Visits to Japan - Matsumoto, Asama Onsen, and Alpine Route

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In 2006 I spent three nights in Asama Onsen near the city of Matsumoto, which in turn is near the city of Nagano where the 1998 Winter Olympics were held. Besides the relaxing soaks in baths fed by hot spring, I enjoyed magnificent views of the Japan Alps from a highland near Asama Onsen, not to mention the Matsumoto Castle, another UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

I revisited Matsumoto in October 2008 - mostly to enjoy the experience of traveling along the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route with an old friend of mine from Hawaii.

Matsumoto

Namate-dori

Naka-machi

Matsumoto Castle

Moat

Carp

Taiko-Mon

Kuro-Mon

Garden

from Hon-Maru

Tenshukaku

from Inside

from Tenshukaku

from Distance

Asama Onsen and Utsukushi-gahara

Bettei-Ikka

Utsukushi-gahara

Bus Stop

Fall Colors

Japan Alps

Komagadake

Ontakesan

Observation Area

Norikuradake

Okuhodaka

Yarigadake

Northern End

Mt. Fuji

Matsumoto

Panoramic View

New! Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route New!

We took a train from Matsumoto to Shinano-Ohmachi, and then a bus to Ogizawa. We then took a variety of transportation vehicles to reach Murodo near Mt. Tateyama, where we enjoyed a nice hike.

Click here to view video: Alpine Route (3 min. 37 sec.)