TRAVEL NOTE / 2025.08.09
A summer day at Kazuo Unno's exhibition, among the foothill scenery and signs of living things.
Back to the travel guidePhoto: Kaname / 2025.08.09
FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT
Visit, text, and photographs: Kaname
With my graduate research reaching a natural pause, I chose a visit to Kazuo Unno's exhibition at the Komoro Kogen Museum of Art as a reward to myself. After a long wait, I had finally made it there.
ONE DAY IN KOMORO
With my graduate research reaching a natural pause, I treated myself to a visit to Kazuo Unno's photography exhibition at Komoro Kogen Museum of Art. Finally, finally, I had made it to Komoro.
Beside the museum entrance was Mr. Unno's small garden designed to welcome butterflies. Even before I stepped inside, an encounter with nature on a small scale awaited me—a lovely introduction to his world.
Inside were not only Mr. Unno's works, but also photographs by the NEXT Generation photographers and students in the Living Creatures Photo Little League.
After so many days spent facing a computer screen, simply being surrounded by photographs of living things brought me a deep sense of relief.
The video explaining the photographs, which was playing at the exhibition, is also available on YouTube.
After the exhibition, I headed to STARRACE KOMORO, the Italian restaurant adjoining the museum.
I took my time over wine and authentic Italian food, looking out over the highland scenery.
It was the kind of moment that made me want to linger a little longer with the memories of the exhibition and the views of Komoro.
On the way back, I followed the nature trail through grassland, past a stream, and among the trees.
I made my way slowly toward the station, enjoying the signs of living things here and there along the path.
That summer, the cicadas in the Kanto region had seemed a little quieter to me. In Komoro, though, their chorus was very lively. Even that left me feeling a little reassured.
Near Komoro Station is the Komoro Tourist Information Center, a building with a pleasantly nostalgic air.
It is a good place to look for somewhere to visit next time, or to ask about the sights of Komoro.
Inside Komoro Station is E'cuve Komoro, where you can enjoy a glass of wine.
Of course, I had a glass myself.
The day began with a photography exhibition, continued through highland scenery and a walk in nature, and ended with wine at the station.
It was just the right glass to bring my day in Komoro to a close.
I hope you'll find time to visit Komoro, too.
AFTER THE WALK
The living things I saw in the exhibition met the scent of grass and water along the trail. As time spent with the photographs overlapped with time spent walking the actual landscape, Komoro changed from a destination on a map into a town with memories attached.
Back to the main gatewayBefore visiting, check each official site for current opening hours, operations, and transport information.
TAKE KOMORO HOME
Five products with a verifiable connection to Komoro, chosen after walking the town and with the memories of the journey still close.
Image: Rakuten IchibaKomoro soba, connecting field and table.
A specialist buckwheat flour company that began trading in Komoro in 1892. This selection includes sets of semi-dried and dried soba noodles.
Check: buckwheat, wheat, and other allergens; best-before date; serving size; and any additional shipping charge.
Verify the connection to Komoro ↗
View on Rakuten Ichiba
Image: Rakuten IchibaMore than 350 years of fermentation tradition.
A brand with a long history of miso making in Komoro—and a taste that can bring the journey back to the everyday table.
Check: soy, salt content, quantity, best-before date, and gift wrapping. The linked seller is not the manufacturer's own shop.
Verify the connection to Komoro ↗
View on Rakuten Ichiba
Image: Rakuten IchibaKomoro sake bearing the name of the Asama foothills.
A 720 ml junmai ginjo brewed by Otsuka Shuzo in Komoro using sake rice grown in Nagano Prefecture.
Check: purchaser and recipient are of legal drinking age; alcohol suitability; volume; strength; storage; and wrapping.
Verify the connection to Komoro ↗
View on Rakuten Ichiba
Image: Rakuten IchibaKomoro wine born in a highland vineyard.
A Chardonnay made from grapes harvested in vineyards at the Komoro Winery. Confirm the vintage when purchasing.
Check: purchaser and recipient are of legal drinking age; vintage; volume; shipping temperature; delivery charges; and wrapping.
Verify the connection to Komoro ↗
View on Rakuten Ichiba
Image: Rakuten IchibaA taste of Komoro's fruit in every glass.
A six-bottle set of three juices made in Komoro from apples grown in Shinshu. It is offered as a Japanese furusato tax donation gift.
Check: this is a donation rather than a standard purchase; donor name; tax-deduction rules; application deadline; and the lack of gift wrapping.
If you'd like to spend a little longer in Komoro, here are some nearby places to stay.
STAY A LITTLE LONGER
After walking Komoro, a day trip felt too short. These six stays suit different kinds of journeys—and offer the chance to meet the town in the morning and evening as well.
Image: Rakuten TravelAn intimate inn in a former waki-honjin of the historic Komoro post town on the Hokkoku Kaido—well suited to travelers interested in walking the town and experiencing its architecture.
Image: Rakuten TravelIts Rakuten listing traces the inn to 1682, and it is about a five-minute walk from Komoro Station—combining convenient access with the history of a traditional travelers' inn.
Image: Rakuten TravelListed as about five minutes on foot from Komoro Station and one minute from Kaikoen, making it possible to combine town walks, the historic park, and hot springs in one itinerary.
Image: Rakuten TravelA hot-spring inn associated with the writer Toson Shimazaki, for travelers who want to make Komoro's literature and history part of the time they spend at their lodging.
Image: Rakuten TravelA mountainside inn above central Komoro, chosen for hot springs and views rather than station-front convenience.
Image: Rakuten TravelFor travelers planning around mountain scenery, star-filled skies, nature observation, or hiking. Transport, weather, and equipment needs differ from those in central Komoro.