J-Trip Plan

Deep in the Forested Mountains of Nagano

The masons of old based in Takato, Nagano Pref., left many superb works of stone around the country. Our reporter wonders around this country town to see the stone Buddhist statues and guardian deities standing along the roadside and in the temples, and he tries the local specialties: matsutake mushrooms and soba. Also, we introduce the Senjojiki Cirque, carved by glaciers 20,000 years ago, and a flying squirrel tour. And, our correspondent shows us the world's largest wasabi farm in Azumino.