 Most viewed - NAGANO 長野県 |
90 views
|
|
These people are from Suwa city.90 views
|
|
90 views
|
|
We waited in the rain for Onbashira Log No. 1 to be erected first at Akimiya Shrine at 10:00 am. However, we had to wait, standing up in the rain and in the crowd, for 2.5 hours before they finally started to raise the log.90 views
|
|
90 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
View from castle tower89 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
Ramu-ramu Coffee Shop in Ilf Doga Museum 喫茶ラムラム89 views
|
|
Ilf Douga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄余技作品展示室89 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
88 views
|
|
Log No. 4 for Shimo-sha Shrine's Akinomiya Shrine which already went down the big slope for Ki-otoshi (Log Drop) comes out at 1:30 pm. 秋宮四之柱88 views
|
|
88 views
|
|
Another Onbashira log makes its way through.88 views
|
|
Hiroshige's woodblock print of Takasaki (30th post town on the Nakasendo) from his Kisokaido series. 88 views
|
|
Train station conductor on the Nagano shinkansen.88 views
|
|
Koishiya is a retro kind of ryokan with a lot of great artwork from the early Showa Period. A wood carving of a Hokusai-type wave next to the door of my room in Koishiya.88 viewsShibu Onsen hot spring in Nagano Prefecture.
|
|
My room at Koishiya. It also has a tokonoma (alcove) on the right, but instead of a picture scroll, it has small western paintings which didn't match the room.88 viewsI can understand that any hanging scroll could be expensive or stolen. And it was a budget ryokan.
|
|
87 views
|
|
The rope snaps and the log slides down the slope.87 views
|
|
Opposite side of my 8-mat room. Nice design of the sliding doors through which I enter the room from a small foyer. Every room has a different design.87 viewsKoishiya is cheap because it doesn't have hot spring water piped in. Instead, they drove us to the nearby Yorozuya ryokan that has a hot spring bath.
|
|
86 views
|
|
86 views
|
|
86 views
|
|
Lala store in front of Okaya Station. A small city hall office inside might be able to give tourist info.86 views
|
|
Ilf Doga Museum86 views
|
|
New Zealand panel86 views
|
|
African dance, a real crowd pleaser.86 views
|
|
There it is, the slope.86 views
|
|
86 views
|
|
View from Kappabashi Bridge over Azusa River. 梓川86 views
|
|
86 views
|
|
Yorozuya has a huge hot spring bathing facility with one large indoor bath and one outside. This place also had a classic design, taking you back in time to the 1930s.86 viewsThis is the men's changing room. It's huge and looks more like a temple with woodcarved transoms high above. Maybe it was a temple before. The door on the right is the entrance to the indoor bath.
|
|
Bridge to castle park85 views
|
|
Entrance to the smaller hall85 views
|
|
In Okaya, Nagano, Nakamura Naoko singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song." This is the first time this English version was sung in public outside Shiga Prefecture.85 views
|
|
Shimosuwa Station 下諏訪駅85 views
|
|
This was my view of the slope.85 views
|
|
African drumming and dance84 views
|
|
Until we were stopped here. Sign says that only people with tickets can proceed further. Yeah, we walked all this way only to be told we cannot go further. Our destination was the Ki-otoshi slope where the huge logs slide down for the Yamadashi.84 views
|
|
Log No. 4 for Shimo-sha Shrine's Akinomiya Shrine. 秋宮四之柱84 views
|
|
84 views
|
|
Ilf Doga Museum イルフ童画館83 views
|
|
We had to wait until the Ki-otoshi at 1pm was over. That's the one we wanted to see. But the place was already too full.83 views
|
|
The Ki-otoshi slope up close. Very rough-looking. 木落とし坂83 views
|
|
People everywhere along the edge of the slope.83 views
|
|
Humans don't bathe in here. The monkeys poop in the water so you may see poop floating around. No smell though.83 views
|
|
Cabin attendant on the Nagano shinkansen.83 views
|
|
82 views
|
|
View from train station overpass82 views
|
|
Brazilian school82 views
|
|
Full-house audience. Many international groups provided free entertainment.82 views
|
|
We had to walk it. This was April 10, 2004, one of the days for Shimo-sha Shrine's Yamadashi when they hauled the logs from the mountain forest.82 views
|
|
82 views
|
|
The trail is nice and flat, but can be snowy/icy and slippery. It's a nice and easy walk along the forest. In winter, you definitely need to be dressed warmly. The temperature was freezing when we visited in mid-Jan. 2016.82 viewsThe nearest train station is Yudanaka Station, little over an hour by Nagano Electric Railway train from Nagano Station. From Yudanaka Station, it's about 15 min. by car/taxi to the park entrance. A day trip from Tokyo is possible, but I highly recommend staying overnight at a nearby onsen (hot spring).
