百名山である2,354mの四阿山と花百名山である2,207mの根子岳は菅平牧場から約7時間の登山ループで繋がれている。Mt. Azumaya (one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains) and Neko-dake (a Top 100 Wildflower Mountain) can both be climbed via a 7-hour loop hike from the Sugadaira Pasture.
We’d climbed both peaks individually before but on 20-April we managed to do the 2.5km course to Nekodake after summiting Mt. Azumaya for an enjoyable loop hike. The 360-degree view from the top of Azumaya was particularly impressive, and the trail offers a great variety of scenery, from bamboo grass with birch trees to pine forests. Nekodake’s course runs along a cow pasture at the bottom for expansive views of the Sugadaira Highlands and ski areas.
Mt. Eboshi is a relatively easy-going climb from a very convenient trailhead (Tomi City’s Yunomaru plateau, a convenient 45 minutes by car from our Kamesei Ryokan). The view from the 2066m peak overlooks Tomi and the Chikuma River Valley below, and along the way there’s a marsh with a boardwalk, a treasure trove of alpine flowers, and reminders of ancient volcanic activity.
Mt. Eboshi’s distinctive 2-pronged peak is a prominent feature of the skyline in Ueda City (especially the Maruko District) and of course Tomi City. Its relatively tall height means it’s one of the first mountains in the area to be covered in snow in the winter. “Eboshi” refers to the high-peaked hat worn by nobility in the ancient Heian Era for ceremonies. The ascent is relatively mild hence the trail is popular with schoolchildren as well as elderly climbers. On our first climb we passed a group of over 100 elementary students. This time we met a guy in his 70s that climbs Eboshi several times a week. (His advice: May and June are best for seeing Mt. Fuji from the peak.)
If climbing Mt. Eboshi wasn’t enough exercise for you, from the col (1850m) you can take the short but steep 800m long trail to the top of Mt. Yunomaru (2101m). You’ll get your exercise in addition to a well-deserved sense of accomplishment. The trail back down to the parking lot at Jizo Pass goes through an azalea field as well as one of the ski slopes (watch out for cow paddies as the slope is used for grazing in the green season). Mountain weather tends to be fickle — on our descent we were suddenly enveloped in fog. Use caution and be prepared!
立ち寄り湯: 湯の丸高原ホテル Post-Hike Onsen: Yunomaru Kogen Hotel
登山口である地蔵峠に湯の丸高原ホテルがあって、日帰り入場が可能。塩素の匂い無く、山の自然を楽しめる露天風呂あり、汗を流すのに最適だ♪ Located at the Jizo Pass trailhead, Yunomaru Kogen Hotel allows day-use of its onsen baths. The outdoor bath has an especially lovely setting, and is perfect for washing away the sweat and dust from the hike.
Mt. Taro is along with Ueda Castle one of Ueda City’s two most endearing symbols. The trail to the peak is so popular some people climb it over 400 times a year. A prestigious Vertical Race takes place every May. In fact, we met one runner who said he made it to the top in 26 minutes. (For the record it took us an hour and 20 minutes!). The entertaining trail is dotted by stone markers every 109 meters, it passes near the the remains of an ancient samurai fort, halfway up the mountain it ducks under a massive stone Torii gate, and conversely at the shrine near the peak is an ankle-high Torii. But the biggest reward for climbing Mt. Taro is the spectacular view from the summit. We sat and absorbed the vista for over half an hour. Not only can you look down on central Ueda and the entirety of the Shioda Plain but you can gaze out and see the both the Northern and Southern Alps as well as the Yatsugatake Range and even Mt. Fuji.