Food. People. Street processions. Happy faces.

Look at them sitting in the hot spring on cold winter’s day. You know what they say, it’s true that when your bum is covered, you’re all good to go. On a different note, if I ever visit Japan, this is one of those place I want to visit - Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano. The monkey park is situated in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture. It is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, and is located in the valley of the Yokoyu-River, in the northern part of the prefecture. The name Jigokudani, meaning “Hell’s Valley”, is due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold and hostile forests.

The heavy snowfalls (snow covers the ground for 4 months a year), an elevation of 850 meters, and being only accessible via a narrow two kilometer footpath through the forest, keep it uncrowded despite being relatively well-known.

It is famous for its large population of wild Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata), more commonly referred to as Snow Monkeys, that go to the valley during the winter, foraging elsewhere in the national park during the warmer months. The monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm waters of the onsen (hotsprings), and return to the security of the forests in the evenings.

The Hakuba region is just hours away from Tokyo. It is the best place to ski because 1) excellent powdery snow 2) it’s close to the city 3)internationally renowned. I guess winter can’t be that bad if you can ski :)

THere are several resorts to choose from in Hakuba but a popular one is Happo-one, which is also the biggest resort in Hakone. However we know that skiing is really a rich man’s sport. Equipment rentals and season passes are not exactly cheap. But I have some good news for you. If you read Metropolis, if you don’t you better start now, SnowJapan.com is giving out free lift passes to its readers.

Karuizawa (軽井沢町, -machi?) is a town located in Kitasaku District, Nagano, Japan.

Karuizawa is known throughout Japan as a popular tourist spot. Many couples and families from Tokyo will travel to Karuizawa to get away from the city especially in summer. There is a Shinkansen station as well as a large outlet store shopping mall. It is also known for its historic shopping street known as “Ginza dōri” or “Kyū-dō” (Ginza Street, or the Old Road).

Karuizawa hosted equestrian events in the 1964 Summer Olympics. The town also hosted curling in the 1998 Winter Olympics. To date, it is the only city in the world having hosted both Summer and Winter Olympic events.

The hilly spot used to a highland resort endorsed by western residents in Japan in the late 1800s. Today, it’s apart from being getaway place for the summer, Karuizawa is a land affordable only by the rich. It’s sort of like a resort where the rich kids go during the summer to spend their summer vacation, except, instead of the usual beach getaway, this is a hilly and cool getaway from the burning sun. There are various outdoor activities to look forward to in Karuizawa, such as tennis, hiking, cycling, golfing in summer and skiing and skating in winter. There are ample of shopping opportunities as well.

Karuizawa is located along the Romantic Road - Japanese version of the German’s Romantic Road.

You can get to Karuizawa by bus or by train.

By train from Tokyo:

Karuizawa can be reached from Tokyo Station in 65-80 minutes by Nagano Shinkansen. The one way journey costs about 5500 Yen.

By bus from Tokyo:

There are four highway buses per day between Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district (stopping at Sunshine City Prince Hotel and Ikebukuro Station) and Karuizawa. The one way journey takes three hours and costs 2910 Yen.

Source: Japan-Guide

The Nakasendo was one of Japan’s main “highways” during the Edo Period, connecting Kyoto with Edo over an inland route.

Sections of the highway and post stations, towns which used to offer food and lodging to travelers, survive in the Kiso Valley of Nagano Prefecture. Magome and Tsumago are the two most beautifully preserved post towns and are connected with each other by an attractive walking course along the old highway.

You can travel to two beautiful old preserved towns to check out how Japan lived centuries back.

How to get there?
From Tokyo, the quickest way to get into the Kiso Valley is by JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya, and then by JR Shinano limited express into the valley. The one way trip takes about three hours and costs about 12,000 Yen.

The alternative by Matsumoto bound JR Azusa limited express from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station to Shiojiri where you transfer to the JR Shinano limited express, takes about four hours and 9,000 Yen.

Source: Japan Guide

Kamikochi is a remote mountainous highland in Nagano Prefecture, Japan which has been preserved in its natural state. It is sometimes referred to as the “Japanese Yosemite.”

Kamikochi is located in the Hida Mountains, the northern part of the Japan Alps. Kamikochi is bordered on its northern end by Mt. Hotakadake, and on its southern end by Mt. Yakedake, an active volcano. The Azusa river flows the length of the valley, filling Lake Taisho at the base of Mt. Yakedake. Lake Taisho was formed by the eruption of Mr. Yakedake in the 1920s, also know as the Taisho period in Japan. The entire highland is protected as part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park. Entry by private vehicles without a permit is prohibited.

The Kamikochi area was logged very extensively until the mid-19th Century. Walter Weston, a British missionary, is credited with sparking Japanese interest in mountaineering, and also with lobbying to preserve the Kamikochi area.

Kamikochi is very beautiful during the autumn months. A stroll along Azusa River from Taisho Pond to Myojin Bridge is the simplest way to enjoy the beautiful scenery at Kamikochi. You’ll also be able to catch some of its natural wildlife there on your way. It’s definitely a place you should visit and especially so if you’re into hiking and mountaineering.

Here’s a trail map to help you out when you’re there:

Source: Japan Guide

Zenkō-ji (善光寺, Zenkō-ji) is a 7th century Buddhist temple in Nagano, Japan. The city, established in 1897, was once a town built around the temple. Zenkō-ji is perhaps most famous for its involvement in the battles between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen in the 16th century, when it served as one of Kenshin’s bases of operations.

