10 Reasons to Visit Iida City, Nagano — A Perfect Blend of Tradition and Scenery

Photo by Shohei Yoshida

Nestled in the picturesque Ina Valley and surrounded by the Southern Japanese Alps, Iida City in Nagano Prefecture is a hidden gem known for its rich history, stunning natural scenery, and vibrant cultural traditions. The city is particularly breathtaking during cherry blossom season and autumn, when the landscapes burst into colour. Iida is famous for its traditional puppet theatre (Ningyō Jōruri), celebrated through an annual festival, as well as its high-quality local produce, including apples, pears, grapes, dried persimmons, oyaki dumplings, soba noodles and Japanese sweets. Nature lovers can explore hiking trails, hot springs, and the Tenryu River, while summer visitors can witness the spectacular Iida Fireworks Festival. 

Easily accessible by train or bus, Iida is about 4.5 hours from Tokyo via the JR Chuo Line to Iida Station or by expressway bus from Nagoya (2 hours) or Shinjuku (4 hours), making it a perfect destination for a scenic and cultural getaway.

Cultural Experiences
(1) Puppetry Experience at Imada Ningyo Joruri 
(2) Wayuraku (Classical Performing Art) Experience at Ryukyoutei
(3) Dondoyaki (Bonfire Ceremony) Experience

Nature and Adventure
(4) Minami Shinshu Outdoor Living
(5) Tenryu River Boat Tour
(6) Apple Sampling at Tatsumi Farm

Culinary Experiences
(7) Gohei-mochi Making Workshop at Azalea Farmers’ Market
(8) Oyaki by Yukimoto

Shopping and Souvenirs
(9) Cocoro Farm Village 

Onsen and Accommodation
(10) Ryukyoutei 

(1) Puppetry Experience at Imada Ningyo Joruri

Imada Ningyo Joruri (Imada Puppet Theatre) is a traditional puppet theatre unique to Iida City, one of the designated venues for the Ningyo Joruri Festival held every summer. 

Known for its rich cultural history and deeply rooted in the local community, puppet theatres like Imada Ningyo Joruri feature intricate puppet performances accompanied by Joruri music, a style of narrative singing typically accompanied by the shamisen (a traditional Japanese three-stringed instrument). The performances often depict historical or mythical stories, blending storytelling, music, and puppetry in a captivating way.

Ningyo Joruri has been passed down through generations, and its performances are often held during festivals and cultural events in Iida, drawing both locals and visitors. The puppets, operated by skilled puppeteers, are meticulously crafted and dressed in colourful, elaborate costumes, making them an incredible visual spectacle.

Visitors can immerse themselves in this traditional art form and have hands-on experience maneuvering a puppet. Discover how puppeteers express the puppets’ emotions through skilled movements—an experience that conveys both its artistry and historical significance.

Imada Ningyo Joruri
Location: 3453-2 Tatsue, Iida City
Access: 3-min drive or 20-min walk from JR Iida Line Tenryū Gorge Station
Website

(2) Wayuraku Experience at Ryukyoutei

Wayuraku (和遊楽) is a Japanese term that embodies the spirit of harmony (和), enjoyment (遊), and elegance (楽). It represents a refined cultural experience that blends traditional Japanese hospitality, performing arts, and fine dining, offering guests a chance to immerse themselves in Japan’s rich artistic and culinary traditions.

Experience wayuraku at Ryukyoutei, a historic establishment where a harmonious fusion of kaiseki cuisine (multi-course Japanese dining), tea ceremonies, and traditional performances all come together. 

Ryukyoutei
Location: 7454 Tatsue, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, 399-2221, Japan
Access: 9-min walk from JR Iida Line Tenryu Gorge Station, or a 4-min drive from Tenryu Gorge IC via Prefectural Route 492
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(3) Dondoyaki (Bonfire Ceremony)

Dondoyaki, a traditional Japanese New Year’s custom, involves the burning of sacred New Year’s decorations in a bonfire, believed to bring good luck and blessings for the year ahead. Visitors can participate in the ritual, while enjoying the sight of towering flames and the warmth of the fire against the crisp winter air.

