The antithesis of Tokyo’s famous neon nightscapes, the clean mountain air and clear night skies make Shimoina a wonderful place to take in the stars.
Achi Village has been recognized by the Ministry of Environment as the best place for star gazing in Japan, with the Central and Southern Alps providing both elevation and also blocking man-made illumination from surrounding areas. A gondola ride from the Heavens Sonohara ground station takes you to Achi Star Village, a purpose-built facility for enjoying the natural illumination of the skies above.
Access the website here.
Japanese only, which can be machine translated manually in browsers which support. Has Google map for access.
The “Moto” in Motozenkoji means “original,” and this 1,400 year old temple was the first place the sacred Buddhist Image of Sangoku Denrai was enshrined before being moved to Zenkoji in Nagano City. It is said you must visit both temples, as visiting one is only half a pilgrimage.
The Image originated in India and was brought to Japan via ancient Paekche (modern day Korea) in 552 AD, before being lost during a war between clans. It was found submerged in a moat by Honda Yoshimitsu, who retrieved it and enshrined it in Motozenkoji, before being moved to Zenkoji almost half a century later.
You can go underneath the main temple via a pitch-black passageway called the Kaidan Meguri. Somewhere along the path is the Kaiun no Jomae, sometimes translated as key of life or lock of fortune. See if you can find it!
Access the website here.
Japanese only, which can be machine translated manually in browsers which support. Has Google map for access.
“Tenryu” means Heavenly Dragon, and this beautiful gorge lives up to the evocative name. The Tenryu river itself originates in Lake Suwa in the north, winding its way along the Ina valley floor before emptying into the Pacific – but to get there, it long ago carved its way through the rock, resulting in the impressive cliff faces lining the river as it passes through.
There are a number of impressive bridges which span the river by Tenryukyo, and a gentle hiking trail linking many of them together. Along the way, watch out of the Jussho, ten characters carved into the rocks of the cliff faces in 1882 by Kusakabe Meikaku, a famous calligrapher.
There are stunning views all year-round, including plum blossoms in February, Azalea in April, as well as cherry blossoms in Sakura season. The region is also famous for the turning of the autumn leaves.
You can also take a river cruise to enjoy the glorious views from the back of the Heavenly Dragon itself!
There are also three hot springs offering day tickets, as well as a public foot bath you can enjoy in between hiking. Several fruit farms offer fruit picking, and the souvenir shops include “Tenryukyo Yaki,” a local style of pottery firing.
Access the website here.
Tourist board website. Japanese and provided English machine translation. Google map provided.
Iida City’s “Jojuri” puppetry culture stretches back over 300 years, with four local groups keeping the tradition alive and thriving: Imada, Kuroda, Furota and Waseda. The Imada and Kuroda troupes maintain their own puppetry halls where you can enjoy performances.
The city has also hosted the international puppet festival every August since 1979, and you can visit the Kawamoto Puppetry Museum year round, a venue founded by renowned puppet artist Kawamato Kihachiro, famous for the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” puppet show broadcast on NHK.
Access the website here.
Main puppet museum in Iida City. Japanese only, which can be machine translated manually in browsers which support. Has Google map for access.
Reputedly an inspiration for Studio Ghibli, the famous writer Fukuda Kyuya also said of this stunning mountain village: “I don’t know a more beautiful and peaceful village than Shimoguri.” Resting on 30-degree mountain slopes a kilometer above sea-level, and surrounded on three sides by the Japanese Alps, Shimoguri-no-Sato is one of Japan’s three “hidden valleys.”
It is possible to visit by car and there is a visitor car park, however, the roads are very narrow and winding, and the elevation is high. If you do visit by car, the “Viewpoint” sightseeing deck is less than 30 minutes walk from the visitor car park, and you can navigate on your own. On return, you can eat at Hanbatei, which offers local specialties such as dengaku, which are local potatoes glazed with miso and grilled. Alternatively, the village does provide 2 guided tours, which require 14 days notice for booking. Details on the website link below.
The village is also famous for the Shimotsuki festival, a rite more than 800 years old which is designated an important cultural folk property by the Japanese government. “Shimotsuki” is the ancient name for the month of December, when days grow dark and the cycle of life and death grows cold. The priests offer hot water to invite the gods of Japan to visit in order to bring new life for the coming year. The festival is said to have inspired scenes in Miyazaki Hayao’s “Spirited Away.”
Toyama tourist association page. Japanese and provided English machine translation.
