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2025/04/03 - 2025/04/10
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Enjoy the secluded Takase Valley, where you can enjoy magnificent scenery throughout the seasons!
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The course we will introduce this time is a trekking course that aims for the natural monument "Funtokyu" in the Yumata area, where steam rises from hot springs, at the innermost part of Takase Valley. Takase Valley is an area full of attractions, including three dams lined up along the Takase River, the hidden hot springs "Kuzu-Nanakura Onsen," and the natural monument "Funtokyu." You can enjoy the majestic nature in various scenery throughout the four seasons, but autumn, when the leaves are ...
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Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, is a mountainous city surrounded by mountains, with an urban area as high as 700 meters above sea level, where you can still feel the culture of the time when it flourished as a post town long ago. Shinano Omachi is characterized by its impressive view of the Northern Alps from the city, proximity to magnificent nature, and the ability to walk around the historic town while feeling nature. It is a small city with a population of just under 30,000, and is often referred to by tourists as ``Shinano Omachi,'' the name of Omachi City's main station. Shinano Omachi is also at the foot of the ``Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route,'' a mountain sightseeing route where you can walk through the world-famous ``Snowy Otani in spring'' and ``Kurobe Dam Sightseeing Water Release'' in summer, and welcomes close to 1 million visitors a year. It is also a city where We also have a large number of visitors visiting the Northern Alps, a series of mountains with an altitude of 3,000m, as well as visitors enjoying water activities, camping, and saunas at Lake Aoki, Lake Nakatsuna, and Lake Kizaki in Shinano Omachi, where the water is beautiful. Masu. Shinano Omachi is located in the northwestern part of Nagano Prefecture, with Nagano City to the east, Toyama Prefecture to the west, Matsumoto City to the south, and Hakuba Village to the north, making it even more convenient to use as a base for your travels. We want people all over the world to know about this city, which has so many charms, such as local foods such as soba, game meat, and wild vegetables that can only be found in areas close to nature, sake, local beer, and coffee made with delicious water, day-trip hot springs, and hot spring inns. I think. We would appreciate it if you could share your attractions with us by using #shinanoomachi. thank you.
Required time
2 days/1 night
Transportation
Car ｜
On foot
7:00 Let's depart from Shinano-Omachi Station!
15 minutes by car or taxi from Shinano-Omachi Station.
Let's go to the observation park where you can see Omachi Dam's lake, Ryujin Lake!
Let's go to the observation park where you can see Omachi Dam's lake, Ryujin Lake!
1
Omachi Dam / Lake Ryujin
Omachi Dam is a gravity concrete dam with a height of 107 meters. It is located in the same scenic spot for autumn leaves called Takase Valley as Takase Dam and Nanakura Dam.
The Omachi Dam Information Center provides easy-to-understand explanations about the role of Omachi Dam and the surrounding natural environment using panels and computers. Omachi Dam Cards are distributed at the Information Center.
There is an observation park near the Omachi Dam Information Center where you can see the dam lake. It is said to be the origin of the famous Japanese folktale, ``Sairyu and Izumi Kotaro,'' and another name for the dam lake is Lake Ryujin. The lake's distinctive emerald green color is said to be due to the water mixed with fine sulfur particles flowing from the upper reaches of the Takase Valley.
It takes about 10 minutes from Omachi Dam to reach the Kuzu Onsen area.
There are three inns here, and you can also take a day trip to the baths.
There are three inns here, and you can also take a day trip to the baths.
2
Kuzu Onsen Senninkaku
This inn is a member inn of the ``Japan Secret Hot Springs Preservation Association'' and ``Hot Spring Heritage Preservation Association'', and is an inn with natural hot springs flowing directly from the source.
We are proud of our open-air bath, where you can enjoy the changing seasons, and our cuisine, which uses plenty of local ingredients.
Day trip bathing is available from 10:30 to 19:30.
3
Kuzu Onsen Onjuku Kajika
Kuzu Onsen, a secret hot spring in Shinshu, quietly stands on the banks of Takase Valley.
Kuzu Onsen has been popular among mountaineers since ancient times, as it has a large amount of hot water and is of good quality.
The open-air bath is ``integrated with nature'' in spring, summer, fall and winter, with dancing water and a pleasant faint sulfur smell.
Day trip bathing is available from 10:00 to 15:00.
From the guest rooms, you can see the changing nature of the four seasons, including beech trees, Japanese maple trees, and cherry blossoms.
There are only 6 guest rooms, and it is a quiet space that is reminiscent of an old literati inn.
