Komagane, a Town of Two Splendid Alps

Komagane City is located at the foot of the magnificent Southern and Central Alps, which contain mountains as high as 3000 meters.
This beautiful landscape also holds many places where the ancient culture and history has been inherited and cherished. The ancient temple Kozenji with its sacred tranquility, the Komagane-kogen Skiing Ground with its wonderful panoramic view, the Hayataro Hot Spring Village with a natural spring coming from the foot of the mountain, and the pastoral landscape filled with rural villages. These sites will surely evoke a feeling of nostalgia and fresh discovery in the heart anyone who visits.
Komagane City is also abundant with nature. It offers many places to enjoy seasonal flowers such as the approximately 150 kinds of alpine plants that bloom in full glory in the Central Alps Senjojiki Cirque, the remarkable weeping cherry trees, the magnolias, the peach trees, and the daffodils.

Azalea in Mamizuka Park
The blossoms are at their best in mid-to late April

Village of Peach Flower（in Nakazawa District）
The blossoms are at their best in mid-to late April

Kozenji Temple

Kozenji is a renowned temple that was opened by a monk called Honjo Shonin in 860. In recognition of its old buildings and the beauty of its garden, all of the large precinct is designated as a National Scenic Beauty.

The legend of the spirit dog, Hayataro

Legend says that about 700 years ago there was a very strong mountain dog in Kozenji Temple named “Hayataro.” At that time, there was a sad custom of sacrificing a girl each year at the festival that was held in Mitsuke Tenjinja Shrine, which is located in what is now Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture. The monk of Kozenji Temple found out that the monstrous old baboon that kidnaps the girls was afraid of Hayataro. Upon discovering this, the monk sent the dog after him. Hayataro went and successfully slayed the monster. It is said that as a token of gratitude the Tenjinja Shrine offered the temple a transcribed copy of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra.

Komagane Kogen Art Museum

This art museum is located just next to the entrance of Kozenji Temple and was built in the image of Mt. Hokendake in the Central Alps. There are permanent exhibitions for the works of Masuo Ikeda, Chimei Hamada, and Shinya Fujiwara. There are also rotating exhibitions selected from about 2,500 collections of great domestic and overseas artists. They range from contemporary art to works by historically famous artists such as Rodin and Rouault.

Komagane Silk Museum

The Komagane Silk Museum exhibits the history of sericulture and silk reeling, as well as the most recent research on silkworms. This “living museum” also actually raises silkworms itself. At the craft center, you can experience cocoon crafting, plant dyeing, and weaving. There is also a popular direct-sales depot that sells fresh local vegetables.

Ina-tsumugi, a Traditional Handicraft Using Pongee

Ina-tsumugi is a traditional technique in which dye is extracted from the bark and logs of the trees that grow wildly in the fields and mountains in Inadani. The types of trees include chestnut, Japanese larch, Siebold's crabapple, mountain cherry, white birch, Erman's birch, and Japanese yew. The threads are then hand-dyed one by one with the dye. This procedure remains the same as it was in olden times. The resulting color is soft and deep, and is unique to plant dyeing.

Komagane-kogen Skiing Ground

Located only 3 minutes away from Komagane I.C. on the Chuo Expressway, this skiing ground offers a great opportunity for families to enjoy skiing. It is designed for skiers from beginner to intermediate level. With plenty of clear sky, you can enjoy a great view of the Central and Southern Alps.