Hello! This is the tourism association staff. Now, the wild vegetable season in Shinanomachi has reached its final stage, and the bamboo shoot season has begun! What are “bamboo shoots”? They are the young shoots of Chishimazasa. In snowy regions the weight of the snow often bends the shoots at their base as they grow, so they are called "nemagari-take" (root-bent bamboo), and in Shinanomachi they are called "bamboo shoots." In and around Shinanomachi they are often eaten as "bamboo shoot soup." It is a miso soup with bamboo shoots and ingredients like potatoes, and one indispensable item for bamboo shoot soup is canned mackerel (boiled in water). If you think canned mackerel in miso soup sounds strange, please try it if you can tolerate it. You will be surprised at how delicious it is. (^^♪) There is no need to remove bitterness, but be sure to remove the tough nodes and perform fushi-nuki (node removal) before eating. (Although a crude illustration, it shows peeling and node removal for reference.) Because they are a gift from the mountains, daily harvest and shipping quantities vary. If you find them at direct-sales stores, please pick some up.

🚲🌿 Tour Shinanomachi and collect local specialties!🎁✨ The “Shinanomachi Digital Stamp Rally” featuring local cuisine and accommodations is now underway🍴🏨 Visit two or more checkpoints and… ＼Win a local specialty from Shinanomachi🎉／ Why not join during this Golden Week holiday?☆彡 📅 Event period: Saturday, April 26th – Sunday, August 31st Take a leisurely ride with a rental bicycle🚴‍♂️ Enjoy a tasty and restorative trip✨ We look forward to your participation (^^)/ https://www.shinano-machi.com/news/5346...

Hello! This is the tourism association staff ☆ Today, as Golden Week begins, the Nojiri Lake opening ceremony for the 2025 fiscal year was held to pray for the safety and prosperity of visitors this season at Lake Nojiri. On this fine day, Lake Nojiri bustled with people strolling the lakeshore and bass anglers! The season has started at Lake Nojiri—please come and visit♪ Also, the cherry blossoms on the surrounding mountains in Shinanomachi are now at their best♪ Come and feel the spring that arrives later in Shinanomachi (^^♪) We look forward to seeing you! ※About the Nojiri Lake regular ferry…operations are currently suspended due to the lowered water level of Lake Nojiri. For service updates, please check the Nojiri Lake regular ferry website or contact them directly. https://www.nojiriko.co.jp//

＼Thank you for waiting!／ Kurohime Highland Dog Run opens on April 20 this year too 🐶🐾 It will be open through the end of November, so you can play to your heart’s content 🍀*゜ Use is free, so feel free to stop by anytime! Spend a relaxing time with your dog 🐕 surrounded by nature at Kurohime Highland 🦴 We look forward to seeing you 🐶🌳 https://www.shinano-machi.com/news/5348...

The 2025 Tangram Madarao Winter Triathlon in Shinshu Shinanomachi has taken place! This is a winter triathlon featuring three snow events: running, cycling, and cross-country skiing. This year’s event welcomed triathlon Olympian Yuichi Hosoda as a special guest. Although light rain fell, the competitors gave it their all with spirited performances!

[The wildly popular tour returns for a second run!] A special tour to savor nature and culture in winter Shinanomachi ⛷️ Would you like to enjoy an exclusive winter experience in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture, one of Japan’s top ski resort areas? ❄️✨ 💡 Top 3 highlights of this tour 💡 1️⃣ Freeride experience Try snowboarding on pristine slopes and feel the thrill of riding freely—perfect for everyone from beginners to advanced riders. You can also take lessons from pro snowboarder Mr. Konishi! 2️⃣ Indigo-dye remake workshop Create original items in a traditional indigo-dye workshop using Furumi indigo and Ise katagami (paper stencils). Don’t miss the rare, delicate patterns of the Ise katagami. 3️⃣ Exquisite dinner Cook together using special recipes supervised by a top chef and experience traditional Japanese preparation methods! 🗺️ The charms of Shinanomachi 🗺️ Abundant nature and fresh air: the area offers stunning seasonal scenery, including Mt. Kurohime Highlands and Lake Nojiri. A food lover’s paradise: corn, tomatoes, and botagoshō among other vegetables are of exceptionally high quality! History and culture: feel the region’s history and traditions at the Naumann Elephant Museum and Ugajinja Shrine floating on Lake Nojiri. 📅 Dates Wednesday, January 22 to Friday, January 24, 2025 If you’re interested, please DM the tour conductor @donapon.kazuma (Instagram) 📩 We will provide more details! Let’s create new winter memories together ❄️✨

Winter Triathlon Entries Open! ❄️ In March 2025, Shinanomachi will host a winter triathlon! Sign up now! 🏃‍♂️🏂🎿 This time, we introduce the appeal of cross-country skiing! ⛷️ Cross-country skiing trains your whole body in balance, boosting stamina and endurance✨ It also improves cardiovascular fitness and benefits other sports💪 Because smooth, coordinated movements are required, flexibility increases too! Greater flexibility helps prevent injuries👟 And since the sport takes place under harsh conditions, it builds mental strength as well! You develop focus and perseverance, making you more resilient to pressure during competition🔥 Check the photos for details! Whether you’re ready to take on the challenge or still undecided, why not dive into a new sporting world? ✨ Enter here↓ https://www.shinano-machi.com/news/5289...

