Last weekend, on January 25th, I decided to hike Mount Kurumayama. The weather that day was absolutely perfect, and with the mountain being so close to where I live, it felt like the ideal choice for an outdoor adventure.
Mount Kurumayama, standing at an elevation of 1,925 meters, is the highest peak on the border between Chino City and Suwa City in Nagano.
I drove to the trailhead parking lot, just 30 minutes from my home. It seemed like everyone else had the same idea—the lot was nearly full when I arrived!
While the weather was beautiful, mountain conditions at 1,925 meters can be unpredictable. Clouds rolled in and out around the summit, creating a dynamic and ever-changing atmosphere. From the top, I was blown away by the stunning 360-degree panoramic views—it was truly a picturesque sight to behold.
The phrase “Every cloud has a silver lining” is a metaphorical expression reminding us that even in difficult, dark, or challenging situations, there is always some positive aspect or opportunity to be found. It encourages optimism and hope, suggesting that hardships or tough times will eventually lead to better outcomes or valuable lessons.
Last week, a strong winter weather system accompanied by a cold air mass swept through the Sea of Japan coasts and the Hokuriku region, including my home in Nagano. It brought record-breaking snowfall, and I found myself struggling to remove the heavy accumulation of snow. However, after the storm passed on Saturday, January 12th, it left behind clear blue skies and revealed a stunning winter landscape blanketed in pristine white snow.
Seizing the opportunity, Sachi and I decided to climb Mt. Tateshina that morning. Equipped with crampons, an ice pickel, a full-face mask, and goggles, we braved the winter conditions for an unforgettable hike that lasted 4 hours and 30 minutes. It seems every mountain lover in the area had the same idea—when we arrived, the trailhead parking lots were nearly full. But the breathtaking scenery and the sense of accomplishment made all the effort worthwhile.
Sometimes, nature itself demonstrates the essence of “the silver lining.” The storm was tough, but the beauty it left behind was unforgettable—a reminder that even in challenging times, something wonderful can emerge.
Special thanks to Sachi for accompanying me on this memorable climb.
Today is the last day of the year, December 31st. Last weekend, severe winter weather hit the Hokuriku region, prompting weather authorities to issue heavy snowfall warnings, advising people, “Avoid going out unless absolutely necessary.”
In my area, Tateshina, Yakkano, we received over 30 centimeters of snow. On Saturday morning, I spent time shoveling snow and tidying up around my house.
After finishing the snow removal, I headed to the Shioda Indoor Multiple Gym tennis courts to play some matches with my tennis squad. It was my first time playing in a month. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in good form that day and ended up losing all my matches.
On Sunday, Walking along the Lake of Megami
Lake Megami is completely covered in ice and snow. I noticed two workers busy with a task on the lake.
It seemed they were vacuuming water from beneath the ice and snow and spraying it back onto the surface, likely to prepare an ice skating rink.
It has been snowing since last night, and the snowfall continues. Despite the weather, I went for a walk to Lake Megami on Sunday morning, December 22nd. The crunching sound of the snow under my footsteps was so satisfying—it made the walk even more enjoyable.
After my walk, I shoveled the snow from the driveway and walkway around my house three times on Sunday.
H-juku’s tennis squad—Ms. Hirata, Mr. Furuta, and Ms. Sach—enjoyed a Christmas lunch with delicious food at my house on Sunday, December 9th. Snow had been falling steadily since Saturday night and continued until Sunday morning, leaving over 20 cm of snow blanketing the area, Shirakaba highland at an elevation of 1,500 meters. The snowy scenery outside created a magical atmosphere.
Sachi prepared some pizza dough and pork, topping the pizzas with vegetables, meats, and mozzarella cheese. We baked them in an outdoor pizza oven I recently bought, which can reach up to 400°C. We also enjoyed a BBQ with charcoal-grilled pork and scallops. Everything had an amazing taste!
Wishing you a fun and joyful time during the Christmas and New Year holidays!
I woke up to a snow-covered morning on Saturday, November 30th. Inside my house, the temperature was minus 3 degrees Celsius, while outside, it was a chilly minus 6 degrees. With the wind, however, it felt more like minus 10 degrees. This morning, I shoveled the snow from the walkway and cleared the outdoor deck.
Tabby is enjoying the perfect cozy atmosphere. He loves warmth and comfort, especially when the weather is cold, like this morning. Here is his favorite spot to see outside.
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.
The Lale of Megami and Mt.Tateshina 2531m (right peak in the distance backdrop)
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.
Saturday, November 9th, 2024
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:
When: Saturday, November 9th
Duration: 1 day / 4 hours
Highest Point: 2,956 meters
Elevation Gain: 350 meters
Horizontal Distance: 8 km
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.
Kiso Ropeway, at 2612 m
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.
Stunning view from the summit
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.
Mountain hiking and camping in Japan have seen a boom among all age groups since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there has also been a rise in mountain accidents, such as slips, falls, and missing persons, especially among middle-aged hikers. I was wondering if I could share some tips or alerts on mountaineering safety with you.
Just a few days ago, a hiker near the peak of North Hotaka-Dake slipped and fell about 10 meters, sustaining seriouse injuries. He magaged to emergency service call to rescue and was later airlifted to safety by helicopter.
September 30th, on Mount Yari, Nagano
A man slipped and was injured at around 2600 meters in hight on Mount Yari, North Alps, Nagano. He was safely rescued by hericopter and taken to a local hospital in Matsumoto. He sustained a minor injury, twisting his left ankle.
The man is 71 -year old. Hoping he will get better back to regular daily life.
Mount Yari-gatake, with its distinctive sharp peak and towering height of 3,180 meters, is often called the “Matterhorn of Japan” due to its iconic shape. As the fifth-highest mountain in the country, it’s a sought-after destination for many avid hikers. Its challenging ascent and breathtaking views make it a prized goal for climbers, with many aspiring to reach its summit at least once. The Yari-gatake area also offers diverse hiking routes, stunning alpine scenery, and rich natural beauty, attracting nature enthusiasts from all over.
