• Trial Run for Program to Attract Foreign Visitors in Togari Hot Springs

    We were invited to Togari Onsen (Iiyama City) to participate in a trial run for a program to attract visitors from overseas. Wearing a yukata – calligraphy lesson – making the local Sasa (bamboo leaf) sushi – carving chopsticks – picking nozawana radish stalks – minshuku stay with meals and onsen – neighborhood walk with the dog – e-bike ride along the Chikuma River – vegan lunch in the temple district. Highlights included the charming proprietress of Alpen Plaza minshuku and the granny who gave us persimmons while we strolled the neighborhood. What a fulfilling experience!

    December 5, 2023

  • Geisha Performance at Kamesei Ryokan in Onsen Town Togura Kamiyamada

    Veteran shamisen player Harukoma-san and newcomer dancer Kotomi on Tuesday for Patrick Harnett and guests, And Harukoma-san again tonight with lead dancer Takeshi for Keith Parker and Ken Parker and friends, and in our lobby by the wood stove. The 30-minute show consists of a couple of dances (this month’s special dance “Momiji no Hashi” and the samurai standard “Kawanakajima”. Then we all get in a circle and learn a traditional dance, and finish with Konpira Funefune, a traditional geisha drinking game.

    November 13, 2023

  • Koto Instrument Live and Experience near Matsumoto Castle Started!

    A local koto instructor Misato Shirasawa started koto music instrument experience and live show near Matsumoto Castle in English and Japanese from this August. She graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Traditional Japanese Music. You can listen to or experience koto music on Tue, Thu, Sun (except for August 13), starting 11 am, 1 pm, 2:20 pm, 3:40 pm. Refer to here for details. Now she is looking for free of charge foreign trial experiencer who live in Japan until September. If you are insterested as a trial participant, contact otowakokoro.jp@gmail.com or phone: 09042226211. You can hear her play on

    August 3, 2023

  • Shinano Railway Banzai Pass

    Shinano Railway Banzai Pass — 2 day pass good for anywhere on Shinano Railway between Shinonoi and Karuizawa including our station Togura as well as Ueda and Komoro, and the Kita- (North) Shinano Line from Nagano to Myoko Kogen including Kurohime, gateway to Lake Nojiri. The pass is only 2000 yen and is available only to foreigners, details here. Our guests, H-san, used the pass today to go from Togura to Ueda to see the castle, then on to Karuizawa for shopping. Tomorrow they will go to Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City and then on to Kurohime for Lake Nojiri. All for 2000 yen — what a bargain! Thank you, Shinano Railway!

    July 31, 2023

  • Nakano Rose Festa Takes Place May 27 to June 18

    Nakano City has been in the news lately for an unfortunate incident. Ordinarily it should be making headlines for its rose festival. The 2023 Shinshu-Nakano Rose Festa takes place May 27 to June 18th. 3000 rose bushes of 850 varieties from all over the world including England and even some developed locally in Nakano. A huge selection of rose plants for sale as well as crafts and … rosé parfait! The best part of the rose garden is the fragrant smell in the air!

    June 6, 2023

  • New Ryokans of Nagano Podcast is Live!

    2nd episode of my new Ryokans of Nagano podcast is live! Special thanks to Miyuki-san and Akinori Tsuji for sharing your story about running the lovely Tsuji Ryokan in mystical Togakushi. I hope everyone gets a chance to listen to this latest episode — I think it’s extra special, and will give you some insight into what it’s like being a ryokan proprietress as well as why Togakushi is famous for its spirituality, soba and … Togakure-Ryu.

    October 14, 2022

  • Japanese Culture Experience Days in Castle Town Matsumoto

    Join us for an immersive experience in Matsumoto City! Back by popular demand, there will be 3 chances to try a wide range of different cultural activities this summer and early fall. A full day of traditional Japanese cultural activities await you along Nakamachi Street. Learn more about some cool crafts and get to know the locals! Located in the heart of Matsumoto, Nakamchi’s lively history dates back hundreds of years to its days as a merchant storehouse district. The kura or storehouses have been well preserved and continue to hold wares, now in the form of chic shops and cafés. Where: Nakamachi Street, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture Dates: Aug 5, 2019 (Mon), Sep 10, 2019 (Tue), Sep 24, 2019 (Tue), Oct 8, 2019 (Tue), Oct 29, 2019 (Tue), Nov 12, 2019 (Tue), Dec 10, 2019 (Tue), Jan 21, 2020 …

    July 23, 2019

  • Day Trips from Hakuba to Matsumoto

    JR and Alpico bring you direct access to Matsumoto from Hakuba. Whether you would like to visit for the whole day, or just spend the evening there, train services run until 21:08, giving you time to head to the city even after you hit the slopes. Check out the flyer below or download it here for ideas of things to do and to plan your schedule.

    February 1, 2019

  • Nagano City Vege-Map has been featured!

    A college girls group, NinNin, has just made this map!! Let’s see the map and use it!  These choices are foreign friendly shops which the students visited and talked to the owner about the concept. They are Seisen Jogaguin College students who live in the city. They started learning tourism with NINJA Project (NPO) in the class, then they decided to make a circle called NinNin, to make maps for foreign visitors in 2016. They made City Walking Map last year, then the new leaders Manaka and Moemin have been researching the vegetarian map with some new members.The design is also made by Moemin.   Following PDF files are available to be downloaded. Vegemaptop. vegemapback

    April 14, 2018

  • Taiko Drum Workshop for Beginners in Matsumoto !

    No experience necessary! English speakers will be assisting! Learn to play taiko like a pro, from correct stance to proper drumming techniques. This one-hour lesson starts with the introduction of basic rhythms and finishes with you giving your very own performance! The workshop is being offered at a special discount price (¥3,000 OFF) this one time, so if you’ve ever thought about picking up taiko, now is a good time to try it out! You will be instructed by a member of the group Hibikiza. *Please note that participants will be filmed and/or have their pictures taken.* Date & Time: Feb 3 (Sat) 2 p.m. (duration:1 hr) Participants: Max 10 (ages 5+) Fee: ¥1,000 (discounted from ¥4,000!) Location: Agetsuchi Theater (formerly Piccadilly Hall) 4-7-2 Ote, Matsumoto City Registration: Fill out the form on this page (press the blue button at the …

    January 11, 2018