Mt.Komagatake（駒ヶ岳）

In autumn, the mountains in Uonuma show beautiful colors, which can only be found in nature. I had a great time in one of the most beautiful mountains in the region and appreciated the beauty of nature. My choice was Mt. Komagatake（越後駒ヶ岳）. It is 2003 meters high, one of the highest in the region. The paths are long with lots of ups and downs. It was a eight hour trekking from Shioritouge （枝折峠）, where I parked my car and started off . It was chilly and foggy in the morning. But it was not a big problem as the weather tuned great in a few hours from the start.

尾瀬国立公園 Oze National Park

Situated on the boundaries of Niigata, Fukushima, Gunma and Tochigi prefectures and designated as a National Park, Oze boasts one of the most scenic views in Japan. It is a wetland full of beauty and charms. Oze consists of Ozegahara moor, Ozenuma lake and surrounding mountains over 2000 meter high, forests and small moors. Ozegahara is the largest high moors in Japan covering 760 ha across the area. Eco tourism has been developed and visitors can appreciate the beautiful site on boadwalks. They are advised to follow the rules not to destroy the sensitive ecosystem of the park.

How to get：http://www.uonumakara.com/eng/index.htm

Spring flowers in the mountains

After the long snowy winter flowers in the mountains start to bloom. Here are some photos of the flowers in the mountains I took.

Uonuma is one of the most snowy region on earth. Mountain flowers are at its best from spring to early summer. So hurry up! Do not forget to bring your trekking shoes and rain proof wears!

Karamatsu-yama （唐松山）

Lined with Kamigongendou-san 上権現堂山 is Karamatsu-yama 唐松山. Not many people  make their way in this charming mountain. It may be a bit difficult to find Tenomata Tozanguchi 手ノ又登山口（手ノ又沢）, where you start to ascend on steep path leading to the summit.

Google map

Gongendou-san 権現堂山

At the foot of  Gongendou-san is the Togakushi shrine 戸隠神社, where you see Torii  鳥居(red wooden gate). That is where you start walking up the path leading to Shimogongen 下権現. There is a  free parking near the gate. The view from Shimogongen is superb. You need to wear a long sleeve shirt and a trouser covering your ankles because the path is bushy sometimes.  From Shimogongen peak you can either get down to the shrine or to Kamiyu Onsen Club 神湯温泉クラブ-2 hours.

Togakushi shrine戸隠神社 ⇒ the peak of Shimogongendou-san 下権現堂山 2 hours

Shimogongendou-san 下権現堂山⇔ Kamigongendou-san 上権現堂山 80 minutes

Shimogongendou-san 下権現堂山⇒ The shrine 戸隠神社 70 minutes, Kamiyu Onsen Club 神湯温泉クラブ 2 hours

Google map

A part of the history of Uonuma region

History of Uonuma goes back more than 13000 years. Stone tools have been found in some places in Uonuma (Negoya, Tsukioka　根小屋、月岡 in Horinouchi　堀之内, Araya　荒屋 in Kawaguchi　川口) that are considered to be more than 13000 years old. Excavation have revealed ruines of houses, stone tools of Jomon age（縄文時代、12000 BC-400BC ）and the tombs of Kofun age（古墳時代、4 AD-7AD). Uonogawa(Uono-River) had long been used for the transportation of goods and the people. In Edo period（江戸時代、17 AD-Mid 19 AD）, timber was cut out of the woods in Irihirose（入広瀬） and Yunotani （湯之谷） and carried down to the river and then transported to Nagaoka（長岡） and Ojiya（小千谷）by boat. Locals, merchants, daimyos(feudal lords) travelled on boat between Muikamachi（六日町）and Nagaoka（長岡）-about 60km- making a few stops along the way where vendors dash to the boats and did business with the passengers selling rice cake, sake, snacks, medicines, etc. It took 6-12 hours from Muikamachi to Nagaoka, but it took 5-6 days the other way around! because the boat had to be dragged in the river by men all the way back to Muikamachi against the flow of the river.  

Hiking in the mountains

There are numerous mountains in Uonuma catering for all levels of mountain lovers. 

Mt. Komagatake（駒ヶ岳）： 2002.7m; this is one of top 100 mountains in Japan（日本百名山）,

Mt. Nakanotake（中ノ岳）： 2085.2m;

Mt. Hakkaisan（八海山）: 1778m;

Three mountains above are called Echigosanzan（越後三山）, a symbol of the region

Mt. Sumondake（守門岳）: 1537.2m;

Mt. Asakusadake（浅草岳）: 1585.5m;

Mt. Hiragadake（平ヶ岳）: 2141m;

Mt. Arasawadake（荒沢岳）： 1969m;

Mt. Gongendousan（権現堂山）: 998m; This is a relatively small mountain, but it offers a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and the rice fields. 

