Obuse: Town of Chestnuts and Hokusai Loved by Katsushika Hokusai

Small Town Loved by Hokusai

Obuse Town in northeastern Nagano Prefecture is a small town of about 10,000 people, but famous as where Edo-period ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai spent his later years (ages 80-89). Hokusai was invited by wealthy merchant Takai Kozan and left many works in this place.

Hokusai Museum

Obuse's "Hokusai Museum" is an art museum housing and exhibiting many of Katsushika Hokusai's works, with festival floats (ceiling paintings) and freehand paintings among Hokusai's late-period masterpieces viewable. Ceiling paintings Hokusai painted in Obuse at near age 90 are full of impact, conveying Hokusai's passion for art.

Obuse Chestnuts

Obuse is a famous chestnut production area known as "Shinshu's Obuse Chestnuts." In autumn, many tourists visit as a sweet town where chestnut confections (chestnut yokan, Mont Blanc, chestnut steamed rice, etc.) can be enjoyed.