Ōtaki Village is a remote mountain village in Nagano’s Kiso region, known for its forests, waterfalls, and deep ties to traditional mountain life. It’s ideal for travellers looking to slow down and connect with nature. You can hike quiet forest trails, visit Otaki Lake, and see Ontake Shrine, a spiritual site tied to Mount Ontake - one of Japan’s most sacred peaks.
In summer, the village offers fishing, canoeing, and riverside walks. Autumn brings colourful foliage, while winter is peaceful and uncrowded. For culture lovers, local crafts and farming traditions offer a glimpse of rural Japan rarely seen by tourists.