Chasing Mt Fuji in Nagano prefecture
Searching for a personal experience with a not-so-elusive landmark
Mt Fuji is very much an iconic symbol of Japan. It has always been clad in mysticism and folklore even before the very first foreigners set foot inside the land of the rising sun. A core belief of Shintoism is to pay respect to the land and your surroundings, for every tree, stone and river is home to some type of kami (deity), thus you must show respect and offer your prayers for safe passage through thick forests, deep ravines or vast valleys.
Following this rule, countless shrines can be found across the country that are dedicated to the gods residing within such mountains, streams, and valleys. Mt Fuji, with all its glory, is no exception, and as one of the most famous natural landmarks within the country, it is no surprise that countless shrines are either completely dedicated to the mountain itself, or there are torii gates and shrines that pay homage to this symmetrically, sacred mountain.
The most famous place to get a good glimpse of the volcanic mountain is to head to Kawaguchi Ko, Yamanashi prefecture to get pristine views of the mountain reflected on the many lakes that are around the area. However, as the most climbed mountain in the world, it is a famous place with lots of tourists, which can dampen the experience. There are lesser-known places within the tourist community, around Japan where you can enjoy beautiful views of Mt Fuji alongside idyllic countryside that are privy only to locals.
Today I would like to introduce the Kirigamine highlands in Nagano prefecture. The highland is located on the southern side of Nagano prefecture and it has rolling hills that turn into something straight out of the savanna during the autumn and early spring months with tall grown reeds swaying in the wind. During the summer, this area turns into rolling green hills that are a pleasure to drive through. The highlight is of course, the various viewpoints from which you can see Mt Fuji on a clear sunny day, off in the background, surrounded by the Japanese Alps. I feel that this is a unique view that is lesser known amongst the international community and is highly undermined by popular tourist hotspots. This also means that should you go to these places; you can take unspoiled views like the ones below. I managed to take this during sunset and there was not a single person in sight, thus making this moment certainly unforgettable for me.
The journey to the peak of this mountain known as Kurumayama, can be accessed via two ways. One is to take the gondola from the Kurumayama Sky Park Resort which will cost you money but will get you to the same spot in a very easy manner. The other is to park by the café, Korobokkuru Hyutte and take a hike which takes around 25 minutes one way. The elevation is very gentle so you are never having to strain yourself when on the hiking path. You also get to take in sweeping views of the rolling hills that surround the area and also get a glimpse of the town below, as well as the surrounding peaks of the Japanese Alps bathed in the setting sun’s orange hues. This is also a popular spot to come and experience the sunrise as this happens from the direction of Mt Fuji, making for a very picturesque landscape during the very first moments of sunrise.
There are also other highlands around the area, The ones mentioned above are the two highlands of most interest for this blog. Other notable ones in the area include the Utsukushigahara Highlands and Tateshina Highlands. If you go a little further outward, you can also find Takabotchi highlands which is also another spot that has fantastic views of Mt Fuji on a clear day. I plan on visiting all of these spots in due time and cannot wait to share them with everyone to give a unique experience of what the Japanese countryside has to offer. Japan is seeing more tourists than ever before; however, visiting the bucket list destinations can be very tiring, to say the least having to navigate through a sea of tourists to get the best views.
Central Japan has a host of places that are just outside the reach of tourist-centric spots while having some amazing views just like the ones seen in the photos above. Most tourists are guided towards purchasing and using the very efficient Shinkansen network with the JR pass and other modes of public transport. However, some of the most beautiful mountain passes can be found in Japan with stunning views that you cannot experience any other way. Seeing the countryside of Japan by car is most definitely a unique way to experience Japan.
