This course will mainly take you around Yashimagahara Wetlands, an outdoor area that is about 30 minutes by car from downtown Shimosuwa, and the surrounding mountains. There is little elevation gain from the trailhead to the summit of these mountains, so you will be able to enjoy a great view of the surrounding nature while moving your body on a comfortable hike. The main feature of the route, Yashimagahara Wetlands, has a flat path that takes about 90 minutes to go around, and you can see a variety of flora and fauna depending on the season. From late May to June, you may hear the unusual cry of the Schlegel tree frog, a common variety of tree frog within the wetlands.
01
Yashima Visitor Center Azamikan
02
Mt. Washigamine
03
Yashimagahara Wetlands
04
Motomisayamasha shrine
05
Hutte Misayama
06
Yashima Visitor Center Azamikan
07
Kami no Yu
01
Yashima Visitor Center Azamikan
This municipal visitor center is located just next to Yashimagahara Wetlands and is used as a base for hiking and observing nature.
Within Azamikan, exhibits and seasonal images share the latest information on Yashimagahara Wetlands with visitors.
Click here to find out more about Yashima Wetlands.
Address :10618 Yashima Shitsugen, Shimosuwa Town, Suwa District
Phone :0266-52-7000
About 60 minutes 02
Mt. Washigamine
Mt. Washigamine sits at an altitude of 1,798 m on the western end of the Kirigamine Highlands. Its terrain is relatively even and is easy to walk and hike. Washi means eagle in Japanese, and the origin of the mountain’s name is not entirely clear. It is said that its ridgeline, which extends from the western foothills in the direction of Lake Suwa and into the south and north, looks similar to an eagle spreading its wings.
About 0 minutes 03
Yashimagahara Wetlands
Yashima Wetlands sits at an altitude of 1,630 meters. Located mostly in the heart of Nagano, these wetlands have a 12,000-year history that makes them the oldest high-altitude wetlands in all of Japan. They are even designated as a natural monument.
About 30 minutes 04
Motomisayamasha shrine
This shrine was a festival area where the Mikari Shinto ritual was held to offer hawks and deer to Suwa Myojin, the god enshrined at Suwa-taisha. Motomisayamasha shrine was moved to its current location in the Genroku era (1688-1704).
About 5 minutes 05
Hutte Misayama
Hut Misayama is a small mountain hut situated between Kirigamine Highlands and Yashimagahara Wetlands. A small coffee shop and inn can be found at the inn, and the coffee shop can also be enjoyed as a lunch spot for coffee, cakes, curry, and more.
The relaxing, comfortable environment surrounded by water, air, and nature can be enjoyed differently in all four seasons.
Address :10618 Yashima Shitsugen, Shimosuwa Town, Suwa District
Phone :0266-75-2370
About 30 minutes 06
Yashima Visitor Center Azamikan
Back to where we started. Now you must be ready to heal yourself in the great onsen, let's move on!
About 40 minutes 07
Kami no Yu
Surrounded by nature, Kami no Yu has long been known as a secret hot spring for Shingen Takeda. The characteristically orange water here is safe to drink and is said to have beneficial effects for gastrointestinal health.
Relax here in a quiet spot away from town and recuperate after a day of traveling.