Togakushi: A Year Round Experience
2016年10月14日
Explore a mysterious hidden area that is home to the Togakure School of Ninja
The Ninja's Way of Life
American Ninja Warrior (a spin-off of the Japanese television series Sasuke), Ninja Turtles, Naruto ― the image of the ninja is a popular one, but one that is often portrayed in a fantastical light with little historical accuracy.
One type of Shuriken, the Shaken, or "throwing star".
In Togakushi, you'll find a ninja theme park which includes shuriken throwing, obstacle courses, and other things that you might expect to see in a ninja themed park. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the Kids Ninja Village or チビッ子忍者村 Chibiko Ninja Mura.
But you will also discover the deeper mysteries of the Ninja legacy that have been preserved here for hundreds of years.
What were the lives of ninja really like? Take a look at the lifestyle and techniques of real ninja. You can even study techniques with actively practicing ninja. If you are interested in martial arts or techniques that can be used in self defense, Togakushi Ninja are waiting to train you! Visit the Togakushi Folk Museum, the Togakushi Ninja, Museum, and the Ninja Trick Mansion .
You can also enjoy delicious Ninja Soba (buckwheat noodles). 
Where to Stay
Aside from hotels and hostels available in the city center, a number of temple lodgings or Shukubo ― once used to house priests and offer travelers a place to stay and pray ― are available near the Togakushi Shrines.
Nagano City Hotels, Hostels, and Ryokans by Area in English
Togakushi Area (Primarily in Japanese, but please see below for an English translation of selections at the top of the page can be used to narrow your search results. Some of the lodgings' websites do offer English.)
エリアで絞り込むNarrow results by area
すべて選択 Select all 越水地区Koshimizu Area 中社地区Middle Shrine Area 宝光社地区 Hokosha Shrine Area 豊岡地区 Toyooka Area その他Other
カテゴリーで絞り込むNarrow results by category
すべて選択 Select all 民宿 Japanese-style bed and breakfasts 旅館 Japanese Inn ホテル Hotel ペンション Pension
Access
Bus
Buses run regularly from Nagano City's JR Nagano Station. For bus times and fares please visit the Alpico Nagano-Togakushi Bus Route web page. Round trip fare from the station to the Hokosha Shrine (the lower shrine) is 2,100 and fare to the Middle Shrine is 2,250. The upper shrine is only accessible on foot from the Okusha Parking Lot.
Car
It is also possible to rent cars at a number of places around Nagano Station. You may be able to get discounts by booking online or if you intend to book train tickets in addition to an online car reservation. You can rent a car with 4WD for half a day with prices starting at around 5,000 yen. If you're visiting in the winter, snow tires are automatically included in your rental, but the upper shrine is inaccessible by vehicle during the winter months (around mid-November to late-April).
There are two main routes leading to Togakushi. One takes you past the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track.
A detailed blog article with information about things to do in English is provided by Myoko-Nagano: Explore the Heart of Japan here. Please verify dates and prices for specific venues or activities as some information may have changed.
