Obusedō: A Tradition of Chestnut Sweets and Local Culture

Scenic Obuse: Chestnut orchards stretch out west from Obuse Station toward the Chikuma River.

Obuse from afar. Chestnut, apple, and cherry orchards spread out west from Obuse Station, with the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Iizuna, the Togakushi range, and Mt. Kurohime (left to right) towering in the distance.

A display of chestnuts in burrs greets winter visitors at Obuse Station.

The entrance to the Masuichi-Ichimura Sake Brewery. The teppadai counter at the brewery serves up local sakes and is a popular stop for visitors on their way to see the famous snow monkeys of Jigokudani.

The crest of Obusedō features three chestnuts.

Maroyakanoko, Obusedō’s newest take on chestnut kanoko, features a rich, natural chestnut flavor. (Photos courtesy of Obusedō.)

Obusedō president Ichimura Tsugio in his century-old home.

Kurihana (left) is made using the essence of chestnut. (Photo courtesy of Obusedō.) The Obusedō counter in Isetan in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

The artist Hokusai loved Obuse, producing many works in the town, the most famous being the phoenix on the ceiling of the temple Ganshōin. The colors still shine with their original luster even after 166 years. (Photo courtesey of Ganshōin.)

As a symbol of Obuse’s restored scenery, the Chestnut Path—which takes its name from the chestnut wood blocks used to make it—connects the Hokusai Museum with the Takai Kōzan Memorial Museum.