RURAL JAPANA DIFFERENT SIDE OF JAPANAn invitation to slow down.
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THE VILLAGE COLLECTION / NO. 01

Neba, Nagano

根羽村

A little closer to nature.

FORESTS · RIVERS · VILLAGE LIFE
Rice fields and village houses beneath a forested hillside in Tsukize, Neba.
Neba, Nagano · A quieter corner of JapanPhoto: Asturio Cantabrio

MEET NEBA

Room to breathe.
Time to notice.

At the southwestern edge of Nagano, Neba is a village shaped by forests and water. Come for an extraordinary cedar tree. Stay a little longer for the quieter landscape around it.

The broad trunk of Tsukize no Osugi, a Japanese cedar encircled by a sacred rope.
Tsukize no Osugi · The great cedar of NebaPhoto: Asturio Cantabrio

01 / THE GREAT CEDAR

Some things ask you to slow down.

The great cedar of Tsukize is a symbol of Neba. The village describes it as around 1,800 years old — a living presence that puts the pace of a day into perspective. Visit the park, look up through the branches, and give this place a little time.

The rocky Neba River flowing below a small bridge, village houses and green forest in Tsukize.
A riverside view in Neba, NaganoPhoto: Asturio Cantabrio

02 / FOLLOW THE WATER

Let the river set the rhythm.

Rivers thread their way between Neba’s wooded slopes and small settlements. Around the great cedar, the village’s park and suspension bridge offer another way to take in the scenery. Leave room in your visit for the view along the water.

Rows of young corn plants in a Neba field with agricultural buildings and wooded mountains beyond.
Fields and forested hills in NebaPhoto: Asturio Cantabrio

03 / THE EVERYDAY LANDSCAPE

The beauty in between.

Beyond a single landmark, there is a landscape of fields, homes and forested hills. Take the public roads at an unhurried pace. These are working places and people’s homes: admire the fields from outside, keep entrances clear, and ask before photographing residents.

THE PRACTICAL NEBA GUIDE

Make a day of it.
Stay for the quiet.

Beyond its great cedar, Neba has valleys, mountain water, local cooking and small businesses worth seeking out. This independent English guide brings the village tourism association’s main visitor categories into one place.

04 / LANDSCAPES & HISTORY

What to see

Neba’s landmarks move between deep geological time, mountain water and stories from the Sengoku period. Many are small, open-air places rather than staffed attractions, so arrive prepared and follow local signs.

Open this guide
01

Natural monument

Kameko Rock at Ikenotaira

池の平 亀甲岩

A rock formation at Ikenotaira whose surface is patterned like a tortoise shell.

Facilities
No toilets or parking
Official listing
02

Valley

Odona Valley

小戸名渓谷

A wooded valley at Guminono where rock, river and seasonal foliage shape the view.

Facilities
Parking available; no toilets
Official listing
03

River geology

Kamagairi Potholes

釜ヶ入の甌穴

Rounded cavities at Hinohara, formed over time by stones turning in the current.

Facilities
No toilets or parking
Official listing
04

Historic site

Shingen-zuka

信玄塚

A memorial mound at Nakano associated with the final journey of the Sengoku-period warlord Takeda Shingen.

Facilities
Parking across the road; no toilets
Official listing
05

Public art

Shingen Cavalry Ceramic Mural

信玄騎馬隊 陶壁画

A ceramic mural of Shingen’s mounted warriors on the highway retaining wall at the entrance to Shingen-zuka. The tourism association describes it as 6 m high and 40 m wide, made from around 100,000 coloured tiles.

Facilities
Parking across the road; no toilets
Official listing
06

Historic site

Takeda Shingen Hōkyōintō

武田信玄 宝篋印塔

A stone memorial pagoda within the Shingen-zuka grounds.

Facilities
Parking across the road; no toilets
Official listing
07

Ancient tree

Tsukize Great Cedar

月瀬の大杉

The village’s best-known landmark: a cedar said locally to be about 1,800 years old, standing beside Ōsugi Park.