Dondoyaki customs vary by region; in Tenryukyo, origami and paper streamers are used for decorations resembling Tanabata ornaments before assembling the structure. After erecting and securing the tower, a daruma doll was placed on top for good luck, completing preparations for the next day’s fire-lighting.

Traditionally, the locals roast rice cakes (mochi) over the fire, a symbolic activity believed to ensure a healthy year.

If you visit Iida City during the New Year period, you may get to witness Dondoyaki in various districts across the city. These festivities typically take place on Saturdays and Sundays between January 6 and 14 each year.

(4) Minami Shinshu Outdoor Living

Source: 南信州 OUTDOOR LIVING

南信州 OUTDOOR LIVING is a private campsite located in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, offering an exclusive retreat in a serene satoyama setting. Spanning approximately 800 tsubo (about 2,645 square meters), the site features a 35-square-meter wooden deck and is reserved for one group per day, ensuring complete privacy. Guests can enjoy activities such as playing with pets in the spacious area, listening to music, reading, cooking with favourite camping gear, or simply relaxing amidst nature. The site is equipped with amenities including a toilet, a paid shower room, and a firewood shed (firewood available for an additional fee). A variety of camping gear is available for rent, allowing for a comfortable experience even without personal equipment. The campsite is accessible by car, with parking available on-site. 

Location: 8782 Tatsue, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, 399-2221 Japan
Site Usage Fee: [Weekdays] ¥3,000, [Pre-holiday days] ¥4,000
Entrance Fee: Adults (Weekdays): ¥2,000; Adults (Pre-holiday days): ¥3,000; Junior High and High School Students: ¥2,000; Elementary School Students: ¥1,000; Preschool Children: Free
Access: 6-min drive from Chiyo IC, 7-min taxi ride from Tenryūkyō Station via the Iida Line
Website

(5) Tenryu River Boat Tour

The Tenryu River Boat Tour offers a serene journey through the natural beauty of Tenryu Gorge in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture. Passengers can relax in traditional wooden boats, known as wasen, and enjoy the tranquil scenery that changes with each season. The tour provides a unique perspective of the gorge's landscapes, allowing visitors to connect with nature in a peaceful setting.

The tour takes approximately 50 minutes, departing from Tenryukyo Onsen port. There are multiple departures; schedules may vary seasonally. Advance booking is recommended, especially during peak seasons. 

Tenryu Line Yuusen
Location: 7115-1 Tatsue, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, 399-2221 Japan
Access: 10-min walk from JR Iida Line Tenryū Gorge Station, or a 3-min drive from Tenryū Gorge IC
Fee: Adults (middle school age and above): ¥3,600, Primary school students: ¥2,600, Preschool children: ¥1,600. Free for one child per adult (0-2 years old)
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(6) Apple Sampling at Tatsumi Farm

Source: Tatsumi Farm

Nagano Prefecture is one of Japan's top apple-producing regions, known for its high-quality, crisp, and sweet apples due to the area's cool climate and high elevation. The region produces popular apple varieties like Fuji, Shinano Gold, and Shinano Hoppe. Nagano apples are juicy, firm, and have a well-balanced sweetness and acidity. 

At Tatsumi Farm, visitors can experience seasonal fruit picking, a leisurely day in the orchards, with the option to purchase freshly harvested fruits.  Discover the distinctive flavours and textures of each apple variety. These apples are great for fresh eating and also work well in baking and juicing. 

