Kiso

Kiso is a mountain town in Nagano Prefecture located in southwestern Japan bordering Gifu Prefecture. The town encompasses several schools and serves as a residential community nestled within forested terrain.

The town formed in 2005 when Kiso-Fukushima and three neighboring villages consolidated into a single municipality. This merger united several distinct communities with separate histories into one administrative area.

The town preserves its woodworking heritage through a museum housed in a former school building that displays traditional wooden toys and local crafts. Visitors can see how these handmade items reflect the region's long connection to forest resources.

The town is accessible by mountain roads and provides basic facilities including schools and services for residents and visitors. It is helpful to check road conditions in advance since mountain weather and seasonal conditions can affect accessibility.

An active volcano of significant height passes through the town boundaries and attracts mountain hikers from across the region. The numerous hiking routes on this volcano offer varying difficulty levels for different skill levels.

Location: Kiso district

Inception: November 1, 2005

Shares border with: Matsumoto, Shiojiri, Ina, Agematsu, Kiso, Otaki, Miyada, Takayama, Gero

Website: https://town-kiso.com

GPS coordinates: 35.84192,137.69139

Latest update: December 7, 2025 09:20