| Japan Heritage Kisoji |
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The beautiful gorge is surrounded by the Five Trees of Kiso (hinoki cypress, sawara cypress, nezuko cypress, asunaro cypress, and Japanese umbrella-pine). It has a forest of Kiso-hinoki cypress trees.
The Atera Gorge is located at the back of the Atera Bridge in Nojiri, Okuwa Village.
The Ateragawa River rises in Mt. Sunagoyayama and flows in the Atera Gorge. The Five Trees of Kiso grow on both sides of the clear stream for 15 km.
The beauty of the river water is particularly special among the seasonal beauties of the gorge. The emerald-green water is a specialty of the gorge.
The water is so clear that the depths of the river look like shallows.
The emerald-green water, the beautiful forests of hinoki cypress, and the sheer rocky cliff form the natural beauty. Beauty spots are scattered, such as Inugaeri-no-fuchi (pool) and Kippo-no-taki (waterfall). Bigansui (water for facial beauty) springs in the upstream part of the river. A legend has it that cleansing your face with the water makes a fair-faced beauty.
We interviewed Mr. Masa’aki Katsuno and Mr. Esturo Shintoko.
“What attracts you to Atera Gorge is the clear river water,” they said.
The water here is called Bigansui and makes the nature more beautiful.
The fall foliage is also remarkable. Hinoki cypress trees are planted, and the autumn leaves of conifers are particularly beautiful.
We are proud to see the cobalt-blue, emerald-green gorge, and we must preserve it.
And so, we constructed a camp site away from the river, so we can prevent the river water from being polluted due to barbecues done on the shore.
We need to value the water in the area.
Now in winter, you see everything covered with snow, but you will see beautiful plants and flowers in the forest in spring, summer, and fall. I recommend walking with a guide and receiving explanations.”
“Do you have any projects you are thinking of taking on?”
“Since olden times, Atera has been the area for trees to grow, for people to see trees and water. We wish to preserve this area.
“We will continue working to preserve the clear water, the valley of hinoki cypress, the gorge where you can feel time passing by slowly.”
We heard the two kind-hearted men speak. They work to preserve the gorge.
The emerald-green water, the beautiful forests of hinoki cypress, and the sheer rocky cliff form the natural beauty. Beauty spots are scattered, such as Inugaeri-no-fuchi (pool) and Kippo-no-taki (waterfall). Bigansui (water for facial beauty) springs in the upstream part of the river. A legend has it that cleansing your face with the water makes a fair-faced beauty.
5 minutes by taxi, or 20-minute walk
From the Ina Interchange on National road 361, 80 minutes by car
Nojiri National Forest, Okuwa Village, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture
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