Kiso Valley in Nagano Prefecture

This post can contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links.

Facts & Figures

The Kiso Valley has a length of app. 60km and follows the Kiso River from the north to the south. It is located in the southwestern part of the Nagano Prefecture surrounded by the Central Alps and Mount Ontake, Japan’s second tallest volcano after Mt. Fuji. The alpine and densely forested area is crossed by the historic Nakasendo Route (means path through mountains), a former merchant road. Since 2004 I have traveled nearly every year to Japan. The rail pass made my life easier to discover all those amazing places in my favorite country.
 Get Your Pass Now and Save! > This route connected Kyoto with Edo (present-day Tokyo) and featured in total 69 station towns. Kiso Valley's main attractions are the beautiful natural scenery, amazing hiking trails, waterfalls, hot springs, crystal clear rivers, and the old restored post towns like Magome, Tsumago, and Narai. Many wooden products you will find in souvenir shops are made of hinoki cypress, which guarantees the highest quality. Special tip: Another way to explore this beautiful area is via Kayak. Go rafting on the Kiso River, or paddle over Lake Ontake and Lake Shizenko.

My tips for local activities in the Kiso Valley area

Explore within a day trip the best parts of Narai, Matsumoto Castle, or Nagano with a local English-speaking guide. The personalized tour by our partner GetYourGuide is an absolute highlight. For more details check out this page >

History

The Nakasendo Route had a length of more than 530km and was created when the Tokugawa shoguns ruled Japan from 1603 till 1867. Part of this route, which runs through the Kiso Valley, is called Kiso-ji Road. The Kiso-ji Road consists of eleven post stations/towns every 8 to 16km. Touristic highlights are the following 3 post towns Narai, Tsumago, and Magome.

Sightseeing spots in and around Kiso Valley

Top:

Mt. Ontake-san hiking - Enjoy the 3hrs hike to the top (3,067m) of this holy mountain, which is still an active volcano. Mt. Ontake has been a pilgrimage destination for over 1000 years.

Tsumago to Magome - The 3-hour hiking tour along the Nakasendo Route is a must-do on your Japan trip.

Narai - It is an old well-preserved post town along the Nakasendo Route at the foot of the Torii Mountain Pass (1197m). Narai is with its historical buildings the perfect example of how traditional Japanese architecture looked like during the Edo period (1603 – 1868). Read more >

Tsumago - It is a very popular tourist destination in the Nagano prefecture and is also known as the best-preserved post town from the Edo period (1603 - 1867) in Japan. For example, the power lines, TV antennas, and telephone poles you usually see in cities all over the country are hidden in the ground. Tsumago is the 42nd out of 69 stations along the Nakasendo Route (534 km). Read more >

Magome - Magome was the 43rd out of 69 stations along the Nakasendo Route (534 km). It has a good infrastructure for tourists with many souvenir shops, restaurants, and inns. Interesting to know that the famous poet Toson Shimazaki (1872 - 1943) was born here. Read more >

Iwamura Castle - The ruins of the castle can be found in the small town of Ena (Gifu prefecture). It is located 721 meters above sea level, which makes it one of the highest in the country.

Eno - The small city is located along the Nakasendo Route and home to the well-known Nakasendo Hiroshige Museum. The famous ukiyo-e artist Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) made wonderful classic paintings of the route and villages. Eno is also known for its pottery craft.

Kiso Fukushima - It is the largest post town within the Kiso Valley. Kiso Fukushima was the 37th station out of 69 stations along the Nakasendo Route and one of the four security checkpoints. The beautiful Edo-style buildings along the banks of the Kiso River are definitely worth a visit.

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

June

in Narai: Narai-juku Festival (5th till 7th)
The festival celebrates the processions of tea also known as ocha-tsubo-dou-chuu during the Edo period.

August

in Tsumago: Fire Festival (fourth Saturday)
The festival is held near the ruins of Tsumago Castle. Enjoy the Kiso dance performances.

November

in Tsumago: Fuzoku Emaki Gyoretsu Parade (23rd)
Local people wearing costumes from the late Edo period (Bunka-Bunsei 19th century) during this big parade.

in Magome: Shukuba Matsuri (23rd)
The parade with traditional costumes is the highlight of the Magome-juku post-town festival.