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Highlights of Joshin'etsukogen National Park

Mt. Naeba
photo of Mt. Naeba
Mt. Naeba
The Mt. Naeba area is world famous as a heavy snow area. The foot of the mountain is covered with expansive Japanese beech forests, while the broad marshes covering the peak of Mt. Naeba are dotted with countless ponds surrounded by multitudes of blooming flowers.
Tanigawa Moutain Range
photo of Tanigawa Moutain Range
Tanigawa Moutain Range
In addition to Mt. Tanigawa, this mountain range comprises Mt. Shigekura, Mt. Mantaro, Mt. Tairappyo, and other non-volcanic mountains in the 2,000 m altitude range. Ichinokurasawa Gorge is said to be one of Japan's three greatest rock faces, and is a rock-climbing Mecca. Using the ropeway and lifts provides a relatively easy way to view the Tanigawa Moutain Range.
Shiga Highland (Shiga Kogen)
photo of Onuma Pond
Onuma Pond
Shiga Highland (Shiga Kogen)
The Shiga Highland (Shiga Kogen) is a complex landform created by vigorous volcanic mountain-building activities. Scattered around the highland are close to 70 marshes and lakes/marshes, both large and small, represented by Onuma Pond, Shichijuhachi-ike Marsh, and Chigo-ike Pond. The Shiga Highland (Shiga Kogen) was developed as one of Japan's top ski resorts, but in striking contrast to this image, the alpine areas are covered in primeval forest thick with Japanese hemlock, Maries' Fir, Japanese Thuja, and other conifers, presenting a diverse range of expressions.
Chigo-ike Pond (Mt. Yakebitai)
photo of Chigo-ike Pond(Mt.Yakebitai)
Chigo-ike Pond (Mt. Yakebitai)
A pond surrounded by the high moor at the top of Mt. Yakebitai in the Shiga Highland. A variety of flowers bloom around the moor depending on the season. Frogs and salamanders are also found here. Primordial forests of Maries' fir and Tsuga diversifolia remain around the moor.
Shima Onsen
photo of Shima Onsen
Shima Onsen
Known as a hot springs area since ancient times, Shima Onsen presents a retro townscape appropriate for the "Inner Room of the Kanto Region." The hot springs town has been created within a rich natural environment enclosed by the mountains lining the Shima River. (The first hot springs area in Japan designated as a "People's Recreation Spa.")
Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (Snow Monkey)
photo of Jigokudani Yaen-Koen(Snow Monkey)
Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (Snow Monkey)
Jigokudani hot springs in Yamanouchi Town in Nagano Prefecture are noted for their wild Macaque monkeys. Active throughout most of the year, the monkeys are known worldwide as 'snow monkeys' for bathing in the hot springs during the winter. Enjoyed by large numbers of tourists.
Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane
photo of Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane
Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane
A volcano (2,160 m above sea level) located to the west of Kusatsu hot springs in Gunma Prefecture. A number of crater lakes have formed at the top of the mountain. Yugama is the largest among them with 300 m in diameter and 30 m in depth, and it is one of the world's few acidic lakes. The volcanic warning level is currently increasing, and passage is restricted in some sections.
(see: http://www.jma.go.jp/en/volcano/map_3.html)
Manza Onsen
photo of Manza Onsen
Manza Onsen
This hot spring village is located on a highland (1,800 m above sea level). The hot springs have been renowned since ancient times for the abundant amount of spring water. Here it is possible to experience nature through the changing seasons, enjoying the residual snow and new leaves in spring, escaping the summer heat in summer, viewing the vividly colored foliage in autumn, and enjoying skiing in winter.
Kusatsu Onsen
photo of Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen
These representative Japanese hot springs are famous, and the hot springs district--centered on Yubatake--has an old-world flavor. Sainokawara Park is a national park where hot springs bubble up from various spots in the riverbed, creating a flowing river of hot water.
Mt. Nekodake
photo of Mt. Nekodake
Mt. Nekodake
A mountain (2,207 m above sea level) located on the boundary between Ueda City and Suzaka City in Nagano Prefecture. One of the mountains in Japan famous for the flowers, it colors the adjacent Mt. Azumaya between spring and fall.
Kazawa Onsen / Yunomaru Highland
photo of Kazawa Onsen / Yunomaru Highland
Kazawa Onsen / Yunomaru Highland
In Yunomaru Highland, you can see a vast community of some 600,000 Japanese azalea shrubs, which are ablaze with flowers in early summer. At the base of the mountain are the Kazawa Onsen and Shin-Kazawa Onsen.
Ikenotaira Marsh
photo of Ikenotaira Marsh
Ikenotaira Marsh
Various flowers can be viewed here all year round, including Irises and Dicentra peregrina in July, rosebay in August, and Gypsy Rose in autumn. Footpaths have been provided, enabling visitors with no mountain climbing experience to easily enjoy the landscape.
Mt. Asama / Takamine Highland
photo of Mt. Asama / Takamine Highland
Mt. Asama / Takamine Highland
Mt. Asama is one of Japan's representative volcanoes, and the plumes of smoke rising from the summit stand out against the blue sky. At the northern foot of the mountain is Onioshidashi. Takamine Highland is a base for skiing and mountain climbing, and its hot springs are also popular.
Karuizawa
photo of Karuizawa
Karuizawa
Ever since foreigners began coming here to escape the summer heat during the Meiji period, Karuizawa has developed as a representative Japanese summer retreat. The National Karuizawa Wild Bird Forest is said to be home to 120-130 bird species.

Wildlife & Plants

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos japonica)
photo of Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos japonica)
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos japonica)
A large bird of prey found in mountainous regions from Hokkaido to Kyushu. This park is characterized by a diverse natural environment and steep terrain, suited to the golden eagle in its position at the top of the ecological system.
Japanese Stoat (Mustela ermine a nippon)
photo of Japanese Stoat(Mustela ermine a nippon)
Japanese Stoat (Mustela ermine a nippon)
A species of the weasel family. Found in the subalpine zone (above 1,500 m above sea level) in the central region of Honshu and further north. Its coloring changes from a dark brown on the back and white underparts in summer, to overall white with a black tip of the tail in winter. The 'Okomin' character used in tourism PR for the Shiga Highland is derived from this animal.
Japanese Serow (Capricornis crispus)
photo of Japanese Serow(Capricornis crispus)
Japanese Serow (Capricornis crispus)
An even-toed ungulate mammal that can be found in the mountainous regions of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. The animal has been designated a Special Natural Monument. Their wide hooves allow them to easily climb up steep slopes. Mountain climbers and other visitors to Joshin'etsukogen National Park may encounter them in the wild.

Activities

Eco Tours
photo of Eco Tours
Eco Tours
Minakami Town is implementing eco tourism that enables visitors to enjoy the beautiful nature of Mt. Tanigawa while preserving the environment and passing it down to future generations. Eco tours led by guides with a thorough knowledge of Mt. Tanigawa enable visitors to more deeply experience the appeal of Mt. Tanigawa and enjoy fulfilling nature observations and nature walks.
Skiing
photo of Skiing
Skiing
This park includes two of Japan's few skiing grounds--the Shiga Highland and Naeba ski slopes. Visited by large numbers of skiers in the winter season. The first ski lift in Honshu was constructed at the Shiga Highland site.