History / Culture / Tour Spots in Kisoji Area

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Kisoji

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Narai-juku (post town)

4.5

354 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Shiojirishi Narai

Long ago, the Nakasendo was an important highway connecting Edo and Kyoto, and many travelers stopped at the post town of Narai-juku before or after crossing the Torii Pass following this route. The post town once prospered due to the many people moving along the highway, and the town was even described as “Narai Sen-ken” (1,000 buildings of Narai). Narai was quite large, and divided into three districts—uptown, midtown, and downtown, and today the townscape remains mostly unchanged from its heyday. In 1978, the post town was designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.

It was great to get to Narai-juku early in the morning before all the shops opened & the arrival of bus loads of tourists. We parked our vehicle for 500 yen @ the train station. Convenient & clean...
Kozenji Temple

4.5

156 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Komaganeshi Akaho 29

Kozenji Temple contains ten halls and is widely revered as the dwelling place of many deities of the South Shinshu region. It was established in 860 by Honjo Shonin and was mainly built to worship Acala, the God of Fire. The temple is undergoing renovations and maintenance until 2020, so some pathways have been changed. Make sure to confirm in advance. It’s about 10 minutes by car from the Komagane Interchange on the Chuo Expressway.

We came to see the weeping sakura but were impressed by this temple. Very tranquil temple with a well-laid out garden backed up to the natural mountain forest. The sakura are of many, many varieties...
Wakihonjin Okuya

4.5

39 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Kisogunnagisomachi Aduma 2190

This is one of the facilities of the Nagiso Town Museum located 10 minutes away by bus or taxi from JR Nagiso Station in Nagano Prefecture. This building was built in 1877 using plenty of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood that had been forbidden to use., and served as an inn and warehouse throughout the generations. It is also where Yufusan, Shimazaki Toson’s first love, came to live after her marriage. It became a nationally-designated Important Cultural Property in 2001. The museum is composed together with Tsumago-juku Honjin and a historical museum, and you can tour them both with a common ticket.

This historic musuem gave us a peek into how the locals live during the Edo period. The Honjin and Waki-honjin were luxurious buildings constructed along the post towns of the Nakasendo highway for...
Komagane Silk Museum

4.0

16 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Komaganeshi Higashina 482

"This silkworm and silk museum is located in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture. In the permanent exhibition on the first floor, they exhibit the history of silk and the process of weaving raw silk. In addition, there is an experiential workshop where you can come into contact with silk, and you can have various experiences such as ""cocoon crafts."" On the second floor, there is a museum shop, all-you-can-eat restaurant and other facilities, making it a place to enjoy yourself all day long."

孫娘たちと駒ヶ根に行った折に立ち寄った。久しぶりに繭を見た。孫娘たちは、はしゃぎながら創作に取り組んでいた。
Fukushima Sekisho Museum

4.0

15 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Kisogunkisomachi Fukushima Seki cho 5031-1

You’ll find this archive in Fukushima Sekimachi of Kiso Town. It has been situated on a key point along the Nakasendo, one of the five major highways radiating from Edo, for about 270 years, and it features a faithful restoration of the Fukushima checkpoint, one of the four major checkpoints. You’ll find exhibits with documents related to the checkpoint, as well as historical transport restrictions such as the “iriteppo” and “deonna” policies.

Very historic place .The important Sekisho which is the control gate of old Edo era road Nakasendo. Even the princes of the emperor had passed here to go to Tokyo in the 18th century. The people here...
Nakamura Residence

4.0

15 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Shiojirishi Narai 311

The wood manufacturing industries such as comb manufacturing and lacquerware flourished in Narai-juku during the Edo period. The “Nakamura Residence”, which was the residence of Nakamura Rihei who ran a comb wholesalers in Narai-juku is a typical Narai-juku merchant’s style building with the feature of the second floor slightly jutting out (overhanging beam structure). It has been registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Shiojiri City, and the residence is open to the public as a museum.

