Kiso Valley is a scenic area dotted with various lodgings where you can enjoy the long-established shops and hot springs that have resided here since the Edo period. Travel back in time by taking a walk through the old post town that retains traces of the Edo period. In this article we will introduce some recommended accommodations in the Kiso Valley.
What Kind of Place is the Kiso Valley?
Located in the upper reaches of the Kiso River, Kiso Valley is a 60 km area between the Kiso Mountains and the Ontake Mountains. Although it is a mountainous area, it was also a maintenance spot for the Nakasendo, an ancient highway used in the Edo period. Lodgings and teahouses are dotted along the highway, and even now the image of the past remains. There are also hot springs and ski resorts, making it a popular tourist destination. In addition, forestry has been popular here since ancient times, and wood such as cypress, asunaro and sawara are known for their good quality. Among the many lodgings, there are some where you can enjoy a bath in a bathing area made entirely from Cypress wood. It is an area that is good for healing both body and mind, away from everyday life.
Romankaido On’Yado Tsutaya, a Long-Established Kiso Valley Ryokan That Has Been in Business Since the Edo Period)
The 320-year-old On’Yado Tsutaya is a hot spring ryokan that offers natural spring water baths that are gentle on the skin. In the open-air bath, you can relax while listening to the serenity of the Kiso River. Herbal baths are available in the bath house, and have a reputation for gently warming the body from the core.
The food provided introduces local ingredients and is served to welcome visitors to Kiso. Of the five types of rooms, those with open-air baths allow guests to enjoy the hot spring while looking at the starry sky. It is an inn for making wonderful memories with the flow of time and hospitality.
Spot Information
- Spot name：Romankaido On’Yado Tsutaya (街道浪漫 おん宿蔦屋)
- Street Address：5162 Fukushima, Kiso-machi, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture 397-0001
- Access：About 15 minutes on foot from JR Kiso Fukushima Station or about 5 minutes by taxi
- Wi-Fi：Available (Lobby only)
- Language：English, Chinese
- Credit cards：Accepted
Hotel Fukinomori, Where You Can Enjoy the Nature and Starry Skies of the Kiso Valley
Hotel Fukinomori is a popular hot spring where the scent of the forest is even present in the hotel. In the cedar open-air baths and Jacuzzi, you can spend a blissful time surrounded by magnificent nature and pure air. The spring water is colorless and thick to the touch. You can enjoy a starry sky while relaxing in the hot spring.
Speaking of the charm of this hotel, it is also essential to try a multi-course dinner with lots of local ingredients such as Kiso beef, fish, vegetables and soba grown in Kiso. It is a hotel where you can enjoy the Kiso Valley’s seasonal beauty, a sky full of stars, and delicious food.
Spot Information
- Spot name：Hotel Fukinomori (ホテル 富貴の森)
- Street Address：4644-7 Agatsuma, Nagiso-machi, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture 399-5302
- Access：About 18 minutes by pick-up bus from JR Chuo Main Line Nagiso Station
- Language：English, German
- Credit cards：Accepted
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