Discover Ina: History, Exhibitions and Parks

For a trip to Ina, the attractions in the municipality offer a range of experiences: Ina City Sozo-kan combines a former library building with exhibitions and educational programs. The former Izawa Residence offers a glimpse into the history of Ina-bejuku, while Kasuga Park and Ina Park each have their own character, with plants, play areas and sports facilities. You can plan your trip according to whether you would rather explore cultural history or spend time in parks.

Library History and Exhibitions at Ina City Sozo-kan

In the municipality, Ina City Sozo-kan is housed in the former Kamiina Library building. The library was built in 1930 using advanced construction techniques for its time and served for many years as a cultural and educational center for the Kamiina region. The museum grew out of this building and opened in 2010 as a lifelong learning center.

Valuable books are displayed in the historic room of the Kamiina Library, where visitors can handle them. A geology exhibition room focuses on the geological features of the Ina Valley. These offer different perspectives: here, the focus is on historical books; there, on the landscape from a geological perspective. The permanent exhibition also includes a vessel with face-shaped handles from the Gotemba archaeological site in Ina, designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Exhibition details may change; if you would like to see this object, check the latest information in advance.

The events program also covers a range of topics: Ina City Sozo-kan holds courses, classes and lectures on natural sciences, archaeology, space, history, folklore, the environment and art. Individual programs may vary, so if you would like to plan around a particular course or lecture, it is worth checking the latest schedule. The venue offers more than a historical look at the building: depending on your interests, science, art or regional history may also take center stage.

Ina-bejuku and the Former Izawa Residence

Ina-bejuku was a post town about 320 meters long on the Ina Kaidō, roughly halfway between the castle town of Iida and Shiojiri-juku. It was an important transfer point for horse transport. Buildings bearing traces of the Edo-period road have been preserved; the right-angle bends in the road at the northern and southern ends of the post town are called Kagi-no-te. These historic features give the town a distinctive architectural and transportation history.

The Izawa family lived in Ina-bejuku, was regarded as one of the leading large-farming families in the Takato domain, and operated a sake brewery for generations. Their estate was the only house in the area with a gable and had the largest floor area. The Edo-period building was designated a tangible cultural property of Ina City in 1999, dismantled and rebuilt in 2004, and opened to the public afterward. Check in advance for current visiting arrangements.

The former residence displays equipment once used to make sake. A Japanese-style room is also available for use; it is best to check the current terms of use in advance. The architecture, family history and former brewing activity come together here, adding insights into the life of a large-farming family to the history of the post town.

Two Parks with Distinctive Features

Kasuga Park covers about 14.3 hectares around the site of Kasuga Castle. The grounds have 200 cherry trees, including 150 Somei-Yoshino and 50 Higan cherry trees, as well as 20,000 azaleas. Planting numbers may change over time. Play facilities include a large combination play structure for children and a separate piece of equipment for toddlers.

Ina Park offers a different mix of attractions. It includes Ina Stadium, a municipal baseball field, a municipal swimming pool, the Center Tennis Courts, a gymnasium, play equipment and the D51-209 locomotive. The park also has a fitness trail and a health trail. In contrast, Kasuga Park combines the castle site with trees, azaleas and play equipment, while sports facilities, trails and the locomotive shape the experience at Ina Park. For families, the play equipment specifically mentioned here is useful for planning; anyone looking to include some exercise can also consider the two trails at Ina Park.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kiso, Shiojiri, Iiyama, Azuma, Hakuba, Suzaka, Chino, Suwa

For the overview of the wider region: Nagano Prefecture.