Discover the Tenryu Riverlands, Nagano in Winter
[Music] [Music] Take me somewhere where I can brea where the weight in my soul starts to ease. It’s been a long time since I felt the sunshine and didn’t feel ashamed of the way that my shadow wings heavy with doubt and turns the flowers. I’m sick of feeling low. I can see the stars shine. [Music] Second chances come around all the time and happiness is nothing but a state of mind. So take me somewhere. Take me somewhere blue. [Music] [Applause] Take me somewhere blue. Take me somewhere. [Music] Take me somewhere. [Music]
Be ‘Spirited Away’ at the Shimotsuki Festival: with Traditional Food & Sake Experience Tour
Description
Looking for a different sort of adventure in Nagano this winter? Located around 2.5 hours to the south of Nagano City, Tenryu Riverlands offer adventure along a path less traveled – a place where tradition lives on and you can enjoy some of Central Japan’s most unique traditional food, craft culture and outdoor experiences.
Lying around 2.5 hours to the south of Nagano City, the Tenryu Riverlands are defined by the river from which it takes its name and a unique blend of tradition and adventure. For centuries, Tenryu River served as a water road to the coast, stretching over 200km to the Pacific Ocean and in doing so offered travelers and merchants an alternate route into the mountainous heart of Japan. As such, life revolved around the river and distinct local industries and craft emerged.
Remote from the surrounding world, the people of the Tenryu Riverlands enjoy a distinctive local culture of food, craft and folk beliefs – many of which are proudly maintained to this day. Our winter tours in the riverlands are all about exploring that culture over one or two days, and all led by an English-speaking guide. Experience the traditional crafts of ‘mizuhiki’ (paper cord weaving), ‘washi’ (traditional Japanese paper), and ‘Toyama-yaki’ (pottery), indulge in the seductive world of ‘sake’ at southern Nagano’s largest brewery, and immerse yourself in the local food culture including ‘gohei mochi’, Shinshu salmon, and some of Japan’s best ‘gibier’ (wild meat).
Highlights
– Try your hand at the traditional crafts of ‘mizuhiki’ (paper cord weaving ) and ‘washi’ (traditioanl Japanese paper) with a morning workshop guided by experienced local instructors
– Dive into the region’s food culture with lunch at one of its oldest and most famous restaurants, ‘Imamiya Hanbei’ – famous for its ‘gohei mochi’ since the 19th century
– Visit Kikusui Sake Brewery – the largest and best-known brewery in southern Nagano – and enjoy a guided tour and tasting
– Follow the Toyama River into the mountains and discover a traditional food culture over two days including one of the region’s best winter ‘gibier’ (wild meat) dinner courses at Shimabata and lunch on both days
– Get hands-on with a ‘Toyama-yaki’ (ceramic) workshop
– Be spirited high into the mountains above to the floating village of Shimoguri, one of the region’s most iconic destinations – a place of myth and fable
AloJapan.com