7 Recommended Tourist Spots in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture! Enjoy the Town of Nature and Culture!

Iida is a town located in the southern part of Nagano Prefecture. It is a popular tourist spot in Nagano, offering beautiful natural landscapes and various activities. Additionally, Iida City is known as the "Town of Puppet Theater." The "Iida Puppet Festa," the largest puppet theater festival in Japan, takes place every year in early August at 100 venues throughout the city.
Iida City preserves the atmosphere of a castle town while also allowing visitors to experience the warmth of the people in southern Shinshu. In this article, we will introduce some of the charming tourist spots in Iida!

1. Shimoguri no Sato

If you're visiting Iida for sightseeing, one spot you must see is "Shimoguri no Sato." The reason for this is the incredible location. It is situated in a region called Kamimura, on a sloping area at an elevation of 800m to 1000m, where fields and houses are scattered across a slope with a maximum incline of 38 degrees.
It’s an ordinary mountain village where the people of Iida live, but it offers a breathtaking and moving landscape to visitors. Shimoguri no Sato is often referred to as "Japan's Tyrol," but it's easier to understand if you think of it as "Japan's Machu Picchu."
To get to Shimoguri no Sato, take the Chuo Expressway from Iida IC, then follow the winding mountain roads through the Yahazu Tunnel, which takes about 75 minutes. Drive safely and enjoy your Iida sightseeing.

2. Shirabiso Kogen

Shirabiso Kogen is another must-visit sightseeing spot in Iida, and you should definitely visit it together with "Shimoguri no Sato." It stands at an elevation of 1918m, and the grand panoramic view of the Southern Alps in front of you is truly spectacular. The natural scenery is so dynamic it overwhelms visitors. Since there is a road connecting to Shimoguri no Sato, it's also recommended to visit this area first before heading toward Shimoguri.
At Shirabiso Kogen, you can view the Southern Alps, Northern Alps, and Central Alps all at once, a unique experience. If you visit Iida, be sure to visit Shirabiso Kogen as well!
Shirabiso Kogen has a facility called "Highland Shirabiso," which serves as a base for walking and hiking, and you can also use the restaurant and accommodation there. The facility offers stunning panoramic views from inside and the guest rooms, so it’s highly recommended. If you stay in the highlands, you can enjoy the star-filled night sky of Iida.

3. Tenryu Gorge

Tenryu Gorge is a must-see tourist spot when visiting Iida. The Tenryu River is a long river, flowing for 213 km from Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture, passing through Aichi Prefecture, and eventually reaching the sea in Shizuoka. Tenryu Gorge is located near the part of the river that reaches Iida. This gorge is filled with cliffs and unique rock formations, making river cruising a popular activity for tourists.
There are two types of river cruises at Tenryu Gorge: the "Tenryu Boat Ride" and the "Tenryu Line Cruise." The "Tenryu Boat Ride" offers an exciting experience with powerful splashes, while the "Tenryu Line Cruise" lets you enjoy a more relaxed scenic view. Both courses are available year-round, and during the winter, heated boat rides with kotatsu are available.
The "Tenryu Boat Ride" takes you on a 6 km stretch between Benten Port and Tokimata Port, lasting about 40 minutes, where you can experience thrilling splashes while descending the river. Boats are equipped with splash-proof vinyl sheets, ensuring that you stay dry. During the summer, you can also try rafting and raft rides, so it's an excellent spot for water sports.
On the other hand, the "Tenryu Line Cruise" slowly descends the river between Tenryu Gorge Onsen Port and Karagasa Port, taking 40 to 50 minutes. You can enjoy stunning views of the cliffs and unique rock formations on both sides, resembling a Chinese landscape painting. Both river cruising courses are highly recommended for sightseeing in Iida.

