Okuwa Village, Kiso, Nagano. A white granite riverbed catches the sunlight, and the water glows an otherworldly emerald-green. A 10-minute walk from Aterasou — the story of a clear stream that runs through the Japan Heritage Kisoji.
Atera Valley is sometimes called a flowing jewel — an emerald-green clear stream. The white granite riverbed catches the sunlight, and the water glows an almost dreamlike blue. Locals have long known this colour as "Atera Blue".
Look down and you can see every pebble on the riverbed through water so clear it leaves you speechless — and this stream runs right beside Aterasou. Follow the roughly 6.3 km walking trail upstream and you reach Senjojo, Inugaeri-no-Fuchi, Unari Island, Kumagafuchi, Ushigafuchi, and finally Rokudan-no-Taki (Six-Tier Falls). The Atera River flows quietly through a national forest of the five sacred Kiso trees.
Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs designates stories that convey the nation's culture and traditions through the historical charm of a region as "Japan Heritage". The Kisoji road — along which Atera Valley lies — is one of them.
"The Kisoji is all in the mountains"— Guarding the mountains, living with the mountains —
At the mouth of the valley, beside the Atera Bridge over the Kiso River, a famed spring wells up endlessly — "Bigan-sui". Nurtured by the national forest of the five sacred Kiso trees, this pure water seeps from the bedrock and never runs dry.
Clear in every age, it has been selected as one of Shinshu's celebrated and hidden waters. On your journey, take a sip and feel the blessing of the Kiso forest.
Selected — Shinshu's Famed & Hidden Waters
In June 1907, the poet Shimaki Akahiko travelled the Kisoji with Ito Sachio and spent a night at Atera Onsen. These are the five poems he composed there.
Aterasou's natural hot spring, "Atera Onsen", rises here — the very place where Akahiko spent his night.
Magnolia and azalea bloom, fresh greenery dazzles and wild vegetables sprout — the valley at its most youthful.
Green leaves and white clouds. Drift on a tube, leap from the rocks, chase fish with a mask — blue shimmering between light and shadow.
The song of insects, silver grass, and autumn leaves. Brocade mountains mirror in the emerald water — the valley's finest view.
Snow paints the scene like an ink-wash painting. In the stillness, crisp air and the blue stream welcome the traveller.
Roughly a 10-minute walk from Aterasou to the valley entrance (Atera Bridge) — a perfect morning stroll.
About 2 minutes by car. From the Chuo Expressway Nakatsugawa IC, head north on Route 19; also reachable from JR Nagiso and Nojiri stations.
During the summer car-restriction period, walking or a rental bicycle is best — gliding through fresh green air.
Aterasou is a 10-minute walk from Atera Valley. We welcome your Kiso journey with the natural "Atera Onsen" hot spring and clear-stream river-fish cuisine. Room-only from JPY 8,000.