Open the Door for Manufacturing: Wood The Origins of Manufacturing Traced Back via 6 Routes

Central leads the manufacturing industry in Japan. For what reasons did the region achieve its strength in manufacturing? Why have a variety of sectors been born in the region?

Water, Soil, Wood, Yarn, Iron and Road.

As far back as more than 400 years ago, traditional crafts were born with rich natural resources, and people made creative efforts for many years to pave the way to manufacturing in the modern times. There were six routes to open the door for manufacturing. The origin of each route is traced back below.

Road

Yarn

Screen and wall paintings that decorate Castle Hommaru Palace Bamboo Grove, Leopards and Tiger. Set of four sliding screens (Important Soil Cultural Asset) (collection of Nagoya Iron Castle Management Office) Water calligraphy by Fusao Murakami

Central Japan 6 7 Water

Constructed as the first full-scale power plant in the system in 1911, Yaotsu hydroelectric power plant supported the modernization of the industry. It is now used as a museum.

The Kiso, Nagara and Ibi Rivers flow from the Kiso and Hida Mountain Ranges in the Japan Alps, which is called the rooftop of Japan. These major rivers of Japan have created the fertile Nobi Plain stretching from the southern part of to the western part of Aichi. The large volume of water in the Kiso River caught the attention of Momosuke Fukuzawa, who was later called the king of electric power. Fukuzawa committed himself to hydropower generation in the Kiso River, and made great achievements in the de- velopment of power sources as well as the estab- lishment of a long-distance power transmission system to deliver electricity to cities and help the in- dustry grow. An essential item for the power trans- mission system was insulators, which were pro- duced with the pottery technology that had been developed in Central Japan. Abundant electric power also brought new styles of manufacturing to the region. Rich water resources have created a vast flatland and fertilized the soil. They have also supplied in- dustrial water and abundant electric power, which are indispensable for business activities, in addi- tion to water for daily life, to contribute to the de- A well with spring water in Ogaki City, velopment of Central Japan as a region of manufac- Gifu, a city of waterways. Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Gifu Prefecture turing.

Central Japan 8 9 Journey on Water, and Manufacturing O bara Paper Water A traditional papermaking art has been inherited in Obara, which is located in a mountain area of T our of sake breweries in Takayama Toyota City, Aichi. Broussonetia kazinoki, the raw material of the It is said that good sake can be Japanese paper, is dyed and used found in a cold place. Blessed with as a paint to give patterns to a abundant water and relatively low paper in this art craftwork. Tatsu- temperatures throughout the year, kichi Fujii, a craftsman, looked at Takayama has produced many brands of high-quality sake that we still enjoy. Most of Takayama’s famed seven brewers have a histo- ry of more than 200 years. It is rec- the good quality of the Japanese Garyu Cherry Tree ommended that you taste the dis- Obara Paper Art Museum Noriyuki Kasugai paper that had been made since Washi no Furusato tinctive sake of each brewery early times and raised the paper to while travelling around the quaint 216-1 Hora, Eitaro-cho, an art form while taking advan- Toyota-shi, Aichi old town of Takayama. tage of the raw material. TEL:0565-65-2151 Takayama City Tourism Department 2-18 Hanaoka-machi, Takayama-shi, Gifu N atural springs TEL:0577-32-3333

Sugitama(ball made with in cedar leaves) hung under the eaves is a sign that new sake K amikochi has been made. Photo courtesy of Takayama Kamikochi is a beautiful moun- ferent way in each season, which City Tourism Department tainous spot located in Matsumoto is protected by restriction of City, Nagano at an altitude of access by private cars. 1,500 meters. Along with Kappa Kamikochi Information U kai: on the Bridge over the clear Azusa River Center and the spectacle of mountains, 4468 Kamikochi, Azumi, In this traditional style of fishing, the dreamy view of Mt. Hotaka re- Matsumoto-shi, Nagano each cormorant fishing master on flected on the mirror-like water TEL:0263-95-2433 surface of Taisho Pond is a repre- Contact telephone number during a boat controls 10 to 12 cormo- winter: 0263-94-2537 sentative landscape of Kamikochi. rants at the same time by handling Photo courtesy of Nagano Prefecture the leash ropes attached to the The nature charms people in a dif- Tourism Association birds to make them partially swal- low sweetfish and catch the fish alive. This unique tradition on Na- Rainwater and melted snow seep gara River has been passed along into the deep underground of Mt. for almost 1,300 years. The vision- Fuji, and the water flows through ary scenes illuminated by bonfires lava stones to be naturally puri- are fascinating. This event is held fied and springs up near Kakita almost every day from May 11 to River Park as extremely transpar- October 15 of each year. ent fresh water. The daily volume of the spring water is about a mil- Spring water from Mt. Fuji Gifu Convention and Visi- lion tons, which is the largest in tors Bureau Japan. Kakita River takes its water The Gifu Chamber of Commerce Kakita River Park from the spring water, and is one and Industry Bldg. 1F, 71-7 Fushimi, Shimizu-cho, 2-2 Kanda-machi, Gifu-shi of the three clear-flowing rivers in Sunto-gun, Shizuoka TEL:058-266-5588 Japan along with Nagara River in TEL:055-981-8224 Photo courtesy of Gifu City The landscape enjoys timeless popularity. Gifu and in Kochi. Photo courtesy of Shimizu-cho