Sunday, January 12, 2025!! Special station-front event to enjoy winter! Free to join and fun for adults and children alike ⛄️ On January 12, a heartwarming winter event will take place at Mure Station, Furuma Station, and Kurohime Station in Nagano Prefecture. First-year student volunteers from Shinshu University planned this event to promote use of the Kita-Shinano Line while addressing local challenges. At the event, you can enjoy warm drinks and food from food trucks, build snowmen, and have snowball fights to fully enjoy the charms of winter. Locals and visitors from afar are all welcome! With a free ticket from Nagano Station, you can easily visit all three stations. The event is perfect for people in the neighborhoods around the stations as well as those coming by train 🚃 Come and experience a fun time that will make you forget the cold ☃❄ https://sites.google.com/view/snowline-festival/...

⛷️🏔️ A special tour to fully enjoy nature and culture in winter in Shinanomachi 🍶🎨 Would you like to enjoy a winter-only special experience in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture, one of Japan’s top ski resort areas? ❄️✨ 💡 Top 3 highlights of this tour 💡 1️⃣ Freeride experience Enjoy the thrill of freeriding at a snow resort with the best snow quality—feel the freedom as you carve down the slopes on a snowboard! Suitable for beginners to advanced riders. You can also take lessons from pro snowboarder Konishi! 2️⃣ Indigo-dye remake workshop Try your hand at creating original items in a traditional indigo-dye workshop using Furumi indigo and Ise-katagami paper stencils. Don’t miss the rare, delicate patterns of the Ise-katagami. 3️⃣ Star-gazing and gourmet dinner Cook together using a special menu supervised by a top chef and experience traditional Japanese preparation methods! In the evening, relax under a sky full of stars 🌌✨ 🗺️ The charms of Shinanomachi 🗺️ Rich nature and fresh air: areas like Kurohime Plateau and Lake Nojiri offer beautiful seasonal scenery. A food treasure trove: corn, tomatoes, and botan chili peppers showcase exceptionally high-quality produce! History and culture: the Naumann Elephant Museum and Uga Shrine on Lake Nojiri reflect the region’s history and traditions. 📅 Dates 1️⃣ Saturday, January 4th, 2025 – Monday, January 6th, 2025 2️⃣ Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 – Friday, January 24th, 2025 If you’re interested, DM the tour conductor @donapon.kazuma📩 We will provide more details! Let’s create new winter memories together ❄️✨

Entries are open for the Winter Triathlon taking place in March 2025 in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture! ⛷️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♀️ Today we’ll introduce what to wear for the cross-country skiing leg of the Winter Triathlon. Many people who want to compete wonder what to wear. You might be curious how it differs from what you’d wear at an alpine ski resort. For cross-country skiing, lighter clothing than typical downhill ski wear is best. Choose garments that allow free movement and are easy to take off and put on. When I first competed, I wore downhill ski clothing and got hot while moving, which left me sweating and my clothes soaked… For that reason, wearing quick-drying base layers to prevent chill from sweat is essential! ✨ (The third photo shows me in downhill ski wear—funny, I know.) Details are also shown in the photos, so please use them as a reference. Prepare well before the race and enjoy it comfortably. 🏅💪 Whether you want to try it or are still undecided, come experience the appeal of the Winter Triathlon and dive into a new world of sport! 🏅 Enter here: https://www.shinano-machi.com/news/5289...

Entries are now open for the Winter Triathlon to be held in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture in March 2025! ⛷️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♀️ You might wonder what a Winter Triathlon is, so here’s a brief introduction 😊 Winter triathlon offers a fresh challenge set in a snowy environment! ✨ In a Winter Triathlon, you can enjoy the following events: 1️⃣ Snow Run: a run across the snow! 2️⃣ Cross-country skiing: glide through the snow on cross-country skis! ⛷️ 3️⃣ Mountain biking: tackle snowy trails on a mountain bike! 🚵‍♂️ We also include photos showing recommended clothing and gear for cross-country skiing, so be sure to check them out! ❄️ Whether you’re ready to take on the challenge or still deciding, come experience the appeal of Winter Triathlon and dive into a new world of sport! 🏅 https://www.shinano-machi.com/news/5289...