Zenkō-ji belongs to both the Tendai and Jodo Shu schools of Buddhism, and is co-managed by 25 priests from the former School and 14 from the latter. It enshrines images of the Amida Buddha, the primary one of which is a hibutsu, a hidden Buddha, which is not normally shown to the public. This hibutsu is rumored to be the first Buddha statue to ever be brought to Japan. There is also a passage under the temple where worshippers, in complete darkness, try to touch a key hanging on the wall in order to gain enlightenment. The key represents the Key to the Western Paradise of the Amida Buddha.

The hidden Buddha statue, or hibutsu, is shown once every six or seven years, and attracts many worshippers. The last time it was on display, in 2003, Zenkō-ji joined with Motozenkō-ji and the Zenkō-ji of Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, in discussions. The hibutsu will be on display next in 2010.

Zenkō-ji was originally built during the reign of Emperor Kimmei, in the 6th century, but was moved several times before coming to its present location. The current site, in what was then Motozen village, was originally called Motozenkoji.

At the end of the Kamakura period (1185-1333), many temples copied Zenkō-ji’s famous Buddha statue, and many new temples were built around the country calling themselves ‘Zenkō-ji’ or ‘Shin-Zenkō-ji’ (New Zenkō-ji).

In the Sengoku period, when Zenkō-ji became involved in the struggles between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen, the chief abbot was afraid it would be burnt to the ground. He built a new Zenkō-ji in what is now Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, which still stands. In 1598, Toyotomi Hideyoshi moved the hibutsu to Kyoto, and then to Shinano. The hibutsu and the Zenkoji temple itself have since been moved once more back to Nagano.

How to get there?
Zenkoji is a 10 minute bus ride from the JR Nagano Station.

Source: wikipedia; Japan Guide

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of the most magnificent routes that takes you through Japan’s Northern Alps. You can expect to feast your eyes here. The route is easily accessible by buses and cars. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route was completed in 1971, and connects Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture with Omachi Town in Nagano Prefecture. The section between Tateyama Station and Ogizawa is closed to private vehicles. The route is open from mid April through November. This year of 2007, the entire route is open from April 17 to November 30.

The main attraction of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is the magnificent scenery of the Tateyama Mountain Range, part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park. An up to 20 meter high snow corridor is a highlight during spring, while summer and autumn attract visitors with beautiful hiking trails and alpine flowers.

Transportation along the Alpine Route is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. A one way journey along the entire route costs roughly 10,000 Yen. A luggage forwarding service is provided between stations and hotels along the route. The typical cost is 1500 yen per piece of luggage.

Note that the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route gets very busy during holidays, such as the Golden Week, summer holidays and weekends during the autumn leaf season.

Go to this page for more info on how to get there: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

The Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata), also known as the Snow Monkey, is a terrestrial Old World monkey species native to northern Japan, although an introduced free-ranging population has been living near Laredo, Texas since 1972. It is the most northern-living non-human primate. Individuals have brown-gray fur, a red face, hands and bottom, and a short tail. There are two subspecies of this macaque:

* Macaca fuscata fuscata
* Yakushima Macaque, Macaca fuscata yakui

Anyway, enough of the monkey lessons, next question would be Where can we find these monkeys? These wild monkeys can be found in Jigokudani Yaen-koen, which is located in the mountains in Nagano. They are literally all over the place. In fact, people living near the park have grown accustomed to the presence of these monkeys; it is as though these monkeys are a part of their daily lives. There are hot springs around the park and this where the monkeys go to and relax during the cold winter months. In fact, it is the main attraction to watch these monkeys frolick around the hot springs while snowflakes fall on their heads.

Here’s a little trivia about these Snow Monkeys, they are very smart. It is the only animal other than humans and raccoons that is known to wash its food before eating it. Researchers studying this species left sweet potatoes out on the beach for them to feed on, then witnessed one female taking the food down to the sea to wash the sand off it. After a while, others started to copy her behavior. This trait was then passed on from generation to generation, until eventually, all except the very oldest members of the troop were washing their food in the sea. A somewhat altered account of this incident was the basis for the “Hundredth Monkey” meme. You should read up about that meme by clicking on this link, if you’re interested in deepening your worldly knowledge :)

Anyway, do take a trip up the Nagano mountains before winter is over and take a peek at these bizarre looking but cute monkeys taking their annual baths at the hotsprings!

Source: Go Japan
, Wikipedia

K’s House is a chain of backpacker hostels in Japan. They started out in November, 2003 in Kyoto (which has perhaps the highest concentration of backpacker hostels anywhere in Japan) and have since opened hostels in Nagano prefecture and Tokyo.

The prices are cheap (starting at 2500 yen for a dorm bed in Kyoto, 2800 in Tokyo and Nagano) and the entire hostel has a very modern and welcoming atmosphere. Features in all hostels include:

• Communal living and dining room
• A well-equipped communal kitchen
• Internet, laundry and bicycle hire
• Separate bathrooms and toilets
• No curfew, English speaking staff and air conditioning in all rooms
• No YHA membership required

After staying at the Kyoto hostel numerous times, I can tell you that the place is clean, airy, modern, comfortable and best of all - cheap! The staff are all very friendly and will always try to be helpful. They all speak English reasonably well.

One thing that I found very useful was how the hostel has a room availablity chart online for three months in advance. This is updated daily, and bookings can be made via email.

I highly recommend this place. While I haven’t been to the Tokyo hostel, if it’s anything like Kyoto’s (which was, by the way, voted best hostel in Asia by Hostelworld, an online booking service) then you won’t be disappointed. Besides, 2800 yen for a bed is probably unheard of in Tokyo.

Link:
K’s House - in English