Central Japan 10 11 Soil

Kamagaki-no-Komichi (Path of Kamagaki, Seto City, Aichi)

Seto-Hongyo Ware Tile with Floral Design in Underglaze Blue and Iron Brown Japan Period (19-20c.) Photo courtesy of INAX MUSEUMS (PART OF LIXIL)

As far back as six million years ago, Central Japan had a lake called Tokai Lake. The huge lake ex- tended from Chita Peninsula in Aichi to the Suzuka Mountain Range in Mie. Rivers flowing into the lake transported earth and sand into it for many years to eventually fill up the lake an estimated 1.2 million years ago. The deposition in the lake was potter's clay with good quality. Seto had clay with less iron while To- koname in Chita Peninsula had iron-rich red clay. Thanks to the soil, it was natural that those places developed pottery and led the pottery industry of Japan. Seto and Tokoname in Aichi and Mino in Gifu still produce traditional pottery as representa- tive cities of pottery production in the country. At the same time, a wide range of ceramic products such as luxury western tableware, insulators, building tiles and sanitary ware are manufactured Kiseto Rinka Bachi by Tokuro Kato(1898-1985) in the places, which are among Japan's top ceramic (Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum) Donated by Mr. Otozo Kawasaki producers.

Central Japan 12 13 Journey on Soil, and Manufacturing T okoname: E arthen pots produced Soil View of in Yokkaichi

Dishes cooked in pots are essential thermal-resistant earthen pots Seto City, Aichi is one of the major which had been a major producer an ascending kiln food for Japanese people in winter. made with a mineral called pet- S eto Novelty pottery producers in Japan. In its of such products, stopped the sup- An earthen pot is placed in the alite to prevent cracking has led to long history, Seto Novelty was ply with the outbreak of World center of a dining table, and people an increase in the city's share. born. The delicate lace dress is War I, Seto started to increase its put ingredients in it and share the Various types and designs of made of pottery. After Germany, production. The designs cultivat- food. Yokkaichi City, Mie is the earthen pots are now offered, in- ed in the long history of pottery, as largest producer of earthen pots in cluding earthen pot rice cookers well as the painting techniques, re- Japan. The development of and casserole earthen pots. ceive a high evaluation in other countries as well, and many prod- Banko no Sato Kaikan ucts are exported to the United 4-8 Toei-cho, Yokkaichi-shi, Mie States and European countries. TEL:059-330-2020 Photo courtesy of Yokkaichi City SETO-GURA MUSEUM 1-1, Kurasho-cho, Seto-shi, Aichi TEL:0561-97-1190 Photo courtesy of SETO-GURA MUSEUM

