USUAL COLLAR (USUITŌGE)

From the Nite Bridge at the end of Karuizawa Ginza, one will walk to Usui Pass from where one has a panoramic view of Asama-yama and the surrounding mountains (1.5 hour walk). Usuitōge is on the old road (Nakasendō) that connected Kyōto to Tōkyō. The walk is country-like and allows you to get away from the crowds on the main street. Not far from there is the Kumano-Jinja shrine. It has three halls: the main hall (hongu) is at the top, the Nachi hall on the Nagano side to the left, and the Shingu hall on the Gunma side to the right.