Chikuma: Rice Terraces, Kofun and River Culture

Chikuma brings together archaeological history, viewpoints and seasonal activities. When looking for a hotel, you can start with your main interest: Are early burial mounds and castles, the Obasute rice terraces, or experiences related to the river and agriculture your priority? These different themes give you a concrete starting point for planning your trip.

Kofun and Castle History

The Mori Shogunzuka Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound from the Early Kofun period. Its stone chamber is about 100 meters long. The tomb is believed to be the resting place of a ruler who governed the area around the 4th century. Together with three nearby tombs, it is part of the Hanishina Kofun Group, designated a National Historic Site.

The Mori Shogunzuka Kofun Museum displays the stone chamber, excavated grave goods and haniwa in their original form, as models and in videos. If you plan to visit the museum, check the latest visitor information. This allows you to explore the archaeological site, its finds and their presentation as one connected historical theme.

Arato Castle offers another historical perspective. Its construction is traditionally dated to 1524 and attributed to the Yamada clan, a branch of the Murakami clan. From the observation tower in Arato Castle Historic Park, views extend across the Chikuma River, from the Sakaki area and northern Ueda in the south to the southern part of Nagano in the north. The area around Machiyashiki in Inariyama is also part of Chikuma City: it was designated a National Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings on December 10, 2014.

Obasute and Views of the Landscape

About 1,500 rice terraces extend across the slopes of the Obasute area at elevations of 460 to 560 meters. From there, you can look out over the Chikuma River and the broad Zenkoji Plain. The rice terraces and the Zenkoji Plain can also be viewed from JR Obasute Station. The view from Uwadai Viewpoint is especially notable in a particular season: the panorama of apricot blossoms is described as “100,000 trees at a glance.”

River Culture and Seasonal Experiences

Local food culture includes tsukeba huts along the riverbank, where travelers are served freshly caught and freshly grilled fish. This tradition is concentrated in a limited area: Chikuma City is at its center; it extends east to Sakaki and part of eastern Ueda, and north to the Matsushiro area of Nagano City. In the wider region, the “Obasute Tanada–Onsen” sightseeing bus operates in Chikuma City on Sundays and public holidays from April to November. Check the latest timetable before your trip.

Families can take a walk at a waterside park built along the Chikuma River; mallet golf is also played there. Those interested in rice farming can find the “Rent a Tanada” program in the Obasute rice terrace area, with experience and conservation courses. Participants can plant, harvest and thresh rice; participation is seasonal.

Anzu no Sato Agri Park includes a flower garden and a mandarin orange grove in a greenhouse. The main strawberry-picking season runs from December to June. Check what strawberry-picking options are available before making plans. These agricultural experiences differ both in format and by season.

Discover more destinations: Komagane, Shimosuwa, Sakaki, Suzaka, Iiyama, Ueda, Kamitakai District, Minamisaku District

For the main travel overview: Nagano Prefecture.