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