Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 20 Nature, History and Culture Tours in Chikuma City

By Peter Ninnes

Seen the big cities and tourist havens of Japan? This detailed and very handy guidebook provides you with a new and enchanting way to experience this fascinating country, just 2 hours from Tokyo. Tour the mountains, towns, villages and farms of Chikuma City in rugged Nagano, Japan, and experience breathtaking vistas, hidden temples and shrines, and buildings from by-gone eras. Chikuma City provides an intimate and memorable engagement with a rarely experienced side of Japan, and this book is the perfect companion for your trip. Each tour has a detailed English description and map, and introduces the user to many natural features, as well as the cultural and historical aspects of the area covered. Even with no Japanese language ability, users will be able to find their way around the routes, and glean surprising details about the nature, culture and history of the sites you encounter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Peter Ninnes
• Release date: Nov 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465868824

Peter Ninnes

Peter Ninnes has lived and travelled extensively in Japan since 2005, initially as a tourist and then as a resident from 2007-2015. Apart from Japan, he has lived in East Timor, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the US. He currently calls Sydney, Australia home.

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Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 20 Nature, History and Culture Tours in Chikuma City

Peter Ninnes

Smashwords Edition

Copyright Peter Ninnes 2011

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Although the author has tried to make the information in this book as accurate as possible, the author accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone using this book.

All photographs by Peter Ninnes. Cover photographs: Chishikiji Temple (top left, see Ch. 9), Kurashina Valley (top right, see Ch. 2), Ponponnodaira Saddle (bottom left, see Ch. 12), clay walled thatched roofed building in Isobe (bottom right, see Ch. 8)

Also by this Author

Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 16 Tours in Ueda City and Environs

Table of Contents

Introduction

Hike Location Map

1. Mt Gorigamine

2. Amenomiya Three Valleys

3. Togura Cultural Assets

4. Mt Mitsumine

5. Yashiro Historical Sites

6. Inariyama Old Town

7. Mori Apricot Village

8. Isobe Cultural Assets

9. Kamiyamada Temples, Shrines and History

10. Obasute

11. Mt Kamuriki

12. Mt Oobayashi

13. Mt Iwaidou

14. Mt Gorigamine to Mt Ariake Traverse

15. Mt Kyoudai

16. Mt Sasayama

17. Mt Takao

18. Togura Station to Kamuriki Station

19. Sano Fudo Waterfall

20. Daiuni Nature Park

Introduction

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Chikuma City has great appeal, nestled among the mountains and fields of Nagano, Japan. With a population of just over 60,000, it is a small city by Japanese standards. However, it has a variety of geographical features from forested mountains to alluvial plains, and from urban areas to agricultural districts, all of which are bisected by the Chikuma River, Japan’s longest river. In addition, Chikuma City occupies an area with a long and varied history. It has ancient tombs dating from the 4th century CE, and temples that had their origins in the 7th century. It was the site of struggles for power between powerful samurai lords in the 15th century, and the remains of their fortifications can still be found on vantage points above the valley. Chikuma City has relatively less rain and more sunshine than many other parts of Japan, so the conditions are often ideal for outdoor activities. As a result, there is a wealth of excellent hiking opportunities in the forested mountains, and many walking and biking courses visiting cultural and historical sites along the flat river valley. As a bonus, there are also plenty of onsens to soak in after exploring the area.

The hikes, walks and bike rides described in this book include ample information to help you enjoy them. A summary indicates the main features of the hike, walk or ride. Each one has a purpose-made map, showing the walking path as a thick broken line. Points of interest are also marked. The starting point is indicated on the map, and the coordinates (latitude and longitude) are provided. Estimated duration, distance and difficulty of the hike, the elevation of any peaks and the height climbed, public transport options, and the Japanese rendering of key place names and signs are all given at the beginning of the chapter or in the text. The descriptions suggest best times to undertake the hike, how to get to and from the starting points, background information about the area, and extensive details of the route. In addition, the text provides information about the sites visited, such as the age and origins of temples and shrines, the artifacts they contain, and the stories associated with them. Each chapter also has a color photograph of one of the key points or sights. Even without any Japanese language ability, users should be able not only to find their way using all the information provided, but also to learn a great deal about the sites found along the way.

The hikes, walks and bike rides are classified in the summary of the chapter according to the kind of terrain they cover. Hikes generally have most of their distance covered on walking tracks, and/or involve substantial ascents. Hikes also usually require specialist gear if done in winter. Walks are generally on more or less flat land, with perhaps some short ascents. They can usually be done all year round, and the majority of the path is along established roads or footpaths. Those walks that can also be done without much effort on a one-gear bicycle are indicated as such. Hard-core mountain bike routes are not covered in this book.

Chapters 1, 4, and 11-20 describe hikes. Chapters 2-3 and 5-8 describe routes that can be done on foot or by bike. Chapters 9-10 are best done on foot. For the general location of each hike, walk or bike ride, see the hike location map below.

Each hike or walk is also rated in terms of its standard of difficulty. Easy hikes and walks tend to be shorter in duration and cover mostly flat ground on well-established roads, footpaths or walking trails. Where these hikes do involve climbing, the ascent is usually short and not particularly steep. Medium level hikes tend to have some steep or slippery sections that require care, or may have parts where the path is less clear and you will have to pay attention in order to stay on the trail. Longer hikes that require a bit more stamina are also rated as medium.

Each hike and walk indicates the time required and the distance covered. The time is based on walking at a medium speed and having occasional breaks. It does not usually include time spent in museums or other sights. The distance covered is approximate and is based on estimates from my own walking of the route, and on maps and signs. Different people spend different amounts of time on hikes and walks for a range of reasons, so the figures given should be taken as a guide only. For those walks that can be done by bicycle, you