[奈良井宿]に《国重要文化財》指定の建築物が 2件ありその内の1件です[他の1件[手塚家住宅（上問屋史料館）]]。こちらで印象に残ったのは外観的；[奈良井宿]の建築物の特徴である《鎧庇》と《猿頭》の説明文（添付写真参照）が掲示してあり 2階から 1階を眺めると《鎧庇》と《猿頭》が良く見え [奈良井宿]の建築物の特徴が良く理解出来ることです。又小さな入口から腰をかがめて内部に入ると江戸時代...
Kiso Living Craft Center

4.0

13 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Shiojirishi Kisohirasawa 2272-7

At Kiso Living Craft Center you can learn about the techniques and history of traditional crafts such as wood culture and lacquer work. On the second floor is a craftsman gallery where crafts people are introduced and products are put on display and on sale. In the restaurant you can try the main course Japanese dishes which are made with local ingredients. And in the cafe owned by a person from Finland you can see their own hand crafted items on display. Also on sale are selected specially made products from Shiojiri and Kiso such as pickles, local sake, and Shiojiri wine. Visitors are welcome to have a go at creating their own traditional craft works when booking in advance. (Reservations are required two weeks in advance)

漆器は勿論、白木の木工製品やワイン、地酒などお土産が揃います。サクッと地元のお土産を買いたい時には便利です。
Kamidonya Museum of History

4.0

12 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Shiojirishi Narai 379

The Kamidonya Museum of History was designated an Important Cultural Property in 2007. It was a wholesale dealer from the start of the modern era until the Bakumatsu period, and toward the end of the modern period it also served as village headquarters. The displays showcase old documents, daily articles, and various tools from that period. There are approximately 100 written articles and 300 tools. It’s open from the beginning of March through the end of December, and it’s about 15 minutes on foot from JR Narai Station.

[奈良井宿]にある《国重要文化財》指定の建築物が2件ありその内の1件です（他の1件；[中村家住宅（櫛問屋...
Daihoji Temple

3.5

13 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Shiojirishi Narai 423

This temple is a Myoshin-ji Temple of the Rinzai sect and was established in 1582 in Narai, Shiojiri City. Jurojin, one of the seven deities of good fortune, is worshipped here, and this is also a sacred spot visited by those making pilgrimages to various temples. There is also a Maria Jizo, whose shattered head serves as a famous symbol of the suppression of Christians in the Edo period. It is a popular spot for azalea viewing in June and the changing of the leaves in autumn.

《マリア地蔵》があるとのことで訪問しました。《マリア地蔵》と呼ばれるものとして[埼玉県幸手市]にもありますがこちらの《マリア地蔵》は子供の持つ蓮華の先が十字状（添付写真参照）になっておりよりこれが隠れキリシタンの為の地蔵尊ではないかと印象付けられます。
Niekawa Sekisho

3.5

12 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Shiojiri-shi Niekawa 1568-1

A five-minute walk from Niekawa Station on the JR Chuo Main Line. Standing at the northern entrance to the section of the Nakasendo Road known as the Kisoji road, this ancient checkpoint barrier was built as a substation of the Fukushima Sekisho, considered one of the three most important checkpoint barriers in Japan. Before it was demolished in the early Meiji period, the barrier was used as a guardhouse to monitor the comings and goings of people and property on the Nakasendo Road, and to control the movement of runaway wives and shipments of unfinished lumber. The barrier was rebuilt on land owned by JR based on a large number of documents; even the layout and plot size have been faithfully recreated. Inside, visitors can view exhibits on the barrier as well as pottery and stone tools dating to the Jomon period discovered as part of archeological excavations in the Kiso area.

開館前に到着したが、親切に案内解説してくれて感激しました。岩倉具視の恋文？など、当時の位ある者はやたら女に声掛けた話は「さもありなん」。ただ期待していた周辺遺跡の考古資料の展示は人気が無い？早々に撤去されたのは残念でした。その手の情報は無く、臨時休業なども管理者が独断で決めている？又、電車の本数がやたら少なく中山道歩くには程よいが一般旅行者には「二度とくるな」扱い(日本中JRは縮小して車以外は不...
Yoshinaka-yakata

3.5

10 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Kiso-gun Kisomachi Hiyoshi 290-1

A museum located in Hiyoshi, Kiso Town, Kiso County, Nagano Prefecture. The museum contains exhibits on late Heian period military commander Minamoto no Yoshinaka (also known as Kiso Yoshinaka), who was raised in Hiyoshi from childhood, presenting the man's life and achievements via documents and other historical materials as well as dioramas and mannequins. The museum also adjoins the Tokuonji Temple, the location of the graves of Yoshinaka and Tomoe Gozen, a female samurai who was one of the warriors to serve under the commander.

