A great excursion when traveling between Tokyo, Karuizawa and Kanazawa!

Still relatively unknown among travelers, Komoro is a charming and quiet town in the Japanese countryside with convenient access from Karuizawa. Here, you can experience the region’s traditional culture, enjoy delicious food and drink and meet friendly locals.

In January of 2025, the Komoro Tourism Bureau released three English-guided tours packed with unique activities and experiences. In this article, our special reporter takes a look at the highlights of each tour.

About Komoro

Komoro is sandwiched between its two major symbols: the ruins of Komoro Castle to the southwest and Mt. Asama to the northeast. It prospered as a post-town along the Hokkoku Kaido, a highway branching off the Nakasendo Trail towards Zenkoji Temple and Sado Island. Between the castle ruins and the many post-town era buildings, an air of Japanese history pervades the streets.

In this area, which spreads out over a distance of about 2,000 metres in altitude from Komoro Castle to Mt. Asama, you can enjoy history and culture, food and drink, and nature in a compact, relaxed way. Above all, the charm of this area is that you can enjoy such experiences through encounters with local life and local people.

Access to Komoro

Komoro is located in the eastern part of Nagano Prefecture about 90 minutes from Tokyo or just 30 minutes from Karuizawa.

From Tokyo

Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Karuizawa Station (70 min.), then change to the Shinano Railway and get off at Komoro Station (25 min.)

From Karuizawa

Take the Shinano Railway to Komoro Station (25 min.)

Japanese Archery at Komoro Castle

 

 

Trying archery at the beautiful and traditional dojo located on the old castle grounds was a very unique experience. First, the participants changed into the traditional kyudo outfits. Then, we entered the dojo and were shown how to do the traditional greeting before starting. The experienced teachers gave us a demonstration of firing the arrow at the target as an example. Afterward, the participants were carefully instructed step by step on how to properly fire the arrow using the traditional kyudo techniques. To practice the movements, the participants were given training bows to begin with an imitation arrow to simulate firing a real arrow from a real bow. When we were finally ready, we headed outside to try the real thing.

With a bow and arrows in hand, the participants took aim and fired at the target. It wasn’t easy at first, but with a few hints from the instructors, we began to hit the target more and more. When the instructors felt it was time, they had us stand further back for an extra challenge. It was harder, but the instructors were patient and gave simple instructions to help everyone relax and understand the proper way to fire the arrow. After a successful try at kyudo, it was time to say goodbye. Like at the beginning, a proper greeting was necessary to leave the dojo.

This was an incredible and rare opportunity to try kyudo on castle grounds. Being surrounded by the remains of the castle and the changing colors of the autumn leaves made this a truly unforgettable experience that I recommend everyone try!

Komoro-juku Post Town along the Hokkoku Kaido

 

 

 

 

Along the Hokkoku Kaido (highway), many old buildings from the Edo Period still stand and are being preserved and used as traditional shops. Among them, we visited a miso shop and taste-tested the various types of miso on sale. There were many different kinds of miso here, including salty miso, sweet miso, and even miso made from soba. I didn't know there were so many kinds of miso before!

Afterward, we went to the local community center, where our guide told us about the history of the road and the post town. She explained details about life in that period, which were very interesting, including why the roads and buildings were built the way they were. We then proceeded to an old stationary shop. The owner's family has run the shop for generations, and he still owns an old ledger from the Meiji Era with handwritten accounting notes. In the past, in order to illuminate the building, a door attached to the ceiling would be opened to allow the light that passed through the window on the very top floor to shine down into the room. We were shown how to open it and what the inside looked like.

Lastly, we visited an old antique shop. Many things were sold there, including ornaments, scrolls, plates, clothes, and many more intriguing relics. The owner was very friendly and talked to us about his goods. He recommended some kimonos and even showed us the old kimonos that he was mending and customizing into a more western style. It was fascinating to see these old fabrics transformed into a more modern style.

Komoro Honjin

 

 

 

 

The Komoro Honjin is an Italian restaurant located along the historic Hokkoku Kaido. Although it is a high-class Italian restaurant, during the Edo Period this building was used as the principal inn, or ‘Honjin’, of Komoro along the Hokkoku Kaido. This inn was used by high-ranking travelers, including nobility and government officials, during their travels along the Nakasendo Highway.

The building's interior and exterior design have been beautifully maintained, offering an almost time-traveling experience. We went to the restaurant for lunch and were escorted to a private room. This room also has historic significance, being known as the Upper Chamber. This means that the room is elevated higher than the other rooms on the floor and would be reserved for only the most prestigious and high-ranking of guests.

Several courses were served with the waiter giving in-depth explanations as to the ingredients and recipe. The menu changes based on the season, so it’s worth visiting more than once for another unforgettable taste experience!

