Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Nagaden Obuse Station 長電小布施駅, Obusedo 小布施堂

Nagaden Obuse Station 長電小布施駅 (N15) is a train station along Nagaden Nagano line 長電長野線. Obuse machi 小布施町 is a town located northeast of Nagano city and it takes about 40 minutes to get here by train from Nagano. Obuse is well known for its high quality chestnut since the Edo period and the credits go to the acidic soil here which favours the growth and production of fragrant and sweet chestnuts. In this town, there are many shops offering a plethora of sweets created from chestnuts that will bound to make one spoilt for choice. Other than this famous agricultural produce, Obuse is also known as the place where Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎, a renowned ukiyo-e printer during the Edo period, visited in his later years. Most of us may have come across images of this stunning woodblock print titled "The Great Wave of Kanagawa 神奈川沖浪裏" and this is one of Hokusai's most famous masterpiece in his career.

Trivia 1: A panoramic view of Hokushin gokaku 北信五岳 (five mountains of Hokushin) can be seen from the platform of Obuse Station. The five mountains are Myoko-san 妙高山, Madarao-yama 斑尾山, Kurohime-yama 黒姫山, Togakushi-yama 戸隠山 and Iizuna-yama 飯縄山.

Trivia 2: If the timing is right, you will be treated to a view of ripe apples in the farm located just behind the train station. 

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What’s nearby?

(1) Bus stop for Obuse Roman-go bus おぶせロマン号バス
This is a loop service that operates on weekends and public holidays between April and November. The bus departs from Obuse Park 小布施総合公園, stopping by Oirase Station 小布施駅, Hokusai Museum 北斎館, Obuse Museum おぶせミュージアム, Obuse Onsen おぶせ温泉, Floral Garden フローラルガーデン前, Jokoji 浄光寺 and makes the return route from Ganshoin 岩松院.
One day pass = 500 yen
* Pass can be purchased from Obuse Cultural Sightseeing Center 小布施文化観光協会 located within Obuse Station.
https://www.town.obuse.nagano.jp/docs/roman.html

Trivia 3:Some of the footpaths here are laid with wood obtained from thinned chestnut trees.

(2) Hokusai kan 北斎館, about 10 mins walk from the train station.

Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs
Admission fee = 1,000 yen

https://hokusai-kan.com/

Established in 1976, the museum holds a collection of original artworks that Katsushika Hokusai left behind in Obuse. Two festival floats which the ceilings were painted by Hokusai (when he was around 85 - 86 years old) are also put up for display in the museum as well. Did not visit the museum due to time constraint.

(3) Obusedo Sanfuro 小布施堂 傘風楼, about 10 mins walk from the train station.
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs
https://obusedo.com/

Obusedo is a household name in the town, specialising in chestnut sweets and confectionary. After a satisfying lunch at Kurabu 蔵部 (a restaurant which is also managed by Obusedo), we dropped by Obusedo Sanfuro for desserts. We were eager to try chestnut sweets which Obuse is well known for and we each bought a chestnut flavoured ice-cream cone with chunks of chestnut in it. Very delectable and highly recommended!