A heavy snow warning was issued in Shinanomachi today, and we have been busy with snow removal since the morning. Starting tomorrow, the Kurohime Highland cross-country ski course will have a temporary OPEN. From December 15th to 20th, you can use it for a cooperation fee of 200 yen, so please take this opportunity to visit! The official OPEN will begin on December 21st, so please check that as well. When you come, please take great care of your safety on the way. We look forward to seeing you! https://www.shinano-machi.com/news/5273...

Lake Nojiri is starting to change color little by little! This year the autumn colors are a bit later than usual 🍁

Autumn leaves Light up of Meiji Jingu Gaien! I took a picture in front of a big lake. Light up Autumn leaves were beautifully reflected on the surface of the water, and I was able to encounter a fantastic scenery like a mirror. Breathtaking beauty. After taking a few pictures, I soaked in autumn in Japan for a few minutes. (I took this picture which is an illuminated autumn tree in Meiji Jingu Gaien park.)

The ever-popular Shinshu Shinano Town–Kurohime Highland Craft Festival returns this year with even more power!🏕️🎉 This year we’ve added a new area and will host the largest number of booths ever! A free shuttle bus will run from Kurohime Station! Booths now stretch along the road from Kurohime Highland Snow Park to the Fairy Tale Museum🥳 Stroll through Kurohime Highland, browse craft shops, and enjoy a coffee☕︎ as you go🌻 We’re also holding our popular raffle again this year with luxurious prizes to be won🎁 We look forward to welcoming you all!

Hello everyone🌻 This is the tourist association staff! Although Shinano Town is a cool retreat, daytime temperatures are rising and the town’s short summer has finally begun🍉 Right now, corn is at its peak in Shinano Town!! Despite the heat during the day, the mornings and evenings are relatively comfortable here. It’s precisely this climate that makes summer vegetables like corn taste so good☺️ The corn is sweet, sweet, and oh-so-sweet🌽 At local farmers’ markets you can find boiled or steamed corn that lets you taste its full flavor, and savory grilled corn whose aroma whets the appetite—so be sure to take a big bite🤩 We look forward to seeing you!

Notice of the 100th Lake Nojiri Fireworks Festival Is the rainy season not coming—or has it already come? Before we knew it, it’s July. A Shinano Town summer tradition returns: the Lake Nojiri Fireworks Festival is on again this year! Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024 Fireworks start: 7:30 PM (scheduled) Event will proceed even in rain Venue: Lake Nojiri Traffic restrictions will begin around the venue from 6:30 PM on the day. Please see the venue map for details on traffic restrictions. This year, the organizing committee will not provide free parking around the venue. Paid shuttle buses will run from Kurohime Station and Kurohime Highland; please use them. Paid Shuttle Bus Information 1. Kurohime Station 2. Town-operated Kurohime Highland Parking Lot Buses will depart from 4:00 PM onward as needed. (Last departure from Lake Nojiri is 9:30 PM) Fee: Round-trip 500 yen (adults and junior high school students and older); elementary school students and younger free Please pay when boarding. Temporary Parking Lots 1. For those using the shuttle from Kurohime Station Please use the Town-operated Kurohime Station West Exit Parking Lot. 2. For those using the shuttle from Kurohime Highland Please use the Town-operated Kurohime Highland Parking Lot No. 1. A milestone 100th edition! What kind of fireworks will light the sky? Look forward to the surprise♪