4. Binbougami Shrine

The name "Binbougami Shrine" is certainly striking! This shrine is known as "The Shrine that Brings Energy" and "The Shrine that Turns Misfortune into Fortune," and it boasts a national level of recognition as a must-visit for tourists in Iida.
At "Binbougami Shrine," you cannot make a wish. This is because the deity you are praying to is the "Binbougami" (God of Poverty), so your wish will not be granted. Therefore, the method of worship at this shrine is quite different from other shrines.
First, you "hit the sacred tree three times with a stick." Next, you "kick the sacred tree three times." Then, you "throw beans at the target behind the sacred object." It's recommended to carefully listen to the explanation from the priest about the proper way to worship.
The teachings of Binbougami Shrine suggest that "poverty is not just about money, but is a matter of the heart." It's said to be particularly effective when you feel down, anxious, or troubled. When visiting Iida, be sure to stop by the "Binbougami Shrine."

5. Apple Tree Avenues

The "Apple Tree Avenues" in Iida is a park-lined avenue that runs through the center of Iida city. The apple trees along this avenue have been planted for over 50 years, and it has become a symbol of Iida, soothing visitors with the fragrance of apple blossoms and their beautiful sight.
Throughout the year, the trees are maintained by local elementary and junior high school students, and every autumn, the apples are harvested. Since it's located in the city center, it naturally becomes a tourist spot that visitors can see while strolling around the town.
The avenue itself has been selected as one of the "100 Best Fragrant Landscapes of Japan" and has also received a "100 Best Roads of Japan" award, making it a double-awarded tourist spot in Iida.

6. Kawamoto Kihachiro Puppet Museum

Iida is not only known for its outstanding natural landscapes but also as a "Town of Puppet Theater." The "Kawamoto Kihachiro Puppet Museum" was built to promote the town's puppet theater culture. It's a perfect museum to visit to learn more about Iida's culture.
The museum was established after Kihachiro Kawamoto, a renowned puppet artist, visited Iida for the first time to participate in the town's "Puppet Theater Carnival." He was deeply moved by the passion the people had for puppet theater, which led him to donate some of his puppets to the city.
The Puppet Theater Carnival is now renamed the "Iida Puppet Festa," and it is held every August as Japan’s largest puppet theater festival, continuing to share cultural events with visitors year-round. Many visitors, including fans of Kihachiro Kawamoto's puppet animations and NHK puppet shows, visit the "Kawamoto Kihachiro Puppet Museum" to meet the puppets.

7. Old Kizawa Elementary School

The Old Kizawa Elementary School is located in the Kizawa district of Iida and was closed in 1999. The school originally opened in 1872 under the name Shushin School in Iida City. The current building is a traditional wooden schoolhouse built in 1932. It was not initially a tourist attraction, but today it has become a beloved site for visitors, offering a warm and nostalgic experience.
When you stand in the schoolyard of Old Kizawa Elementary School, you are immediately drawn to its nostalgic appearance. You can imagine the children studying and playing there. After soaking in the nostalgic atmosphere of the schoolyard, you can enter the school building. Inside, you’ll find remnants of the old school, such as the shoe racks in the hallway, musical instruments in the music room, and books in the library, all preserved as they were. Visitors often reminisce about their own school days.
Among the highlights of the Old Kizawa Elementary School is the classroom of the "last first-grade class." The chalkboard with "Thank you, teacher" written on it, wooden desks and chairs, and three schoolbags from that era evoke memories of the time. When you think of the warm-hearted efforts of the people of Iida to preserve such a facility, you’ll appreciate this as one of the best tourist spots in Iida.

◎Summary

In this guide, we introduced 7 recommended tourist spots in Iida City, showcasing a variety of experiences from natural landscapes, traditional culture, thrilling river cruises, to the unexpected charm of a unique shrine, and warm-hearted encounters with the locals.
Iida is a town surrounded by rich nature, with many interesting places to explore. When you’re in this town, you’ll feel your mind calm and your energy refreshed. The recommended tourist spots in Iida are all places full of this kind of charm. Enjoy the abundant nature and culture in the town of Iida, under its wide, open sky.

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7 Recommended Tourist Spots in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture! Enjoy the Town of Nature and Culture!