Mount Norikura: Peaks and Valleys of Beauty

I'm not good at mountain climbing, but I visited with my family who loves it ☺️ I was able to take the bus halfway up the mountain, and even though I don't particularly like mountain climbing, I enjoyed the view from there and the walking path. I felt that it was a very nice place with many things to see, such as the beautiful view of the mountains, the atmosphere that comes from being at a high altitude, and the precious grouse. I felt like it was the best place for those who like mountain climbing 😁 I'm glad that even the kids seemed to be having fun 😊 There's a restroom nearby so it's helpful 😂 However, if you come by bus, we recommend that you be prepared to wait in line.

You can go from Norikura Tourist Center to Japan's highest bus terminal (2700m). Please note that although there are restaurants at the tourist center, drinking water is not provided, so be sure to bring your own bottled water. Norikura Plateau has no water supply facilities, so it can't be helped. If you're driving, there are many convenience stores along the road to the tourist center, so don't forget to buy some.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

From the Nagano Prefecture side to Tatamidaira, the trailhead for Mt. Norikura, public vehicles are prohibited, so you will need to take a shuttle bus from the tourist center. Looking out at the scenery from the bus, you will arrive at Tatamidaira in about 50 minutes. The bus fare is 4,000 yen round trip. The altitude of Tatamidaira is 2,702 meters above sea level, and from here to Kengamine, which is 3,026 meters above sea level, you can reach the top in about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, even if you climb slowly and take breaks. From the top, you can see the mountains of the Hotaka mountain range, making you forget that time has passed.

Under a clear autumn sky, we headed to Mt. Hatsunori Kuradake. From Tatamidaira Bus Terminal to the highest peak, Kengamine...It was a very pleasant mountain climb with great views. However, the weather in the mountains is very changeable, and in the afternoon the clouds rolled in, and in no time we could no longer see the blue sky. Still, the scenery is spectacular, and the fact that even beginners can climb 3,000m safely and with peace of mind is a great attraction! ️