Utsukushigahara Highlands

長野県/上田市
美ヶ原高原

Description
This is a plateau situated in central Nagano, with an altitude of 2,000 meters. Beyond the Venus line highway renowned for its views, this hidden area awaits. Here visitors can see a 360 degree panoramic view of the northern and southern alps, Sengen mountain, and Mount Fuji. The area is an ideal photo spot for its otherworldly starscapes above and cloud scapes below.


Address
386-0000
長野県 上田市 長野県上田市武石上本入 小県郡長和町和田美ヶ原高原

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Omachi Hot Spring "Yukemuri Estate: Yakushi no Yu"
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Nagano Inaoka, Ogawa-mura Kamiminochi-gun
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Kashimayari Ski Resort Camping Car Site
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長野県 上水内郡小川村稲丘
3.0
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A luxurious Niigami Pass camping car spot where you can occupy a 500 tsubo lot by yourself
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5.0
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Iroha-do Nagano Main Store
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3.0
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Ranking Stations

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Nearby Drive Spots

History
松本城
Matsumoto Castle
This is a castle build by Ogasawara clan in 1504. It is famous as one of Japan's only 12 castle towers and is one of 5 which has been designated as a national treasure by the Japanese government. The castle was taken into ownership by Ishikawa Kagumasa in 1590, and it is said that he painted the castle jet black to express loyalty to the castle lord, and became famously known as the "Crow castle".
History
諏訪大社
Suwa Taisha Shrine
This is a traditional shrine whose construction date is unknown. It houses two Gods known as Takeminakata no Kami and Yasakatome no Kami and 25,000 companies in Japan are associated with the shrine. It has been long known and revered as a war shrine, and where Sakanoue no Tamuramaro prayed for victory during the conquering of Ezo district. There are four halls which are separated by Lake Suwa, with the upper area of Honmiya and Maemiya on one side, and Akimiya and Harumiya on the other.
Onsen
戸倉上山田温泉
Togurakami Yamada Onsen
This is an Onsen located on the river bed of Chikuma River. It opened during the Meiji era(1858-1912), and was known as a place of devotion towards the Zenkoji Temple, as well as a place of healing for wounded and sick soldiers during the war. A total of 150 geisha registered to this onsen, and also has the unique characteristic of being an onsen constructed on a base of a shooting range.
History
奈良井宿
Narai-Juku
This is the 34th town inn which is located on the Nakasendo road, which links Tokyo (Edo at the time) and Kyoto, built during the Sengoku era(1467-1600). Situated just past the Torii gate in a perilous spot, the inn town became known as the "Narai of 1000 hotels" by many travelers. During the Edo period(1603-1868), the woodwork industry became prolific in the area with wooden crafts and lacquering, and is popular as a souvenir spot today.
Spot
上高地
Kamikochi
This is a scenic spot with an altitude of 1500 m in the southern part of the Hida Mountain Range. It has many sightseeing spots such as Azusa RiverKappa BridgeMyojin PondTakesawa WetlandsTashiro Pond. As there are only a few such plains spread out in Japan to this extent, many tourists flock to this area to see the rare scenery. The area is also the habitat of the Japanese monkey, Char Fish, and Genji firefly.
Spot
涸沢カール
Karasawa Curl
This is the largest glacier valley in Japan at the southern part of the Hida mountain range. There is a stunning view between Mount Okuhogatake and Mount Maehogatake due to their height difference of about 1,000 meters. The area has become popular for autumn leaf viewing in recent years, and the trees, known for their "three stage" autumn leaves offer an interesting contrast to the surrounding rocky area.
Spot
槍ヶ岳
Mount Yarigatake
Located at the southern part of the Hida mountain range, this is Japan's 5th tallest mountain at 3,180 meters. As the name suggests, the mountain has an unusual shape resembling a spear that is being cast to heaven. This has earned it the nickname of "Japan's matterhorn". The sunrise and sunset views with the sea of clouds below captures the hearts of many climbers.
Onsen
白骨温泉
Shirahone Onsen
This is a hidden away hot spring in the vicinity of Kamikochi in the west part of Nagano prefecture. It has always been well known as a place of healing, and it is said that one will not catch a cold if one enters the milky white water for three days. It is a secluded hot spring town with a quiet atmosphere, with several inns and places to eat around the local area.
Spot
白糸の滝
Shiraito Falls
