Trip Ideas

Yashima Hiking—Super Active Plan

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.

total time1 day (about 5 hours)

  • 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

徒歩 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.

徒歩 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.

徒歩 About 30 minutes
  • Courtesy of Suwa City Museum

  • Courtesy of Suwa City Museum

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).

徒歩 About 5 minutes
  • SONY DSC

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

徒歩 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!

徒歩 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.

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