This is the Shinshu Nagawacho Tourism Association. Nice to meet you! Nagawacho, Nagano Prefecture, lies in central Nagano with abundant nature and a living history. ◇ History of Nagawacho, Nagano Prefecture When the Nakasendo route linking Edo and Kyoto ran through the area in the Edo period, Nagawacho hosted two post towns, Nagakubo-juku and Wada-juku, whose traces remain as tourist spots today. ・Nakasendo: 28th Station Wada-juku Located at the foot of Wada Pass, a difficult section with about an 800-meter elevation change on the Nakasendo, many travelers rested and restored their energy here. The nationally designated historic sites Wada-juku Main Camp, Rekishi no Michi Shiryokan Kawachiya, and Daikokuya stand side by side, letting you feel the atmosphere of the Edo period. ・Nakasendo: 17th Station Nagakubo-juku In the Edo period there were 43 inns, making it the second largest of the 26 post towns in Shinano. Hoshikuso Pass in Nagawacho, Nagano Prefecture, has been a source of obsidian for ages, and many people lived there. Hard, easily worked obsidian served as material for stone tools for some 30,000 years. ◇ Attractions in Nagawacho, Nagano Prefecture◇ ・Utsukushigahara Highlands This lava plateau centers on Mt. Ogatou at 2,034 meters and offers sweeping views of Mount Fuji, Yatsugatake, and the Northern Alps. You can also see peaceful scenes of cows grazing on Utsukushigahara. The evacuation tower called the Tower of Beauty, placed in the highlands' center to ring a bell and protect climbers when fog forms, has become a symbol of Utsukushigahara. ・Roadside Station Marumero No Eki Nagato A recommended spot for buying souvenirs, offering fresh local vegetables and specialties. In June 2020 a direct-sales shop with an Edo-period–style exterior, Marche Kokuyo, opened. ・Kokuyo Water Near the tollgate of the Wada Pass toll road, the famous water plaza springs from bedrock filtered through obsidian. It is listed among Shinshu’s 37 Famous Waters. ・Nagato Hot Spring Yasuragi no Yu This day‑use hot spring facility adjacent to Roadside Station Marumero No Eki Nagato features a sodium sulfate spring, one of Japan’s three renowned “beauty” spring types. There is an open‑air bath and a source‑flowing “kama bath.” ・Wadashuku Onsen Fureai no Yu A day‑use hot spring located within the vast sports park Yuyu Park. The spring quality is calcium–sodium sulfate. From the azumaya‑style open‑air bath you can enjoy seasonal scenery. ・Obsidian Experience Museum Excavation results are presented clearly through actual stone tools, animations, and models. ・Hoshikuso-kan Obsidian Mine Exhibition Room Projection mapping directly onto strata illustrates Jomon‑period obsidian mining revealed by excavations, making the process easy to understand. ※Visitors must register at the Obsidian Experience Museum before entering. ・Blanche Takayama Ski Resort A skier‑only resort boasting an 80% clear‑sky rate. With a variety of runs, it’s a ski area families can enjoy. ※The 2023–2024 season ended on March 31. ◇ Events in Nagawacho, Nagano Prefecture◇ ・Otaya Festival An annual festival held around January at Furumachi Toyoke Grand Shrine. Five floats are dedicated within the town. ・Wada-juku Post Town Festival A festival during the Obon period that recreates the history and culture of Wada-juku, drawing many visitors. At night lanterns light the post town. ◇ Local specialties and products of Nagawacho, Nagano Prefecture Local specialties include Dattan‑soba and deep‑fried rainbow trout. These products, nurtured by Nagawacho’s rich nature, delight many visitors with their fresh flavors. ◇ Enjoy your visit to Nagawacho, Nagano Prefecture Nagawacho welcomes you with abundant nature and streets where the atmosphere of the Edo period remains. We will share recommended information to help you fully enjoy your trip to Nagawacho, Nagano Prefecture, so please follow us. We sincerely look forward to your visit.