歴史的には平清盛と源頼朝がどうしても注目されますが、忘れてはいけないのが同じくらいの勢力を誇った源義仲。木曽の山奥から平氏打倒を目指した熱い想いがよく分かります。資料も豊富で興味深いです。
Honjin (Tsumago Juku)

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Kisogunnagisomachi Aduma

Restored in 1995, Honjin served as lodging for feudal lords passing through. The Shimazaki family oversaw it starting with the establishment of the post town system and acted as village leaders as well until the Meiji Period (1868-1912) when it was demolished. The final owner was Shimazaki Toson’s older brother Hirosuke. Also, their mother was born there. The Honjin you see today was restored based on pictures from the Shimazaki family collection. When you visit, you’ll see models of even earlier versions of the building, and there’s a traditional irori hearth that they light every day. You can visit the Honjin, Wakihonjin Okuya, and Nagiso (town) Museum of History with a single ticket.
Rinsenji Temple

3.0

11 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Kiso-gun Agematsumachi Agematsu 1704

A Buddhist temple located in Agematsu Town, Kiso County, Nagano Prefecture. The grounds encompass an observatory with a commanding view of Nezame no Toko, a picturesque destination on the Kiso River which has also been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty; and a treasure house museum whose exhibits include a fishing rod said to have belonged to the legendary Urashima Taro. Each month on the 29th (excluding in winter), the Nezame Market is held on the grounds, and here you can purchase local specialty products.

お寺の中に寝覚の床への入り口があるとのことだったので、こちらを経由して行きましたが、どうやら他の場所からも寝覚の床へ降りることができるようでした。（遠いのかもしれません）お寺自体は、見応えがあるような感じではありませんでしたが、入場料200円となっています。
Narakawa Historical and Folklore Museum

3.5

9 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Shiojiri-shi Narai 68

An 18-minute walk from Narai Station on the JR Chuo Main Line. This museum is located at the entrance to the Torii Pass and was opened in 1973. Here visitors can experience how the lives of the people of Kiso changed between the time the area was a post station town in the Edo period through the Meiji and Taisho periods and on into the Showa period. The museum building is modeled after a traditional Japanese home. The first floor primarily contains displays of tools and everyday items used in the Edo period, and here visitors will feel like they've traveled back in time. Exhibits include actual implements still used in festivals held by Shizume Shrine today, everyday folk articles dating to as far back as the Edo period, and other folk materials, as well as inn tags used as currency in post station towns.

2022年11月4日に訪問するとこちらは（土）（日）（祝）のみの開館（添付写真参照）となっていましたのでこちらを訪問予定されている方はこの点留意願います。[奈良井宿]内の他の2施設[中村家住宅（櫛問屋）国重要文化財][手塚家住宅（上問屋史料館）国重要文化財]は特に問題なく入館出来ました。
Shiojiri City Hiraide Historical Museum

4.0

8 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Shiojiri-shi Soga 1011-3

A museum situated along the scenic Shinonome no Michi road a 10-minute drive from the Shiojiri Interchange on the Nagano Expressway. Hiraide is the location of the Hiraide ruins, one of Japan's three largest archeological sites, and this museum primarily displays around 20 thousand pottery and stone tools excavated at the site dating to between the Jomon period and the Heian period. Some of the objects on display are extremely valuable and rare, such as the Prefectural Treasure-designated Shibamiya Dotaku bell; and the Shobusawa Gato spire, Japan's largest at 232 centimeters tall. The museum also holds events which enable participants to experience what life was like for Japan's ancient peoples, such as fire starting, pottery making, and magatama comma-shaped stone jewel making classes. The museum has designed the events to enable children to experience the wonders of ancient times, as well.

