Togakushi is located in the north of Nagano Prefecture, and it is a part of Myoko-Togakushi renzan National Park. Togakushi, which means “hidden door” in Japanese, has long been one of the few Japanese villages of its size situated above 1280 meters in elevation. In 2005, the village was incorporated into Nagano City, but there is a strong desire among the villagers to preserve Togakushi’s authenticity and natural heritage. The area was designated a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2016.

If you are looking to reconnect with nature, this is your ideal destination in Japan. Togakushi’s stunning landscapes change with every season, meaning there is always something special to enjoy, no matter when your visit.

Togakushi is deeply and inextricably tied to its title “sacred mountain” and its surrounding natural environment. Mt. Togakushi has been a place of mountain worship since ancient times. At the end of the Heian period, the mountain became an ascetic training ground, and since then, Togakushi has acquired the reputation of being a spiritual haven.

The rows of cedars lining the path to the Okusha Shrine and the surroundings that envelop the five shrines of Togakushi are extremely valuable natural treasures.

This alluring forest reserve, with its bird watching mecca, sanctuary of unique flora and fauna, and pristine flowing streams everywhere, expresses the changing of the seasons in beautiful natural scenery.