In the event you learn this website with any regularity, then you realize I like the Japanese Alps. From cities like Matsumoto and Takayama, to pure escapes all through the area, it’s an underrated and endlessly satisfying a part of Japan.
With this being mentioned, it doesn’t instantly attraction to everybody—particularly not Europeans. “That doesn’t look Alpine in any respect,” my Swiss greatest buddy mentioned to me once I despatched her some footage after my very first journey to Japan’s mountains greater than a decade in the past.
I’ll tackle this discrepancy extra in only a second—it isn’t simply due to how a lot my images has improved. However for now, I’ll offer you a spoiler alert: In the event you head to the Senjojiki Cirque within the Chuo Alps, you might certainly really feel such as you’re in Europe.
Why the Japanese Alps (Largely) Don’t Look Alpine
In a second, I’ll let you know exactly how one can combine the Senjojiki Cirque into your Japanese Alps itinerary. For now, nevertheless, I wish to tackle the elephant within the room—specifically, why so many components of the Japanese Alps don’t look “alpine.” Successfully, there are two causes for this: First, that the Japanese Alps are typically not as excessive because the European ones, and secondly as a result of they aren’t as developed: Most of the most alpine locations are merely not accessible.
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How you can Attain the Senjojiki Cirque
Begin in Matsumoto or Nagano
Though you may technically go to the Chuo Alps from anyplace within the Japanese Alps area, it’s best to get there from main cities like Matsumoto and Nagano. Matsumoto particularly is probably the most handy place to begin, because it sits proper alongside the JR Chuo Line, which you’ll need to take to begin your journey.
Think about renting a automobile
Nicely, until you hire a automobile. Whereas this will’t take you all the way in which to the highest (for causes I’ll clarify in only a second), it does prevent having to navigate native practice schedules, or to spend longer in transit than you want. Plus, driving in Japan is extraordinarily protected, and manner simpler than you assume.
(Or taking a really early practice)
After all, you don’t must drive. However when you do take a practice (the JR Chuo Line, with an intermediate cease at stations corresponding to Tatsuno or Okaya, you may count on to spend as much as two hours every manner en route—and that’s simply to the ropeway base station. Consequently, it is best to plan on leaving early.
Experience Japan’s highest ropeway
Whether or not you drive or take a practice, attending to the place to begin of the Senjojiki hike requires that you simply experience the Komagatake Ropeway, Japan’s highest. It is a thrilling expertise, in no small half as a result of if the climate is obvious, you’ll be capable to see Mt. Fuji looming within the distance.
Take your time climbing
Presuming you go to throughout months when climbing is feasible (principally summer season, plus very late spring and really early fall), the excellent news is that climbing may be very simple—the path is principally only a huge staircase, albeit with comparatively irregular stones as an alternative of concrete steps. With this mentioned, I like to recommend taking your time whereas climbing, no matter how far up you go.
The Greatest Time to Go to the Senjojiki Cirque
The Senjojiki Cirque, like Japan usually, is a four-season vacation spot. Clearly, the very heat months between about June and September are greatest for climbing. Nevertheless, because the space is accessible by way of ropeway, and since you may take pleasure in a view of the mountain surroundings proper from the customer’s heart, you may actually go in any season, be that amid the deep snow of winter, or in autumn when colours blaze.
One factor I’d say? As a result of a lot of the Senjojiki Alps expertise is…properly, with the ability to see the mountains, it’s actually important that you simply go on a transparent day. There are different causes for this as properly. For one, if it’s wet, then any climbing you do turns into far more precarious, even harmful. Secondly, on a transparent day you may see Mt. Fuji within the distance whereas using the ropeway, including one other lay of pleasure to your journey.
Different FAQ About Mountaineering Japan’s Senjojiki Cirque
How do you get to Senjojiki Cirque?
You in the end must get from Matsumoto Station to the bottom station of the Komagatake Ropeway. This entails both using the JR Chuo Line to Komagane Station and getting a bus from there, or renting a automobile and driving to the car parking zone close to the bus cease in Komagane.
Is Senjojiki Cirque value it?
In the event you go on a transparent day (and ideally in the summertime, when it’s attainable and comparatively simple to hike), then it’s undoubtedly value it to go to the Senjojiki Cirque. Alternatively, if the climate is unhealthy or when you go to in a season when it’s too chilly to hike, the ROI of your journey could also be worse.
What’s the highest ropeway in Japan?
The Komagatake Ropeway, which is the one approach to entry the so-called “Senjojiki Cirque” of the Japanese Alps, is the best ropeway in Japan. It’s one in all my favorites, too, and along with providing fast entry to the Chuo Alps, affords riders a view of Mt. Fuji on a transparent day.
The Backside Line
From a pure aesthetic perspective, the Chuo Alps are most likely probably the most satisfying place in all the Japanese Alps—actually, they’re the place you get the clearest sense of being in an Alpine place, with towering snow-capped peaks, uncommon flora and clear, blue skies. Higher but, they’re a simple day journey from Matsumoto, whether or not you utilize your individual automobile to drive a lot of the manner, or make all the journey by way of public transportation. They’re additionally attractive in each season—and even in the course of summer season, the air is contemporary and funky. Want customized assist integrating the so-called Senjojiki Cirque into your subsequent Japan journey? Fee a customized Japan itinerary right this moment!