Nagano Yatsugatake Mountains and Royal Hotel

The Yatsugatake Mountains (八ヶ岳)  is one of Japan famous mountains located between Nagano Prefecture and Yamanashi Prefecture on the island of Honshū in Japan. Yatsugatake literally means eight mountains. Actually there are more than eight peaks. Japanese word “hachi” (eight) sometimes implies “many”.

Yatsugatake is one of Japan most visited mountains besides the trademark Mount Fuji and Tateyama which famous for its ski resort.

The Mt. Yatsugatake mountain range with its main peak Mt. Akadake (2,899m) and the 3,000m Southern Alps with the lofty Mt. Kitadake (3,192.6m) make a magnificent, powerful mountain view. The Mt. Yatsugatake area is one of stunning nature that changes in various ways throughout the seasons and is a symbol of Japan’s highland resorts.

Eight mountains in Mt. Yatsugatake have generally pointed out Mt. Aka (2899m), Mt. Gongen (2715m), Nishitake (2398m), and Mt. Amigasa (2524m) of Mt. Tengu (2646m), Mt. Ioh (2760m), Yokodake (2829m), Mt. Amida (2805m), and a dominant peak. As it seems that the portion to Mt. Tateshina located further here north is also contained when it becomes the Mt. Yatsugatake mountain range.

Kiyosato Highland stretches out across the foot of Mt. Yatsugatake, whose peaks range from an altitude of 800m to 1,500m. There are retreats, the best known being Seisen Ryo, hotels, pensions, art museums, restaurants, and at the night you can gaze out at the night sky full of stars – a sight not seen in urban areas.


How to access Mount Yatsugatake

It takes approximately 2 hours from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to JR Kobuchizawa Station by train (JR Chuo Line), approximately 2 hours by car to Nagasaka I.C. on the Chuo Expressway, or around 2 hours 30 minutes by Chuo Highway Bus from Shinjuku Station West Exit.

It takes approximately 50 minutes by car or around 1 hour by train from the Mt. Yatsugatake area to the Kofu area.

From the Mt. Yatsugatake area to the Isawa area it takes 1 hour 10 minutes by car or 1 hour 15 minutes by train (Fuji Kyuko Line from Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line)).

To the Fujikawaguchiko area it takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes by car or 1 hour 50 minutes by train on the Fuji Kyuko Line from Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line).



Yatsugatake-Chushin-Kogen Quasi-National Park

This wide park that spans both Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures boasts lakes, white birch trees and alpine plants, all encompassing the Yatsugatake peaks at its center. Kiyosato and other highlands, with their pastoral scenery reminiscent of European landscapes, capture the hearts of their many visitors. Stand at the top of 5,059 ft high Utsukushi-Mori, turn 360 degrees, and take in an incredible view including Mt. Fuji, the Minami Alps and Oku-chichibu.

One of top attractions in Yatsugatake-Chushin-Kogen Quasi National Park is Lake Shirakaba-ko. Lake Shirakaba-ko is an artificial lake that is up to 9 meters deep, and 1,416 meters above sea level. It is located at the western foot of Mt. Tateshina-yama in the northern part of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, and belongs to Yatsugatake Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. Visitors can cruise the lake between Mt. Kuruma-yama and Mt. Tateshina-yama by tour boats or pedal boats. You can also enjoy cycling around the roads along the lakeside, and there are camping grounds and ice skating rinks in the vicinity.


Resort Outlets Yatsugatake

Visit Yatsugatake is not only a mountain views matter, but we can also make a shopping. Yatsugatake is also famous for its shopping mall. Resort Outlets Yatsugatake is a shopping mall surrounded by huge mountains and in harmony with nature.

The vast complex is divided into seven areas and all courts have stunning views of Mt.Yatsugatake and The Southern Alps.
There is a large variety of shops such as those selling designer goods, sports and outdoor goods, everyday items, and there are also restaurants. The mall offers stylish fashion and provides a quality shopping space.



Yatsugatake Royal Hotel

One of the most famous hotel in Mount Yatsugatake is Royal Hotel. Yatsugatake Royal Hotel attracts around 20,000 guests each year. The ideal location offers a wonderful view of Japanese major mountains such as Mt Fuji and Yatsugatake, and night-time star watching at the observatory. With a hot spring resort in the facilites, this is one of the leading resort hotels in the prefecture.

It takes 15 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by taxi from Kai-oizumi Station on JR Koumi Line, which runs from Obuchizawa Station on Chuo Line connecting Shinjuku of Tokyo in 120 minutes. The Kiyosato Village, one of the famous resorts, is 15 minutes by car.


