 Most viewed - NAGANO 長野県 |
Ki-otoshi or Log Drop, Onbashira-sai Festival.109 views
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View from Kappabashi Bridge over Azusa River. 梓川109 views
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View from castle tower108 views
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108 views
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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.108 views
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The Ki-otoshi slope up close. Very rough-looking. 木落とし坂108 views
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People everywhere along the edge of the slope.108 views
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Another obstacle along the route to the Kami-sha Shrine is this river.108 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Takasaki (30th post town on the Nakasendo) from his Kisokaido series. 108 views
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107 views
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Ilf Douga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄余技作品展示室107 views
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New Zealand panel107 views
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Taiko drummers from Okaya Roman Taiko107 views
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There it is, the slope.107 views
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The numerous people and trees made it impossible to see the slope itself.107 views
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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.107 views
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Humans don't bathe in here. The monkeys poop in the water so you may see poop floating around. No smell though.107 views
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) exhibition panel by Philbert Ono at Okaya, Nagano.106 views
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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.106 views
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This was my view of the slope.106 views
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The log is dragged to the edge of the top of the slope.106 views
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Another log comes to the slope.106 views
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106 views
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Go up these steps to the park admission gate.106 views
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Jigokudani Onsen spa is near the snow monkey park. This ryokan named Korakukan has baths for humans and monkeys.106 views
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105 views
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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.105 views
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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.105 views
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No drones105 views
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Lobby of Canora Hall104 views
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These photos show the slope for the Ki-otoshi (Log Drop) along the log-hauling route to Kami-sha Shrine in Chino and Suwa.104 views
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104 views
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Baby monkeys have no fear of humans.104 views
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103 views
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View from castle tower103 views
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103 views
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Exhibition area featuring native costumes, photos, etc.103 views
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After the Shimekake, we walked further.103 views
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It was very steep and uncomfortable to sit on, so I decided to leave this place.103 views
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This log drop is one of the highlights of the festival.103 views
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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.103 views
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Park rules103 views
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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.103 views
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The monkeys always go comb through each other's fur for lice.103 views
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View from train station overpass102 views
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Ilf Doga Museum イルフ童画館102 views
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Indonesian dance by Miyazaki Ani102 views
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102 views
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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.102 views
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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.102 views
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Lala store in front of Okaya Station. A small city hall office inside might be able to give tourist info.101 views
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Ilf Plaza, with shops and a culture center. イルフプラザ101 views
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Ilf Doga Museum101 views
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101 views
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song Exhibition panels. 「琵琶湖周航の歌」英語版の展示コーナー101 views
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Full-house audience. Many international groups provided free entertainment.101 views
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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. 2016.101 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).
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After walking 30 min. or so, signs of civilization. "Don't feed the monkeys and don't eat in front of the monkeys."101 views
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101 views
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I must say that having snow is the key here. Without it, it wouldn't be worth the trouble of coming here.101 viewsMore info about the snow monkey park: http://en.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/about
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Monkey souvenirs at the gift shop at the trail's entrance.101 views
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The rope snaps and the log slides down the slope.100 views
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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.100 views
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No selfie sticks.100 views
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Immediately down river from the monkey spa, more monkeys roam and hangout.100 views
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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.100 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
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Why snow monkeys bathe in the hot spring.99 views
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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.99 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.
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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.99 views
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Lunch time for the monkeys.99 views
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Cabin attendant on the Nagano shinkansen.99 views
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Bridge to castle park98 views
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Go straight on this road in front of the station.98 views
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There are no buses nor taxis to where we want to go.98 views
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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.98 viewsIn a beautiful location next to the river. Just the day before, there was little snow here.
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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.98 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.
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The slope is near the train tracks.97 views
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Park staff throwing grain on the ground to feed the monkeys along the river.97 views
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Monkey totally ignored this bag.97 views
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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.96 views
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The hut has these informative sheets about the snow monkeys.96 views
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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.96 viewsShibu Onsen hot spring in Nagano Prefecture.
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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.96 viewsI can understand that any hanging scroll could be expensive or stolen. And it was a budget ryokan.
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We had to wait until the 1pm Ki-otoshi log came out.95 views
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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.95 views
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95 views
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Ilf Doga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄作品展示室94 views
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Doga-kan-dori street leading to Ilf Plaza.94 views
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94 views
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Train station conductor on the Nagano shinkansen.94 views
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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.94 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.