Kumeya Tea Chakabuki Game

 

 

 

At the Kumeya Café, we enjoyed a pleasant green tea game. The game we played is a very old, traditional tea ceremony game that requires participants to see, smell, and taste a selection of five different types of green tea.

First, the unbrewed tea leaves are presented to the players. Players are encouraged to notice even the smallest of differences between the ground-up tea leaves, including by touch. The tea is then brewed as the rules for the game are explained. The five teas will be given to the players in an unknown order, and as they drink the tea, they will need to write down anything they notice about the tea on their paper, such as the color, taste, and scent. The teas are offered to the players again, this time in a new random order only the shop owner knows. It's up to the guests to identify the teas and match them correctly to the teas served in the first round.

The game was very entertaining and served as a great tool to help us appreciate the finer details of green tea. After the game, we were given a very informative lecture about the different types of green teas available and how beneficially healthy green tea can be.

Onikake Soba Noodle Making

 

 

 

 

For lunch, we made our way to the Nakadanaso, an old restaurant that also features an onsen and an inn. We came to eat soba, but first we had to make it! We were taken to a small workshop with the teacher and given step-by-step instructions in order to make the noodles.

First, we were given flour and water, which we mixed to make the dough. We rolled the dough out and used a special knife to cut the soba into thin noodles. The noodles that we made were taken to the chef to be partially cooked. We then sat down at the table, where a deliciously-smelling vegetable stew was waiting for us. When the noodles were returned, we cooked them in the boiling water from the stew. This dish is known as Onikake Soba, a traditional Nagano dish that features warm soba noodles, and certified by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Savor Japan as local traditional cuisine. It was a fun and rewarding experience to make our own soba noodles from scratch and eat them with delicious vegetables.

Manns Wine Komoro Winery

 

 

 

The Manns Wines Komoro Winery was established in Komoro in 1973. Komoro was chosen as the location for the vineyard due to the location’s perfect environment conditions. During the tour, we were shown the vineyard and our guide explained the different types of grapes that they were producing, including 32 experimental varieties.

Afterwards, we went inside to taste test their selection of wine. There were four types to try, and the background information for each one was explained to us in detail. Not only was the taste incredible, but the scent was also amazing. Downstairs on the first floor, the wines made at the winery, including their biggest brand, "Solaris," are available for purchase. If you're traveling by car and can’t partake in the wine tasting, I recommend buying a bottle or two to enjoy later!

Komoro Distillery

 

 

The Komoro Distillery is a relatively new distillery aiming to create their own brand of whisky. Here, you can take the distillery tour, as well as participate in the whisky tasting and various other programs that they offer. We were shown the equipment up close by a tour guide who answered all of our questions politely and accurately in English. The tour was very informative and interesting, and we were able to see the whiskey at different stages of its development.

As part of the many programs available in the “Whisky Academy,” we had the opportunity to experience whiskey and cocktail making. First, we learned about the history of cocktails, including the origin of the name. Then we were taught how to professionally make whiskey step by step, with explanations on the importance of each action. When they were ready, it was time for a taste test! We were also shown how to make whisky sours just like a professional and got to taste the difference between our creations and the teacher’s.

Nunobiki Kannon

 

 

 

One of Komoro’s famous spots is Nunobiki Kannon, located on the cliffside of Nunobiki Mountain. Known as a power spot, many people come here for spiritual cleansing. This temple has a very interesting folk story about an old greedy woman who had her clothes taken by a cow. The old woman chased the cow until they reached Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City. It was there that she saw the temple and decided to stop being greedy and change her ways.

Thanks to this story and the many pilgrimages that took place during the Edo Period, this temple and Zenkoji Temple, one of the most famous temples in Japan, are said to be linked, and in order to complete a visit to Zenkoji Temple, you must also come here to Nunobiki Kannon.

The climb to the top was both beautiful and interesting. Small statues can be found along the way, and some were up high and hidden away for visitors to discover. During the fall, the colored leaves, along with the sounds of the falling water from the small waterfalls and giant cliffs make this place seem otherworldly. A notable spot found along the way to the top is a small cave entrance that is said to connect to Zenkoji Temple.

The climb to the top took around 30 minutes, and when we finally reached the top, we were greeted by an incredible view of the mountains and various Buddhist statues. Nunobiki Kannon is a truly remarkable place with breathtaking views, and it is definitely worth visiting!

Learn More

For details of the tours, please see the Komoro Tourism Bureau’s official website.

If you are interested in these tours, please contact the Komoro Tourist Bureau directly by telephone or email.

Email: info[at]komoro-tour.jp (Please change “[at]” to @ when sending an email)
Tel: +81-267-22-1234
Fax: +81-267-46-9077