Mt. Karamatsuyama（唐松山）: 1079.3m; not very popular, but it offers 360 degrees panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. 

Mt. Hiuchigatake（燧ケ岳）: 2356m;

Mt. Shibutsusan（至仏山）：2228m; 　

宿泊 （魚沼市） Accomodations

Uounma-shi boasts lots of splendid onsen. In winter, you can soak in a bath watching beautiful snow falling from the sky. In summer, you can dip yourself in Rotenburo(Outdoor bath) breathing fresh air from the mountains.

Here are some lists of the Onsen hotels and ryokans(Japanese style inns).

Ooyu Onsen（大湯温泉）: This area still retains somewhat Shouwa era(1926-1989) atmosphere

Hotel Yumoto（ホテル湯元）; this onsen has huge baths to enjoy, dinner and breakfast is served as buffet style; tel 025-795-2221; including two meals from 6800yen; Higaeri Nyuuyoku 日帰り入浴(a stop-by just for bathing) is possible, admission 780yen; http://www.yumoto.co.jp

Yunoyado Kairi（ゆの宿　峡里）; tel 025-795-2311; including two meals from 12750yen, this onsen ryokan offers unique bathtubs ;  http://www.kairi.co.jp

Yumoto Shouya Izumiya Ryokan（湯元庄屋　和泉屋旅館）; tel 025-795-2031; incl two meals from 10650yen; http://www.ooyu-izumiya.com/

Murakamiya Ryokan（村上屋旅館）; tel 025-795-2021; incl two meals from 10650yen; this ryokan has fine views of the mountains from the baths;  http://www.murakamiya.com/

Kappou Ryokan Yoshidaya（割烹旅館　吉田屋）; tel 025-795-2108; without meals from 6300yen; owner's daughter speaks English and can give you informations on trekking around the mountains; http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/rieinbow2000/

Tochiomata Onsen（栃尾又温泉）: Tochiomata is tucked away from Ooyu area and flanked by mountains on both sides. Here you can soak in lukewarm and radium rich baths for hours a day. There are only three ryokans here. 

Jizaikan（自在館）; tel 025-795-2211; fax 025-795-2511; incl two meals from 11280yen; some baths you can reserve for private bathing for a certain length of time;  http://www.jizaikan.jp/

Jinpuukan（神風館）; tel 025-795-2306; fax 025-795-2821; incl two meal 7290yen; http://www.yunotani.com/~jinpuukan/

Hougando（宝巌堂）; tel 025-795-2216; fax 025-795-2949; incl two meals from 12750yen; this ryokan is nice and cozy and highly recommended for its hospitality and delicious meals; Okamisan (owner's wife) speaks English; http://www.ho-gan-do.com/

Komano Yu Onsen（駒の湯温泉）: This onsen is situated at the foot of the Komagatake Mountain. Hot spring water is gushing out 2000lit/minute. There is only one ryokan here. 

Komano Yu Sansou（駒の湯山荘）; tel 090-2560-0305(satellite phone); this onsen serves very local cuisine mainly consists of mountain vegetables and local products; incl two meals from 9950yen; open from late April to mid November

魚沼市への行き方 （Uonuma-shi & how to get there）

Uonuma-shi（魚沼市）, lying 230km north -west of Tokyo, is a nice & easy going town known for its best quality rice and rice wine(Sake). In the center of the town runs a beautiful river "Uonogawa", where locals are fishing with straw hats on.  It is a mountainous region caters to all levels of trekkers, skiiers, snowboarders and various sorts of  mountain lovers.  The region has unique festivals which should not be missed. I personally think, however, what is really great here is that Uonuma is not very touristy!

What to do in Uonuma?

 In spring, cherry blossoms while there is a lot of snow left in the mountains. You can actually ski until May at Okutadami ski resort! In summer, it is a great fun to hike in the mountains. Locals and tourists slurp buckwheat noodles(Soba) laid on a shallow wood container called Hegi,  a local delicacy. In autumn, the leaves of the mountains change their colors into reds and yellows. You can bathe in a onsen watching the leaves falling from the trees. In winter, skiing and snowboarding is very popular. It feels really great to soak in a onsen after skiing.

Where is it? 

View Larger Map

How to get to Uonuma-shi? :Uonuma-shi is best reached by Shinkansen(Bullet Train) from Tokyo. It takes only 90minutes and costs around 8000yen. If you have time and want to cut some expenses, getting on local trains would be fun, but you need to change trains a few times along the way. Please ask at the JR line for detailes. http://jreast.eki-net.com/ It takes five hours at least on local trains.  Another alternative is to take a bus, but it is difficult to book tickets because the system is run only in Japanese! Seibu Bus runs the route to Uonuma-shi(Koide station) from Ikebukuro in Tokyo.

