OTARI

ACTIVITIES

Explore Otari’s Nature!

SHOWER CLIMBING

PARAGLIDING

CYCLING

CAMPING

Everyone from complete beginners to seasoned campers will enjoy spending time relaxing, camping, and barbecuing amongst the rich natural landscapes of Otari. The village offers a wide variety of camping options to suit a range of styles: from high-end glamping sites to family-friendly spots with spectacular views of the Northern Alps. Camping is available in Otari from spring to fall and is sure to be an experience to remember in any season!

  • Tsugaike Outdoor Village

    This new campground is located right on the wide-open, green grassy slopes of Tsugaike during the green season. In addition to the fresh air and excellent views, the venue boasts easy access to many nearby activities. This is an ideal basecamp from which to explore the incredible nature and exciting attractions in and around Tsugaike.

    Inquiries & Reservations:

    Tent Camping

    website (Japanese only)

    0261-83-2255

    Camper Glamping

    website (Japanese only)

    0261-83-2255

  • Tsugaike Outdoor Village
  • Amakazari Campground

    Located at the foot of Mt. Amakazari, this full-service camping site offers plenty of comfort and convenience and is the ideal place to spend the night for hikers looking to get an early start on a climb up to the famous summit.

    Inquiries & Reservations:

    website (Japanese only)

    0261-85-1045

  • Amakazari Campground
  • Chobo-no-Sato Campsite

    Superb views of the Northern Alps, the valley, and the village below spread out in front of you from the well-crafted wooden decks that serve as tent platforms at this popular camping site.

    Inquiries & Reservations:

    website (Japanese only)

    090-7403-7147

  • Chobo-no-Sato Campsite
  • Cortina Auto Camp Field

    This family-friendly camping area operated by Hotel Green Plaza Hakuba comes with a fantastic benefit; visitors have access to the hotel’s onsen (hot spring baths) and other facilities during their stay.

    Inquiries & Reservations:

    website (Japanese only)

    0261-82-2236

  • Cortina Auto Camp Field
  • Hakuba Alps Hotel Campsite & Auto Campsite

    This plush plot of land is situated next to the Hakuba Alps Hotel, with several onsen and restaurants conveniently located close at hand.

    Inquiries & Reservations:

    website (Japanese only)

    0261-82-2811

  • Hakuba Alps Hotel Campsite & Auto Campsite
  • Ishizaka Shinrin Tanken Mura Campsite

    This quiet, isolated campsite in a beautiful forested area gives visitors the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of life and dive deep into the heart of nature.

    Inquiries & Reservations:

    website (Japanese only)

    090-1040-5085

  • Ishizaka Shinrin Tanken Mura Campsite

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

  • Hakuba Tsugaike WOW!

    Hakuba Tsugaike WOW! is a first of its kind adventure park for Japan. Here adults and children alike can enjoy a number thrilling activities, including a harrowing bike ride through the air on a wire suspended over water, or navigating obstacles and bouncing sky-high on a large netted structure surrounded by pristine nature! Tsugaike WOW is located around the Tsugaike gondola’s mid-station.

    Inquiries & Reservations:

    website (Japanese only)

    0261-83-2255

  • Hakuba Tsugaike WOW!1Hakuba Tsugaike WOW!2
  • Tree Adventure Parks

    Tree adventure is a general term to describe a set of adrenaline-pumping experiences that test your balance, coordination, and courage. Otari has two of these high-flying ropes courses, with one each in the Hakuba Norikura and Cortina areas. With both locations situated near hotels and campgrounds, you can easily spice up your stay with a dose of unforgettable adventure!

    Inquiries & Reservations:

    Cortina Adventure Land

    website (Japanese only)

    0261-82-2236

    Hakuba Alps Hotel Tree Adventure

    website (Japanese only)

    0261-82-2811

  • Tree Adventure Parks1Tree Adventure Parks2

INDOOR CLIMBING

NATURE EXPERIENCES

GOLF

OTHER SHOPS &
POINTS OF INTEREST

In addition to the stunning landscapes, rich nature, and outdoor activities that abound in Otari, you can also find a number of quiet, local shops and restaurants, as well as more laidback sightseeing alternatives that compliment any itinerary. These are ideal places to relax, search for traditional crafts and souvenirs, or indulge in tasty foods made by locals using locally-sourced ingredients.

  • Cortina English Garden

    Enjoy an authentic English garden designed by a renowned British gardener. Stroll the grounds and relax on the benches while taking in the fragrant air and colorful blossoms.

    website (Japanese only)

    0261-82-2236

  • Cortina English Garden
  • Firefly Park ‘Hotaru-no-Sato’

    From mid-June to early August, hundreds of fireflies perform their nightly dance, drawing golden lines in the air as they flutter silently, and magically through the firefly park.

    Facebook (Japanese only)

    N/A

  • Firefly Park ‘Hotaru-no-Sato’
  • Roadside Station ‘Michi-no-Eki Otari’

    Whether you come in search of local products, produce and souvenirs, or to relax in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the natural onsen (hot spring) bath located here, this is one of Otari’s must-visit destinations. While you’re there, be sure to stop in at the popular restaurant inside that serves tasty Japanese fare, with rice that is cooked in traditional stone pots.

    website (Japanese only)

    0261-71-6000

  • Roadside Station ‘Michi-no-Eki Otari’
  • Local Cuisine ‘Otari Meisankan’

    This small restaurant on Otari’s main strip serves food made with wild game hunted and prepared by the owner, such as the shop standard kuma (bear) curry. Their famous soba noodles are another fabulous choice.

