NAGANO & LAKE NOJIRI: The best in mountain scenery and temples!

NAGANO & LAKE NOJIRI: The best in mountain scenery and temples!

Too hot in Tokyo? In the summer, it can be unbearably hot throughout Japan. So, where do the locals go to escape the heat of a Japan summer? One place is the Japan Alps. And there’s no place better than around Lake Nojitti in the Shinanom Machi area northwest of Nagano. We’re taking you to this little known hideaway in the northern Japan Alps, situated on a stunning volcanic lake surrounded by majestic mountains. Here we’ll go out on the lake, hike to a breathtaking waterfall, visit one of the famous Togakushi shrines, and enjoy the town of Togakushi and Susair Winery with a brief visit to Nagano’s famous Zen Koji Temple. Come along as we explore Lake Nojitti. Lake Nojitti is just a few miles from the Kuruime Station, which itself is only about 30 minutes northwest of Nagano. Nagano makes a great jumping off point as it is served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen and was the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics. It is also home to the very famous Zenoji Temple complex which is one of the largest and most famous in all of Japan. You could easily spend a full afternoon or morning here wandering from building to building. Zenoji has buildings dating to the 1600s with several of them open to the tours. or you might enjoy some shopping on Nakamise Street below the temple grounds. But we are here to get into the countryside. So, let’s go. From Nagano, you can take the local train or rent a car. We typically rent a car when coming here as public transportation is limited in this mountainous region. And to get the most out of your experience, it really helps to have a car. We have said it in other videos. Don’t be scared to drive in Japan, especially in the countryside. It’s a lot easier than you think. After the short and beautiful drive, you round the corner and there’s Lake Nojitti. The lake covers approximately 1,235 acres, but is only about 100 ft deep at its deepest. Its waters are crystal clear, fed by annual snow melt from neighboring Mount Myoko and Mount Kurohime, both rising over 7,000 ft. The waters are so inviting during this summer heat, and you can enjoy all kinds of water sports, including water skiing, fishing, and wind surfing as these folks are doing. This is simply an outdoor lovers paradise. And one place to start off for getting your bearings is at the Lamp, an outfitter on the edge of the lake that has been helping outdoor lovers for years. The Lamp offers everything you need, including accommodations and a restaurant. The owners have built up a glamping compound that is second to none with small cabins and geodasic domes. There’s even a wood-fired sauna and outdoor cold water baths. The lamp is literally steps away from the lake, making it the ideal starting point for your adventure. But for those less athletically inclined, you can enjoy a tour of the lake by going out on the Nojico line. This is a tour boat that allows you to see the lake from the water. It’s about a 40-minute excursion and offers air conditioned seating inside and open air views from the top. After making a circular route across the lake, the boat stops at Biwa Island, also known as Benton Island, where you can disembark to take the short walk up to the Ugga Shrine Complex. It’s a lovely walk through the tall cedar trees and again allows you a different perspective of the area. The shrine is said to date to the year 7:30. After the boat ride on the lake, why not hop in the car and drive over to Na Falls? Along the way, you have the opportunity to stop off at various fresh produce stands and perhaps enjoy some grilled corn if in season. Trust me, it is delicious. This area has a rich agricultural scene, and it’s a pleasure to stop along the way at the various produce stands and interacting with the locals. They don’t get too many Western visitors in this area, and they are delighted to welcome you to their hometown. Nana Falls is situated just about 15 minutes from the lake and it’s a lovely drive through the countryside. There is a large parking area below the falls along with the restaurant located there. The trail to the falls themselves is a relatively easy walk through the woods crossing the Siki River a couple of times. Stop along the way to admire the impressive flood control measures taken through the years to protect the farms and villages down below. After trekking just a short distance through the woods, you’ll cross the expansive swinging bridge. And if you have a fear of heights, be prepared. It is certainly a safe bridge, of course, but still for those with heights or even susceptibility to motion sickness, it could be a little much. Well, we’ve driven up to Na Falls. It’s an incredible place you need to go see. It’s an easy drive. About a 400 meter hike through the woods. It’s beautiful. The scenery is spectacular. There’s even a restaurant right down below at the base of the falls to enjoy after your hike. It is somewhat unique in that you cannot easily see the source of the water. So, it’s almost as if the water is spouting forth from inside the mountain itself. It’s absolutely stunning. Now, there are numerous waterfalls throughout Japan, but most we have found are not this large or this easily accessible. So, when in the Lake Nojiddi area, be sure to take advantage of being so close to one of Japan’s natural wonders. Now, since you’re enjoying this video, remember to click the like and subscribe buttons. It’s easy, it’s fast, and you won’t miss out on any mail on this, will you? No. And remember to click the notification bell so you don’t miss out on any of future videos. And now we’re going to go catch a train. After visiting the falls, we always enjoy stopping off for some locally made blueberry ice cream. Now, as you’re driving through the area, in in our case, going to Na Falls, you’re going to pass by all kinds of great