[Niigata / Myoko] Sasagamine / Yumemidaira Hiking <Let's go see the forest elder, Jizo wig! ＞

The Sasagamine Plateau is a basin-like plateau area surrounded by mountains at an altitude of 2000 m on the prefectural border between Niigata and Nagano prefectures. Located at an altitude of 1300m, people began to enter this deep mountainous area from around the Edo period. Yumemidaira is a forest that spreads beyond the dam bank of Lake Otomi. There used to be a sawmill here, and forestry workers and others lived in this deep mountain. In the forest of giant trees of beech and quercus crispula, walk along the promenade that was set up on the track traces of the past, and when you go near the Hyosawa River, which is the prefectural border with Nagano Prefecture, there is a huge wig that can be called the elder of the forest. The old tree stands quietly but dignifiedly. The course has few ups and downs, so even those who do not hike often can enjoy it. Why do not you refresh your mind and body while thinking about the lives of our ancestors in the forest where the beautiful nature peculiar to heavy snowfall areas spreads? ～ Flow of the day ～ 8:40 Meet at Myoko Kogen Station Meet at Myoko Kogen Station. Take the guided shuttle car to the tour start point. 9:30 Tour start From the Otomi Lake parking lot, first cross the dam bank to the opposite bank and climb the steep stairs. Looking back, it is a magnificent landscape where the famous peaks of Kukujo such as Mt. Yaki, Mt. Hiuchi, and Kanayama are lined up. In early spring, skunk cabbage spreads all over with Mt. Mitahara of Myoko Sotowayama in the background. 13:00 Sawmill Ruins Deep in the forest, in a place like this? There is a former sawmill trace in the place called. A large tree of Quercus crispula stands quietly nearby. 13:15 Jizo wig & lunch Finally meet the forest elder. The overwhelming presence makes me lose words ... Lunch time here slowly! 16:00 Tour ends Return to the Otomi Lake bus stop and the tour ends! Take the shuttle car back to Myoko Kogen Station.

The guide who guides you through the forest is a forest medical trainer certified by Shinano Town, Nagano Prefecture. Let's enjoy walking in the forest together, feeling the healing power of the forest with all five senses and getting energized from the inside of your heart!

Unlike mountain climbing, there are some ups and downs, but it is a flat forest walk, so anyone with the physical strength to walk for about 4 hours can participate.

In Yumemidaira, there are large beech and quercus crispula trees that are over 200 years old, natural forests such as beautiful birch and birch, and larch forests that are artificial forests. And the beautiful spring ephemeral colors that appear as the snow melts, and the beautiful autumn leaves that make you wake up. You can enjoy a beautiful forest walk unique to the subalpine zone of the snowy country.