Welcome to KINASA! -Nagano-

Footpaths

Footpaths

Stroll leisurely through Kinasa while enjoying the natural landscape, food, culture, and history.

*Footpaths are small roads (paths) that can be walked (on foot) while enjoying the natural landscape of the region that remains as it was since ancient times. Originally from the United Kingdom, footpaths are now maintained throughout Japan showing off the characteristics of each region.

You can also tour the footpath course on a rented e-bike. For more information, please click here.
Rent a e-bike


Tani-no-Miyako Course (City of the Valley Course)

Walking distance 4 km, requires 1.5 – 2 hours)

This area is said to have once been where Kijo-Momiji once lived, and even now the area names, such as Higashikyo, Nishikyo, Nijo, and Sanjo, that once reminded Momiji of her beloved Kyoto, remain today. Don’t forget to get a look at the shrines, ancient homes, and fields that remain in the hamlets.

●Access to the starting point (Ryokyo bunkan, Higashikyo)

By car…Head west to Hakuba from ‘Tabi-no-eki-Kinasa’ about 4km, you will find the Japanese inn Susobanakan on the left hand. When you turn right in front of Susobanakan, there is ‘Ryokyo bunkan (address: 13994-1 Kinasa Nagano-shi) where you can park your car.

By bus…Local buses are available from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Take the bus (Minami kinasa line) from the Tabi-no-eki Kinasa bus stop (in front of Kinasa Folk Museum) and get off at the Higashikyo-guchi bus stop. If you don’t have time or have some difficulty walking, get off at the Kamo Jinja-mae bus stop, and the bus will take you to the top of the hill. Click here for the timetable (Japanese only).

  • Higashikyo-guchi
  •  Kamo Shrine
  •  Higashikyo-sanjo
  •  Higashikyo-yonjo
  • Higashikyo-gojo
  •  Ushidaira
  •  Tsukiyo-no-haka・Dairi-yashiki-ato
  •  Kasuga Shrine
  •  Higahikyo-guchi
↑Click here for the map

Shirahige-no-mori Course (Grove of Shirahige shrine Course)

Walking distance 8 km, requires 2– 3 hours)

This course offers views of the hamlets that spread on either bank of the Susobana River and their rice fields. There are numerous spots that have great views of Mt. Ichiya-san in Kinasa and the Nishidake chain of mountains in Togakushi. In early summer, you can see fireflies near Shirahige Shrine, a nationally designated important cultural property.

●Access to the starting point (Kinasa Folk Museum)

By car…Ascending from the center of Nagano City, turn left at the Kinasa intersection. Continue straight for a while until you come upon the “Tabi-no-eki Kinasa” rest area, where you can find restrooms, restaurants and shops selling locally grown agricultural products. Kinasa Folk Museum is right in front of the rest area. It is recommended to visit the museum first, then start walking. If you want to shorten the tour, it is possible to park your car in front of Shirahige Shrine. Access to the shrine is a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk from “Tabi-no-eki Kinasa.”

By bus…From Nagano Station (Zenkoji exit), please take bus number 74 (destination Kinasa) from bus stop no.7.  It takes about 60 minutes to the last stop, Kinasa. Kinasa Folk Museum is right in front of the last stop. It is recommended to visit the museum first, then start walking.

↑Click here for the map

Kinasa no Machikado Course (Town of Kinasa Course)

Walking distance 4.3km, requires 1.5– 2 hours)

This course takes you to Shoganji Temple, the burial place of Kijo-Momiji, and Kinasa Shrine while giving you the opportunity to look for traces of the days when the town was dynamic and vibrant with a movie theater and variety stores lining the streets. One of the highlights of the course is the diverse scenery you can see from the valley.

●Access to the starting point (Kinasa Folk Museum)

By car…Ascending from the center of Nagano City, turn left at the Kinasa intersection. Continue straight for a while until you come upon the “Tabi-no-eki Kinasa” rest area, where you can find restrooms, restaurants and shops selling locally grown agricultural products. Kinasa Furusato Museum is right in front of the rest area. It is recommended to visit the museum first, then start walking. If you want to shorten the tour, there is a free public parking lot 30 meters from the Kinasa intersection, in the direction of Nagano City. Take the first left before the post office, which you will see on your right and the parking lot will be at the end of the narrow road.

By bus…From Nagano Station (Zenkoji exit), please take bus number 74 (destination Kinasa) from bus stop no.7.  It takes about 60 minutes to the last stop, Kinasa. Kinasa Folk Museum is right in front of the last stop. It is recommended to visit the museum first, then start walking. If you want to start walking from Kinasa Shrine or Shoganji Temple, please get off at the Kinasa Nakamachi bus stop before the last stop. Click here for the timetable.

↑Click here for the map
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