こちらの展示は館内と屋外に分かれており展示物が種々ありますが最も印象に残ったのは館内の展示物として《菖蒲沢瓦塔奈良時代高さ232cm 全国に残る瓦塔では高さNO.1 とのこと》、屋外では《登り窯奈良時代》でした。《登り窯》も全国あちこちで鑑賞したことありましたが [奈良時代]の《登り窯》となると非常に珍しいのではないでしょうか。なおこちらは公共交通を利用して訪問出来ない場...
Joshoji Temple

4.0

7 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Kiso-gun Okuwamura Suhara 831-1

A Buddhist temple located in Suhara, Okuwa Village, Kiso County, Nagano Prefecture. Founded by the 11th head of the Kiso clan, the temple is the oldest along the Kisoji road and is located on the outskirts of what was once the prosperous Nakasendo Road post station town of Suhara-juku. The temple's main gate, kitchen, and main temple building have been designated National Important Cultural Properties.

木曽郡大桑村須原にある臨済宗妙心寺派の寺院。木曽町の興禅寺、長福寺とともに木曽三大寺のひとつ。日本最古の「蕎麦切り」に関する文書が発見されている。
Takase Museum

3.5

7 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Kiso-gun Kisomachi Fukushima Sekimachi 4788

"A museum located in Seki-machi Fukushima, Kiso Town, Kiso County, Nagano Prefecture. The museum operates out of the old Takase residence, the home of the family author Toson Shimazaki's older sister married into and a motif in his novel ""The Family."" The museum contains exhibits on Shimazaki as well as displays containing items such as tools used in making medicines, the business of the family that lived here."

200円払って入ると、高瀬家の娘さんが家や宿場の歴史、藤村の事等を話してくれました。長い一族の歴史が現在まで語り継がれている事に感心、話しも面白くて楽しめました。
Shiojiri City Museum of Natural History

3.5

4 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Shiojiri-shi Shiojirimachi 1090

A seven-minute taxi ride from Shiojiri Station on the JR Chuo Main Line. A fun and educational destination for adults and children alike, this museum has a variety of exhibits on the natural world, animals, and insects, and also hold special seasonal exhibitions. The museum's nature watching events, held throughout the year, enable participants to see seasonal plants and animals in the wild, including the wilderness of Kamikochi and waterfowl on the Saigawa Swan Lake. The museum holds five special exhibitions a year as well as plant painting exhibitions, insect specimen exhibitions, and a variety of events. The museum shop's cardboard 3D insect puzzles are particularly popular.

道の駅でトイレ休憩しようと思い、駐車場に入ると、、、。何と、博物館のような施設が。塩尻市立自然博物館と書かれている。時間的にも余裕があったので、入館。入口横には妖怪あまびえの像が。館内は、高ボッチ高原などの動物・植物の紹介展示となっている。特に、蝶の標本が多く展示されている。キジ・鹿のはく製展示は今にも動き出しそう。地下には、翌日からの特別展示（野鳥の切り絵）の準備が進んでいた。
Postal Museum

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Kisogunnagisomachi Aduma 2197-5

This historical museum is located in Nagiso Town, Kiso County, Nagano Prefecture, and adjoins the Tsumago Post Office, which is still in use today. Tsumago Post Office was featured in Toson Shimazaki’s “Before the Dawn,” and was restored under the guidance of the current Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in fiscal year 1978. It has Japan’s only black mail box modeled after that in use when the post office first opened. Inside you can find Japan’s first stamp, the actual marks used before the current postal mark, correspondence from Toson Shimazaki’s older brother and niece, and other items for a total of approximately 270 articles being stored and exhibited.
Tsumago-juku Kosatsuba

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Kisogunnagisomachi Aduma Wife Hostel

This replica of a kosatsuba (old public notice board) is located in Nagiso-machi, Kiso County, Nagano Prefecture. The kosatsuba showed prohibitions and laws to the common people from the shogunate government and is similar to government bulletin boards today, and it is characterized by its appearance of looking down on people as if portraying the power of the shogun. The real one is on display at the Nagiso-machi Museum.

Nagano Kisoji

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Nagano Areas

Nagano prefecture is an exciting mix of mountains, hot spring monkeys, and preserved Edo history. At the heart of the Japanese Alps, Nagano is one of the country’s most popular destinations, whether in winter for its snow sports and the much-loved Jigokudani Monkey Park or in the warmer months for discovering the undulating hills on foot. For fantastic Edo architecture, head to the Kiso Valley for a 60-kilometer stretch of quaint wooden buildings that marked the Nakasendo route 200 years ago.