Uncover hidden beauty of Kiso Fukushima
Kiso Fukushima in Nagano Prefecture is both Kiso’s largest town and the halfway point on the Nakasendo, one of the five important of the old Japan. During the Edo Period, it functioned as the most important post town of the valley and one of the only two checkpoints along the ancient trail, where the Tokugawa Shoguns checked out travelers’ official border-crossing permit and their goods. Nowadays, Kiso Fukushima is a delightful town to explore, with incredibly preserved neighborhoods and houses huddled above the Kiso River. This relaxed community also offers several museums and Zen Buddhist temples to wander around. The most famous is Kozenji Temple with its attractive zen ink paintings and treasures on display as well as the largest dry rock garden in Asia. If you are in the mood for local food and drink, Kiso Fukushima has plenty of restaurants to enjoy specialties like hoba-maki rice cakes, gohei-mochi, sunki and akakabu pickles.