Nagano③ Naraijuku(Kiso)・Achi -長野：奈良井宿（木曽）・阿智村

【Background】One of the sixty-nine inns on the Nakasendo route (Itabashi to Moriyama), excluding Kusatsu and Otsu inns that are shared with Tokaido, Narai inn is the 34th inn from Itabashi inn on the Edo side or Moriyama inn on the Kyoto side, exactly in the middle of the Nakasendo route. It is also the longest post town in Japan, extending approximately 1 km from north to south along the Nakasendo, and has been designated as a preservation district for groups of traditional buildings.
Some useful booklet is here!
【Sightseeing Points】MAP of KISO, MAP of Naraijuku
Sizume Shrine : The shrine is said to have started a ritual to quell an epidemic that broke out in Narai-juku, and to do so, the main deity of the shrine was imported from Katori Shrine in Chiba Prefecture.
Nakasendo Cedar Trees: The cedar trees along the Nakasendo Road are several hundred years old. The Nakasendo cedar avenue is lined with large cedar trees that are hundreds of years old and have long since grown into a row of trees.
The “Maria Jizo” : in the precincts of Taihoji Temple is named after a child-rearing Jizo, and its headless figure bears the sad history of hidden Christians.
Kiso no Ohashi : The beautiful all-cypress drum bridge is one of the largest bridges without piers in Japan. Crossing the bridge, visitors will find a vast lawn park (waterfront park), which is illuminated after sunset.
Nakamura Residence of Former Comb Wholesaler: The Nakamura Residence was built immediately after the great fire at Naraijuku in 1838, and has remained to this day. It is a building that shows the characteristics of the house construction of Narai-juku.
Kougetsu-do: This shop sells a variety of products such as old pottery, lacquer ware, and old furniture.
Lacquer Art Hanikada : Offers stylish traditional lacquerware and traditional crafts.
Traveling antique dealer -hito.to- : A warehouse that collects old items from the community and delivers them to those who need them.
Sugi-no-Mori Sake Brewery : The highest brewery in Japan, Sugi-no-Mori brews a new sake called “narai” using water from the mountains that has moistened Naraijuku and sake rice grown in Azumino.
Shukuba Café Izumiya: A cozy sofa room with beams and a sunken hearth. Kimono rental and dressing services are also available.
Naraijuku Market: Traditional local dishes such as Gohei-mochi (rice cake), Nozawana pickles, and Sunkizuke (pickles) are available. At the cafe next door, “100-year-old rice curry” is very popular. (closed during Dec. to March)

【Accommodations】
Oyado Iseya: Established in 1818, this inn is a long-established inn that still maintains its original building and is representative of the Naraijuku style of architecture.
Echigoya Ryokan: Established over 220 years ago, Echigoya Ryokan is the only inn still in business in Naraijuku. Only two couples per day are allowed to stay.

【Access】
From Tokyo
Shinjuku (JR Chuo Line Limited Express Azusa) → Shiojiri (JR Chuo Line) → Narai Station (3h10min)
From Nagoya
Nagoya (JR Chuo Line) → Kisofukushima (JR Chuo Line) → Narai station (1h50min)

Achi Village : located in the southern tip of Nagano Prefecture and surrounded by rich nature, is recognized by the Ministry of the Environment as the village with the most beautiful starry sky in Japan. Please stay overnight in Achi Village.

【Sightseeing points】Hirugami hotspring area map
Stargazing Star Village Achi: Achi is a paradise for stargazing.
Two types of tours are held: the Night Tour of Paradise and the Sea of Clouds Harbor held early in the morning from mid-October to mid-November.
Rakuen no Night Tour: Fujimidai Kogen Haven-sonohara is located in Achi-mura, Shinshu, a village rich in nature.The ropeway is 2,500 meters long, with a height difference of 600 meters, and takes about 15 minutes to reach the 1,400-meter-high point.
At the top of the mountain, where no city lights reach, all the lights will be turned off at the signal.Then, countless stars will shine brightly, a spectacle that cannot be seen in the city.
Ticket system: 2,000 yen~ (including gondola fee)

Hanamomo no Sato (Peach Blossom Village): From early April to early May, this is Japan’s largest peach orchard, with approximately 5,000 red, white, and pink flowers in full bloom, creating a spectacular gradation of scenery. The village is lined with the largest number of flowering peach trees in Japan.
ACHI BASE : Tourist information, arrangement & rental store in and around the village, renting bicycles, parkas, trekking shoes, etc. Closed on Wednesdays.
HIRUGAMI ASAICHI MARKET : [April to October] 6:00 – 8:00 [November to March] 6:30 – 8:00
The morning market is held every morning, 365 days a year. Producers sell their products directly. The products on display vary depending on the season. Vegetables, fruits, and processed goods are all available. Processed goods, etc. are all lined up.

【Accommodations】
Hirugami Grand Hotel TENSHIN : Located in the center of the hot spring resort area, the hotel is right in front of the morning market. The hotel boasts a large bath with a view and a large roof garden open-air bath made of hinoki cypress.
Ginga Momiji Campsite: This campsite has been recognized as having the best starry sky in Japan. Experience an extraordinary camping experience while looking at a star-filled sky!
Furusato Village Nature Park Seina-no-mori Campsite: A wide range of campers can enjoy camping, from cottages for families and beginners to hammock-only sites for advanced campers.
Bangakuso : Late April to mid-November, lights out at 21:00, lodging from 4,000 yen
4257-96, Chisato, Achimura, Shimoina-gun, Nagano

【Access】
From Tokyo
　・Train & Bus
　Shinjuku (JR Chuo Line Express Azusa) → Kamisuwa (Achi★Nichigami Bus [Suwa service]) → Achi Nichigami (3H40M)
　　*Reservations required for buses, one round trip per day, departing from Kamisuwa at 12:30 and leaving from Achi Hijigami at 15:00. Click here for online reservations.
　・Bus & Taxi
　Shinjuku (Basta Shinjuku Chuo Liner) → Chuo Expressway Nichujin Onsen → Achi Nichujin (4H10min)
From Nagoya
　・Train & Bus 　
　Nagoya (JR Chuo Line Limited Express Shinano) → Nakatsugawa (Achi★Nichigami Bus [Suwa Service]) → Achi Nichigami (1H30M)
　　*Reservations required for buses, one round trip per day, departing from Nakatsugawa at 15:00, departing from Achi Hachijin at 14:00. Click here for online reservations.