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    Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 16 Tours in Karuizawa and Environs
    Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 16 Tours in Karuizawa and Environs
    Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 16 Tours in Karuizawa and Environs
    Ebook97 pages1 hour

    Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 16 Tours in Karuizawa and Environs

    By Peter Ninnes

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    About this ebook

    Lush forests, soaring mountains, a unique history mixing East and West, plus outlet shopping and golf courses galore: Karuizawa has something for everyone. The town is tucked into the easternmost part of Nagano Prefecture, in the middle of the main Japanese island of Honshu. Only one hour from Tokyo, the area has an abundance of hiking, walking and biking opportunities. Visit well-preserved buildings from the town's origins as a summer retreat. Enjoy the brilliant colours of autumn. Relax on tranquil mountain tops. Admire the mansions of the rich and famous. Soak up the beauty of waterfalls and tree-lined avenues. This book provides a detailed guide to all the different aspects of the town and its environs. Each tour has a detailed English description, colour photographs, and a full-colour map. Even with no Japanese language ability, readers will be able to find their way around the routes, and learn fascinating details about the sights along the way.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPeter Ninnes
    Release dateOct 11, 2013
    ISBN9781301894406
    Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 16 Tours in Karuizawa and Environs
    Author

    Peter Ninnes

    Peter Ninnes has lived and travelled extensively in Japan since 2005, initially as a tourist and then as a resident from 2007-2015. Apart from Japan, he has lived in East Timor, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the US. He currently calls Sydney, Australia home.

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      Book preview

      Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano - Peter Ninnes

      Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano:

      16 Tours in Karuizawa and Environs

      Peter Ninnes

      Copyright © Peter Ninnes 2013

      ISBN-13: 9781301894406

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      Thank you for downloading this ebook. This ebook remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com, where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

      Although the author has tried to make the information in this book as accurate as possible, the author accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone using this book.

      Published by Ninesuya (似根州屋), Chikuma City, Japan

      All photographs by Peter Ninnes

      Cover: Kumoba Pond

      Title page: Kumoba Pond

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      This book is available for purchase at:

      Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com (e-book)

      Also by Peter Ninnes

      Nagano Onsen Guide: The Top 100 Day-Use Hot Springs

      Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 20 Nature, History and Culture Tours in Chikuma City

      Smashwords (e-book)

      Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 16 Tours in Ueda City and Environs

      Smashwords (e-book)

      Contents

      Tour Location Map

      Introduction

      1. Karuizawa Station to Kyu-Karuizawa Walk/Ride

      2. Kyu-Karuizawa to Old Usui Pass Walk

      3. Mt Hanare Hike

      4. Mt Yagasaki

      5. Mt Sakurado Hike

      6. Mt Hanamagari, Mt Rufu and Mt Inoji Hike

      7. Onioshidashi Walk

      8. Karuizawa National Bird Sanctuary Walk/Ride

      9. Shiozawa Area Walk/Ride

      10. Sengataki Waterfall Hike

      11. Shiraito Falls Hike

      12. Mt Koasama Hike

      13. Mt Sekison Hike

      14. Mt Asama (Mt Maekake) Hike

      15. Old Shin’etsu Railway Tunnels Walk

      16. Karuizawa Full Day Bike Tour

      Appendix – List of Plants

      Acknowledgements

      About the Author

      Tour Location Map

      contents

      INTRODUCTION

      contents

      At about 1000m above sea level, Karuizawa provides a cool escape from the summer heat and a beautiful environment for touring in spring and autumn. Its combination of deciduous and larch forests, mountains, trendy shopping outlets, boutiques, and lavish summer houses make it a unique area in Japan. The whole scene is presided over by the spectacular and occasionally active volcano, Mt Asama (Chapter 14), which affords unparalleled views in all directions.

      GETTING TO KARUIZAWA TOWN

      Karuizawa is a little over an hour from Tokyo on the Nagano bullet train (25 or more trains per day, 5,240 yen in an unreserved seat). From Nagano City, the bullet train costs 3,780 yen and takes about 30 minutes. Alternatively the town is also served by the Shinano Railway, which starts in Karuizawa and goes north to Ueda City (850 yen; 48 mins) and terminates in Nagano City (1580 yen; about 90 mins).

      By car, Karuizawa is accessed via the Joshin-etsu expressway. Coming from Tokyo (160km; 2-2.5 hrs), exit at the Usui Karuizawa interchange and follow the signs for Karuizawa (13km). Coming from the Nagano City side (84km; 1.5 hrs), exit at the Saku Interchange and follow the signs (19km).

      ORIENTATION

      The town of Karuizawa has three main areas: Shin-Karuizawa, around the Karuizawa railway station; Kyu-Karuizawa, about 2km north of the station and centred around the main shopping street known as Karuizawa Ginza (see Chapter 1 and 2), and Nakakaruizawa, about 3km west of Karuizawa station.

      HISTORY

      Karuizawa served as a post town on the Nakasendo Road during the Edo Period. Some remnants of this era can still be seen today, such as the shrines south of Shiozawa (see Chapter 9). Oiwake-juku (see Chapter 16) was also a post town on the Nakasendo, and the branching point for the Hokkokukaido Road to Zenkoji and Matsushiro. It was a difficult journey up to Karuizawa and over the old Usui Pass (see Chapter 2). The railway line east of Karuizawa was the last section of the line completed between Nagano and Tokyo, and some of the old tunnels from the original line can be explored in a fascinating walk that starts just over the border in Gunma Prefecture (Chapter 15). In 1886, a couple of expatriates, the Rev. Alexander Shaw and Prof. James Dixon, began the establishment of Karuizawa as a summer resort. Relics from this era including Shaw’s house and chapel can be seen in Kyu-Karuizawa. From then on, there was no looking back as it became a summer playground for the rich and famous. In the late 1970s, John Lennon, Yoko Ono and their son Sean spent time in Karuizawa, staying at the Mampei Hotel, and buying baguettes at the France Bakery in Kyu-Karuizawa (Chapter 1). The town is also the only place to host events in both the summer (1964; Equestrian) and winter (1998; Curling) Olympic games.

      GEOLOGY AND LANDFORMS

      Karuizawa sits in a basin on the southeast side of Mt Asama.

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