Nice to meet you! Shinshu Shinano Town Tourist Association. Shinanomachi, Kamisuunai-gun, Nagano Prefecture is a town in northern Nagano Prefecture that borders Niigata Prefecture. Its population is about 7,000. Surrounded by mountains such as Myoko, Kurohime, Togakushi, Iizuna, and Madarao, the town also boasts many popular attractions like Lake Nojiri and Kurohime Plateau. On Cool Japan Video, we will share recommended sightseeing information for Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture, known as the hometown of Kobayashi Issa. Thank you for your support. ◆What is Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture? ◆ In winter, Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture welcomes visitors with superb powder snow. Popular ski areas such as Kurohime Kogen Ski Resort, Myoko, and Madarao Kogen make this region ideal for winter sports. It is also popular with international visitors from countries including Australia and Taiwan. Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture is broadly divided into four areas. ◎ Kurohime Highland area ◎ Tangram Madarao Area ◎ Kashiwabara and Fujisato area ◎ Lake Nojiri area ◆Recommended sightseeing spots in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture, by area◆ ~~~ Kurohime Highland area ~~~ Kurohime Highland lets you fully enjoy nature typical of Nagano Prefecture: dahlias and cosmos in summer, and powder-snow skiing in winter. ◎ Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum & Fairy Tale Forest Gallery The Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum blends literature, art, and nature. It houses and exhibits valuable materials by Michael Ende and Miyoko Matsutani, beloved across generations, as well as fairy tales and picture books from around the world and local folktales. ◎ Kurohime Highland Dog Run This expansive all-grass dog run covers about 3,000 square meters. Built to take advantage of the natural hills, it is enjoyable for dogs from small to large breeds. ◎ Kurohime Highland Cosmos Garden The Kurohime Highland Cosmos Garden is filled with beautiful cosmos flowers from summer into autumn. The colorful fields of cosmos spread across the vast plateau like a painting. The garden offers an observation deck and walking paths, so you can relax and enjoy the flowers at your own pace. ◎ MtKurohime MtKurohime is a symbolic mountain of Shinanomachi, with an elevation of 2,053 meters. Trails are well maintained, offering enjoyment for beginners through advanced hikers. From the summit, a 360-degree panorama opens up, and on clear days you can see distant mountain ranges. MtKurohime showcases seasonal nature and is an attractive spot for hikers and mountain enthusiasts. ◎ Naena Falls Naena Falls is one of Shinanomachi’s representative scenic spots. With a dramatic drop of 55 meters, the waterfall’s majestic scenery captivates visitors. Walking paths are developed around the area, allowing you to stroll while listening to the roar of the falls. In particular, the autumn foliage season creates a spectacular contrast between colorful leaves and the waterfall. ~~~ Tangram Madarao Area ~~~ This area is popular as a resort area. It offers many amenities such as golf courses and hot spring facilities. ◎ Mt. Madarao (Madarao-yama / Madarao-san) A volcano with an elevation of 1,382 meters, it is one of the Five Mountains of Northern Shinshu (MtMyoko, Mt. Madarao, MtKurohime, MtTogakushi, Mt. Iizuna). At the summit there is a shrine housing 13 statues of Nyorai. ~~~ Kashiwabara and Fujisato area ~~~ This is the hometown of haiku poet Kobayashi Issa. Within the area are the Issa Memorial Hall and Issa’s former residence, where you can learn about his life and history. ◎ Issa Memorial Hall A museum built to commemorate the haiku poet Kobayashi Issa, who was born in Kashiwabara, Shinanomachi. It presents many of his works and portrays Issa’s life and the Kashiwabara of his era. ◎ Michi-no-Eki Shinano Furusato Tenboukan Michi-no-Eki Shinano Furusato Tenboukan provides tourist information and local products from Shinanomachi. In addition to local specialties and souvenirs from Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture, you can enjoy fresh local produce and handmade goods. ~~~ Lake Nojiri area ~~~ In summer on Lake Nojiri you can enjoy activities such as kayaking, SUP, and cruises. ◎ Lake Nojiri Naumann Elephant Museum This museum showcases fossils of Naumann elephants discovered at Lake Nojiri and life-size models, offering many attractions. Centered on the results of the more than 40-year-long Lake Nojiri excavations, it researches and exhibits the natural environment around the lake from about 50,000 years ago to the present. ◎ Lake Nojiri At the lakeside you can enjoy boating, fishing, canoeing, and other outdoor activities. In summer, swimming and camping are popular, making it a recommended spot for families and couples. The lake is also historically significant for the Naumann elephant fossils recovered from its bed, allowing visitors to enjoy nature and history together. ◎ Shomyoji Temple Located quietly in the mountain valley, its precincts are surrounded by seasonal nature. In spring, the weeping cherry blossoms bloom beautifully, attracting many visitors. ◆Recommended activities in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture◆ ◎ Rental bicycles in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture During the green season when the ski resorts are closed, sightseeing by relaxed cycling while feeling the breeze of Shinanomachi is recommended. The town offers rental bicycles at three locations: the information center in front of Kurohime Station (Shinano Town Tourist Association), LAMP Lake Nojiri, and Nojiri Lake Resort. ◎ Minpaku and farm stays in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture About 3,000 elementary and junior high school students visit annually to experience farm and rural life through homestays and farm stays. The local government and residents have established a solid reception system. ◆Local specialties of Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture◆ Crops such as corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, and soba are local specialties of Shinanomachi. Shinanomachi is one of the leading paddy monoculture areas in the northern Nagano region, and locally grown Akita Komachi and Koshihikari rice are also popular. ◆Festivals and events in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture◆ ◎ Lake Nojiri Fireworks Festival About 2,000 fireworks are launched from Lake Nojiri. In 2024 this beloved local event will celebrate its landmark 100th edition. ◆Tourist information for Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture◆ Shinanomachi is a town blessed with rich nature, history, and warm people. With seasonal landscapes and outdoor activities, Shinanomachi is an ideal destination for families and couples. We will continue to share recommended sightseeing information for Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture, so we appreciate your support.