Minami-Kiso flourished during the Edo period as a Shukuba town on the Nakasendo Highway connecting Kyoto and Edo.
In "Tsumagogo inn (Tsumago-juku)" and "Midono inn (Midono-juku)", where travelers interacted and culture blossomed, the old townscape of that time still remains.
It is a fascinating region with natural landscapes and rich history.
Please spend a memorable time in the beautiful nature and history of Minami Kiso Town.
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Nagiso Tourism Association posted.
Happy New Year!
This year, too, we will share and publish tourism information about Nagiso town, so we appreciate your continued support ✨
Today, New Year smoke signals were raised across many parts of Kiso.
A smoke signal, or noroshi, is smoke produced by burning firewood or gunpowder and raised high; long ago it served as a signal or landmark during wartime or emergencies. In other words, noroshi was a means of communication.
The New Year noroshi event held every January 4 in Kiso began in 2007 at the call of the nonprofit organization Tsumago Ai Suru Kai to strengthen solidarity across the Kiso Valley and energize the region.
The photos show the scene at the site of Tsumago Castle in Nagiso town, where leaves of Kiso’s five treasured trees—hinoki cypress and koyamaki—are burned to create the smoke 🌲
This year, too, the noroshi rose vigorously under clear skies.
May 2025 be a year filled with smiles and many blessings... 🐍✨
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Nagiso Tourism Association posted.
📍Tsumago inn (Tsumago-juku) (December 28th, 1:30 PM)
It has started to accumulate⛄❄
JR and buses are operating as usual for the time being.
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Nagiso Tourism Association posted.
Here’s tourist information for Nagiso town!
📍 Kakizore Valley (Kakizore Keikoku)
Among the many gorges along the Kiso Road, this one is said to be especially beautiful. Massive granite boulders that fill the deep valley create stunning waterfalls, rapids, and pools.
The water’s beautiful emerald green never becomes muddy, even after rain.
In spring you can enjoy azaleas and rhododendrons, and in autumn the leaves turn brilliant colors.✨
Generally, visitors start from JR Junikane Station and follow a nature trail for 4.5 km to Ushigataki Falls, then continue farther along a forest road. For a short walk, the roughly 300 m promenade from Koiji Suspension Bridge to Ushigataki is recommended. The view of Ushigataki, where the main flow of the Kakizore River plunges through carved granite, is spectacular.
A 40-minute walk along the forest road brings you to viewpoints with refreshing views of Kirigataki, and you can also see Nijiga Falls and Kaminari Falls.
We ask for your cooperation with a maintenance contribution.
Please deposit it in the brown post box located at the entrance to Kakizore Valley.
Access
- By car: about 10 minutes from National Route 19 at the "Kakizore Valley Entrance" signal. Two free parking lots available.
- By JR: Get off at JR Nagiso Station and take a taxi for about 25 minutes.
Get off at JR Junikane Station and walk about 1 hour (taxis are not regularly available).
Other information
- Flush toilets are available at each parking area.
- Vending machines are located near the parking areas.
- You can download a brochure (map) from the Nagiso Town Tourism Association official website "Burari Nagiso."
Requests
- Camping, barbecues, and similar activities are prohibited within Kakizore Valley.
- Please take your trash home with you.
- Do not approach the river during rain or when water levels are high.
- If you play in the river, please take every safety precaution and enjoy responsibly.
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Nagiso Tourism Association posted.
📍Yokawa District
Photos 1 and 2 show Yokawa this morning (12.24) ☀
Last night’s snow left a light dusting on the roads and the Yokawa trail!
If you plan to walk, please wear winter gear.
Photos 3–5 are from Tsumago in the morning yesterday ❄
There is no snow on Route 19. This morning it was −1°C ❄
If you are coming from or heading to the Achi or Iida areas, watch for snow and ice on the Seinaiji Pass 🚗⚠
It looks like we’ll have good weather today and tomorrow ✨
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Nagiso Tourism Association posted.
Here is tourist information for Nagiso town!
Momosuke Bridge [Important Cultural Property of Japan]
Momosuke Bridge (Momosukebashi) is one of Japan’s largest wooden suspension bridges spanning the Kiso River, with a total length of 247 meters and a width of 2.7 meters, and you can still walk across it.
In Taisho 11 (1922), Momosuke Fukuzawa (the son‑in‑law of Yukichi Fukuzawa), known as a power magnate, built the bridge as a transport route for materials during the Kiso River hydroelectric development 🌲🚃
From Showa 25 (1950) the bridge served as a village road, greatly helping local transportation between the communities on both banks and the commuting of high school and middle school students. However, by around Showa 53 (1978) deterioration advanced and full repairs were not possible, leaving the bridge close to being lost. Because many people advocated for its preservation and use, it was restored as a modern heritage asset (a tangible cultural property of Nagiso town) together with the development of the surrounding Tenpaku Park.
In Heisei 6 (1994) it was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Highlights✅
- A thrilling suspension bridge built at the widest part of the Kiso River!
- At the time, rails for a trolley used to transport materials ran along the center of the bridge; the restoration preserves traces of those rails so you can see them. Be sure to take a look ✨
- In spring you can also enjoy the cherry trees (Somei Yoshino) that bloom on the Nagiso Station side. On the hill of Tenpaku Park, where Momosuke Bridge stands, there is a azalea garden. Around early April about 400 azalea shrubs of six varieties, including the town flower mitsuba azalea, burst into bloom!
- From the observation deck opposite the azalea garden you can view Momosuke Bridge from above.
