Kiso-Fuksuhima is the cultural and commerce capital of the Kiso Valley. However, because the Kiso Valley is so remote and sparsely populated, it is still a small quiet mountain town tucked away in the north of the Kiso Valley. During the first half of the day you will visit a few of the most important historical sights before heading to a local restaurant for lunch. In there afternoon you will pop on a train to the nearby town of Agematsu where you will visit one of the most famous sights of the Kiso region, Nezame-no-toko. After that, you will return to Kiso Fukushima where you will visit a local brewery and enjoy a sake tasting experience to end the day.

The Morning:

In the morning you will meet your guide either at the Kiso Fukushima Station or your guide will pick you up from your accommodation if you are staying in town. From there you will visit the main historical, cultural sights of Kiso-Fukushima. These include:

• Uenodan (300 JPY) - The historical town of Kiso-Fukushima. Most of Kiso Fukushima architecture has been lost, burned down, knocked down, etc. But one section known as Uenodan has kept its ancient buildings and character. It is full of cafes and museums and a must while in town.

• Yamamura Residence (300 JPY) - The Yamamura family governed Kiso during the Edo Period. They were awarded this honor thanks to their loyalty to the Tokugawa clan in the battle of Sekigahara. Their role as magistrate here was typically one that changed personage every few years, but the Yamamura family were allowed to keep their positions here for a full 274 years. Of particular interest is the real mummified fox that you can see on request.

• Fukushima Checkpoint Museum - Kiso Fukushima had one of the four largest checkpoints in all of Japan. It searched for contraband such as guns, it made sure that only people with official permission could travel, but it is also took a particular interest in women. Why women? In the Edo Period wives, mothers, and daughters of Daimyo were often forced to live in Tokyo as strategic hostages to forge alliances. They were known to get homesick, take disguise and try and sneak their way back home.

Lunch:

Lunch will be eaten at a local restaurants. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements or requests.

The Afternoon:

• Nezame-no-toko (200 JPY) - After lunch it is time to pop on a train and head to the nearby town of Agematsu. After a ten minute train ride you will arrive. From there it is a 20 minute walk to one of the most famous icons of the Kiso region, Nezame-no-toko. This beautiful gorge is home to the story of Urashima Taro, the man who lived with dragons under the sea. It is a great spot for photographs!

• Sake Tasting (1,000 JPY) - After returning to Kiso-Fukushima again by train, a ten minute walk from the station is a local sake brewery. You can enjoy a sake tasting course with explanations from the brewery while you drink. Surely the best way to learn about the national drink of Japan is to drink it while those who make it explain it to you. If you do not drink alcohol, a coffee shop can go in its place.

This is a day of culture and light walking inside the towns of Kiso-Fukushima and Agematsu. All in all it will actually require about 8-9km of walking. It is designed for hikers hoping for a day off from the mountains and for visitors who want to know more about the history and culture of the area.