Facilities
Toilets and parking at Ōsugi Park
Official listing
08

Waterfall

Tsuta Falls

つたの滝

A waterfall at Totte, tucked into Neba’s forested landscape.

Facilities
No toilets or parking
Official listing
09

Viewpoint

Tebukuro-yama

てぶくろやま

A small hill at Ogawa listed among the village’s recommended natural spots.

Facilities
Parking at the turning circle; no toilets
Official listing
10

Lake

Lake Chausu

茶臼湖

A highland lake on the mountain edge of the village.

Facilities
No toilets or parking
Official listing
11

Lookout

Chausuyama Highland Lookout

茶臼山高原 展望台

A viewpoint over the Chausuyama highlands on the border with Aichi.

Facilities
Parking available; no toilets
Official listing
12

Local attraction

Chausuyama Power Spot

茶臼山 パワースポット

A spot promoted by the Frog Museum at Chausuyama; the museum tells the story in its own way.

3370-1 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano (at the Frog Museum)
Facilities
Toilets and parking
Official listing
13

River

Upper Yahagi River

矢作川上流

The headwaters of the Yahagi River, which rises in Neba before flowing to Aichi.

Facilities
No toilets or parking
Official listing

05 / TIME OUTDOORS

Things to do

The village tourism association highlights river fishing, waterside play, golf and forest experiences. Conditions are seasonal; contact each operator before making the drive.

Open this guide
01

Fishing

Neba River fishing

根羽川漁業協同組合

Local information and permits for fishing in the Neba River and surrounding streams. Day and season permits are sold; the ayu season opens in June.

2131-1 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Official listing
02

Nature museum

Chausuyama Frog Museum

茶臼山高原かえる館

A small seasonal museum connected with the locally discovered Nebatago frog and the surrounding forest.

3370-1 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Season
Late April to early November
Hours
10:00–15:00 (Sat & Sun until 16:00)
Closed
Mon, Wed & Thu (open daily in August)
Official listing
03

Outdoor stay

Green House Morisawa

グリーンハウス森沢

A base for spending time outdoors and staying close to the village landscape.

208-1 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Official listing
05

Roadside stop

Neverland

ネバーランド

A visitor stop on Route 153 with food, local products and visitor services.

4918-1 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Official listing

06 / A TABLE IN NEBA

Where to eat

Soba, gohei-mochi rice cakes, river fish and straightforward local cooking make good companions to a day on Route 153. Small businesses may change their hours, so check before visiting.

Open this guide
04

Local cuisine

Fukuya

富久屋

Gohei-mochi, horse sashimi and river-fish dishes are among the house recommendations.

5429 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Hours
11:00–20:00
Official listing
05

Noodles

Fukushima Noodle Restaurant

福嶋麺類食堂

A local noodle restaurant serving lunch and dinner.

1810 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Hours
11:00–14:00 / 17:00–20:00
Closed
Thu
Official listing
06

Shop & takeaway

Sumiokaya

山のお店 住岡屋商店

A mountain shop carrying prepared foods, local produce, river fish and regional drinks.

1625-1 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Closed
Mon
Official listing
07

Restaurant & visitor stop

Neverland

ネバーランド

A convenient Route 153 stop for a meal and local products.

4918-1 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Official listing

07 / STAY THE NIGHT

Where to stay

Options range from an old village house to outdoor accommodation and a larger roadside facility. Book directly and confirm meals, transport and check-in arrangements.

Open this guide
01

Traditional house

Matsuya Residence

まつや邸

A stay in a renovated old house in the village.

1992 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Official listing
02

Outdoor accommodation

Green House Morisawa

グリーンハウス森沢

Accommodation surrounded by Neba’s mountain landscape.

208-1 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Official listing
03

Visitor facility

Neverland

ネバーランド

A Route 153 facility listed by the tourism association for food, services and stays.

4918-1 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Official listing

08 / TAKE SOMETHING HOME

Where to shop

Look for fresh vegetables, prepared foods, dairy products, river fish and goods made from the village’s forests. Availability follows the seasons.