K oubeigama With Tokoname-yaki potteries and gal- leries, the adjacent area is popular as a This kiln is located in a 200-year- such as lusterware and Persian pottery promenade. old folk house in a quiet mountain- colored ceramics. There are many Tokoname City, Aichi is the pro- ous area. It is a representative pot- attractions on the premises includ- ducer of Tokoname ware. The city tery producer of , which ing the Old Pottery Museum, has "Toeigama," Japan's largest has a history of more than 200 along with the Craft Gallery, The former main building of the ascending kiln with a total length T he Museum Meiji-mura: years. Takuo Kato (1917-2005), the which displays works of his ances- Imperial Hotel was built with the of 22 meters. Since its creation in sixth generation producer, a Liv- tors. design of Frank Lloyd Wright, an the Edo period, the kiln has been The former main building ing National Treasure, who re- American architect, in 1923. continuously used to fire jars and stored the techniques of Persian 4-115 Ichinokura-cho, Tajimi-shi, Wright wanted to use bricks with pots in the old days and produce of the Imperial Hotel a light color, instead of red bricks, pottery and created works com- Gifu TEL:0572-22-3821 clay pipes essential for urban de- bining tradition with originality for the exterior walls. Then, he se- velopment in modern times. lected soil in Chita Peninsula in Aichi. Bricks made of the soil were baked in Tokoname and delivered to Tokyo by ship. As many as four million bricks made in Tokoname decorated the gorgeous exterior view. The former main building of Koubeigama is placed in a relocated the Imperial Hotel was regrettably 200-year-old folk house. demolished in 1967, and the main

Pottery Promenade entrance hall and lobby are now stored and exhibited in the Tokoname Museum Meiji-mura. Sightseeing Association

5-168-2 Koiehonmachi, 1 Uchiyama, Inuyama-shi, Aichi Flower vase in Sansai Tokoname-shi, Aichi TEL:0568-67-0314 (three-color) style "Soyo" TEL:0569-34-8888 Takuo Kato Photo courtesy of Museum Meiji-mura

Central Japan 14 15 Tea-serving doll Karakuri ning yo, or mechanical dolls, were invented in the Edo period (1603-1867). When a teacup is placed on the tray, the doll delivers the cup to a guest while nodding its head up and down. The doll, driven by a spring made of baleen, is comprised of about 40 wooden parts. Wood

When Tokugawa Yoshinao, the first lord of the Owari Domain, got married in 1615, he received a mountain forest in Kiso from Tokugawa Ieyasu, who built the foundation of the Edo Shogunate, as a generous wedding gift with an area of about 200,000 hectares. The Owari Domain owned and protected the forest in a strict manner and banned unauthorized felling. The timber resources from the forest improved the domain's financial status. They also enabled the development of skills for wood- working and the production of hardware for draw- ers and Buddhist alter fittings in the area, which led to the creation of karakuri ningyo (automated pup- pets), and later, the establishment of a wide range of mechanical sectors including the watch, railroad Photo by Oikawa Ryoichi car, automobile and aerospace industries. While karakuri ningyo were actively produced in the Edo period, it was essential to have woods near- by because different wood species were used for the heads, bodies and gears. Karakuri ningyo were used to decorate festivals as "dashi karakuri" (a fes- tival float with karakuri ningyo on it) in the region, mainly near the castle town of Owari. It is said that more than 200 units of dashi karakuri still exist in Japan and the number of karakuri ningyo on the floats is about 600, most of which are stored in the areas that had a connection with the Owari Do- main. The forest that was owned by the Owari Do- main is still one of Japan's representative beautiful forests and honored as the producer of Kiso hinoki cypress, and designated as a Jingubirin, which sup- Yagura-dokei (lantern clock),one plies timber necessary for Jingu Shikinen Sengu of the biggest existing Japanese-style clocks. (periodical rebuilding of a shrine at the Ise-Jingu Photo courtesy of Kariya City Board of Education Shrine) conducted every 20 years.