|
|
No drones82 views
|
|
81 views
|
|
Taiko drummers from Okaya Roman Taiko81 views
|
|
Indonesian dance by Miyazaki Ani81 views
|
|
81 views
|
|
81 views
|
|
Another log coming to the slope.81 views
|
|
Everything is very ceremonial.81 views
|
|
80 views
|
|
80 views
|
|
Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) exhibition panel by Philbert Ono at Okaya, Nagano.80 views
|
|
Exhibition panels 展示コーナー80 views
|
|
After the Shimekake, we walked further.80 views
|
|
The numerous people and trees made it impossible to see the slope itself.80 views
|
|
80 views
|
|
80 views
|
|
I'm told that this old truck has been abandoned here for many years. It has become a landmark at the end of the trail.80 views
|
|
80 views
|
|
Ilf Plaza, with shops and a culture center. イルフプラザ79 views
|
|
It was very steep and uncomfortable to sit on, so I decided to leave this place.79 views
|
|
Japanese snow monkeys (macaque) live in the Shiga Kogen Highland area in the Nagano mountains. They have developed a custom of dipping in a hot spring built especially for them.79 views
|
|
The Jigokudani Yaen Koen snow monkey park, where the snow monkeys live, is part of the Joshin-etsu Kogen National Park in Shiga Kogen Highland.79 views
|
|
Go up these steps to the park admission gate.79 views
|
|
No selfie sticks.79 views
|
|
Baby monkeys have no fear of humans.79 views
|
|
Lobby of Canora Hall78 views
|
|
The ax man is ready to cut the rope.78 views
|
|
78 views
|
|
78 views
|
|
78 views
|
|
The monkeys always go comb through each other's fur for lice.78 views
|
|
78 views
|
|
Immediately down river from the monkey spa, more monkeys roam and hangout.78 views
|
|
View of garden from castle tower77 views
|
|
Lake Biwa Rowing Song Exhibition panels. 「琵琶湖周航の歌」英語版の展示コーナー77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
In one swing, he cuts the rope.77 views
|
|
A thick jacket, ski cap covering your ears, gloves, thick socks, and hiking shoes are a must (no high heels, sneakers, dress shoes, etc.). Hand warmers (kairo) are good too. The entrance has a souvenir shop where you can rent winter clothing.77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
Jigokudani Onsen spa is near the snow monkey park. This ryokan named Korakukan has baths for humans and monkeys.77 views
|
|
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) is a common name in Japan for valleys that have volcanic steam vents and other hot stuff. (Japan's image of hell is "hot.") However, this was the only steaming vent I saw in the valley.77 views
|
|
They steal food from souvenir shops, they can attack you for your bag of food, and they may hangout along the road for handouts from drivers.77 views
|
|
These monkeys are obviously accustomed to humans and they seem quite tame and well-behaved. As long as you keep your distance and don't disturb them or eat something in front of them.77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
Next to the monkey spa is a live cam which you can see online here. You can see the monkeys bathing during the day and see how much snow there is.77 viewsIf you visit the snow monkeys, you can tell your friends to watch you on the live cam (updated every minute).
http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam/monkey/index.htm
|
|
I must say that having snow is the key here. Without it, it wouldn't be worth the trouble of coming here.77 viewsMore info about the snow monkey park: http://en.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/about
|
|
Doga-kan-dori street leading to Ilf Plaza.76 views
|
|
Exhibition area featuring native costumes, photos, etc.76 views
|
|
Go straight on this road in front of the station.76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
A total of 8 logs are slid down this slope.76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
Park rules76 views
|
|
Why snow monkeys bathe in the hot spring.76 views
|
|
Walk all the way toward the back of the valley, pay the ¥500 park admission, and you'll see this. Tourists crowd around the onsen bath made especially for the snow monkeys.76 viewsIn a beautiful location next to the river. Just the day before, there was little snow here.
