino, and the rice-planting season has arrived.

Next, after the fields are flooded and leveled, the seedlings will be planted.

During this rice-planting period you can see Azumino’s miraculous spectacle, the “water mirror”.

[Now Released Today!!]
The feature film Detective Conan: The One-Eyed Specter premieres today 🎬️👓️🎀🎉
Nobeyama Highlands in Minamimaki, Nagano Prefecture—the setting for the film and home to the Nobeyama Radio Observatory of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan📡—offers spectacular views of the Yatsugatake Mountains⛰️, the JR line’s highest elevation point🚞, the highest-elevation railway station in Japan, Nobeyama Station🚉, one of Japan’s three premier stargazing spots🌠, and top-tier production of highland vegetables nationwide, including leafy greens, corn, and broccoli🥬🌽🥦. There are so many great places and products to enjoy—please take this chance to discover the charms of Minamimaki Village ✨
▼Access information to the Nobeyama Radio Observatory is here
https://www.kanko-nobeyama.jp/info/?p=2413/

Merhen Kaido Opening Ceremony
Thank you for waiting! The Mugi-kusa Pass is now open ✨
Merhen Kaido is now passable starting today. 👀✨
Come feel the scenery, the air, and the breeze at 2,127 meters above sea level—see you soon by car 🚗

We will 🍜 Held in the 70th anniversary talk Events of the birth of tsukemen × the enforcement of the town system

Inheriting the teachings of Mr. Yamagishi, the god and master of ramen,
Shinsuke Tauchikawa, who runs "Daishoken" in Water from Yamanouchi Town and Tokyo Tea, and Toro Kitao, a non-fiction writer who depicts his appearance.
Through the dialogue between the two, why don't you ❓ feel the pride of the town and the origin of the taste of tsukemen

After the Events, "Reprint Mori Soba" will be sold at "Yamanouchi Daishoken" in the station resort center of Shiga Highlands Mountain!

Date & Time: Sunday, June 1, 2025 10:00 Registration starts
10:30 Start ~ 12:00
Venue: Shiga Highlands General Hall 98 (7148-203 Heiza, Yamanouchi Town, Shimotakai County, Nagano Prefecture)
Participation fee: Free (advance application required, lottery will be held if there are many applications)
Capacity: 80

To apply, use the dedicated form!

For details, please contact the Regional Creation Section of the Town Future Creation Division (0269-33-3113).
Or visit our Home page (URL below).
https://www.town.yamanouchi.nagano.jp/soshiki/chiikisozo/gyomu/specialtalkevent2025/3939.html

This is an announcement of Kaede no Yu's May Closed Day- ̗̀📣

The Vacation in May is on the 7th (Water) and 8th (Thursday).
We will be open during Golden Week, so we are ♨️ looking forward to your Use 𓈒𓂂𓏸

Cherry blossoms are in Best time to visit all over Nagano City!
[Best time to visit cherry blossom spot as of 4/17]
🌸 Cherry blossoms in Shiroyama Park
🌸 Cherry blossoms at Zenkoji Temple Unjoden
🌸 Cherry blossoms at Kawanakajima Ancient Battlefield Historic Site Park
🌸 Chausuyama Dinosaur Park Entrance
🌸 Kobayashi Temple's Someiyoshino (Shinonoi)

Tour de Yatsugatake 2025 Concluded
Two days have passed since the conclusion of Tour de Yatsugatake 2025.

Despite course changes due to the weather, many riders gave their all, and thanks to the supporters and the staff who backed the event, we were able to finish the race safely.

Going forward, the organizing committee will continue working to create an event that inspires people to take on a challenge and that draws them back again.

See you again in Yatsugatake! 🚴‍♂️

Sakaki Town is also in full bloom ♪ now
It's ✨ beautiful
The weather looks good tomorrow, so it's a cherry blossom viewing day.
Let's ♪ go out

[🌼 Spring Flowers and Cherry Blossom Information in Omachi City 🌸]
We are updating information on spring flowers and cherry blossom blooming in the city.
We hope you find this useful when planning your visit.😌
🌼 Spring Flower Information 2025
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/news/88859/
🌸 2025 Cherry Blossom Blooming Status
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/news/88713/

Ramen is coming to Asama Hot Spring!!!!

"Act 4 Asama Hot Spring Raamen Festival Noodle Warlord" Held in

Date & Time: April 18 (Fri), 19 (Sat) 10:30~20:00
　　　　　20th(Sun) 10:30~15:00
Location: Hot Plaza Asama Hot Spring Plaza
The nearest bus stop is Asama Hot Spring
The Car parking lot is the Kiss Car on the north side of the Seuiheim Matsumoto Stadium
Ramen is a ticket system 1,000 yen per ticket

Kitchen Car from four ramen shops in Nagano Prefecture gathered. Enjoy the different flavors.
In addition to that, drinks, bandit grilling, soft serve ice cream, etc. are also sold.

