Azumino: A Floral Trio "Nemophila Edition" The nemophila fields in National Alps Azumino Park, located in Horikane and Hotaka District, are at their peak blooming 😄 With 32,000 nemophila plants ♫ They have appeared in the Den'en Bunka Zōn at Hotaka-guchi 😆 A beautiful blue carpet is spreading out!❗️

Mokoto Pass Mokoto Pass runs along the north side of Lake Kussharo. It is a prefectural road connecting Kawayu Onsen to Higashi-Mokoto Village. Not well known as a tourist route, the road nevertheless offers unique, beautiful views from two observation points. Do visit — you are likely to encounter wonderful scenery. https://masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/mokototoge/...

A view from the summit of Mt. Chogatake in the Northern Alps 😆 This lookout offers spectacular panoramas of the Hotaka range, including Mt. Yari This morning the clouds were high and the ridgelines should have been visible, but when I arrived the clouds had rolled in… what a shame 😢 The summit was being battered by strong winds, but it still felt amazing I could also see the Azumino valley below

An observation deck sits atop Mt. Nagamine. Climb this deck and enjoy 360-degree views, including the Northern Alps 😄. Please note it will be closed for repainting from June 23 to July 18, so it won’t be available during that time… 😢 If you hike during the day, take care to avoid heatstroke.

A cozy free relaxation spot in Azumino 😃 Hachimen Daio Ashiyu (Footbath)♨️ This footbath is inspired by Azumino’s folk tale, the Hachimen Daio legend The water is a mildly alkaline simple hot spring known for its skin-beautifying effects Feel free to enjoy the hot springs of Hotaka Onsen Village 😊

Azumino is enjoying fine weather this morning ☀️ Mt. Tsubakuro and Mt. Ariake were clearly visible too It looks like Koshin will be hot again today… Please watch out for heatstroke 🥵

Chogatake as seen from Azumino A snow pattern has appeared just below its summit Unlike the Jonenbo pattern on Mt. Jonen, the snow pattern on Chogatake is a positive type (the remaining snow appears white) True to the mountain’s name, a white butterfly seems to emerge See if you can spot it

The rose garden adjacent to Azumino City Museum (formerly Toyoshina Modern Art Museum) next to Azumino City Hall is now at peak bloom. You can enjoy about 250 varieties and more than 500 repeat-blooming roses! Rose Week 2025: Saturday, May 24 – Sunday, June 1 Although the museum is closed, the museum garden will hold a plant sale on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, from 9:00 a.m. to around 3:00 p.m., timed with the roses’ bloom. A pottery market by the Hotaka Pottery Center will also take place on the same days. Azumino City Museum (Under renovation / scheduled to reopen on August 30, 2025) 399-8205 5609-3 Toyoshina, Azumino, Nagano Phone: 0263-73-5638 Fax: 0263-73-6320

Mount Jōnen as seen from Azumino under a stretch of clear weather If you look closely, you can spot the snow pattern called “Jōnenbō” on the mountain’s slope Can you make out the figure of a monk wearing a kasaya robe and carrying a sake flask? People long ago used this snow pattern as a seasonal cue for tasks such as sowing seeds and planting rice seedlings, weaving it into their daily lives Azumino is now just entering the rice-planting season

National Government Park Alps Azumino Horigane-Hotaka area is reaching peak bloom for tulips and rapeseed flowers! A tulip field of 117 varieties totaling 320,000 bulbs and a five-million-strong carpet of yellow in the satoyama terraced-rice-field zone stretch as far as the eye can see. For details, visit the official website of National Government Park Alps Azumino https://www.azumino-koen.jp/horigane_hotaka/...

This morning, Azumino chilled down to 3 degrees. Under a high-pressure system, the blue sky spread above a breathtaking scene. The white peaks of the Northern Alps reflected in a mirror-like sheet of water. Azumino is now entering its most beautiful season.

Ricefield tilling has begun here and there across Azumino, and the rice-planting season has arrived. Next, after the fields are flooded and leveled, the seedlings will be planted. During this rice-planting period you can see Azumino’s miraculous spectacle, the “water mirror”.