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View of garden from castle tower93 views
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Everything is very ceremonial.91 views
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Each log is preceded by flag bearers.89 views
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A total of 8 logs are slid down this slope.89 views
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Another log coming to the slope.88 views
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The ax man is ready to cut the rope.88 views
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In one swing, he cuts the rope.87 views
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Listen to one of the song versions here87 views
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You can walk around the wasabi fields which look quite vast. They are shaded in the warmer months.66 views
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They have separate times for men and women to bathe in these large baths.66 views
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A publicity team dressed in period costume greets visitors to Ueda Castle.65 views
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Samurai helmet monument65 views
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JR Hotaka Station is the nearest station to the Daio Wasabi Farm.64 views
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South Turret of Ueda Castle.63 views
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Sanada Clan crest on prayer tablets for sale.63 views
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About the street bath.63 views
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Main gate of Ueda Castle.62 views
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Ueda Castle inner moat around the Honmaru.62 views
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The turrets were used to store spears and other weapons.62 views
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Inside the North Turret.62 views
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Sanada Shrine worship hall.62 views
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Yorozuya's outdoor bath was great too.62 views
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JR Hotaka Station61 views
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Daio Wasabi Farm's founding pioneers. The founder was Fukazawa Yuichi (1886-1941).61 views
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Sanada Shrine torii.61 views
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A street bath.61 views
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Clean water flows through the fields.60 views
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Wasabi plants60 views
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Busts of the wasabi farm's founding pioneers.60 views
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Inside JR Hotaka Station.60 views
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Ueda Castle is in a nice park with Sanada Shrine. The Honmaru is the main part where there are reconstructed structures.60 viewsThe castle is a short bus/taxi ride from JR Ueda Station.
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North Turret of Ueda Castle.60 views
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About the Sanada Stone.60 views
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Back side of main gate.60 views
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East Turret over the East (main) Gate.60 views
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West Turret, Ueda Castle's only original structure. It was closed already.60 views
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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 1600.59 views
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Main gate of Ueda Castle and North Turret.59 views
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Giant Sanada Stone.59 views
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View from the South Turret.59 views
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View from the East Turret over the East (main) Gate. Where we entered the castle grounds.59 views
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Behind Sanada Shrine is the West Turret, the castle's only original structure.59 views
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59 views
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Get off at Yudanaka Station.59 views
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Yorozuya's Momoyama-buro hot spring onsen bath. Large, but it was steamy. I was the only one there.59 views
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Goodbye Yudanaka!59 views
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One of Japan's largest wasabi farms is a tourist attraction. Clean water from the mountains provide an ideal environment to grow wasabi.58 viewsEntrance to Daio Wasabi Farm. Open: 9:00 am–5:20 pm (closes at 4:30 pm during Nov. to Feb.). Free admission
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Processing wasabi plants, cutting off the leaves, etc.58 views
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Ice cream time58 views
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Wasabi furikake58 views
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Wasabi Mascot58 views
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Inside the South Turret of Ueda Castle.58 views
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Sanada Shrine58 views
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West Turret as seen from the train.58 views
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Shibu Onsen is also where most people stay when visiting the famous snow monkeys at Jigokudani Yaen Koen monkey park.58 views
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Shibu Onsen street.58 views
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Water is pretty hot.58 views
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Koishiya entrance. 58 views
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Cautions for taking a hot spring bath.58 views
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Nice scenery from JR Matsumoto Station to Hotaka Station. 57 views
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East Turret over the East (main) Gate.57 views
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Ueda banners57 views
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Inside the North Turret.57 views
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Path to Sanada Shrine, a rather small shrine.57 views
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To go to Shibu Onsen or Yudanaka Onsen, we catch the Nagano Dentetsu train at Nagano Station. Same train line to see the snow monkeys.57 views
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Express train back to Nagano Station from Yudanaka.57 views
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Inside the express train back to Nagano Station from Yudanaka.57 views
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You can sample the farm's cold spring water.56 views
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A little factory where they process wasabi plants.56 views
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Wasabi soft-serve ice cream. Quite good.56 views
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About the history of the castle park.56 views
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In front of the main gate of Ueda Castle. We visited in Jan. 2016 after heavy snow fell.56 views
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Back side of main gate and South Turret.56 views
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East Turret over the East (main) Gate.56 views
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Inside the East Turret over the East (main) Gate.56 views
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North Turret of Ueda Castle.56 views
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West Turret, Ueda Castle's only original structure.56 views
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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.56 viewsHere's a map of those bathhouses. The baths are all segregated (by sex, not by race/nationality).
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Adjacent to Shibu Onsen is Yudanaka Onsen, another hot spring town that is seamless with Shibu Onsen.56 views
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The Koishiya staff drove me to a hot spring bath at a large inn called Yorozuya (officially spelled Yoroduya) in neighboring Yudanaka Onsen.56 viewsWebsite: http://yudanaka-yoroduya.com/
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Dinner at a restaurant near Yudanaka Station.56 views
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Map of Daio Wasabi Farm. It is quite expansive.55 viewsAddress: 〒399-8303長野県安曇野市穂高3640
3640 Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano
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Daio Wasabi Farm's water originates from snow melt from the Northern Alps. It flows from a spring within the farm.55 views
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Wasabi beer55 views
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Wasabi snack55 views
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