Open this guide
01

Grocery

A-Coop Neba

Aコープ根羽店

Everyday groceries and a useful place to look for locally available food.

1955 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Official listing
02

Local shop

Sumiokaya

山のお店 住岡屋商店

Local vegetables, fruit, prepared foods, river fish and selected drinks.

1625-1 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Closed
Mon
Official listing
03

Wood & forestry

Neba Forest Union

根羽村森林組合

The village forestry cooperative and a window into Neba’s timber culture.

407-10 Neba, Shimoina, Nagano
Hours
8:00–17:00, Mon–Fri
Official listing

09 / THE VILLAGE CALENDAR

Seasonal events

Fishing, summer gatherings and local performance traditions mark the year. Dates and formats change, so use these as starting points and confirm the current programme with the tourism association.

Open this guide
01

Seasonal outdoors

Mountain-stream fishing season

渓流釣り

A seasonal reason to explore the headwaters and clear streams around Neba.

Official listing
02

Traditional performance

Tsukize Mawari-daiko

月瀬の廻り太鼓

A local drum tradition associated with Tsukize.

Official listing
03

Summer festival

Bon dance gathering

盆踊り大会

A village summer gathering centred on communal Bon dancing.

Official listing
04

Village festival

Yamaai Festival

やまあいフェスティバル

A community festival celebrating life in the mountains.

Official listing

TASTE OF THE MOUNTAINS

What Neba
grows & makes.

Forests cover much of the village, and the headwaters of the Yahagi River begin in this landscape. Local produce reflects clean water, mountain air and marked shifts in temperature.

Explore local products
01

五平餅

Gohei-mochi

Grilled rice cakes brushed with a rich regional sauce.

Where to find itFukuya, and from the village confectioner Sugikko by order or at events

02

トマト

Tomatoes

Mountain-grown tomatoes shaped by clear water and the difference between warm days and cool nights.

Where to find itGrown by Kobayashi Farm; sold at Sumiokaya, A-Coop Neba and Neverland

03

とうもろこし

Sweet corn

A summer crop sold seasonally in and around the village.

Where to find itDirect sales at the Nebane rice centre (947-1 Neba) from mid-July to mid-August

04

からすみ

Karasumi

Here, karasumi is a traditional steamed rice-flour sweet—not the cured roe known by the same name elsewhere.

Where to find itMade by Sugikko, along with kusa-daifuku, mame-mochi and kashiwa-mochi; stocked at Sumiokaya

05

川魚

River fish

Mountain-stream fish appear in local shops and restaurant dishes when available.

Where to find itSumiokaya, Fukuya and local restaurants when available

GETTING TO NEBA

Take the road
into the mountains.

The tourism association publishes approximate driving times. Route 153 is the main approach through the area. Check current road, weather and transport conditions before departure, especially in winter.

Ena IC

About 1 hourChuo Expressway side

Nagoya IC

About 1 hr 30 minTomei Expressway side

Toyokawa IC

About 2 hoursTomei Expressway side

Western Tokyo

About 4 hoursFrom Takaido / Chofu via the Chuo Expressway
Plan your route

A FEW THINGS BEFORE YOU GO

Come with curiosity.

ようこそ、根羽村へ。
01

Find your bearings

Neba sits in southwestern Nagano, close to Aichi and Gifu. Use the village tourism association’s access information to plan your route.

02

Before you set off

Confirm transport, opening hours and local conditions directly with the places you plan to visit. This first field guide is an introduction, not a confirmed itinerary.

03

Be a thoughtful guest

Stay on public paths, respect private land, and take your litter with you. Enjoy rivers from established viewing areas and follow local notices.

Neba visitor information (Japanese)
Sources & editorial notes

This is an independent English-language guide written by RURAL JAPAN from factual information published by Neba Village and the Neba Tourism Association; it is not an official translation. Names are romanized for international visitors, and descriptions have been newly written for this edition. Opening hours, prices, transport, services and seasonal conditions can change—confirm details directly before travel.

Information checked on .

Photography shows Neba; the source, author, license and edit history of each image are recorded on the photography credits page →