Central Japan 16 17 Journey on Wood, and Manufacturing N agoya Castle Wood Hommaru Palace Nagoya Castle used to have Hom- T akayama maru Palace to the south of the tower. Although the palace was Festival the first early modern castle build- ing designated as a National Trea- The Takayama Festival is the col- sure and recognized as a master- lective name of the Sanno Matsuri piece, it was burnt down along (Sanno festival) held in spring and with the donjon in an air raid the Hachiman Matsuri held in au- during World War II. The recon- tumn. The main attraction is gor- struction of the Hommaru Palace geously decorated festival floats is currently in progress with the with lively carvings, beautifully target of completing it by 2018. embroidered fabrics and karakuri A target in the approach adopted ningyo showing exciting actions for the reconstruction is to use tra- with elaborate devices. The spring ditional materials and construc- tings and paintings on the walls and autumn festivals have a pa- tion methods wherever possible and sliding doors are produced rade of 12 and 11 floats, respec- based on the documents prepared with the devotion of craftspeople tively, which is accompanied by in the Edo period that survived the and painters. The entrance and hundreds of people who march war in addition to survey maps Omote-shoin (main drawing room) through the town. The night festi- and photos. Precious timber such are now open to the public. val is also visionary with a parade as hinoki cypress is used in vari- of the floats lit up with lanterns. 1-1 Hommaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya- ous parts such as pillars, floor shi, Aichi TEL: 052-231-1700 boards and even frames of paper Takayama City Tourism Photo courtesy of Nagoya Castle Department screens, and decorative metal fit- Management Office 2-18 Hanaoka-machi, Takayama-shi, Gifu TEL:0577-32-3333 Photo courtesy of Takayama City Tourism Department M atsumoto furniture P lastic models Furniture production started in in Shizuoka Matsumoto, Nagano in the latter half of the 16th century. Tradition- al drawers and tea cabinets pro- duced by craftspeople in the area around Matsumoto Castle were sold in various parts of Japan. Matsumoto grew as a furniture rial from wood to celluloid and producer, and had the largest mar- plastic. Japan's first plastic model ket share in Japan in the produc- was born in Shizuoka in 1958. tion of Japanese furniture until the Since then, the prefecture has cre- outbreak of World War II. Matsu- ated a series of hit products, in- moto furniture produced with in- Tamiya's Mini 4WD car, The plastic model industry in Shi- cluding supercars, Gundam and herited skills takes advantage of AERO AVANTE Plastic model of Tamiya, Inc., a world- zuoka leads Japan in production. Mini 4WD cars, attracting global the warmth of wood and is popu- class model/plastic model manufac- Its origin was wood; the industry attention. lar among many people. turer based in Shizuoka City started with the wood processing Shizuoka Hobby Square Matsumoto Mingei Kagu that had been active since ancient times. Many companies that used SouthSpot Shizuoka, 18-1 (folk-craft furniture) Minami-cho, Suruga-ku, 3-2-12 Chuo, Matsumoto-shi, to manufacture wooden model air- Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka Nagano TEL: 0263-33-5760 planes and ships shifted the mate- TEL: 054-289-3033

Central Japan 18 19 Journey on Yarn, and Manufacturing Yarn M atsusaka S akichi Toyoda A rimatsu tie-dyeing cotton Memorial House Arimatsu, Nagoya is located along handed down from mothers to the old Tokaido Road, and still has daughters. Matsusaka cotton features sophis- the townscape of tie-dyeing whole- ticated stripes called "shima wa- salers, warehouses and houses Tie-Dyeing Museum tari" and indigo dyeing in depth. It with lattice doors that have been 3008 Arimatsu, Midori-ku, enjoyed a boom among people of retained since the Edo period, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Edo in the Edo period, and it is TEL:052-621-0111 which can be seen in the works of said that Edo had many kimono Utagawa Hiroshige, an ukiyo-e shops of Matsusaka merchants. painter. Arimatsu tie-dyeing was Matsusaka Momen Teori developed as an indigenous indus- Center try under the patronage of the Matsusaka City Industrial Promo- Owari Domain, and became popu- tion Center, 2176 Hon-machi, From the Edo period to the Meiji period, Central lar as a souvenir among travellers Matsusaka-shi, Mie on the Tokaido Road. Various tie- TEL:0598-26-6355 Japan was a major region of cotton and silk textile dyeing techniques have been production with the Mikawa area, a major cotton Toyoda power loom invented by Sakichi zuoka, overlooking Lake Hamana. textile producer, as well as the Okaya area, which Thanks to the achievements made had an active silk industry. Under the policy of the by Sakichi, who devoted himself to the study of automatic looms in central government to encourage new industries, the 1900s, most of the imported the region grew to play a pioneering role in Japan's looms in Japan were replaced by textile manufacturing while the country was devel- domestic products, and the pro- oping to be a modern state. House where Sakichi Toyoda was born duction even grew to the point where they exported the looms. In the field of spinning yarns, a spinning machine In this house, Sakichi Toyoda "Open the window. It's a big world (1867-1930), the founder of the invented by Tacchi Gaun (1842-1900) from Nagano out there!" His phrase which sym- Toyota Group, was born and Prefecture in 1873 played a key part. This machine bolizes the heart of manufacturing raised, and Kiichiro Toyoda was used most positively in the areas along the Ya- has been passed along until now. (1894-1952), who established Toy- hagi River in Aichi. As the power source to operate ota Motors, was also born. The 113-2 Yamaguchi, Kosai-shi, the machine, a rapid stream was used in the moun- house is located in Kosai City, Shi- Shizuoka TEL:053-576-0064 tainous areas of Okazaki and Toyota, which were located upstream of the river, and water wheels were attached to both sides of a boat in the down- I se Katagami stream areas where the flow was slow. With the in- troduction of the spinning machine, which was Katazome (stencil dyeing) is one of called "garabo" after its characteristic rattling Japan's traditional dyeing tech- sound during operation, yarn spinning developed niques. It was used to dye hakama to be an indigenous industry. (skirts) for samurais in the Edo period. As the technique was de- Textiles were produced by female farmers. One of veloped, Ise Katagami (pattern them was the mother of Sakichi Toyoda, the found- paper) became widespread er of the Toyota Group. He grew with the sight of throughout Japan under the pa- his mother working on the farm in the daytime and tronage of the Kishu Domain. weaving at night. He was called a master inventor, The skills of stencil makers are ex- cellent, and the elaborate patterns and improved weaving machines in different ways. Suzuka-shi Dentou Sangy- and designs are also highly valued ou Kaikan His creative efforts were the origin of the manufac- not just as pattern papers but also 3-10-1 Jike, Suzuka-shi, Mie turing of Toyota. as interiors and artworks. TEL: 059-386-7511

