Southern Nagano
Major city/town/village in Southern Nagano
All located in Ina valley.
IIda
The southernmost and the fifth largest city by population in Nagano prefecture, an environmental model city, designated by the Japanese government to be a model for making large cuts in green house gas emissions towards a low-carbon society. Iida is located along Tenryu river which runs through Ina valley. Iida is famous for apple farms.
Takamori
A town of Ichida-gaki, dried persimmon (kaki).
Oshika
The village is listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan.
Shimojo
A place to watch clear night sky full of stars.
Toyooka
A village of fruit farms.
Tenryu
Nakaisamurai is one of the most famous hikyo(secluded) stations in Japan and there is a tea farm beside the station.
Tenryukyo Gorge
Tatsumi Farm
Shimoguri Village
Sorasampo
Nakaisamurai
Nakaya Farm
How to get there?
From Tokyo:
Limited express train Azusa to Okaya and transfer to Iida line. Or intercity bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal.
From Osaka/Kyoto:
Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari train to Toyohashi and transfer to Iida line.
From Nagoya:
Intercity bus from Meitetsu Bus Terminal.
When to go?
Southern Nagano does not have much snowfall as like in northern Nagano. However, best season is from April to November.
The region is crowded in Spring and in autumn. Especially, Tenryu gorge is full of tourists in autumn.
What to see?
Iida castle ruins, Moto-Zenkoji temple, Odaira post town, Shimoguri village, Tatsumi Farm, Tenryu gorge and etc.
What to buy/try?
Apple, nashi pear and those related products including cider.
Dried persimmon, Ichida-gaki.
Mizuhiki, Japanese artfom of knot-tying.
Iida yakiniku(BBQ). Wagashi, Japanese confection.