Nosegawa Village
Located on the southwestern edge of Nara Prefecture, Nosegawa Village is a mountainous village with an average elevation of 700 meters, often referred to as "The Land of the Sky."
The village has a population of under 400, which makes it the least populated village on mainland Japan.
Being as the ever popular Koyasan is just a short car ride away, it's a wonderful destination to fully experience the Japanese countryside. Nosegawa offers a charming respite before or after your pilgrimage
Despite its small population, the village is rich in history, nature, romance, and human warmth. Nosegawa offers an escape unlike any other, a haven where avid hikers can conquer challenging trails, history buffs can delve into ancient stories, and couples can find the perfect romantic escape.
Nosegawa's unique charm awaits discovery, promising an unforgettable experience for every soul seeking solace or adventure.
Kumano Kodo and Koyasan
Part of the Kumano Kodo, namely the Kohechi trail runs straight through Nosegawa Village. The Kumano Kodo, a network of ancient pilgrimage trails in the southern Kansai region of Japan, holds profound historical and cultural significance, integral to the area's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. These pilgrimage routes, known as Kodo, have served as sacred paths for over a millennium, connecting various spiritual sites across the Kii Peninsula.
Kumano Nachi Taisha
The Kumano Kodo is a unique pilgrimage system that, alongside the Camino de Santiago, enjoys the distinction of being a World Heritage Site.
Koyasan Okunoin Cemetery
At the heart of this sacred region stand the three Kumano shrines — Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha — collectively known as Kumano Sanzan. Pilgrims from all walks of life, including retired emperors and aristocrats, have been drawn to these revered shrines since the 10th century. Beyond facilitating access to these sacred destinations, the pilgrimage trails themselves are designed to provide a profound religious experience, often traversing challenging and even perilous mountain terrain.
Mt. Omine
In addition to linking the Kumano shrines, the Kumano Kodo extends its paths to connect with other significant sites, including Kyoto, Koyasan (headquarters of Shingon Buddhism), Yoshino and Omine (mountain worship centers), and Ise (Japan's most important shrine). While coastal trails have diminished due to development, several mountain trails and passes still endure, preserving the historic and spiritual essence of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes.
Kumano Kodo Kohechi
The Kumano Kodo Kohechi is a pilgrimage route that connects the two major sacred sites of Koyasan, the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, and the syncretic Grand Shrines of the Kumano Sanzan. This is the trail which passes through Nosegawa Village.
The Kohechi is a challenging route that crosses four 1,000-meter-high mountain passes: Mizugamine Peak, Obako-toge Pass, Miura-toge Pass and Hatenashi-toge Pass. Along the way, there are many remnants of the old Kodo, including stone statues, Jizo statues, moss-covered stone pavements, teahouse ruins, and house ruins. The route passes through mostly mountainous areas, providing an opportunity to experience a traditional walking pilgrimage. Sound preparation is key when traversing the Kohechi. The trek will take 4 days and should not be considered by beginners or anyone lacking the required fitness levels.
One of the best resources online for all things Kumano, is the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau homepage. If you are planning on visiting the area and need some expert advice, we highly recommend you contact them.
Nosegawa Village
Hotel Nosegawa
Nestled deep in the Kii mountains alongside the crystal clear waters of the Kawarabi-gawa River, Hotel Nosegawa offers a serene escape with spacious rooms, hot spring baths, a healthy breakfast and delicious evening meals served with local wild meats, amago and vegetables. The hotel also has a camping ground and huts which are popular with young families in the summertime.
The convenient shuttle service to and from Koyasan makes it a breeze for Kumano Kodo hikers and the shuttle service will also pick you up from the Omata trailhead. As there are no public transport services which can bring guests here, this shuttle bus service is the life-blood of the hotel. What's more, the shuttle bus also can take guests to tourist attractions such as Kongobu-ji Temple and the Okunoin upon request.
The hotel staff are extremely friendly and despite only speaking basic English, they make every effort to make your stay as comfortable as possible. As you can see from the video, the rooms are clean and spacious and each comes with a closet full of extra bedding should you require. The hotel is surrounded by stunning natural scenery. A taste of the slow life and the crisp fresh air will have you feeling fully refreshed for the day ahead.
Shuttle times
The shuttle service departs Koyasan Station at 15:20 on weekdays and at 15:40 on weekends and Public Holidays
The shuttle service departs from the hotel at 10:00.
It is a 50 minute ride to Koyasan Station.
Please note that the shuttle service must be reserved at the time of booking.
Access:
Address: 426 Kitaimanishi, Nosegawa-mura, Yoshino-gun 648-0307, Nara Prefecture
Tel: 0747-380-011
Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 10:00
Amago Farm
Omata Fishing Association
During our stay at Hotel Nosegawa we were treated to fresh amago fish for both dinner and breakfast. With our stomachs full and lungs full of fresh air, we headed out to Nosegawa's amago farm, just a 10-minute drive away from the hotel. Nestled along the river bank to the backdrop of lush mountain scenery, it's a picturesque scene
The amago that we enjoyed at Hotel Nosegawa were brought directly from here on the day.
There is a special pool here dedicated to servicing the hotel.
In 2012, the amago was designated as the official fish of Nara Prefecture. The water
used to raise the fish is sourced directly from the river, the purity of which is
said to be the secret to Nosegawa Village's amago being recognized as the best in Kansai.
Access:
Address: 104 Kitaimanishi, Nosegawa, Yoshino District, Nara 648-0307
Tel: 0747-380-224
Wasabi Farm Minami
Nosegawa Village is one of only a few places in the Kansai region that produce wasabi. The clean air and pure water required for wasabi to grow healthily are found in abundance in Nosegawa Village. The following mini-documentary provides a nice introduction to Minami Wasabi and the magical green vegetable in general.
Another reason why Nosegawa's wasabi is delicious is that it is propagated from seeds collected from native parent plants that have been carefully preserved in this region since ancient times. These seedlings, perfectly adapted to Nosegawa's unique microclimate, produce wasabi renowned for its intense pungency and subtle sweetness.
Matsutake Mushrooms
Nishida Matsutake Mushroom Association
Matsutake mushrooms, scientifically known as Tricholoma matsutake, are a prized and aromatic fungi species highly esteemed in Japanese and other East Asian cuisines. Renowned for their distinctive spicy, pine-like fragrance, matsutake mushrooms have become a symbol of autumn in Japan.
These mycological delicacies grow in specific symbiotic relationships with tree roots, primarily preferring the roots of pine trees, hence the name "matsutake," which translates to "pine mushroom." Highly sought after for their unique flavor profile and scarcity, matsutake mushrooms are often used in traditional Japanese dishes, enhancing them with a rich, earthy taste and a captivating aroma. It's not usual for matsutake mushroom to fetch over $500 per kilogram, roughly the same rate as for kobe beef.