Yatsugatake Mountain Photos


Snow at Yatsugatake Mountain



Yatsugatake Peak



Resort Outlets Yatsugatake is a shopping mall surrounded by huge mountains and in harmony with nature.


Lake Shirakaba-ko Yatsugatake is an artificial lake that is up to 9 meters deep, and 1,416 meters above sea level.



Yatsugatake Royal Hotel. Three minutes by hotel shuttle bus from Kaioizumi Station of JR Koumi Line （Reservation necessary）
20 minutes by the car or taxi from Kobuchizawa station of JR Chuo Honsen line



Yatsugatake Station Map. By train : 15-minute by taxi from JR Chuo Main Line Chino station. By car : 10-minute from Chuo Express way Suwa-minamiIC



Yatsugatake-Chushin-Kogen Quasi-National Park



At the top of Yatsugatake-Akadake Climbed through the West Wall Mt. Fuji is seen on the left

Watch Climbing at Sansa Hou Runze, Yatsugatake video here


A very cold ascent of the Sansa Hou Runze route on Yatsugatake on the 20th January 2008.
(Climbers - Alan Tomlinson, Rod Szasz, Tony Grant, Dave Puglisi)

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Omachi Nagano Ski Resort and Lake

Omachi (大町市) is a city near Nagano, and is located north of Matsumoto city, also located in the Nagano prefecture.

Omachi is famous for its Mount Tsubakuro (Tsubakuro-dake). It forms part of the Hida Mountains and is a peak in the Northern Japanese Alps, elevation 2763 m/9065 ft.

Omachi Tourism

There are not so many tourist acctractions in Omachi, but Lake Kizaki may be a popular seaside resort.

Omachi Ski is a fairly small ski location which is recommended for beginner or amateur skiiers.

Yearly there is a horse race festival held nearby the Omachi Track and Field ground, the exact date of the year that this is held is often random but always in august.

During August you can also witness the Yamabiko Matsuri , a festival held on the main street which involves many companies from around the area. During this fesitval you can watch a parade on the main street held by all involved, buy snacks and drinks or join in yourself with the parade. All parade members receive free drink and food from their sponsors.

In september you can visit Kamado Jinya ( Kamado Shrine ). During this festival you can make a wish to God via a small donation to the shrine it's self, and enjoy fireworks in the nearby playing feild. There are also food and drink stands set up around the shrine grounds, as well as games.

New year is also held around several shrines in Omachi city. No food stands are available at this time, the festivities often involve a large fire which many people gather around.


Omachi Hotspring

This hot spring is by the Kashima River where the melted snow water from the mountains of Kashima-Yarigatake and Jiigatake flows into and is found along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, one of the major mountain routes in the world. Since 1964, spring water is drawn from the Kuzu Hot Spring in the western part of Omachi City. The hot spring resort is indeed quiet, surrounded by white birch and beech forests. Because the area is one of the leading museum towns in the country, you will find many unique types of museums here. For example, there is the Alps Onsen Hakubutsukan where you can learn about the mechanism of hot spring generation and the history of the hot springs of the North Alps focusing on the Omachi Hot Spring as well as the Sake-no-Hakubutsukan where approximately 300 brands of Japanese sake from all parts of the country are exhibited while a local sake tasting/sales area is also set up.


Ski Resort in Omachi

Tourist usually visit Omachi for Ski resort. There are six ski resorts located in Omachi; Yanaba Ski Resort, Omachi Ski Resort, Jiigatake Ski Resort, Sun Alpina Kashimayari Ski Resort, Sun Alpina Keikyu Aoki-ko Ski Resort, and Yanaba Parallel Ski Resort. Easy access to each of these places together with a spa in the surrounding area make this location attractive and enjoyable resort for both skiing and hot springs.

Omachi Ski Resort Information, including the phone number :

1. Yanaba Ski Resort/ 0261-23-1123
2. Omachi Ski Resort/ 0261-23-1022
3. Jiigatake Ski Resort/ 0261-23-7555
4. Sun Alpina Kashimayari Ski Resort/ 0261-23-1231
5. Sun Alpina Keikyu Aoki-ko Ski Resort/ 0261-23-2391
6. Yanaba Parallel Ski Resort/ 0261-23-1123


Omachi Best Attractions including lake, museum, Dam

1. Nishina Sanko (Nishina Three Lakes).
These are the only natural lakes in the North Alps mountains. The biggest is Lake Aoki-ko. Its depth and transparency reflecting Hakuba's three mountains, make it one of the greatest lakes in the country. Lake Kizaki-ko, located southern-most among the three, is the water sports haven. A number of campsites attract the crowds in summer.

