This morning, a couple of centimeters of snow blanketed the area around my home. Inside, the temperature dropped to -1°C, while outside it was a freezing -10°C. Despite the cold, the skies were clear, and the crisp, cold air was refreshing and invigorating.
This morning, I took a walk to Lake Megami, just 20 minutes from my home. The crisp crunch of snow underfoot and the calm, serene atmosphere made for a truly peaceful experience.
A month ago, I moved to Tateshina, a stunning region in central Nagano Prefecture known for its lush green mountains and serene natural beauty. My home is located in Yakkano Tsusujigaoka (八ヶ野つつじヶ丘), in the southern part of Tateshina, at an elevation of 1,500 meters. The area is rich in wildlife, with deer, ferrets, pheasants, and other animals frequently spotted nearby.
Close to my home, you’ll find Lake Megami and several family-friendly ski resorts. This region is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering year-round opportunities for hiking in the warmer months and winter sports when the snow arrives. It’s truly a place where nature can be enjoyed in every season.
After demolition and removal original wood deck.
The foundation and Framing for the deck
Almost complete, it took a month and a half.
Mt. Kiso-Komagatake, the tallest peak in the Central Japan Alps at 2,956 meters! Nestled within the scenic Kiso Mountain Range, Mt. Kiso-Komagatake offers breathtaking views and diverse trails. For this hike, we’ll take the most popular beginner-friendly route, which includes a ride up the ropeway to Senjojiki Cirque, starting at an altitude of 2,600 meters. This route provides a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Central Alps without a challenging ascent.
Itinerary:
Mt. Kiso-Komagatake round trip from Senjojiki Cirque
Route: Suganodai Bus Center ➡ Kiso Ropeway; Shirabidaira Station to Senjoike Station ➡ Senjojiki Cirque ➡ Mt. Hokendake ➡ Mt. Nakadake ➡ Mt. Kiso-Komagatake
Details:
We were lucky with the weather all day. Sachi and I left at 5:30 a.m. and headed to the Suganodaira Bus Center, where there’s parking available for the Kiso Ropeway. The drive from Tateshina City, Nagano, took about an hour and a half.
We lined up for the first bus at 8:15 a.m. and hopped on for the ride to the ropeway. The road was narrow and winding through the mountains and took around 30 minutes to reach our destination.
The ride from Shirabidaira Station to Senjojiki Station takes 7 minutes and 30 seconds, covering an elevation gain of 950 meters — the largest elevation difference for a ropeway in Japan.
Senjoike Station offers a nice variety of meals, a restaurant with panoramic mountain views, and a souvenir shop.
The mountain peaks had a light dusting of snow, while the vibrant autumn leaves below spread out like a beautiful painting.
At 9:00 a.m., Sachi and I set off from the station toward the summit of Mt. Kiso-Komagadake, which stands at 2,957 meters. The trail on Senjojiki Cirque is well-maintained, though steep and rocky in some sections. By around 10:00 a.m., we reached the top of Mt. Nakadake at 2,925 meters. After another 30 minutes of climbing, we arrived at the summit. The weather was nice, though the wind was strong and chilly.
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