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Cherry blossom season
Spring is, without a doubt, one of the best times of year to be in Japan. In the mountains of prefectures like Nagano, with their long winters, the at-last warmer days see people beyond the winter sports crowd heading outdoors. Cherry blossom (sakura) season varies wildly throughout Japan with latitude and elevation. Here in Nagano,…
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Before the Dawn
Recently I finally read Shimazaki Toson’s Before the Dawn (first published serially from 1929-1935). Set along the old Kiso Road (aka the Nakasendo), the historical novel follows the life of a village headman and the profound effects on him and his community when Japan’s feudal period gave way to the modern era in the mid-to-late…
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Autumn’s Fire
Nagano comes alive in fall with the changing colors of the leaves. Depending on your elevation and the exact region, the peak can be anywhere from mid-October to mid-November. Together with the cooler temperatures, it’s definitely one of the best times to visit Japan. This also makes it one of the busiest seasons of the…
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The Best Hike on Kiso’s Nakasendo Trail
The hike that follows extends the classic route between Magome and Tsumago, letting you explore these wonderfully preserved post towns while taking in even more variety through the storied Kiso Valley countryside. The full hike is about 16 km (10 miles) and takes from 4 to 6 hours depending on factors like your pace and…
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The Ontake Waterfall Trail
The Ontake Waterfall Trail in Otaki Village is an off-the-beaten-track half-day hike and alternative to the nearby Nakasendo. It covers a portion of the Ontake Kodo Pilgrimage Trail, used for centuries by spiritual seekers climbing Mt. Ontake. You still run into bands of these white-clad pilgrims today, especially in the summer and early fall. Depending…
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Sangha Shinshu’s Outdoor Sittings
Sangha Shinshu has been holding its monthly silent sittings at historic Tokoji Temple in the rural outskirts of Matsumoto since 2014. The sessions were started “with the idea that people can benefit from gathering in silence regardless of their background, ideology, or the content of their individual practice.” From its inception, Sangha Shinshu has held…
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