Tatsumi Farm
Location: 6285 Tatsue, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, 399-2221 Japan
Access: 7-min drive from Tenryu Gorge IC or 18-min walk from JR Tenryu Gorge Station
Opening hours: Mid Sep to late Nov: 9am - 4pm
Fee: Apple picking from ¥1,500
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(7) Gohei-mochi Making Workshop

Gohei-mochi is a traditional Japanese snack from the Chubu region, particularly popular in areas like Nagano Prefecture. It consists of skewered rice cakes coated with a sweet and savory miso-based sauce, then grilled to perfection. This delicacy has been enjoyed for generations and is known for its rich flavor and satisfying texture.

At various locations in southern Shinshu, Iida City, visitors can experience the authentic process of making gohei-mochi through a hands-on workshop where participants can learn to prepare and grill their own gohei-mochi under the guidance of local experts. These sessions not only provide a culinary experience but also offer insight into the cultural significance of this regional treat.

Source: Azalea Farmers’ Market

If you would like to pick up some gohei-mochi as a souvenir, you can find them at Azalea Farmers' Market, along with a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and handmade goods from the Iida and Shimoina regions.

Minami Shinshu Tourism Corporation
Workshop Reservation
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(8) Oyaki by Yukimoto

Source: Yukimoto

Oyaki (おやき) is a traditional dumpling from Nagano Prefecture, made with wheat flour and filled with a variety of sweet or savoury ingredients. Popular fillings include nozawana (pickled mustard greens), kabocha (sweet pumpkin), azuki (red bean paste), nasu (eggplant with miso), and kinpira gobo (burdock root and carrot). These fillings highlight the region’s seasonal produce and offer a balance of flavours and textures.

These dumplings are typically steamed, grilled, or pan-fried, giving them a crispy outer layer with a soft, chewy interior. Traditionally cooked in an iron pan or over an open flame, oyaki have been a staple in Nagano’s food culture for generations. They are especially popular during colder months, providing a warm and hearty snack that embodies the rustic, comforting flavours of the region.

If you are in Iida City or anywhere in Nagano, you can find shops specialising in freshly made oyaki, such as Yukimoto- renowned Japanese restaurant in Iida City offering local seasonal delicacies such as wild vegetables in spring, sweetfish in summer, mushrooms in autumn, and game meat in winter. 

Yukimoto
Location: 2-43-1 Towa-machi, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, 399-2221 Japan
Access: 3-min walk from JR Iida station
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11.30am - 1.30pm, 5pm - 8pm (Closed on Mon)
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(9) Cocoro Farm Village

Cocoro Farm Village in Nagano focuses on connecting visitors with the region's agricultural heritage through activities like local food markets, a restaurant offering seasonal dishes, and a farm café. It provides a relaxing environment to enjoy farm-to-table experiences and highlights sustainable farming practices.

Additionally, Cocoro Farm Village offers a variety of local products from the Tenryukyo region, including fresh produce, locally brewed sake and beer, as well as Ichida Gaki dried persimmons and other sweets. It is an ideal destination for experiencing the flavours of the area.

Location: 7620 Kawaji, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, 399-2431, Japan
Access: 5-min drive from Tenryu Gorge IC or 10-min walk from JR Tenryu Gorge Station
Opening hours: 9.30am - 6.00pm
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(10) Ryukyoutei

Ryukyoutei is a traditional Japanese inn located near the scenic Tenryukyo Gorge in Nagano. It offers comfortable rooms with views of the Tenryu River and surrounding nature. Guests can enjoy a variety of local dishes with options for kaiseki meals that highlight the flavors of the region. The inn also provides hot springs and is perfect for a tranquil getaway with serene surroundings.

Location: 7454 Tatsue, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, 399-2221 Japan
Access: 9-min walk from JR Iida Line Tenryu Gorge Station, or a 4-min drive from Tenryu Gorge IC via Prefectural Route 492
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*This article is brought to you in partnership with Minami Shinshu Tourism Corporation.

For more unique experiences in the southern part of Nagano Prefecture, head to Minami Shinshu Tourism Corporation official website for more information on historical and cultural tours, as well as nature and seasonal activities.
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