In addition, during the cold season, the floors inside the hotel are equipped with floor heating that uses the heat from the hot springs.
Your feet will be warm even during the cold nights.
Please spend a luxurious time surrounded by nature that will make you want to stay here forever.
4
Kuzu Onsen Takasekan
This is a small inn with 13 rooms located in Chubu Sangaku National Park.
Kuzu Onsen Takasekan is used by many mountaineers as the starting point for climbing the Northern Alps Ura-Ginza and as a lodging to relieve fatigue after descending.
In addition to enjoying the natural hot springs that overflow with abundant water, each dish is carefully prepared using seasonal ingredients.
Day trip bathing is available from 10:00 to 20:00.
8:00 Arrive at Shichikura Dam in about 5 minutes from Takasekan.
Shichikura Dam is a rockfill dam made of large stones, and you can experience its power up close.
There is a plaza below Nanakura Dam, so you can park your car there and go up the stairs on the right side of the dam.
After climbing up the long staircase, there is...
Shichikura Dam is a rockfill dam made of large stones, and you can experience its power up close.
There is a plaza below Nanakura Dam, so you can park your car there and go up the stairs on the right side of the dam.
After climbing up the long staircase, there is...
5
Nanakura Dam
Rockfill dam completed in 1978. With a bank height of 125 meters, it is the second highest rockfill dam after Takase Dam upstream. Pumped storage power generation is performed between it and Takase Dam, and it also functions as a water intake dam for downstream power plants.
If you climb the stairs on the dam wall, you can see the beautiful emerald green water of the lake, and in autumn you can enjoy the scenery with the autumn leaves.
9:00 Leaving Nanakura Dam and continuing on, we arrived at Nanakura Parking Lot, the final point accessible by public vehicle.
There is Shichikura Sansou here, where you can stay overnight or take a day trip to enjoy the baths and a meal.
There is Shichikura Sansou here, where you can stay overnight or take a day trip to enjoy the baths and a meal.
6
Nanakura Sanso
This is a hot spring inn located at the trailhead of the Northern Alps Ura Ginza Trail.
After taking a relaxing open-air bath fed by the soothing sounds of the hot spring source, please relax with a meal such as Nanakura Dam Curry or draft beer.
Please note that we are only open from mid-April to the end of November.
Since general vehicles (including bicycles) are not permitted beyond Nanakura Parking Lot, you will need to transfer to a designated taxi to head to Takase Dam.
Make sure to wear clothes that are suitable for trekking, that are easy to move in, and that can handle temperature changes.
Make sure to wear clothes that are suitable for trekking, that are easy to move in, and that can handle temperature changes.
The one-way trip by special taxi takes about 20 minutes. A standard taxi costs 2,600 yen per vehicle, while a jumbo taxi costs 4,010 yen per vehicle. They are often parked in front of Nanakura Sanso, but if you can't find one, please contact this taxi company.
Alps Daiichi Transportation TEL 0261-22-2121
Alpico Taxi TEL 0261-23-2323
Please see here for the operating hours and dates of specific taxis.
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/access/bus-taxi/
9:30 On the bank of Takase Dam there is a viewing platform from which you can see Mt. Yari.
After enjoying the view from the embankment, head towards Yumata (to the left of the embankment where there are public telephones and temporary toilets).
This is a 2.5 to 3 hour trekking course where you can fully enjoy the emerald green dam lake and beautiful scenery.
After enjoying the view from the embankment, head towards Yumata (to the left of the embankment where there are public telephones and temporary toilets).
This is a 2.5 to 3 hour trekking course where you can fully enjoy the emerald green dam lake and beautiful scenery.
There are no toilets until Yumata Onsen Seiranso/Yumata Sanso, so please use the temporary toilets on the left side of the embankment.
7
Takase Dam
This rockfill dam was completed in 1978. It is the tallest rockfill dam in Japan.
The surface of the dam is covered by approximately 80,000 huge rocks.
The beautiful emerald-colored dam lake was selected as one of the 100 best dam lakes in 2005.
10:00 Trekking starts!
The first half of the trekking course is along a well-maintained path that runs alongside the dam lake.
Please be aware that construction vehicles and authorized vehicles may pass by.
The first half of the trekking course is along a well-maintained path that runs alongside the dam lake.
Please be aware that construction vehicles and authorized vehicles may pass by.
After walking for a while, you will arrive at the Yumata Onsen trailhead.
From here the gentle hiking trail begins.
11:30 After walking a short distance along the hiking trail, you will see the Nameless Refuge Hut on your left.
