Ikeda, town in Kitaazumi district, Nagano prefecture, Japan
Ikeda is a small town in Nagano Prefecture surrounded by green mountains and fields with old houses and narrow streets. The town spreads across gentle, rolling terrain dotted with gardens and green spaces, including the Azumino Ikeda Craft Park offering views of the Northern Alps and herb gardens covering about 40,000 square meters (4.3 hectares).
Ikeda once lay along the Chikukhi kaidō highway where travelers and merchants stopped for rest and supplies during Japan's feudal period. The town was officially established in 1915 and later merged with neighboring villages like Aisome in the mid-20th century, shaping its present character.
The town takes its name from the old Shinano Province and celebrates local traditions through seasonal festivals, particularly the September Hachiman Jinja shrine festival where residents pull a traditional festival car through the streets. Cherry blossoms and herb cultivation reflect how locals connect their daily life to the natural rhythms of the land.
The town has no train station, so visiting by car or bus is recommended, with taxis available from nearby stations and most sites offering parking for vehicles. The journey from Tokyo takes about three and a half hours, making it accessible for day trips or short stays during warmer months from May to June when herbs are blooming.
The town has a long sake-brewing tradition with the Daisekkei Sake Brewing Company established in 1898, where visitors can request tours outside the busy brewing season in early spring and fall. It also offers exceptional night sky viewing including autumn stars and the Milky Way, best experienced with a camera tripod on clear evenings.
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