The cherry blossom front is approaching Azumino these days The blossoms are starting to open little by little Here are five cherry spots in Azumino you should definitely see when you visit 1. Cherry trees on Mt. Mitsushiro🌸 Cherry trees line the mountain trail all the way to the summit, and the site is also nicknamed the "Ascending Dragon." From the top you can enjoy views of the Northern Alps 2. Hyakuraku Cherry at the Yukio Tabuchi Memorial Museum🌸 This red weeping Edohigan cherry is named from mountain photographer and insect researcher Yukio Tabuchi’s phrase "One mountain, a hundred joys." It blooms early in Azumino 3. Riversides near the Early Spring Song Monument🌸 The area around the Early Spring Song monument on the right bank of the Hotaka River offers a scenic panorama of wasabi fields, the Hotaka River, the Northern Alps, and cherry trees—an unforgettable hometown view in spring 4. Weeping cherry of Iwahara🌸 The great weeping cherry of Iwahara stands quietly beyond the Horikane Entrance parking area of the national Alps Azumino Park 5. Cherry trees at Jitensha Hiroba (Bicycle Plaza)🌸 The park along the Jukkasegi irrigation channel features cherry trees, moss phlox, the irrigation channel, and the Northern Alps in the background—a beautiful four-part harmony Why not hop on a bicycle and enjoy a cherry blossom tour of Azumino!

The "Azumino Share Cycle" has started! You can easily rent a bike at stations set up at 17 major sightseeing spots and around stations across the city, and go for a leisurely ride around Azumino. Enjoy Azumino’s rich nature and beautiful scenery by bicycle. https://azumino-e-tabi.net/cycling...

A special morning moment, a special morning gradient, the colors of Azumino

A view from Enzansou The first sunrise of the year with Mt. Fuji and the alpenglow on Mt. Tsubakuro Wishing everyone a wonderful year ahead

Spectacular winter views you can only see in winter The Limited Express Azusa that ran from Tokyo and the Northern Alps Heading north from Hotaka Station toward the snowy country A panoramic view of the Hakuba mountains seen from Azumino!

Azumino chilled to minus 6 degrees The sun quietly hits the Northern Alps The snowy ridgelines turn red This is the view from Azumino Ohisama Road

About a 3-minute walk from JR Oito Line Hotaka Station Snow has begun to fall at Hotaka Shrine, bringing a true winter feeling Come visit for New Year’s Eve shrine visits or Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) Visit Hotaka Shrine’s official website here https://www.hotakajinja.com// Visit Hotaka Shrine’s Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/hotakajinja/...

One shot from December 19, 2024 Jōnen-dake, one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains This photo was taken near the Jōnen Dōsojin The winter blue sky and snow-capped ridgeline make a beautiful scene The cold, dry air has settled over Azumino for the season.

Limited seats still available! Shinano‑Omachi Hidden Gem Tour — Learn Camera Techniques We’re pleased to announce the date: Thursday, January 9, 2025 (backup date Friday, January 10, 2025). The subject is Omachi’s specialty, koori-mochi (frozen rice cake). This guided tour lets you enter the processing site for koori-mochi, observe the workers, feel the texture of the ingredients, and capture the atmosphere with your own camera while learning photography techniques. Thanks to the continued cooperation of the Katakuri Koori‑Mochi Section of Nōsanbutsu chokubaijo Katakuri, this event is possible again this year. Registration has just opened, but only a few spots remain. If you’re interested, please consider applying soon. ⭐︎ View participants’ photos here https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/news/88323/... ⭐︎ To apply, use this link or call 0261-22-0190! https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/event/90392/...

The 13th Azumino Kamiakari Bamboo Lantern Festival Friday–Sunday, December 6–8, 2024 About 10,000 bamboo lanterns will be lit one by one, warming and brightening the cold winter nights The gentle glow of candles will warm your heart as well Lighting hours: 16:00–around 20:00 Venue: Hotaka Shrine Open lighting ceremony for everyone (Participants are asked to bring a lighter for lighting by 16:00.) *Lighters for lighting will be sold on site.* ● Kagura Hall Live Performance A lively live show will be held to energize the event ● Special Hotaka Ningyo Kamiakari Display A special stage unique to this year’s kamiakari will be exhibited in the Kita Shrine Garden ● Kamiakari Goshuin (Kamiakari commemorative seal) During the kamiakari event, from 16:00 to around 20:00, a special goshuin will be available only at this time. A customary offering of 500 yen is required. Concurrent Event / Azumino Terrace Dec 6–8 “Rice and Sake MARKET” 15:00–20:00 Food trucks and delicious-treat tents gather in one place! A warm rest tent with a stove will also be available.

