Takato Soba Located in Chugoku region, Nagano Prefecture sits near the center of Japan. Mountains as high as 2,000 – 3,000 meters run north to south in this landlocked prefecture. Even though rice has been a staple for centuries in Japan, buckwheat, which adapts well to severe winter weather or poorly conditioned land, has been grown all over Japan as a substitute for rice when the rice yields are low. Nagano’s climate, which has a big difference in temperature between day and night, makes soba produced in Nagano quite flavorful. Soba noodles made in Nagano using locally produced buckwheat are called Sinshu Soba, one of the most known dishes in the prefecture. Ina city, located in southern Nagano has a unique soba noodle called Takato Soba, which is served with a dipping sauce made with the extract of Japanese radish and roasted miso. Gohei Mochi Miso – one of the most significant seasonings in Japanese cuisine, is a traditional fermented food made from soybeans and Koji kin, a fermentation culture. Japan has various kinds of miso unique to the region and they are used not only in miso soup but also in a wide variety of Japanese regional cuisine. Shinshu miso, mainly made in the Nagano Prefecture, is said to be first made back in the Sengoku period by order of a powerful warlord in the region, Takeda Shingen. Shinshu miso is made from rice koji and soybeans, thus being called rice miso. It is light yellow in color and slightly on the spicy side. Gohei Mochi is a traditional regional food that’s been around in the city of Ina in southern Nagano. It used to be one of the offerings to thank God for blessing the farmers with new rice crops, and to ask for next year’s abundance again. To make Gohei Mochi, smash firm, steamed uruchi-mai (white rice) and divide them into small flat pieces, put them on skewers, brush them with a mix of miso paste, mirin, sugar and crushed walnuts, then grill them over a traditional irori stove or a gas stove. Miharashi Farm Strawberry Picking There are three campsites such as a Miharashi Farm where visitors can experience harvesting crops and making various handicrafts. IRINOYA NATIVE SOBA Irinoya native soba Until recently this soba was not cultivated but has been revived in recent years. The scent is very strong. Sakuraunbashi in Takato Castle Ruins Park A town surrounded by the Central Alps on the west, the Southern Alps on the east, and two Alps. In spring, Takatookohiganzakura in Takato Castle Ruins Park is called the most beautiful cherry blossoms beneath the heavens. PARAGLIDER There are plenty of outdoor activity facilities such as Miharashi Farm, paragliders, SUPs, mountain bikes, and off-road buggies where you can experience harvesting agricultural products and various handcrafting experiences. Insect food Insect food A local food that is eaten by boiling locusts, bee larva, and zazamushi in soy. Kenpukuji Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage During the Edo period, the Takato clan was known nationwide as a masonry village, its technology was extremely good and used nationwide. There are many such works located here.