OTAKI VILLAGE
OTAKI VILLAGE
Ancient Japanese beliefs are rooted in nature worship, so it was widely believed that mountains were the meeting place of heaven and earth. As Mount Ontake is Japan’s second largest volcano, it is a centuries old destination for religious pilgrims to pray and be purified. Otaki village, located 40 minutes from Kiso-Fukushima, lies at the foot of Mt. Ontake and has a history of accommodating the pilgrims travelling to the area. Some of the mountain trails run directly from the village making it a convenient starting point.
The region is 97% forested and home to pure mountain streams and lakes which visitors can explore via canoe. The village itself lies on the banks of the Otaki river with a warm and kind community of approximately 800 residents. The area has a quiet, laid-back atmosphere that makes for a perfect escape into nature.
OTHER NAKASENDO AREAS
Kiso Fukushima
Kiso-Fukushima was one of the Nakasendo post towns as well as one of the four security checkpoints, thus it flourished as a political and economic centre in the Kiso Valley. The distinct Edo-style buildings throughout town are a picturesque reminder of this history. The checkpoint itself has been restored and now contains many fascinating relics of the Edo period including a display of documents, maps and weapons.
Magome - Tsumago
The trail between Magome and Tsumago is a well-preserved section of the former Nakasendo trail. The walk is easy to moderate and well signposted in English. It is roughly 8km long and takes approximately three hours to complete at a leisurely pace. The trail leads through the countryside, past the homes and fields of local residents, occasionally intersecting with the road where hikers must walk along asphalt for short portions.
Yabuhara - Narai
This section of the trail (the Torii Pass) from Yabuhara to Narai is particularly strenuous so travellers often needed to stop and rest here. As a result, Narai grew to be one of the most prosperous towns in the Kiso Valley and received the nickname ‘Narai of a Thousand Houses’ due to the sheer abundance of guesthouses. The Torii pass hike is 8.5km long and takes roughly 2.5 hours to complete.
Accommodations
There are unique accommodations in Kiso Vally ranging from ‘Mishuku’ (Japanese bed & breakfast guest house) to ‘Ryokan’ (accommodation typically features a private Japanese tatami room with ensuite facilities).