|
|
This is the only onsen bath where the monkeys bathe. All the photos of bathing snow monkeys you have seen were taken here. But not all monkeys bathe here. Only some of them bathe.76 viewsThe place is most crowded with tourists in the morning and lunch time. Most are foreign tourists, some Chinese too. Few Japanese tourists. The snow monkeys are more famous outside Japan than in Japan.
|
|
Although monkeys appear in Japanese legends/folktales and may even serve as a divine messenger for certain Shinto gods, monkeys are generally viewed with disdain in Japan.76 views
|
|
Monkey souvenirs at the gift shop at the trail's entrance.76 views
|
|
75 views
|
|
Near the monkey's onsen bath is this hut where you can take a break or warm up before heading back. It's literally a lifesaver. Wish they at least had a foot bath too.75 views
|
|
Park staff throwing grain on the ground to feed the monkeys along the river.75 views
|
|
Lunch time for the monkeys.75 views
|
|
75 views
|
|
There are no buses nor taxis to where we want to go.74 views
|
|
Each log is preceded by flag bearers.74 views
|
|
74 views
|
|
After walking 30 min. or so, signs of civilization. "Don't feed the monkeys and don't eat in front of the monkeys."74 views
|
|
74 views
|
|
The hut has these informative sheets about the snow monkeys.74 views
|
|
Monkey totally ignored this bag.74 views
|
|
Ilf Doga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄作品展示室73 views
|
|
73 views
|
|
73 views
|
|
73 views
|
|
We had to wait until the 1pm Ki-otoshi log came out.72 views
|
|
72 views
|
|
72 views
|
|
The trail also has these informative signs explaining about the monkeys. Also helpful to know how far you have walked and how much more to go.72 views
|
|
72 views
|
|
71 views
|
|
71 views
|
|
71 views
|
|
69 views
|
|
69 views
|
|
Listen to one of the song versions here64 views
|
|
They have separate times for men and women to bathe in these large baths.58 views
|
|
Yorozuya's outdoor bath was great too.55 views
|
|
A publicity team dressed in period costume greets visitors to Ueda Castle.51 views
|
|
Inside the North Turret.51 views
|
|
JR Hotaka Station is the nearest station to the Daio Wasabi Farm.50 views
|
|
Wasabi plants50 views
|
|
Processing wasabi plants, cutting off the leaves, etc.50 views
|
|
Back side of main gate.50 views
|
|
50 views
|
|
50 views
|
|
Shibu Onsen is famous for providing guests of most of the ryokans in Shibu Onsen the chance to tour nine different bathhouses to bathe for free. You receive a key to enter each bathhouse.50 viewsHere's a map of those bathhouses. The baths are all segregated (by sex, not by race/nationality).
|
|
A street bath.50 views
|
|
About the street bath.50 views
|
|
You can walk around the wasabi fields which look quite vast. They are shaded in the warmer months.49 views
|
|
49 views
|
|
Busts of the wasabi farm's founding pioneers.49 views
|
|
49 views
|
|
Wasabi Mascot49 views
|
|
49 views
|
|
Giant Sanada Stone.49 views
|
|
49 views
|
|
49 views
|
|
View from the East Turret over the East (main) Gate. Where we entered the castle grounds.49 views
|
|
49 views
|
|
Samurai helmet monument49 views
|
|
49 views
|
|
Get off at Yudanaka Station.49 views
|
|
Shibu Onsen street.49 views
|
|
Eggs soft-boiled by the hot spring water.49 views
|
|
Yorozuya's Momoyama-buro hot spring onsen bath. Large, but it was steamy. I was the only one there.49 views
|
|
Goodbye Yudanaka!49 views
|
|
Daio Wasabi Farm's founding pioneers. The founder was Fukazawa Yuichi (1886-1941).48 views
|
|
Wasabi soft-serve ice cream. Quite good.48 views
|
|
Main gate of Ueda Castle.48 views
|
|
48 views
|
|
Sanada Shrine worship hall.48 views
|
|
48 views
|
|
Koishiya entrance. 48 views
|
|
Adjacent to Shibu Onsen is Yudanaka Onsen, another hot spring town that is seamless with Shibu Onsen.48 views
|
|
The Koishiya staff drove me to a hot spring bath at a large inn called Yorozuya (officially spelled Yoroduya) in neighboring Yudanaka Onsen.48 viewsWebsite: http://yudanaka-yoroduya.com/
|
|
Cautions for taking a hot spring bath.48 views
|
|
Express train back to Nagano Station from Yudanaka.48 views
|
|
Nice scenery from JR Matsumoto Station to Hotaka Station. 47 views
|
|
JR Hotaka Station47 views
|
|
One of Japan's largest wasabi farms is a tourist attraction. Clean water from the mountains provide an ideal environment to grow wasabi.47 viewsEntrance to Daio Wasabi Farm. Open: 9:00 am–5:20 pm (closes at 4:30 pm during Nov. to Feb.). Free admission
|
|
47 views
|
|
47 views
|
|
47 views
|
|
47 views
|
|
47 views
|
|
Daio Wasabi Farm's water originates from snow melt from the Northern Alps. It flows from a spring within the farm.47 views
|
|
Wasabi furikake47 views
|
|
Ueda Castle is in a nice park with Sanada Shrine. The Honmaru is the main part where there are reconstructed structures.47 viewsThe castle is a short bus/taxi ride from JR Ueda Station.
