History and Origins of Akiyama-go
A Legend of Refugees from the Genpei War
One of the best-known traditions surrounding Akiyama-go tells of Taira no Katsuhide, a member of the defeated Taira clan, who is said to have fled from Kusatsu to this remote valley during the Bunji era in the late 12th century.
Living far from the outside world, the people of Akiyama-go developed ways of life closely adapted to the surrounding mountains. Hunting and slash-and-burn agriculture were important parts of their livelihood. These traditions are also said to have blended with the culture of matagi, traditional hunters who migrated here from Akita, creating a distinctive local culture.
Living in Harmony with the Mountains
During the Edo period, the writer Suzuki Bokushi introduced the customs, landscapes, and harsh winter conditions of the region to a wider audience through works such as Akiyama Kikō and Hokuetsu Seppu.
In the Showa period, the region received further attention through the research of geographer Ichikawa Takeo. Severe famines in earlier centuries caused three settlements to disappear, while complete isolation during winter remained common until the latter part of the 20th century.
Tourism and Highlights of Akiyama-go
Hot Springs Surrounded by Untouched Nature
Akiyama-go is blessed with numerous natural hot spring sources, and different settlements offer baths with their own characteristics. The hot springs are particularly appealing because they combine the traditional atmosphere of mountain villages with spectacular natural surroundings.
Kiriake Onsen
Kiriake Onsen is one of the region’s most famous secret hot springs. At the riverside, visitors can dig into the gravel and create their own natural outdoor bath, using the hot spring water emerging from the ground.
Koakasawa Onsen
Koakasawa Onsen is located near the Akiyama Branch Office of Sakae Village and is one of the more convenient hot spring areas in Akiyama-go.
Other Hot Springs
Wayama Onsen, Yashiki Onsen, and Ketto Onsen are also popular destinations, each offering a different atmosphere within the secluded mountain region.
Waterfalls, Bridges, Museums, and Outdoor Experiences
Akiyama-go offers numerous places where visitors can experience its natural environment and cultural heritage.
Hebuchi Waterfall
Hebuchi Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located near the border between Niigata and Nagano prefectures. The surrounding forest and rugged mountain landscape create an impressive natural setting.
Mikura Bridge
Mikura Bridge is a wooden suspension bridge that became known as one of the filming locations for the Japanese movie Yureru. The bridge provides an atmospheric view of the surrounding mountain valley.
Akiyama-go Folklore Museum
The Akiyama-go Folklore Museum occupies a renovated traditional farmhouse and displays household tools and other objects that illustrate the everyday lives of people who once lived in this isolated region.
Tonenbo
Tonenbo in Koakasawa serves as a tourist information center and a useful base for learning more about Akiyama-go and its surrounding attractions.
Noyosa no Sato Campground
Noyosa no Sato Campground offers visitors the opportunity to spend time outdoors and experience the natural environment of Akiyama-go at a slower pace.
Traditional Crafts and Local Specialties
Akiyama-go has a long tradition of woodworking, and handmade wooden products remain popular souvenirs. Traditional Akiyama wooden bowls, low tables, and other handcrafted furniture reflect the practical skills that developed in this mountain community.
Another distinctive local craft is the neko chigura, a traditional cat shelter woven from rice straw. Local specialties also include tochi-no-mi rice crackers, as well as mountain vegetables and wild mushrooms harvested in the surrounding forests.
The Settlements and Communities of Akiyama-go
Settlements on the Niigata Side
The Niigata side of Akiyama-go contains eight traditional settlements: Ketto, Sakasamaki, Shimizugawara, Ketto, Mikura, Maekura, Nakanohira, and Oakasawa. Ketto is particularly known for its beautiful rural landscape and was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Beautiful Rural Village Landscapes.
Settlements on the Nagano Side
The Nagano side contains five settlements: Koakasawa, Yashiki, Uenohara, Wayama, and Kiriake. Koakasawa was the largest settlement, with as many as 54 households as of 2007. Kiriake lies at the southernmost end of Akiyama-go.
Villages That Have Disappeared
Some settlements have disappeared over the course of history. Daia kiyama, Yabitsu, and Amazake were abandoned as a result of factors including famine and the challenges of maintaining communities in such a remote environment.
Getting to Akiyama-go
Road Access
National Route 405 runs from Tsunan Town in Niigata Prefecture to Kiriake, providing the principal road access to Akiyama-go from the Niigata side.
From Nagano Prefecture, Kiriake can also be reached via the Okushiga Forest Road and Zakogawa Forest Road. However, these mountain roads are closed during winter.
The former Kusatsu Highway between Kiriake and Lake Nozori remains undeveloped. Although there have been efforts toward opening this route, there is currently no definite timetable for construction or completion.
Public Transportation
Local buses operated by Minami-Echigo Kanko Bus connect central Tsunan Town with Mikama. From Mikama southward toward Kiriake Onsen, a reservation-based shared taxi service is available. Advance reservations are required.
A Remote Way of Life That Continues Today
Akiyama-go is not simply a place where visitors can admire beautiful scenery. It is also a living community where people continue to maintain traditions that have developed through generations of life in the mountains.
There was once an Akiyama Elementary School, but by April 2016 only one child remained. The school was subsequently integrated into the Akiyama Branch School of Sakae Elementary School. For junior high and high school students, living in dormitories has traditionally been common because of the region’s remote location.
Despite depopulation and the many challenges faced by remote mountain communities, the people of Akiyama-go continue to maintain their way of life quietly and steadily.
Discover the Living Heritage of a Japanese Mountain Village
Akiyama-go is more than a tourist destination—it is a living remote region where nature, traditional culture, and everyday life remain deeply connected.
For travelers who want to step away from crowded cities and encounter a more authentic side of rural Japan, Akiyama-go offers an experience that is difficult to find elsewhere. Its pristine mountain landscapes, changing seasons, traditional hot springs, distinctive crafts, and centuries-old customs reveal a quieter Japan shaped by its relationship with nature.
Here, the pace of life is slow, the mountains dominate the horizon, and the traditions of the past remain part of the present. A journey through Akiyama-go is an opportunity not only to see Japan’s natural beauty, but also to experience the enduring culture and everyday life of one of its most secluded mountain communities.