A Morning Out of Karuizawa: Hiking with Your Dog at Nunobiki Kannon

When you're in Karuizawa, it's easy to find yourself driving out toward Kusatsu or Saku. But head about 20 minutes west along the Chikuma River and you reach Komoro. Old post-town streets, wide skies with views of Mt. Asama, and quiet places that locals visit as part of everyday life. It's a town you'll want to explore slowly with your dog.

Getting There

Shakuson-ji Temple, known as Nunobiki Kannon (布引観音釈尊寺), is a temple with a long history, set on the cliffs above the Chikuma River to the west of Komoro station. It's about 20–30 minutes by car from Karuizawa. From the Nunobiki Kannon Sandō Parking (布引観音参道駐車場), it's an unhurried 20-minute walk up to the main hall along a forested approach path.

The Trail

The path climbs gently through cedar forest. It stays shaded even in summer and the gradient isn't too steep, so most dogs that are used to regular walks will manage it comfortably. Trainers or hiking shoes are the right call; in winter, some sections freeze, so bring shoes with grip.

Then you round a corner and the scene changes completely. The Kannon-do hall is built into the cliff face, its 12 support pillars rising straight up from the rock to more than 20 metres. We'd seen it in photos plenty of times, but standing in front of it, the scale of it took our breath away.

Below, the Chikuma basin slowly opens out. This view alone is reason enough to walk the path.

The temple was founded in 724 AD and is the 29th temple on the Shinano 33 Kannon pilgrimage circuit. It's also where the "Ushi ni Hikarete Zenkoji Mairi" legend was born: an old woman was led away by a cow (the Kannon in disguise) and found she had walked all the way to Zenkoji Temple in Nagano. The story is still told here today.

Two Possible Routes

The simplest option is out-and-back from the car park to the main hall and Kannon-do, which is plenty on its own. It is about an hour at a relaxed pace, just right for a morning walk. If you have more time, add a short visit to the Kori Fuketsu ice cave (氷風穴), about five minutes away by car. On foot it's another 30 minutes or so, which turns the hike into a small loop. The way back on the loop includes a short stretch of road; traffic is light, but keep your dog on a short lead and watch out for cars.

Lunch at Bakery Cocorade, Miyota

Bakery Cocorade is about 15 minutes by car from the temple toward Miyota. Dozens of kinds of bread are baked fresh every day, and coffee refills are free. We pulled into the car park and Mt. Asama was right in front of us, spreading out wide beyond the farmland. If you have your dog with you, the terrace is the place to sit. After a morning walk in Komoro, freshly baked bread tastes even better than usual.

Is The Hike Dog-Friendly?

Absolutely. With your dog on a lead, you can walk the Nunobiki Kannon approach path together. The trail is quiet and well-shaded, even in summer, which makes for a pleasant walk. The only stretch that needs attention is the road section on the loop route; traffic is light, but it's safest to keep your dog on a short lead. There's no water on the route, so bring water for your dog. Afterwards, head to the terrace at Bakery Cocorade, where you and your dog can relax with fresh bread and coffee.

At a Glance