Why Is It Called the “Japanese Tyrol”?
The nickname “Japanese Tyrol” was given by Takeo Ichikawa, a historical geographer who served as director of the Nagano Prefectural Museum of History. He recognized similarities between the mountainous terrain of Shimoguri and the Tyrol region of Austria, as well as the beauty of communities whose residents have built their lives closely around the surrounding mountains.
The steep terrain, scattered houses, and cultivated fields create a distinctive landscape. On misty mornings or when the mountains glow in the evening sun, the scenery can give visitors the impression of having wandered into a remote Alpine village.
A Mountain Community Shaped by the Land
Approximately 60 households and 150 people live in Shimoguri no Sato. Agriculture and forestry remain important parts of local life, and the way residents cultivate crops on steep slopes reflects generations of accumulated knowledge and effort.
There are no rice paddies in the settlement. Instead, farmers have traditionally grown crops suited to the high-altitude environment, including the area’s famous Shimoguri potatoes, as well as buckwheat, millet, foxtail millet, and barnyard millet.
Historical records also indicate that ears of millet from this area were once presented to the Imperial household for the Niinamesai, an important harvest thanksgiving ceremony. Such traditions reveal the long history of agriculture, belief, and community life in this remote mountain settlement.
Shimoguri Potatoes — A Local Specialty
Shimoguri potatoes, also known as Nido-imo, are one of the village’s best-known local products. They are cultivated carefully in fields on the steep mountain slopes, where the cool climate at high elevation contributes to their distinctive character.
The potatoes are relatively small but are known for their high sweetness and starch content. They were traditionally called Nido-imo, meaning “twice-harvested potatoes,” because they could once be harvested twice in a single year.
Because they hold their shape well when cooked, they are often prepared locally as Nido-imo Dengaku. The potatoes are grilled beside an open hearth and coated with fragrant miso, creating a combination of crisp, savory flavors and a soft, floury interior.
Shimoguri Tofu
Another local specialty is Shimoguri tofu, made using traditional methods. It has a firm, resilient texture and does not easily break apart during cooking.
Its rich soybean aroma can be enjoyed simply chilled, or the tofu can be used in dishes such as dengaku or miso soup. It is a simple food that reflects the traditional culinary culture of the mountain community.
Shimoguri Soba
From late summer into autumn, fields around Shimoguri are covered with delicate white buckwheat flowers. The high-altitude growing environment produces buckwheat with a distinctive fragrance and rich flavor.
Much of the harvested buckwheat is grown under contract and shipped to specialty restaurants in urban areas. It is appreciated as a distinctive variety of Shinshu soba, the traditional buckwheat noodles associated with Nagano Prefecture.
Akaishi Meicha — Mountain Tea
Akaishi Meicha is another specialty produced at elevations of approximately 800 to 1,000 meters. The considerable difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures helps create tea with a pleasant aroma and a smooth, mellow sweetness with relatively little bitterness.
The deep green tea leaves are also beautiful to look at, making Akaishi Meicha a local taste worth discovering while exploring the area.
Local Hospitality and Mountain Cuisine
One of the best places to experience the local food culture is Hanbatei, a soba restaurant operated by local women. The restaurant serves handmade soba prepared with locally produced buckwheat flour, along with dishes featuring Shimoguri potatoes.
Enjoying a traditional meal while looking out over the mountain village makes the experience particularly memorable. The restaurant also provides an opportunity to encounter the warm hospitality of the local community.
The village has other facilities that make use of local resources, including farm-product stands and Yama no Minoriya, a workshop where wooden crafts and furniture are produced and sold.
Accommodation is available at places such as Kogen Lodge Shimoguri and the family-run guesthouses Miyashita and Hinata. Staying overnight allows visitors to experience the village after the day-trippers have departed and provides opportunities to interact with local residents.
Tenku no Sato Viewpoint
For one of the most memorable views of Shimoguri no Sato, visitors can walk to the Tenku no Sato Viewpoint, also known as Ogibira Observatory. A walking trail to the viewpoint was developed in 2009.
From the observation point, the entire settlement unfolds across the steep mountainside. Houses and terraced fields overlap one another along the slope, while the magnificent peaks of the Southern Alps rise beyond them.
The viewpoint is especially impressive in the early morning. As the sun rises over the surrounding mountains, the light can create the sensation that the sun is rising directly from below your feet—a fitting experience for a place known as the “Village in the Sky.”
A Landscape for Every Season
Shimoguri no Sato has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Most Beautiful Rural Villages, and its scenery changes dramatically throughout the year.
In spring, fresh green leaves appear across the mountains. Summer brings the white flowers of buckwheat fields, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding greenery.
In autumn, the mountains are transformed by brilliant foliage. Winter brings snow and deep quiet, covering the settlement in a peaceful white landscape.
Whatever the season, the most remarkable feature is the harmony between the natural environment and the human settlement. Houses, fields, forests, and mountain paths form a landscape that has been shaped by generations of life in the mountains.
A Famous Sunset View in Shinshu
Shimoguri no Sato has also been selected as one of the 100 Sunset Viewpoints of Shinshu. At dusk, the village and the peaks of the Southern Alps are illuminated in golden light.
The contrast between the setting sun, distant mountain ridges, and quiet houses scattered across the steep slopes creates an almost painterly scene. For photographers and travelers seeking a peaceful landscape, sunset is one of the most atmospheric times to experience the village.
Discover the “Real Japan” in the Mountains
Shimoguri no Sato is more than a scenic destination. It is a living mountain community where people have adapted their way of life to steep slopes, cool highland conditions, and limited farmland over many generations.
The village’s distinctive landscape, traditional crops, local cuisine, crafts, and warm hospitality all reflect the relationship between people and nature that has shaped this remote part of southern Nagano.
With the Southern Alps rising in the distance and houses and fields spread across the mountainside, Shimoguri no Sato truly lives up to its nickname, the “Japanese Tyrol.” A visit here offers travelers the chance to slow down, take in an extraordinary mountain landscape, and experience a side of Japan far removed from the country’s major cities.