車で巡る遠州の小京都。大正の隧道を抜けて、歴史と自然が息づく森町をのんびり旅してみた

Mori-machi, located in western Shizuoka Prefecture at the foot of the Southern Alps, a mountain range with peaks reaching 3000 meters, is a historic town often called "Little Kyoto of Enshu" due to its scenic beauty, with mountains to the east and west and a beautiful river flowing between them. This time, we accessed the town through the imposing brick Kurodate Tunnel, completed in 1918, and leisurely explored this charming town by car. We experienced the solemn atmosphere of the prestigious Oguni Shrine, the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Totomi Province, which boasts a history of over 1400 years and was even visited by Tokugawa Ieyasu. And we enjoyed the exquisite cream daifuku and miso manju from the long-established confectionery shop, Kasho Asaoka, recommended by a viewer. The second half of the trip is a driving adventure packed with the nature and charm of Mori Town, from the tranquil "Kawasemi Lake" created by the Ota River Dam to the surprising "Emu Farm" we encountered deep in the mountains.