Nekaku no toko

Nekuwa Bed is a scenic spot with regularly-shaped cracks in the granite terrain carved by the flow of the Kiso River. The white rock surface contrasts beautifully with the emerald green color of the river. The area is maintained as a park, and you can enjoy breathtaking views from the promenade and observation deck. It's highly recommended to lie down on the grass surrounded by rocks and gaze up at the sky, as it feels very refreshing. There are also many nature-rich spots in the surrounding area, such as Akazawa Natural Recreation Forest and Akazawa Forest Railway, where you can enjoy nature walks. In addition, a zero-waste campaign is being carried out in the Nekuwa Bed area, so be sure to take your trash with you to preserve the beautiful natural environment.

There is a legend that Urashima Taro lived in this area after returning from the underwater palace. Urashima Taro received a Tamatebako, a statue of the goddess Benzaiten, and a book of treasures from the underwater palace and traveled throughout Japan before arriving in Kamimatsu-cho. It was here that he opened the Tamatebako and woke up from his dream, and the place became known as such. The stage for the ancient Joruri puppet play "Urashima Taro" is also located in Kamimatsu-cho, and it is said that in his later years, Urashima Taro lived in the Kiso Mountains while fishing. Why not relax and enjoy yourself while refreshing both your mind and body, just like Urashima Taro did?

Urashima Shrine is a small shrine located on a rock in the center of the bed of the Sleeping Dragon River. It is said to enshrine a statue of Benzaiten that Urashima Taro brought back from Ryugu Castle. You can walk to the shrine from the promenade, and standing on the rock, you can feel like Urashima Taro who returned from Ryugu Castle. The shrine reflected on the water surface is also beautiful and a perfect photo spot! From here, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery by looking around at the strange rocks and emerald green water flow.

Nezame-tei is a restaurant and souvenir shop located in Kamimatsu-cho, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture. You can enjoy local gourmet food and specialty products while admiring the stunning view of the "Nezame no Toko" (a famous scenic spot). The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including Shinshu's famous "Yamakko-yaki" and soba noodles. They also have a wide selection of Kiso regional specialty products and souvenirs. One of the most popular items is the game meat sold by the Jibie Kobo Kiso. Game meat such as deer and wild boar, which are hunted by hunters, are in high demand even from restaurants in urban areas and are known as "Genki no Moto" (the source of energy) for sumo wrestler Mitakeumi. You'll also want to stop by the women's-only toilet "OTOHIME," which has become famous as "Japan's Best View Toilet." Not only can you enjoy a panoramic view of the "Nezame no Toko" from the toilet, but there are also special features such as music playing and fireworks going off when you sit on the toilet. It's become a spot where you can enjoy yourself just by taking a toilet break!

In the surrounding area, you can enjoy hiking and climbing. The Central Alps, located about 30 minutes away by car, is a mountainous area where mountains such as Mt. Kiso-Komagatake, one of Japan's 100 famous mountains, are lined up. The Central Alps has popular spots such as the Komagatake Ropeway and Senjojiki Cirque. By taking the Komagatake Ropeway, which is located at the highest point in Japan, you can reach the Senjojiki Station at an altitude of 2,612 meters in about 7 minutes. You won't want to miss the breathtaking views of the Senjojiki Cirque and Mt. Hoken. The Senjojiki Cirque is a flat terrain created by glacial action, and you can enjoy the blooming of alpine plants from spring to autumn. Mt. Hoken is named after its sword-like shape, and its scenery is said to be the most beautiful in the Central Alps. Let's enjoy the view!