    0261-82-2526

  • Local Cuisine ‘Otari Meisankan’1Local Cuisine ‘Otari Meisankan’2
  • Antique Shop ‘Minatoya Shoten’

    Minatoya is the only antique shop in the village, and a treasure chest of old furniture, tools, plateware and a hodgepodge of anything and everything else you can imagine. Rummaging through the densely-packed shop and uncovering rare and unique gems hidden amongst the hoards is a big part of the fun.

    0261-82-2080

  • Antique Shop ‘Minatoya Shoten’1Antique Shop ‘Minatoya Shoten’2
  • Gelato Shop ‘Otarian Gelato’

    This relatively recent addition to the food scene in Otari is already proving very popular. The high-quality gelato comes in unique and flavorful varieties that are made with local ingredients such as soba (buckwheat) ,and seasonal fruits and vegetables to name a few.

    Instagram (Japanese only)

    080-7405-6258

  • Gelato Shop ‘Otarian Gelato’
  • Bakery ‘Ichirin-no-Hana’

    Enjoy the freshly baked bread, fruit danishes, muffins, and more local favorites at this family-run bakery that has been providing bread to the village children for school lunch for many years.

    0261-82-3885

  • Bakery ‘Ichirin-no-Hana’1Bakery ‘Ichirin-no-Hana’2

TRADITIONAL LOCAL CRAFTS

DELICIOUS LOCAL SAKE

FASCINATING LOCAL FESTIVALS

Festivals are an important way to showcase and pass down the unique history, culture and traditions of an area, and Otari’s annual calendar is packed with wonderful opportunities to experience ancient music, dance, ceremonies, and processions in this modern age.

  • The Historic Salt Road Festival (‘Shionomichi Matsuri’)

    Early May
    This annual festival is a celebration of the history and culture of the “Shio-no-Michi”, or Salt Road: a once bustling trade route that stretched some 120 km from the Sea of Japan coast to the landlocked castle town of Matsumoto. The festival coincides with the coming of spring and is perfectly timed around the blooming of the cherry trees. Participants walk in procession with costumed locals along the 9 km Chikuni-goe course, traveling in forests, along rice fields, and through small countryside settlements.

  • Fascinating Local Festivals
  • Nakaya Omiya Suwa Shrine Festival

    Late August
    This local summer festival, held annually on the grounds of an ancient and important shrine, features several traditional dances recognized for their historical and cultural significance as “Intangible Cultural Folk Assets” by the prefectural government of Nagano. Come and experience the unique atmosphere and energy of this authentic village festival.

  • Nakaya Omiya Suwa Shrine Festival
  • Fukahara Flower Lantern Festival (‘Hana-toro Matsuri’)

    Early September
    In this simple, but visually impressive festival, local residents proceed in formation to the Fukahara Suwa Shrine while hoisting towering 5-meter poles adorned with rectangular paper lanterns and large, dangling strings of “flowers.” The dedication of the lanterns at the shrine is followed by a whimsical performance of a traditional lion dance, known as Shishi-mai. The slow and steady sway of the flowers hanging from the dimly-lit lanterns creates an dream-like atmosphere.

  • Fukahara Flower Lantern Festival (‘Hana-toro Matsuri’)
  • Chikuni Suwa Shrine Festival

    Mid-September
    This unique local festival in Otari Village borders on the bizarre. Male participants in colorful traditional clothing and clownish masks dance about while wielding bamboo sticks (sasara) in one hand and long red phallus symbols in the other. The males repeatedly strike the bamboo and phallus together while chasing after females and playfully probing them with the phallus. Tradition has it that women who are touched in this manner will be blessed with healthy children.

  • Chikuni Suwa Shrine Festival
  • Buckwheat Harvest Festival (‘Shin-soba Matsuri’)

    October to November
    Fresh handmade soba noodles, along with deserts and other culinary creations made with newly-harvested buckwheat, are available at multiple locations throughout the village of Otari during this extended festival period. Visit a variety of shops to indulge in this specialty food of Nagnao, and receive stamps that can be redeemed for a chance to win prizes, such as accommodation vouchers, village-branded items, and – you guessed it – freshly made soba.

  • Buckwheat Harvest Festival (‘Shin-soba Matsuri’)
  • Oami Fire Ceremony (‘Oami Hi-matsuri’)

    The Second Saturday of February
    As the long, harsh winter reaches its peak and the promise of spring begins to bring light and hope back to the dark, cold days, the small settlement of Oami holds a spectacular ceremony dedicated to the god of Mt. Amakazari. With the landscape still covered in a deep blanket of snow, villagers dressed in loincloths and wearing otherworldly masks dance and shout around a raging bonfire in a carefully choreographed ceremony to appease the mountain god and usher in a rich harvest in the year to come.

  • Oami Fire Ceremony (‘Oami Hi-matsuri’)