A TRIP TO JAPAN? TO KYOTO AND MT.FUJI?
WHY NOT PLAN A VISIT TO THE JAPANESE COUNTRYSIDE?
ABUNDANT NATURE, FRIENDLY VILLAGERS, AND TRADITIONAL DISHES... ALL AWAIT YOU... AT ?IIYAMA.
WINTER
Iiyama in Winter dotted with Igloos
Outside of liyama is "the Kamakura (Igloo) Village" dotted with some 20 igloos which are exhibited for two months from January to February. The light is lit at night and it creates a fantastic atmosphere.
A delicious addition to the visit of The Kamakura Village is a local dish called "Noroshi Nabe"(hot pot dish). This is a Shinshu miso hot pot with various locally-grown vegetables.
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Kamakura ShrineIn the depths of Kamakura no Sato, which is the silver
world, the red torii of “Kamakura Shrine” stands. Inside
each igloo, there is also a small shrine with an offering
box, all of which represents a full-fledged shrine.
Onsen
Iiyama Yutaki Onsen
At the Yutaki Onsen, you can enjoy the fantastic view of the Chikuma River while being soaked in the outdoor bath. After taking the bath, you can try the local "purple ricesasazushi (sushi wrapped with fresh bamboo leaves)" prepared by the village grandmas.
AUTUMN
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| Shounenji |
Shoju-an (Shoju Hermitage) was erected in 1666. The current main hall was built after the Great Zenkoji earthquake in 1847.
In 2004 thru 2006, "the Great Refurbishment of the Heisei Period" was carried out, and the hermitage returned to its original form.
Still remaining water stone (hand washing stone) crown roof, rosary old Toga were presented from the lord of Iiyama. Zen master called Shoju sent a lifetime in zen meditation at Shojuan.
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SUMMER
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| Hydrangea of Kogen-in Temple |
The “Kogen-in” is a temple with the history of 600 years called by another name “Ajisai Dera (Hydrangea Temple)”. The precincts of the temple where approximately 800 hydrangeas become one of the popular tourist spots in liyama during the month of July.
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SPRING
The carpet of rape-flowers tells the arrival of spring.
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| The carpet of rape-flowers tells the arrival of spring. |
When long winter is over, flowers and trees color mountain villages as if they are celebrating the coming of warm spring.
Visitors to Iiyama are entertained by the wide stretch of nationally wellknown rape field. The rape-flowers, "Nanohama" in Japanese, which are called the symbol of Iiyama come to be in full glory all at once, informing the return of spring in Northern Shinshu. As the City's Nanohana Park shows the panoramic view of rape-flower fields in April thru May, visitors are also greeted by the five magnificent snow-topped mountains of Northern Shinshu and the elegant flowing of the Chikuma River.
At the same time, the natural wood of the beech begins to send out buds in the forests, and the Mt. village is dyed the fresh green. Let's enjoy a sign of spring that a flower and a tree create.
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"Iiyama - Other Attractions"
Kosuge Mountain
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| Kosuge Mountain |
The Kosuge district is known for its historic waterway made of stone walls. A rich natural fores with paths of stepping stones is lined with tall age old ginkgo trees. This forest called "the Forest of God" provides visitors with a pleasure of morning and afternoon strolls being engulfed by beautiful nature.
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| Giant Ginkgo tree |
The ginkgo tree in the picture above with a height of 36 meters and its trunk circumference of 14.7 meters is said to be over 1500 years old.
People come to see this tree in the fall when its leaves turn gorgeous green and golden.
There is a custom that if a mother prays to this ginkgo tree for milk for her baby, her wish is granted overnight, because the roots of the tree hang like women's breasts. This tree is designated as a Natural Treasure of Nagano Prefecture.
Hashiramatsu Festival
On the left is a scene of the "Gion Festival" held once three years. The picture on the right shows men competing of their muscle power and skill by climbing the ceremonially decorated tree.
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"Not Far from IIYAMA"
Kenrokuen Garden of Kanazawa
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| Kenrokuen Garden of Kanazawa |
Kenrokuen Garden, one of the "Three Great Gardens of Japan" and also a National Cultural Heritage, is in the ancient city of Kanazawa, which is about 80-minute train ride from liyama by the Shinkansen. The garden was developed and completed by the Maeda clan, one of the feudal lords in the 17th century.
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Nozawa Onsen town
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| Nozawa Onsen Town |
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Jigoku Tani Wild Monkey Park
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| Jigoku Tani Wild Monkey Park |
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"BUNKA HOKURYU KAN"
Museum of Hokuryu Culture, located in the mysterious lake "Hokuto Lakeshore", changes the expression abundantly every season.
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| Formal Japanese dinner |
the North Shinano Countryside Scenery and Hokushin Goto, across the Hokushu Onsen Ski Resort.
In the main view of the main building bath you can look over the mysterious Lake Hokuryuko. The prideful bath that can overlook the famous mountain called Hokushin Godake will heal the tiredness of the trip gently.
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Bunka Hokuryu Kan
7332-2, Oaza Mizuho, Iiyama City, Nagano, Japan 389-2322
Tel. 0269-65-3121 Fax. 0269-65-4515
Website http://www.bunkahokuryukan.com
e-mail info@bunkahokuryukan.com
"Information"
Public Relations and Promotion Office
- Best World Corporation
Japan Office Tel. 03-3295-4111 Fax. 03-3295-4118
Paris Liaison Office. Tel/Fax. 01-4740-9343
Website http://www.bstworld.co.jp
- Tourist Information Center
Shinetsu-shinzenkyo Iiyama Station Tourist Information Center
Tel. 0269-62-7000 Inside Iiyama Sta.,771-1 Iiyama, Iiyama City9:00-18:00 (Apr.-Oct.), 9:00-17:00 (Nov.-Mar.) Open 365 days
Website Shinshu-Iiyama Tourism BureauURL. www.iiyama-ouendan.net
e-mail Inquiries regarding Sightseeing in Iiyama City All inquiries are accepted via email.Inquiries: info@iiyama-ouendan.net
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