2. Shio-no-michi Hakubutsukan (Salt Road Museum)
The house of the Hirabayashi family is open to the public as a museum. Hirabayashi was a salt wholesaler in the Yedo period(1603-1868).

3. Omachi Alpine Museum
The town of Omachi has developed as a mountainous country. The local mountain culture, nurtured in nature is introduced in this museum. The transformation of mountain-climbing throughout its history is explained from various aspects with a number of interesting materials displayed.

4. Sake-no Hakubutsukan (sake museum)
Sake (rice wine) production in this town depends on its blessed rich and fresh headwaters. Five hundred pieces of tools exhibited in the museum proves that the town's reputation as a sake maker. Furthermore, sake making history and culture are described in easy-to-understand narration.

5. Omachi Kyodo-gangu Hakubutsukan (local toy museum)
A collection of local toys from all over the country, including Omachi local toys, is displayed in this museum. The collection (2,400 pieces) represents the heartwarming, humorous, and simple features of local toys from different areas of Japan.

6. Henry Miller Museum of Art
Henry Miller is famous both as a distinguished writer and as a watercolor painter. His bright and leisurely style and daring touch of his works, are the hallmarks of this American genius of the twentieth century. This is the first museum built in the world which is dedicated to Henry Miller. The gallery contains a hundred and ten pieces of his watercolor paintings and lithographs.

7. Takase Ravine (Takase Dam, Nanakura Dam, Omachi Dam)
Takase Ravine consists of three dams; Takase, Nanakura, and Omachi. Takase Dam is the biggest in scale: 176 meters high and 11.59 million cubic meters.
In autumn, the leaves turn red and yellow, which contrasts with the emerald green of the reservoir, and the visitors enjoy its beauty.

8. Nishina-shinmeigu Shrine
Omachi area has been called "Nishina's hometown" since the ancient days. Nishina-shinmeigu Shrine is a national treasure, that was built in early Yedo period (1603-1868). There are many cedar trees along the path to the shrine. Standing at the end of the path is the sanctuary of the shrine. This is one of the oldest sinmei-zukuri ( a style of roof) in Japan.


Photos of Omachi city


Lake Kizaki Omachi


Nishina Sanko Lakes


Aoki Lakespring at Omachi City


Kuroyon Royal Hotel at Omachi. Nestled at the foot of Japan's Northern Alps, this luxurious alpine resort hotel is an ideal location to witness the beauty of nature throughout the seasons. After breathing in the crisp mountain air, we're sure you will want to extend your visit in this relaxing, healthy environment.


Omachi Hot Spring view from Kashima River


Watch Nagano Prefecture Omachi City "gigatake"ski area video here

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Nagano Zenkoji Temple and night bars

Nagano (長野市), the capital city of Nagano Prefecture, is located in the northern part of the prefecture near the confluence of the Chikuma and the Sai rivers, on the main Japanese island of Honshū. Nagano is famous for its Buddhis Temple Zenkoji, Nagano's most famous attraction and one of Japan's most popular temples.

In 1998, Nagano hosted the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, the second Winter Olympics ever held in Japan and the first since 1972 when the Winter Games were held in Sapporo, also the site of the first Winter Olympics ever held in Asia.

Visiting Nagano is full of historical sites sightseeing such as : The historic site of the Battles of Kawanakajima has been retained as parkland, with a municipal museum of the history of the Zenkoji plain.

Nagano Nightlife :

Nagano has a lot of historical places, temples, and also the nightclub and bars,clubs, pubs.
Some of Nagano Bars, pubs, clubs, and drinking places are listed here :

1. Bluebird: Darts, Pool & Pints
Theme: Eating and Drinking
Address: Daito Building 3
Phone: 0262263945
Directions: From Nagano Station: take right-side steps leaving the West Exit. Cross street near Starbucks and go up the small street. Bluebird is at the end - it overlooks the next "major" street.

2. NAGANO CLUB JUNK BOX
Theme: Nightclub
Phone: 026-267-9120
Directions: Again Building, 7F (look for Comme Ca du Mode).

3.Liberty: Bars, Pubs, Clubs
Theme: Eating and Drinking
Address: Downtown
Directions: Moved to a new location in Spring 2004. Not far from Nagano Station. Ask any foreigner and they'll know the way.


Nagano Photos


Nagano Matsumoto Castle



Nagano Downtown, full of skyscraper building



Nagano Zenkoji Castle, the most famous Buddhist Temple


Watch Zenkoji Castle at Nagano Video here

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