Nagano’s Kiso Valley, with its wooded hills and pristine waters, is the perfect nature escape. From my base in Kiso-Fukushima, I had already explored the charming town, hiked the ancient Nakasendo trail and visited the Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest.
Keen to spend another day outdoors, I decided to try my hand at kayaking in Japan. And, from the information gathered at the Kiso Fukushima Tourist Information Center, it seemed that the remote Otaki Village was the perfect place to do so.
About Otaki Village
Otaki Village, located at the base of Mount Ontake, is decidedly off the beaten track. The area is 97% forested, home to pure mountain streams and lakes and various pilgrimage trails to the summit. It’s truly an outdoor lover’s paradise and a wonderful place to get away from it all.
The village itself sidles the banks of the Otaki River and its 800 odd residents have warmly welcomed and accommodated pilgrims since ancient times. Head to the Otaki Tourist Information Center to get the lowdown on shops and restaurants.
(You can read the rest of the article at this link. This article was first published by Team JJ on July 14, 2019. Check here for deeper and unique insights into visiting Japan, including wellness, travel, cuisine and more. Find us on Instagram and on Facebook.)
Author: Team JJ
