Tomi: Unno-juku, Highlands and Culture

In the town of Tōmi, the history of an old post station, highland nature, and winter activities come together. Unno-juku tells the story of a time when travelers journeyed along the Hokkoku Road; the Yunomaru Highlands are characterized by wetlands, plants, and winter sports. This variety offers different options for planning your trip—from historic streets and regional cuisine to nature experiences.

Unno-juku: History Along the Old Road

Unno-juku began in 1625, during the Edo period, as a post station on the old Hokkoku Road. Along the street, inns and shops from the Edo period stand alongside Meiji-era houses used for silkworm farming. Sturdy buildings in the style of Edo-period inns and structures in the style of Meiji-era silkworm farms have been preserved. The streetscape along the former Hokkoku Road is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. As you walk through the streets, different eras stand side by side.

Unno-juku also hosts an annual Friendship Festival on November 23, featuring a procession in traditional costumes along the historic street. Local guides introduce visitors to the history and distinctive features of the area; reservations are required for these tours. A self-guided tour in Tōmi includes 24 stops, among them 15 historic sites or cultural properties and six wineries. You can visit the stops at your own pace. In Higashimachi, a Kabuki stage is still used for performances; check specific dates before planning your visit.

Highland Nature and Seasonal Experiences

Ikenotaira Marsh lies at an elevation of 2,000 meters in the crater of Sanpō-ga-mine, a volcano that formed tens of thousands of years ago. It is home to around 1,200 subalpine and alpine plant species. The Yunomaru Highlands are also known for a large cluster of Renge azaleas, designated a Special Natural Monument of Japan. The wetlands, altitude, and plant life give the area a different character from the historic streetscape of Unno-juku.

Yunomaru Ski Resort offers winter sports and snowshoeing. The winter season runs from December through March, and all courses are open to snowboarders as well. This makes it easy to distinguish a winter-focused trip from the other cultural and nature-related options. Six suggested routes are available for guided trekking tours. On every route, Yunomaru Nature Masters accompany participants, lead them along the trail, and explain the area’s nature, alpine plants, and volcanoes. As booking conditions may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before planning.

Art, Baths, and Regional Cuisine

The Umeno Memorial Painting Museum in Tōmi has a collection focused on modern Japanese Western-style painting. A Kabuki performance, a museum visit, and the historic buildings offer different ways to spend days focused on culture. For a culinary experience, recipes using local ingredients from Tōmi are prepared in an old house in Unno-juku. These include Shinano walnuts, Shinshu Golden Shamo chicken, Mimaki tofu, and Shirato potatoes. Availability for this experience may change; check in advance.

For day visitors, Yurakukan is a public bath with a 40-square-meter indoor pool and an outdoor pool with a view. Yuufuru Tanaka combines a hot spring bath with a swimming pool and fitness facilities for day visitors. Together with the cultural and nature-related options, these facilities add more choices to your day’s itinerary, without requiring every vacation day to have the same focus.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Stay

When looking for a vacation rental in Tomi, it helps to first decide what you want to do on your trip: explore historic streets and cuisine, enjoy art and Kabuki, or head to the highlands for winter activities. For seasonal offerings, guided tours, and the cooking experience, it’s a good idea to check dates or availability in advance.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Hakuba, Yamanouchi, Minamisaku District, Koumi, Shimosuwa, Matsumoto, Chino, Okaya

Back to the main travel guide: Nagano Prefecture.