- You can go down from around the middle of Momosuke Bridge to the riverside park.
- The bridge is recommended in every season. Especially in spring, cherry blossoms, mitsuba azalea, and flowering peach trees bloom together 🌸
- The bridge is lit up, so you can walk it at night. It’s also a good spot for photographing with the stars. Please take care around your feet.
Access
- By car: Just off Route 19, free parking in Tenpaku Park (30 spaces); 3‑minute walk from the parking lot
- By JR: About a 5‑minute walk from JR Nagiso Station
Note: The carp streamer (koinobori) display shown in spring photos is not currently being held.
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Nagiso Tourism Association posted.
Here’s tourist information for Nagiso town!
Tenpaku Azalea Colony (Town Natural Monument)
A vast colony of mitsuba azalea blooms in Tenpaku Park.
About six varieties and roughly 400 azalea shrubs grow in the garden, and among them the Nagiso mitsuba azalea is a rare species found mainly around Nagiso town as its name suggests.
Bloom times shift slightly each year depending on the weather, but the best viewing period is generally from early to mid-April.
Perched on a hill in Tenpaku Park, the site offers excellent views of Momosuke Bridge and Mt. Kiso-Komagatake.
At the Nagiso Station side entrance to the wooden suspension bridge over the Kiso River, Momosuke Bridge, cherry blossoms also come into full bloom around early April, making it a recommended time to visit!
► Access
- By car: Immediately off National Route 19. Tenpaku Park has free parking (about 30 spaces).
- By train: About a 10-minute walk from JR Nagiso Station (closer if you cross Momosuke Bridge).
► Other information
- It is a five-minute uphill walk from the parking area to the azalea garden. Please avoid parking in front of the garden as it blocks residents’ passage. Visitors with mobility difficulties may be dropped off near the garden, but please park the vehicle in the parking lot.
- The parking area has restrooms and vending machines.
- The park includes the Momosuke Fukuzawa Memorial Museum and the Mountain History Museum, where you can learn about the history of Momosuke Bridge and its builder, Momosuke Fukuzawa.
- For current blooming conditions, please refer to the Nagiso Town Tourism Association website.
Enjoy the vivid purple blossoms carpeting the garden!
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Nagiso Tourism Association posted.
Notice of Winter Closure for Some Public Toilets in Town
To prevent freezing, some public toilets and drinking fountains in town were closed from Wednesday, December 11th. Please check the closure status of toilets at your destination in advance.
Closure period: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 – late March
*Toilets available during winter*
・Within Tsumago-juku, Tsumago-juku parking lot toilets
・Nakasendo Ishikochi Tachiba Teahouse, O-Tsumago, Kudaridani / Kurashina Soreisha toilets
・Mitomuno-juku toilets
・Kakitsubata Gorge parking lot toilets (on the Koiji Suspension Bridge side)
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Nagiso Tourism Association posted.
About sightseeing information during the New Year holidays
Here is an announcement about sightseeing information for the New Year holidays!
Have a wonderful New Year🐍✨
► Information centers and tourist facilities
Nagiso Town Tourism Association, Tsumago tourist information center, Nagiso Station tourist information center
Closed from Sunday, December 29 to Friday, January 3
Nagiso Town Museum (Wakihonjin Okuya, Tsumago inn (Tsumago-juku) main inn, History Museum)
Closed from Sunday, December 29 to Friday, January 3
► Buses
From Tuesday, December 31 to Friday, January 3, community buses (Magome Line and Hoshin Line) will operate reduced services. Some trips will run at different times than usual, so please be careful. Also, because tourist information centers will be closed from December 29 through January 3, tickets will not be sold during that period. Please pay the driver in cash when getting off the bus.
► Taxis
Nagiso Sightseeing Taxi (in the Tsumago No.1 parking lot)
Tuesday, December 31 to Friday, January 3: 8:00–17:00
Closed on Wednesday, January 1
Contact
Nagiso Sightseeing Taxi Co., Ltd.
TEL. (+81)-264-57-3133
► Tsumago-juku
For shop opening hours, please check the official Tsumago website.
*The photo shows the New Year’s first smoke signal ceremony on January 4 at the site of Tsumago Castle*
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Nagiso Tourism Association posted.
About road closure at Koiji Pass
Koiji Pass (Kakitsubata Gorge to Okua Village), will be closed during the winter due to expected snowfall and icy conditions. We ask for your cooperation.
Location: Koiji Pass (Kakitsubata Gorge to Nojiri, Okuwa Village)
Period: Friday, December 13, 2024 – mid-April
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Nagiso Tourism Association posted.
📍Wakihonjin Okuya (Tsumago inn)
A magical phenomenon called “slanting light,” visible only on clear winter days, is shining beautifully today!
Beams through the latticed windows draw white, elegant lines in the irori smoke 🪄
The slanting light begins to appear around 10:00, from the right side of the irori,
and now, at about 12:30, the light falls straight onto the irori. (Photographed today at 12:15)
When it centers on the middle is the best moment for a photo opportunity 📷
Around the winter solstice,
the light that now reaches about halfway across the irori moves forward, stretching nearly to the tatami.
The sun’s angle changes how the light falls ✨
Tomorrow’s forecast is clear, so you might catch the slanting light again ☀
Wakihonjin Okuya / Historical Museum (Nagiso Town Museum)
📍Within Tsumago-juku (Azuma, Nagiso town, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture 399-5302)
⏰9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:45)
🎌Closed on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays
💰600 yen
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