|
|
South Turret of Ueda Castle.47 views
|
|
North Turret of Ueda Castle.47 views
|
|
47 views
|
|
Sanada Shrine torii.47 views
|
|
47 views
|
|
Sanada Clan crest on prayer tablets for sale.47 views
|
|
Behind Sanada Shrine is the West Turret, the castle's only original structure.47 views
|
|
West Turret, Ueda Castle's only original structure. It was closed already.47 views
|
|
47 views
|
|
Nagano Dentetsu train stops.47 views
|
|
Water is pretty hot.47 views
|
|
Inside the express train back to Nagano Station from Yudanaka.47 views
|
|
Map of Daio Wasabi Farm. It is quite expansive.46 viewsAddress: 〒399-8303長野県安曇野市穂高3640
3640 Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano
|
|
46 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
You can sample the farm's cold spring water.46 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
Ice cream time46 views
|
|
Other wasabi-flavored things to eat.46 views
|
|
Wasabi beer46 views
|
|
Wasabi-colored benches.46 views
|
|
Inside JR Hotaka Station.46 views
|
|
Ueda Castle was the base of the Sanada Clan who defended the castle against the Tokugawa in 1585 and 1600. The battle here prevented Tokugawa Hidetada from joining Ieyasu at Sekigahara in 1600.46 views
|
|
Main gate of Ueda Castle and North Turret.46 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
Back side of main gate and South Turret.46 views
|
|
Snowy view from the South Turret.46 views
|
|
East Turret over the East (main) Gate.46 views
|
|
Inside the East Turret over the East (main) Gate.46 views
|
|
North Turret of Ueda Castle.46 views
|
|
The turrets were used to store spears and other weapons.46 views
|
|
Ueda banners46 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
View from the North Turret overlooking the moat.46 views
|
|
West Turret, Ueda Castle's only original structure.46 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
West Turret as seen from the train.46 views
|
|
Shibu Onsen is also where most people stay when visiting the famous snow monkeys at Jigokudani Yaen Koen monkey park.46 views
|
|
This is Bathhouse No. 3. I didn't do the bathhouse tour though (外湯めぐり sotoyu meguri). Just one onsen bath was enough for me before my natural 46 views
|
|
Koishiya, a budget ryokan inn where I stayed in Shibu Onsen. Koishiya opened in the 1920s-30s, but closed in 2013. A company bought the building and renovated it and reopened the inn in Aug. 2015. 46 viewsWebsite: http://yadoroku.jp/koishiya/en/
|
|
My room at Koishiya in Shibu Onsen.46 views
|
|
My room at Koishiya. Tokonoma alcove46 views
|
|
Door to the bath.46 views
|
|
Dinner at a restaurant near Yudanaka Station.46 views
|
|
Wasabi for sale. It's a root plant.45 views
|
|
Clean water flows through the fields.45 views
|
|
45 views
|
|
45 views
|
|
45 views
|
|
45 views
|
|
45 views
|
|
45 views
|
|
45 views
|
|
45 views
|
|
| 815 files on 4 page(s) |
 |
3 |
|
