Maiden lilies, a flower known as “himesayuri” in the local dialect and a designated near-threatened species on the Ministry of the Environment’s Red List, have grown an masse amidst the hills and fields of the Shitada area since ancient times. Takajo Castle Ruins in Mori-machi is particularly famous for its groups of maiden lilies. A hiking course connects the mountain climbing trailhead in Mori-machi with the Takajo Castle Ruins, and many maiden lilies grow throughout this area. The trail bustles with mountain climbers during the peak blooming period from mid-May to early June. The Takajo Castle Ruins can be reached in about an hour, and visitors appreciate the ease with which one can get here when the mood strikes.
The Sasagamine Highland, sprawling 1,300 meters above sea level, is a nature-rich, cloud top paradise. The nature trails on the highland enable visitors to cross Lake Otomi’s Sasagamine Dam and walk amidst huge birches and beeches, wetlands and seasonal flowers. 9. 6 kilometers in total length, the natural beauty- and plant life-rich trails can be walked in about four and a half hours. Some of the many highlights include the ruins of a former sawmill as well as scenic lookouts. The trails have also received certification as a Forest Therapy Road, a forested area which science has shown has a relaxing effect on visitors.
This club that plans and carries out guided tours to fully enjoy Lake Towada. Guided by a guide who knows all about Towada Lake, you can have more than your fill of the comfortable and historical Lake Towada.
This 10. 7-kilometer-long nature trail starts in Suzu City’s Takaya-machi, passes through Kinoura and Orito, and ends in Noroshi. Reefs, virgin forest, sandy beaches, and other diverse terrain features can be found along the route, and walkers can take in the great outdoors. The trail was also selected for inclusion in a list of 500 of Japan’s beautiful walking routes. A walking rally is held on the trail each year on the first Sunday in October.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
The Utsukushi-no-Mine is a grassy hill on the Utsukushi-ga-hara Plateau, east of the city center where Matsumoto Castle is located. In May, lingering snow can be seen on the Northern Alps, and in mid-June, the azalea azalea season is in full bloom, turning the entire area up to the Utsukushi-ga-hara Nature Conservation Center red.
Kagami Pond, situated 1,200 meters above sea level, is a depression filled with spring water situated at the foot of the Togakushi Mountains, land which long ago formed the bottom of the ocean and which later rose and grew to form mountains. A walking path encircles the pond; one circuit takes around 30 minutes. The walking path connects with Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden and Tenmei Inari Shrine, dedicated to Toyoukeno-Omikami, goddess of the outer shrine at Ise, is located along the way. The area is beautiful year round, but the time around mid-October when the fall foliage is at its peak is particularly stunning.
A walking path maintained on Usui Pass on the border of Nagano Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture. From Karuizawa Town, the hiking course consists of a 90-minute uphill walk and a 60-minute downhill walk. The Usui Pass Observation Platform is located near the top of the pass, and from here visitors can enjoy a sweeping view of surrounding mountains such as Mt. Asama and the Myogi Mountains.
A walking path located in Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku County, Nagano Prefecture. This hiking course starts in Nagakura, Karuizawa Tone, passing through the town's cool forests and visiting scenic waterfalls such as Shiraito Falls and Ryugaeshi Falls along the way.
"This walking trail connects Akankohan Eco Museum Center to a sightseeing cruise wharf. The 1.5 kilometer trail passes through a mixed coniferous and deciduous forest, and is a perfect way to enjoy the scenery of the Akan Lakeside. The name Bokke is from the Ainu word meaning ""boiling, seething,"" and you can see why as mud comes bubbling up along with volcanic gas here, breaking through the surface in a rolling mass. You can see the phenomenon about a 15-minute walk from the back of the Akankohan Eco Museum Center. This area often sees over 50 centimeters of snow, but right here the ground temperature is high enough to melt almost all snowfall. Due to the extreme danger, entry beyond the fences is strictly forbidden."
Hokkaido Kawakami-gun Teshikaga Cho Kussharo Wakoto
This sightseeing course is a 2.5-kilometer loop that allows visitors to fully enjoy the nature of Wakoto Peninsula, which was created by volcanic activity. The area is characterized by remnants of volcanic activity, such as the high amounts of geothermal energy and rich soil, which encourages the growth of the many flowers that can be seen here. Wakoto Peninsula was formed through successive eruptions of the volcano, when its lava dome connected with the alluvial fan on the shore of the lake. Visitors can experience the majestic wonders of Oyakotsu Jigoku (Oyakotsu Hell) at the halfway point of the route. The spectacular sight that volcanic smoke is billowing up and lack of vegetation is well suited to the name of Hell.
The Mt. Nishi Foothill Crater Trail is a hiking trail that enables visitors to get a close look at the crater left by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Use in 2000, the old National Highway that was raised up by crustal movement, buildings that were damaged in the eruption, etc. This Trail really brings home the dangers that nature can pose.
This is the world heritage site Shiretoko, where much nature remains untouched. A nature guide who is well-informed with Shiretoko will guide you around the Shiretoko Five Lakes and provide star watching tours. A variety of nature experience courses are provided for each season and visitors can feel the charm of Shiretoko.
These trails meander around the remaining structures and remnants that were affected by the Mt. Usuzan's eruption in 2000. The trails, located in Toyako Town, start behind the Toyako Visitor's Center and Volcanic Science Hall. If visiting only the relics, the walk will only take about 30 minutes, but the full-trail course is two hours. Near the entryway is an observation tower, where one can view the Yasuragi no Ie, which used to be the municipal hot springs bath, prior to the eruption. Even with the passing of time since the eruption, one can sense the power and awfulness of nature in the sight inside the remaining sturdily structure that was swallowed with muddy waters. With just a little detour off the trails, one can come upon an exquisite emerald bright crater called the Yukun crater.
This is a trekking course in Happo-One stretching out from Mt. Karamatsu of the Northern Alps Hakuba Mountain Range. Taking a gondola and two lifts to Happo Pond Sanso, it’s an approximate 90-minute course on to Happo Pond. Called the treasury of alpine plants, rare alpine plants endemic to the area grow here. In the summer one can appreciate a variety of flowers around Happo Pond and Kurohishidaira. It is a scenic course looking onto the three Shirouma mountains, and if the weather is good one can see a wide sea of clouds and the mystical sight of mountains reflected in Happo Pond. The starting point is gondola lift Happo Station.
Nagano Prefecture Kitasaku-gun Karuizawa Town Hoshino Karuizawa Wild Bird Forest Picchio Visitor Center
Your guide to the forest creatures of Karuizawa—Picchio conducts a variety of nature tours. Go on a nature walk in the forest on the island of Nojima, where 80 species of birds can be seen throughout the year and creatures such as Asian black bears and Japanese serows make their home. Or go and observe Japanese giant flying squirrels gliding through the air at dusk. On a Picchio tour, you can enjoy and learn about the mysteries of local forests and animals. Tours leave from the visitor center in the Hoshino Area facility in Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku County, Nagano Prefecture.