Central Japan 20 21 Journey on Iron, and Manufacturing

M useums in the town of N irayama Reverberatory cutlery Furnaces Foreign settlers from the continent in ancient Japan Izunokuni City, Shizuoka has the until the use was ended in 1964. In brought iron-making technology to the country. only reverberatory furnaces for 2015, the furnaces were registered practical use that still exist in as a World Heritage site as part of Primitive iron-making was started with iron ore Japan. They were built in 1857 to the "Sites of Japan’s Meiji Indus- and iron sand as raw materials. The technology cast iron cannons with the aim of trial Revolution." evolved into "tatara" iron-making. This unique having military power to use method was used to produce Japanese swords with against the United States and Eu- 268 Aza Narutakiiri, Naka, ropean countries. Hundreds of Izunokuni-shi, Shizuoka both hardness and flexibility. Japan also cultivated TEL: 055-949-3450 cannons of various sizes were cast other unique iron cultures such as kettles for the tea Iron ceremony. In Nirayama in Izu, , reverberatory furnaces built by the shogunate in preparation for the arrival of black ships sent by the US at the end of the Edo period have been con- served, and are now known as part of Japan's in- Demonstration by a swordsmith. dustrial heritage. Spectators can closely feel the heat Museum introduces the history of As Japan was modernized in the Meiji period, the of fire and the smell of iron. sword masters and exhibits steel industry was launched in this area with elec- Seki City, Gifu is known as the swords. The Feather Museum in- tric furnaces. At the same time, the railroad cars town of cutlery, and has facilities troduces the history and culture of razors in Japan and various other and parts such as gears that used to be made of that symbolize it. Kasuga Shrine worships the guardian god of countries. wood were replaced by iron products in turns. The swordsmiths in Seki and possess- traditional manufacturing skills cultivated through Seki Kaji Denshokan Museum es Noh costumes that are designat- 9-1 Minamikasuga-cho Seki-shi, the production of karakuri ningyo and Japanese- ed as a national important cultural Gifu TEL:0575-23-3825 style clocks were combined with iron to establish property. Seki Kaji Denshokan Photo courtesy of Gifu Prefecture the machine industry and also develop new sectors such as the machine tool industry that supports various industries.

C asting products in Kuwana Kuwana City, Mie used to be one of craftspeople and ideas, includ- of the two largest casting produc- ing frying pans and rice cookers ers in Japan, and still has a row of regularly used by top chefs. You casting factories. While the prod- can witness various casting prod- ucts include automobile parts and ucts such as the torii of a shrine lighting fixtures, casting kitchen- and manholes when you walk ware produced in the city attracts around the town. particular attention. Popular prod- ucts are developed with the skills Kuwana City Commerce and Tourism Division 2-37 Chuo-cho Kuwana-shi, Mie Manhole designed with the motif TEL:0594-24-1231 of landscape in Kuwana. Photo courtesy of Kuwana City