Around 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the summit of Mount Nagamine A sea of clouds and the Northern Alps rising to around 3,000 meters We enjoyed another clear view of the Northern Alps today In November the sunrise comes later, and from the summit you can also see the alpenglow of the Northern Alps as they turn red in the morning light Please take in the breathtaking, ever-changing views of the Northern Alps [Mount Nagamine Spectacular View Tour] The Mount Nagamine Spectacular View Tour, where you stay in Azumino and enjoy the summit vistas, runs through December 8, 2024! Stay in Azumino and join us! <Information about the Mount Nagamine Spectacular View Tour> This panoramic view of the Northern Alps from Mount Nagamine at 933 meters is a sight only early risers can see! Below you spreads the Azumidaira plain, and the 3,000-meter peaks of the Northern Alps towering before you create a view you can see nowhere else. You can also take in MtJonen, Azumino’s symbol, and, in the distance, the Hakuba Mountain Range. At the summit of Mount Nagamine, enjoy coffee time as you watch the spectacular morning view in the crisp early air. Each cup is carefully hand-dripped. Alongside the majestic scenery, the fresh morning air and a freshly brewed, delicious coffee will slowly awaken your body and satisfy your heart. Please enjoy this blissful moment. [Price] Per person / JPY 3,500 (same price for adults and children) * Tour reservations are limited to guests staying at designated accommodations. Please check the accommodation’s stay plans or inquire at check-in. * The tour requires advance reservation. Reservations can be made at the designated accommodation up to 8:00 p.m. the day before use. * Please pay the participation fee at the front desk by the day before use. [Price includes] Bus fare, coffee and snacks [Minimum number of participants] 2 people [Notes] * The tour will be canceled in case of rain or bad weather. (Decision will be made around 4:00 p.m. on the day before the tour) ・Because it is early morning, you may feel cold. Please bring something warm to wear as a layer. For details and a list of participating accommodations, please search for "Mount Nagamine Spectacular View Tour"

Stay at Awara Hot Spring If you lend us a colored yukata and go around the town There are services that offer various Privileges. 🙋 【Shops where you can receive Privileges】Awara City Tourist Association HP NEW Light up facilities 【Two-sided Hot Spring Yakushido】 Light up with a Japanese umbrella production. Held in from November 1st ~ December 15th (Sun). #Awara color yukata Sanpaku Please post it with the following.

The 13th Azumino Kamiakari Bamboo Lantern Festival 2024 — Held over 6 days Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1 Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8 Around 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day Hotaka Shrine (about a 5-minute walk from Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line) Enjoy the gentle atmosphere of Hotaka Shrine, illuminated by about 10,000 bamboo lanterns Anyone may join the 4:00 p.m. lighting. Those who will light lanterns should bring a long-handled lighter Live performances take place at the Kagura Hall, and Azumino Terrace in the South Garden features food trucks and booths. In the North Garden, a special stage presents the traditional Hotaka dolls * Admission is free * Parking is limited; please use public transportation when possible

On October 1, 2024, the cosmos at the National Alps Azumino Park Horikiné-Hotaka Area are at their best. A field of 180,000 cosmos plants featuring 12 varieties. You can enjoy the colorful blooms of cosmos through mid-October.

A refreshing morning in Azumino Most of the rice has already been harvested, but some paddies still bear ears of rice, perhaps because of the variety In the distance, Mt. Jii-ga-take and Mt. Kashimayari rise tall

The National Alps Azumino Park is a national park spreading at the foot of the Northern Alps in central Nagano Prefecture. The park has two areas: Omachi-Matsukawa in the north and Horikane-Hotaka in the south. The Horikane-Hotaka area lies about a 20-minute drive from Azumino Interchange on the Nagano Expressway. In the Horikane-Hotaka area, the yellow cosmos are now in full bloom. Eight hundred thousand yellow cosmos flowers cover 2.5 hectares of terraced rice fields in a spectacular display. The National Alps Azumino Park is broadly divided into two zones, and the yellow cosmos appear in the Satoyama Culture Zone, so please be careful not to use the wrong entrance. They should be enjoyable through late September. After that, in the Rural Culture Zone, you can see 180,000 cosmos of 12 different varieties. These are expected to peak from late September through mid-October. There are photo spots, and on clear days you can see Mt. Jonen. *Two pink cosmos photos are from last year.*