And the centerpiece Events is the "Moteke Grand Lottery"
　The grand prize can be drawn with two ticket stubs with a lot of luxurious prizes, ♡♡ including a 30,000 yen Accommodation coupon for the Asama Onsen Ryokan Association.

Eat ramen, take a relaxing bath in the Hot Spring, and relax.
We look forward to seeing you.
　

[About JR Nobeyama Station Ticket Counter Operations]
From April 2025, Minamimaki Village has taken over the ticket counter operations at Nobeyama Station, and Minamimaki Village Promotion Corporation handles the day-to-day work. As a result, the ticket counter hours are as follows; please take note when using the service.

<Closed days>Every Tuesday and Wednesday
Note: In addition to the days above, the counter may close suddenly.
<Business hours>9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Note: The counter will be closed from 12:50 PM–1:30 PM and from 2:30 PM–2:50 PM during these hours.
<Tickets available for purchase>JR line fare tickets, unreserved limited express tickets, student commuter passes, commuter passes
Note: Reserved-seat limited express tickets for the Azusa, Shinkansen reserved-seat limited express tickets, reserved-seat tickets for services such as the Rapid High Rail, and similar reserved-seat tickets cannot be purchased.
<Other notes>
・You cannot charge Suica.
・Credit cards and electronic money are not accepted, so please prepare cash.
・There is no ticket vending machine, so on closed days and outside business hours please take a numbered boarding ticket when boarding.

【2025 Bamboo Shoot Hunting】
Reservations are now open!

・Event period
Friday, April 18 to Sunday, May 11, rain or shine
*The schedule above may change depending on bamboo shoot growth conditions.
*For the time being, we are accepting reservations only through May 2.
*Whether reservations for May 3 and later will be accepted will be decided based on bamboo shoot conditions during the event. We will notify you once details are finalized.

・Reception times
Weekdays: two sessions ①10:30 ②13:30
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: three sessions ①9:00 ②10:30 ③13:30

・Admission and harvesting fees
●Admission: 300 yen per person (junior high school students and older)
The admission fee varies depending on the harvest amount per standard passenger car (including kei cars).
■Harvest of 10 kg or more of bamboo shoots → Admission free (0 yen)
■Harvest under 10 kg of bamboo shoots → Admission 300 yen

●Bamboo shoots: 500 yen per kg
One harvest bag will be provided at reception per standard passenger car (including kei cars).

For further details and reservations, please see the link below:
https://www.vill-nagano-toyooka-kanko.jp/tourism/experience/mikaku-02/5968/

・Contact (phone reservations accepted)
Toyooka Tourism Association (Toyooka Travel Time)
TEL: 0265-49-3395

"Yamauchi Digital Map" starts!

You can search area information by category such as eating, staying, etc., and easily search routes from your current location.
It is 🐵♨️ a very useful Digital Map during your stay in Yamanouchi Town
Please take a look.
https://platinumaps.jp/d/yamanouchi?culture=ja

✨🌸 A new tourist brochure for Yamanouchi Town is now available 🌸✨.

The new brochure is a two-volume set, Photo Book and Active Book!

Photo Book is a photo-based pamphlet that captures the beautiful scenery and moments of Yamanouchi Town. If there is a piece that moves you, I would like you to visit Yamanouchi Town to see the scenery. In addition, there is a page Publication with photos of people who are active in Yamanouchi Town, and we will introduce their charms on the Home page in the future, so please Fun it.

Active Book is a pamphlet full of useful Information for both travel and travel. Model Courses and Sightseeing spots for each season are introduced, making it an indispensable book for sightseeing in Yamanouchi Town.

If you see a pamphlet about Yamanouchi Town somewhere, please pick it up and take a look!

[Cycling Guided Tour - Fruit Sweets Plan]

Yesterday we guided guests from India!

We picked strawberries while cycling 🍓
The strawberries we picked were turned into sweets at the cafe♪

It seems you don’t often get to eat strawberries in India.
The freshly picked, sweet strawberries 🍓
They looked very pleased with the sweets at the cafe.

For information on the guided tour, see below:
https://www.vill-nagano-toyooka-kanko.jp/tourism/guide-tour/cycling-guide-tour-02/5975/

[Cycling Guided Tour - Fruit Sweets Plan]

Yesterday, we guided a customer from India!

We picked strawberries while cycling 🍓
The strawberries we picked were made into sweets at the cafe ♪

It seems that you can't eat strawberries very often in India.
The freshly picked sweet strawberries 🍓
And they seemed very satisfied with the sweets at the cafe.