This is a waterfall situated in Karuizawa. As water spouts up through the rocks, this waterfall looks attractive in all types of weather. The name derives from the fact that the water flowing down looks like white and silken threads.
History
善光寺
Zenkoji Temple
This is a non-sectarian temple that was built in 644 AD. The temple was built to revere the oldest Buddha known as Ikko Sanzon Amida Nyorai, and numerous priests and monks visited this temple, including Shinran and Ippen. It was the scene of the battle between the warriors Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, but its restoration was ordered by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and is known even today as a famous place where all should visit at least once in their lifetime.
Onsen
奥飛騨温泉郷
Oku Hida Onsen
This is a hot spring deep in Oku Hida. It is situated in the northern alps, and was admired by Shingen Takeda during the Sengoku era(1467-1600), as an onsen with the third most plentiful amount of spring water. The onsen is unique in that there is a free communal bath area with many different types of baths.
Onsen
万座温泉
Manza Onsen
An Onsen located on Kusatsu Shirane Volcano at an altitude of 1,800m, the highest in Japan. There are several areas where hot water spouts up, almost like a geyser, creating an almost hellish looking landscape with a smell of sulphur. The area is also popular in winter for skiing.
History
戸隠神社
Togakushi Shrine
This is a shrine built in 210 BC. The shrine's God is known as Amenodajikarao no Mikoto and was built by the 5 enterprises known as Rear shrineMiddle ShrineHokoshaNine Headed Dragon ShrineHinomiko Shrine at the foot of Holly Togakushi Mountain. The area was often used as a place to practice the Shugendo (a religion which was a fusion of several different religions) and was also known as the "three mountains of the Sanzenbou area" as the third mountain along with Mount Hiei and Mount Takao. Although it has been the scene of numerous battles along with Zenkoji Temple, it came under the fierce protection of Tokugawa Ieyasu and is still strictly protected today.
Spot
湯釜
Yugama Crater Lake
This is a crater lake in Kusatsu Mount Shirane, one of the most active volcanoes in Kanto. Due to the iron and sulphur that is melted in the water, the color is a turgid blue green, giving the impression of viewing a lake not of this world.
Spot
みくりが池
Mikurigaike Pond
This is a crater lake at altitude 2,405 meters formed by the volcanic activity of Tateyama volcano, in Murodo-daira. In Tateyama faith, the name has the meaning of "God's kitchen" and the pond's water ownership was bequeathed to Tateyama. For those practicing religion in this area, it became known as holy water.
Spot
雪の大谷
Yuki no Otani
This is an Alpine route of the Tateyama Kurobe mountain range. As snow has to be cleared aside in the heavy mountain zone of Toyama in around March, visitors can see the spectacular snow walls in April and May, with a height of 15-20m.
Onsen
草津温泉
Kusatsu Onsen
This is a famous onsen located at the foot of Kusatsu Shirane Volcano. It was named as one of the top Onsens in the country during the Edo period(1603-1868). The onsen is special for its large amount of natural water and is often used for research on "Yumomi", which is a process of inserting a hexagonal plate to reduce the feeling of heat when initially entering a warm bath.
Spot
北岳
Mount Kitadake
This is Japan's second tallest mountain at 3,193 meters high in the southern part of Yamanashi prefecture. The mountain is known as mount Shirane, (white topped mountain) due to the snow at the mountain caps. There is also a 600 meter rock wall known as "Kita-mine buttress". Towards the upper area of the mountain, there are splendid views of Mount Fuji with a sea of clouds below, for which this mountain is very popular. ※北岳より夜明けの富士山を望む © TAKAO_Tsushimaクリエイティブコモンズライセンス(表示4.0 国際)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Onsen
渋温泉
Shibu Onsen
This is an old Onsen along the Yokoyu River. It boasts a 1300 year history, and was a secret bathing spot for Takeda Shingen during the Sengoku era(1467-1600). It was also a place of healing for soldiers during the battle of Kawanakajima. For guests staying at the Shibu Onsen, a key is provided to the outdoor spring baths where are 9 baths said to wash away pain and struggle. (The Japanese number 9 is "ku" which is the same sound as the first character of "pain/struggle" - "kurou")
Spot
地獄谷野猿公苑
Jigokudani Yaen Koen
This is a monkey park in the "Hell valley" hot spring area. The park was opened in 1964 to conserve the monkeys that inhabited the area due to them being close to extinction. There are now around 150 monkeys that inhabit the area. The monkeys that appear in the onsen area in winter are known as "Snow monkeys" and is one of the most famous onsen destinations in the world.
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