Understand
[edit]
Map of Okuwa
Get in
[edit]Okuwa is served by three stations on the JR Chuo Line, Nojiri Station, Okuwa Station, and Suhara Station.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]- 1 Atera Valley (阿寺渓谷). A 15-km scenic valley that is known for its emerald green waters.
- 2 Iwade Kannon (岩出観音). An Edo Period temple built into the cliffside
- 3 Nojiri-juku (野尻宿). A station along the Old Nakasendo Road, it was the second longest in the Kiso Valley after Narai-juku. Some buildings have been preserved but much of the old post town no longer exists. It is known today for the 7 hairpin curves in the road that were used as a defense against attacks.
- 4 Joshoji (定勝寺). 08:30-17:00. The oldest of Kiso's three holiest temples, the current temple dates back to 1600 after being moved here from the previous post town which was abandoned and moved after constant flooding. It has a nice zen garden and houses the "Josho Daruma" made of Kiso cypress. ¥300.
- 5 Suhara-juku (須原宿). The 39th station of the Nakasendo Road, it is known for the "water boats", carved-out boat-shaped logs on the sides of the streets that hold water for the villagers to use.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- Kitchen Kuranbo (キッチンくらんぼ). A restaurant with a variety of dishes such as pizza, omelettes, and Shinshu salmon.
- 1 Inaho (いなほ). A local soba restaurant outside of Atera Forest Spa Kiso.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Minshuku Suhara (民宿すはら) (a 5-min walk from Suhara Station). Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. An inn in the Suhara Post Town in one of the preserved historic buildings. ¥6000 per night.
- 2 Miwa House (みわハウス). Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. An inn in the Nojiri Post Town in a historic building that was refurbished on the inside to be semi-modern for visitor convenience. ¥8000.