little places, produce stands, restaurants. One of our favorites is the blueberry ice cream stand. It’s been a favorite of Josephine’s family for years, and I can say it is [Music] delicious. Oh, yeah. Further down the road, if you’ve not had your fill already, you can stop off at the Senoto Gelato Parlor, which is a newer, trendier ice cream vendor. Their specialty is unique flavors based on vegetables. Yes, vegetable flavored ice cream made from vegetables grown out back. When in the area, there are only a few local hotels of very modest nature. So, when not staying at our family home on the lake, we choose the Moi House Airbnb. This is a lovely one-bedroom house operated by Taka Kosan and her husband just a few miles from the lake. Takosan tells us this was an old farmhouse which she and her husband renovated several years ago to create accommodations for guests to the area. There’s a spacious great room with plenty of comfortable seating along with two beds under the lowhanging roof of the house. It offers a full kitchen with everything you can want. Down one corridor is a unique onson with its deep tub or what they call uuro. Opening up the window to the outside on a cool day makes for a delightful experience. The surroundings are quiet as Moi House is nestled on a lightly traveled side road surrounded by gardens and farms. Takosan and her husband were wonderful hosts and we highly recommend them when staying in the [Music] area. When visiting Japan, you’ll encounter more than your share of shrines and temples. If in Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, you’re likely to share the experience with hundreds, if not thousands of other visitors all at once. But here in Togakushi, there are no long lines due to its rural location, but it is definitely worth the effort getting here. Today, we’re in the village of Togakushi, about 30 35 minutes north of Nagano. We’re It’s famous for two primary things. One, soba, soba noodles, and the three shrines here, the three the lower, middle, and upper. It’s a beautiful spot, great place to come to on a day trip out of Nagano. Any of the shrines are beautiful, but our favorite is the middle one just above the town of Togakushi called Chushusa Shrine. If you don’t park in the side parking area, you’ll access the shrine from the road below by sending this long, steep staircase. The climb is stunning among the tall cedar trees and will definitely get your heart rate going. Off to one side is a nice surprise, a waterfall cascading from above, providing a cooling action on a warm day. Again, this isn’t Kyoto or some large city, so it’s not over tourist, and that way you can really enjoy the peaceful setting. Something about which the town of Togakushi is also wellknown is basket weaving and the making of household objects from bamboo, which grows wild in the mountains. Here we stopped at Eno Ichi’s shop where he demonstrated the amazing skills at creating one-of-a-kind baskets and items out of the bamboo. The craftsmanship he displayed was simply inspiring. Of course, we can’t visit the area without talking about food and one of our favorite places to dine while at Lake Nojitti is actually on the lake itself. This is the lumberjack. It is situated on the side of the lake with both indoor and outdoor dining. Lumberjack offers a mix of Japanese and western dishes. The area around Lake Njitti and Nagano is also well known for its apples and grapes. Throughout the area, you’ll find both apple and grape orchards along with the occasional farm stand offering local goodies. So, be sure to make a stop and check out the local produce. And one of the more upscale options is a visit to the St. Cuser Winery. This is a standout in our opinion, and it is a surprise to most visitors. Okay, we are just outside Lake Nojitti, uh about 35 minutes north of Nagano in the Japan House area populated with several national parks, including Yoko Ko. But right now, our favorite activity is eating gelato at the San Cusair Winery. Great place to enjoy an afternoon. St. Couser is well known in Japan and in addition to wine tasting and delicious gelato, there’s a very upscale restaurant offering incredible views of the valley and the mountains. There’s even a church here which offers services as well as a venue for weddings. St. Cusera and its gardens are simply a lovely place to spend an afternoon. So, in summary, if you’re looking for some stunning scenery not too far from a major city and wanting to escape the heat of Tokyo or Osaka, consider visiting Lake Nojitti and the surrounding area of Togakushi. We guarantee you’ll enjoy discovering this amazing outdoor lovers paradise in the Japan Alps. And check out our other videos on unique places such as Yokohama’s incredible waterfront or the Tokyo Edeto Outdoor Museum where you can stroll through 400 years of history. And until next time, sayanara. [Music]

Explore the Japan Alps and Nagano in this video from someone who grew up living there every summer. Nagano is convenient to get to from Tokyo on the shinkansen and is home to one of Japan’s three most famous templese: Zenkoji Temple. Just outside Nagano are the Japan Alps and little known town of Togakushi with its amazing shrines and national parks. Then there is Lake Nojiri for stunning scenery looking up at Mt. Myoko and Mt. Kurohima with the stunning Naena Falls nearby. Best of all, this place is off the beaten path and not covered up with tourists.

Links:

Uncharted Japan: www.unchartedjapan.net
The LAMP Outfitters: https://lampinc.co.jp/nojiriko/
Mokki House: (email us for direct contact)
Nojirko Line: https://www.nojiriko.co.jp/
The Lumber Jack Restaurant: https://nojiriko-lumberjack.jimdofree.com/
Zenkoji Temple: https://www.zenkoji.jp/
St. Cousair Winery: https://www.stcousair.co.jp/valley
Togakushi Shrines: https://www.togakushi-jinja.jp/about/index.php#a01

Credits :

Maps: Google Maps
Soundtrack: Epidemic Sound

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