There is a bench nearby, so you can take a break here.
There is a bench nearby, so you can take a break here.
12:30 When you start to smell sulfur, you'll soon have arrived at Yumata Sanso and Yumata Onsen Seiranso!
Yumata Sanso offers lodging and meals, while Yumata Onsen Seiranso, located on the opposite bank, offers lodging, meals, and hot spring baths.
Let's take a break here and then head towards the natural monument, Funyu Cone.
Yumata Sanso offers lodging and meals, while Yumata Onsen Seiranso, located on the opposite bank, offers lodging, meals, and hot spring baths.
Let's take a break here and then head towards the natural monument, Funyu Cone.
About a 15-minute walk from Yumata Sanso and Yumata Onsen Seiranso.
Along the way, there is the confluence of the Yumata River and the Minamata River, where two rivers with completely different water colors meet to become the Takase River.
Near the confluence there is a shrine called "Mountain God."
Along the way, there is the confluence of the Yumata River and the Minamata River, where two rivers with completely different water colors meet to become the Takase River.
Near the confluence there is a shrine called "Mountain God."
If you cross the suspension bridge and walk along the Yumata River, you will see steam rising from the hot springs.
We arrived at Yumata Jigoku, where hot springs gush out here and there! The temperature of the gushing hot springs is an amazing 90 degrees Celsius!
The hot spring cone is on the opposite bank, and you have to cross the river to get close to it.
There are places where the water is deep and the current is fast, so if you are crossing please be careful and do not force your way across.
8
Takase Valley Fountain Hill (National Natural Monument)
Yumata Jigoku is located in the upper reaches of Takase Valley, where hot springs gush out and steam rises.
The small volcanic-shaped ``Funtoukyu (Takase Valley Fountain Hill)'' at this location was created by depositing hot spring sediment on the riverbed. It is a valuable cultural property created by nature, and the entire area of the Fountain Hill has been designated as a national natural monument.
*Acts that intentionally damage cultural properties, such as climbing the Fountain Hill to take photographs, may be subject to punishment under the Cultural Properties Protection Act. In addition, it is also prohibited to change the current state of the surrounding land other than the Fountain Hill to create a ``wild hot spring'' or ``natural open-air bath.'' Please be careful when visiting the Fountain Hill and enjoy the spectacular views.
On the way back, go back the way you came.
Taxis from Takase Dam to Shichikura Parking Lot are parked at the bank of Takase Dam. If there is no parking lot, please call a taxi from the public phone (coins only) at the bank, as mobile phones will not work.
Taxis from Takase Dam to Shichikura Parking Lot are parked at the bank of Takase Dam. If there is no parking lot, please call a taxi from the public phone (coins only) at the bank, as mobile phones will not work.
lastly···
We recommend spending the night at Yumata Onsen, and then soothing your tired body at Kuzu Onsen or Nanakura Sanso on the second day! Make sure to schedule it well and enjoy it safely.
thank you for your hard work!!
Spots introduced in this itinerary
Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, is a mountainous city surrounded by mountains, with an urban area as high as 700 meters above sea level, where you can still feel the culture of the time when it flourished as a post town long ago. Shinano Omachi is characterized by its impressive view of the Northern Alps from the city, proximity to magnificent nature, and the ability to walk around the historic town while feeling nature. It is a small city with a population of just under 30,000, and is often referred to by tourists as ``Shinano Omachi,'' the name of Omachi City's main station. Shinano Omachi is also at the foot of the ``Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route,'' a mountain sightseeing route where you can walk through the world-famous ``Snowy Otani in spring'' and ``Kurobe Dam Sightseeing Water Release'' in summer, and welcomes close to 1 million visitors a year. It is also a city where We also have a large number of visitors visiting the Northern Alps, a series of mountains with an altitude of 3,000m, as well as visitors enjoying water activities, camping, and saunas at Lake Aoki, Lake Nakatsuna, and Lake Kizaki in Shinano Omachi, where the water is beautiful. Masu. Shinano Omachi is located in the northwestern part of Nagano Prefecture, with Nagano City to the east, Toyama Prefecture to the west, Matsumoto City to the south, and Hakuba Village to the north, making it even more convenient to use as a base for your travels. We want people all over the world to know about this city, which has so many charms, such as local foods such as soba, game meat, and wild vegetables that can only be found in areas close to nature, sake, local beer, and coffee made with delicious water, day-trip hot springs, and hot spring inns. I think. We would appreciate it if you could share your attractions with us by using #shinanoomachi. thank you.
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