[Let's walk the Amatomi Trail] Myoko-Togakushi renzan National Park Long Trail (Nagano Prefecture/Niigata Prefecture)

• Table of Contents
• What is Amatomi Trail?
• Maps can be downloaded to your smartphone
• Recommended trail area ① Togakushi
• Recommended trail area ② Myoko
• Recommended trail area ③ Shinanomachi
• Enjoy walking in the national park!

What is Amatomi Trail?

"Amatomi Trail" is a long trail that you can enjoy walking with a total length of 86 km, connecting Nagano Station, Togakushi, Myoko/Sasagamine, Lake Nojiri, and the summit of Mt. Madarao.

As soon as you get off the Shinkansen Nagano Station, you'll find the trailhead, so you can walk through the city and into the mountains and forests, passing by popular tourist spots such as Zenkoji Temple. This is a trail that allows you to experience nature and culture as you travel through a trail that changes from city views to rural Japanese countryside, rich forests, shrines and temples, and more.

The name "Amatomi trail" means "a" for Mt. Amakazariyama in the west, "ma" for Mt. Madarao in the east, "to" for Mt. Togakushi and Togakushiyama in the south, and Mt. Myoko in the north. The name comes from the ``mi'' of Myokosan and the initials of the mountains that represent this area.

Suitable for both thru-hike and day hike

If you want to enjoy the 86km long Amatomi Trail as a through-hike, using campgrounds and lodging facilities, we recommend spending 3 or 4 nights on the trail. In addition, you can easily access the city using transportation such as buses, so you can enjoy some of it with day hiking equipment without having to bring a tent or overnight equipment.

If you use public buses or taxis, you can easily enjoy the trail with light clothing.

Please research the information in advance, make a plan that suits you, and have fun. (Please note that some facilities and roads are closed during the winter)

Maps can be downloaded to your smartphone

Trail MAP can be downloaded from the following website. Please check the precautions and trail conditions in advance, check the trail signs and your location information, and enjoy your trip safely.

“Amatomi Trail” Myoko-Togakushi renzan National Park Liaison Council Home Page(Japanese only)

If you download the map, you can check it along with the location information.

Recommended trail area ① Togakushi

Togakushi Shrine

The Togakushi area is an area that has been worshiped since ancient times and is a historic tourist destination. By walking the Amatomi Trail, you can visit many shrines and experience Japanese culture. The stone steps of Togakushi Hokosha Shrine and the cedar-lined approach to Okusha Shrine are traditional prayer spaces that blend into nature.

Togakushi Shrine (Hokosha)

Togakushi Shrine (Okusha approach)

Togakushi soba noodle

A highly recommended meal is Togakushi Soba. It is popular as one of Japan's top three soba noodles, and there are many soba restaurants scattered throughout the area, where you can eat delicious soba noodles made with the rich, clean water of the national park.

There are many ways to explore the area depending on your physical strength and time, so we recommend joining a guided tour in the Togakushi area. The Togakushi Tourism Association also introduces guides with a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Togakushi Tourism Association

Recommended trail area ② Myoko

Naena Falls

Naena Falls, located on the border between Nagano and Niigata prefectures, is also called ``Earthquake Falls'' because of the spectacular sight and sound of water falling from a height of 55 meters. In the spring, the snow melts and there is an explosive amount of water, in the summer it is cool, and in the fall, the leaves are beautiful and it is a popular tourist spot.

As you walk through the moist forest, you will see the roaring Naena Falls.

Myoko Kogen Visitor Center

A base facility with free admission for enjoying Myoko Togakushi Mountains National Park to the fullest. The facility is located in a location where you can enjoy just looking at the natural scenery while staying at the facility. Not only can you learn about the characteristics of the national park from a scientific perspective, but it also makes people want to enjoy the nature of the national park. And then, it has cafes and shops adjacent to it, so you can relax at there.

Myoko Kogen Visitor Center

The information center is a scenic spot with a panoramic view of Mt. Myoko.

Recommended trail area ③ Shinanomachi

◆Furuike (Shinano Town, Nagano Prefecture)

"Furuike" is a quiet lake that appears after passing through a quiet forest. This reservoir, which was built in the past for power generation, is also a hidden scenic spot from which you can see Mt. Kurohime.

◆Lake Nojiri (Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture)

The largest lake in Myoko-Togakushi Mountains National Park. It is also an excavation site for Naumann's elephant fossils, and is an area where you can stroll around and feel the pleasant breeze flowing through the lake. There are restaurants around Lake Nojiri where you can eat, so it's a recommended place for lunch or a break.

Enjoy walking in the national park!

How was that? The Amatomi Trail, a long trail that connects the major sights of Myoko-Togakushi Mountains National Park, is a recommended course that anyone can easily enjoy hiking.

Rather than just visiting tourist spots, I think that by walking and enjoying the forests, villages, and natural landscapes that connect these spots, you can get a feel for the culture and people's lives there.

Please check your equipment and make a reasonable plan to walk according to your purpose and season. We hope this article will give you an opportunity to enjoy the Amatomi Trail.

Click here for Amatomi Trail information Facebook

Contact information for Amatomi Trail (Amatomi Trail Club)