You can click on the map above "to here" and follow the directions.

From Tokyo;

1.Shinkansen: Start from Ueno（上野） or Tokyo（東京） station(JR line)by Shinkansen→Urasa station（浦佐）, from Urasa transfer to local line →Koide station（小出）; it  costs around 8000yen and takes about 2hours.

2.Local line: Ueno（上野） station(JR line)→Takasaki（高崎）→Minakami（水上）→Koide（小出）; it costs about 4000yen and takes about 5hours

3.By Seibu Bus: make sure to book tickets well in advance; For reservations (in Japanese): http://www.j-bus.co.jp/new_module/index.html

Related links to Uonuma Niigata

English website published by Niigata prefectural Government gives general ideas about Niigata

http://www.enjoyniigata.com/en/index.html

Information

Information of Uonuma-shi

Medical services 

Koide hospital（小出病院）: tel 025-792-2111；34 Hiwatarishinden Uonuma-shi, map

Money Exchange

Daishi Bank（第四銀行）: tel 025-792-1212; 1-14 Honcho Uonuma-shi; open 9:00-15:00; map; accepts US, Euro cash notes, Amex T/C

 

Hokuetsu Bank（北越銀行）: tel025-792-1001; 2-16 Honcho Uonuma-shi; open 9:00-15:00; map; accepts most of the major currency notes like US, Euro, Austarallia dollars, British Pounds, Thai Bahts, Indonesia Rupees, Korean Won, etc! Most of the major T/Cs are welcome as well.

 

Tourist Information

Uonuma-shi Tourist Association（魚沼市観光協会）: tel 025-792-7300; 1144 Yoshida Uonuma-shi; map  http://www.city.uonuma.niigata.jp/kankou/

Post Office

Koide Post Office（小出郵便局）: tel 025-792-1162; 180-1 Koidejima Uonuma-shi；map

Sights of Uonuma-shi

Temple

Eirinji(永林寺）tel 025-794-2266; 1765 Negoya Uonuma-shi; admission 300yen; open 9:00-17:00 from March to November, 10:00-16:00 from December to February; map; http://www.eirinji.jp/

This is a zen temple founded 500 years ago and renowned for its magnificent carving by Ishikawa Unchow, a famous carver in the middle and late 19th century.

Enpukuji(円福寺）tel 025-792-0871; 433 Sanashi Uonuma-shi; admission 300yen; open 9:00-17:00 from mid May through Octobor; map; It houses a Amidanyorai statue of national importance and its Kokeniwa, moss garden is charming.　

Saifukuji Kaizando(西福寺・開山堂）tel025-792-3032;　Ooura Uonuma-shi; map; admission 300yen; open 9:00-16:00 from April to November, 9:30-15:00 from December to March; It is a Soto-sect Zen Buddhist temple which boasts beautiful ceiling carved by Uncho. http://www.saihukuji.com

Echigo Yukikurakan Tamagawa Sake Brewery

（越後ゆきくら館　玉川酒造） tel 025-797-2777; 1643 Suhara Uonuma-shi; This is a good place to sample different types of sake, you won't find a sake over 40% alcohol content in another place! ; open 9:00-16:00; map

Festivals & Events of Uonuma-shi

Setchu Hanamizu-iwai（雪中花水祝）：takes place in Horinouchi district on February 11. Bridegrooms are splashed with icy cold water, which is said to bring good lucks to the couples.

You tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3lBmvKNF8U

Jyuugoya Matsuri（十五夜まつり）is held in Horinouchi for three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday before Keiro-no-hi(Respect-for-the-aged day in September);tel025-794-2111

You tube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qUpzsuhERI

Shineribenten Tatakijizou Festival（しねり弁天・たたき地蔵祭り）：This festival is unique because men are allowed to pinch  women in the precinct of shrine, while the women are encouraged to slap the men on their backs.  What lies inside the shrine is a huge lingam represents child births, happy marriages, etc. Newly wed couples would get on the lingam and be taken to the streets.

You tube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1QYyHKo3S0

Other interesting places to visit in Niigata

In spirng cherry blossoms make its way northward  in Japan. In Niigata you can see beautiful Sakura (Cherry trees) in mid April. Jyouetsu-shi（上越市） is close to Toyama prefecture and takes about one and half hours  from Uonuma-shi by car. Jyouetsu Takada is famous for its Cherry festival. 

Jyouetsu tourism site http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/kankou/inter/english/index.html