Shimoguri no Sato

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Shimoguri no Sato

A must-see secluded village with a spectacular view. Selected as one of the 100 best villages in Japan, the true old Japan remains at this mountain village.

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Shimoguri Village is located at an altitude of 800 to 1,100 meters on the east slope of Kamimura, Iida City, Nagano, overlooking the Southern Alps.
The steep hills with a maximum slope of 38 degrees are dotted with houses and farmland. It is called the "Tirol of Japan" for its beautiful scenery.

In 2009, Shimoguri was selected as one of the 100 best villages in Japan, and in the autumn of the same year, the residents built the "Sky Village Viewpoint," an observatory where visitors can get a bird's eye view of the village.

There is also a local guide group called the Shimoguri Village Guides Association. The local guides walk you around the village and tell an interesting detailed story of Shimoguri's nature, livelihood, food, and the Frost Moon Festival. The tour is available for groups and individuals, and costs 3,000 yen per guide (2 hours per tour, up to 20 people, reservation required at least 14 days in advance).

Also, stop by the nearby soba restaurant Hanbatei (closed from December to early April), which serves dishes made from Shimoguri's seasonal foods, and the Kamimura Agricultural Produce Market, which sells agricultural products and specialties from the Shimoguri area.

Even though the village of Shimoguri has been attracting many tourists in recent years, it is still a place where locals keep their own lives, so please respect their space.

Highlights

  • The mountain village has been selected as one of the 100 best villages in Japan, representing the true old Japan.
  • The Sky Village Viewpoint offers a bird's eye view of the village.
  • There are also guided tours by a local guide group whose members can explain about Shimoguri in an interesting way.

Photos

  • Get a bird's eye view of the village from Sky Village Viewpoint

    Get a bird's eye view of the village from Sky Village Viewpoint

  • More beautiful during the autumn foliage season

    More beautiful during the autumn foliage season

  • Snow covered village

    Snow covered village

  • A majestic landscape in the Southern Japanese Alps

    A majestic landscape in the Southern Japanese Alps

  • The Frost Moon Festival held in the frost moon month in the lunar calendar (December in present calendar) is designated as an important intangible folk cultural property of Japan.

    The Frost Moon Festival held in the frost moon month in the lunar calendar (December in present calendar) is designated as an important intangible folk cultural property of Japan.

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Details

Name in Japanese
下栗の里
Postal Code
399-1403
Address
Shimoguri, Kamimura, Iida City, Nagano
Tel
Inquiries: 0260-34-1071 (Toyama Tourism Association)
If you use a car navigation system, enter 0260-36-1005 (Soba Restaurant Hanba Tei).
Hours
Free to visit
Access
1) About 1 hour by car from Iida I.C. on the Chuo Expressway
2) About 1 hour and 5 minutes by car from Iida Station on the JR Iida Line.
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)