Hiking / Walking Spots in Kita-Shinano Area

  • Mt. Shiga Climbing Course
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Shimotakai-gun Yamanouchimachi Shigakogen
    A trekking course a 50-minute drive from the Shinshu-Nakano Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway. The 12.6 kilometer long trail experiences a 300 meter difference in elevation and is suited to advanced trekkers. Those walking the trail can enjoy sweeping views of the mountains of the Shiga Highlands and, from the mountaintop, look down on numerous ponds below. The trail visits Onuma Pond, whose mysterious emerald green waters draw the eye; Shijuhachiike Marsh, habitat for wetland plants like beautiful Asian skunk cabbage; and Shibuike, a pond where the ice age relic species creeping pine still grows.
  • Shiga Highlands Hiking Nature Sightseeing Course
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Shimotakai-gun Yamanouchimachi Shigakogen
    A hiking course located a 40-minute drive from the Shinshu-Nakano Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway. 4.1 kilometers long and with a total difference in elevation of 160 meters, the trail condenses all the charms and beauty of the Shiga Highlands into one area, and this beginner-oriented course makes it easy to enjoy the great outdoors. Starting at Shiga Highland Mountain Station, the trail visits Hasu Pond, where you can see aquatic plants such as the lotus-like Japanese spatterdock; Tanohara Marsh, a prefecturally designated nature park; and majestic trees with luminous moss growing amidst stunning exposed root systems.
  • Shiga Highlands Hiking Mt. Higashidate Tenku Course
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Shimotakai-gun Yamanouchimachi Shigakogen Hoppo Onsen
    A hiking course located a 40-minute drive from the Shinshu-Nakano Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway. The round trip course includes gondola, lift, and free shuttle bus rides. Kouzan (Alpine Plant) Botanical Garden, situated near the top of Mt. Higashitateyama 2,000 meters above sea level, has been in operation for over 50 years and here visitors can view 500 varieties of rare alpine plants. The Mt. Higashitateyama Observatory at the entrance to the garden offers a sweeping view of the Shiga Highlands as well as the Northern Japan Alps and the Five Peaks of Northern Nagano.
  • Yumichi Nature Trail
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Shimotakai-gun Yamanouchimachi Uebayashi Onsen
    "A 15-minute bus ride for Kanbayashi Onsen leaving from Nagano Electric Railway Yudanaka Station. The 1.6 kilometer long trail connects the terminal station, Kanbayashi Onsen and Jigokudani Onsen's Jigokudani Monkey Park, famous for its Japanese macaques who bath in the local hot springs. Passing through a cedar forest, it takes around 30 minutes to walk the flat mountain trail. Walkers can catch site of macaques living in the area and, in winter, maybe see snow-covered ""snow monkeys."" Note that snow accumulations in winter make the trail slippery, necessitating the use of shoes with good traction as well as proper clothing to protect against the cold."

Nagano Areas

around-area-map

Nagano prefecture is an exciting mix of mountains, hot spring monkeys, and preserved Edo history. At the heart of the Japanese Alps, Nagano is one of the country’s most popular destinations, whether in winter for its snow sports and the much-loved Jigokudani Monkey Park or in the warmer months for discovering the undulating hills on foot. For fantastic Edo architecture, head to the Kiso Valley for a 60-kilometer stretch of quaint wooden buildings that marked the Nakasendo route 200 years ago.

Nagano Photo Album

Browse Interests