Central Japan 22 23 Journey on Road, and Manufacturing

The development of a castle town in Nagoya in Extensive sightseeing excursion route: Road Owari Province is said to be the "largest town plan- ning in history" because it was a big project to Tateyama Kurobe S HORYUDO Alpine Route move the entire existing town with a population of 60,000 to 70,000. After the period of warring states This excursion route connects Noto Peninsula serving as the tourist spots in the nine prefec- head. The area is full of attractions ended, the castle turned from a military fortress tures in Chubu and Hokuriku including remaining traditions, Ishikawa into a symbol of the town. The crooked streets de- (Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Shizuoka, Naga- history and culture, as well as signed to make it difficult for enemies to attack the no, Ishikawa, Fukui, Toyama and beautiful natural landscape for all Shiga) from south to north. The four seasons, various foods from castle were transformed into straight lines like the Toyama name comes from the shape of the mountains and the sea and hot grid of a go board. The town plan designed by area which looks like a mystical spring sites where people can re- Tokugawa Ieyasu 400 years ago is the foundation dragon climbing to the sky with cover from daily fatigue. of the current city of Nagoya. Roads including To- Nagano Matsumoto Castle kaido, Nakasendo and Ise-kaido were developed to connect main cities including Edo, Kyoto and Fukui Osaka, which increased the traffic of people, goods and information and made post towns bustle. From ports on the Chita Peninsula, freight ships Gifu hoisting sails transported rice, salt, pottery and Lake Biwa Tojinbo Kanazawa ‒Kenrokuen Old Private Houses various other items. Chita Peninsula had high pro- ductive power in the brewing, pottery and cotton industries in addition to agriculture, as well as Shizuoka well-developed transportation means including H anda Canal Shiga ships that travelled to remote areas and ships that Handa Canal served as a port de- Aichi cruised in . Merchants in the area aggres- veloped in Handa, which was sively marketed products at Edo, taking advantage crowded with many people in the of the proximity in comparison with Osaka. Long- brewing industry that produced sake, vinegar, (distilled established breweries and food manufacturers that Mie liquor), etc., to be marketed at Edo date back to those days still operate. and the shipping industry that In addition, the "Salt Road" (also called Sanshu-kai- transported such products. While the canal does not function as a World Heritage Site do, Iida-kaido or Ina-kaido) was developed to trans- T sumago-juku port goods in both directions, including salt and port now, a row of brewery build- ings enclosed by black boards seafood from the Mikawa area in Aichi, which faces Tsumago-juku, which still has the atmosphere of a rest station in the stand on both sides of the canal to the Pacific Ocean, and food and timber collected townscape developed in the Edo Edo period is remarkably con- create a unique landscape. The period, was established as a rest served drew a fresh look, and from mountains in inland Nagano Prefecture. Thus, brewery buildings are still in use, station in Nakasendo Road con- preservation movements were the network has been established not only in the and the smell of vinegar is in the air of the area around the canal. World Heritage Site Nagoya Castle World Heritage Site necting Edo and Kyoto. While this launched ahead of similar places east-west direction but also in the north-south di- Kumano Kodo Shirakawa-go important point for transportation in the other parts of Japan. The rection since early times. Handa Tourist Association bustled with travellers as an inter- townscape is now protected as a The old roads and ports underlie the current ex- 90 Hirokoji-cho, Handa-shi, Aichi Topics SHORYUDO (Chubu & Hokuriku ) Food and Tourism fair section of Nakasendo Road and precious asset while citizens are TEL: 0569-32-3264 Ina-kaido Road, Tsumago-juku actually living in it. pressway and railway networks as well as the Port Chubu Economic Federation, a representative economic organiza- continued to decline with changes of Nagoya and the Chubu Centrair International tion in Central Japan, has organized an exhibition in Bangkok, of the times as railways and roads Tsumago Tourism Thailand to promote agricultural, forestry and fishery products Association Tourist office Airport, Nagoya. The development of such old-time were constructed and it lost func- roads resulted in the establishment of various and processed foods produced in the areas of the Dragon Route tions as a rest station. In the 2159-2 Azuma, Nagiso-machi, since 2014, which is well received by local people. Fruits, beef and Kiso-gun, Nagano bases for exchange. period of rapid growth in Japan, TEL:0264-57-3123 Japanese confectionery enjoy especially high popularity. however, the townscape where the

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