Elevation Elevation difference area between 1,000 and 1,500 meters, and in the relatively flat areas around 1,300 meters, fields of highland vegetables such as Chinese cabbage and lettuce that take advantage of the cool climate are spreading.
It is about 2 hours and 30 minutes by car from Tokyo, and it is a recommended area for day trips.
COOL JAPAN VIDEOS will provide recommended Information on Minamimaki Village, Nagano Prefecture, so please look forward to it!
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[Stargazing Photography Workshop Held on November 24]
Aiming to introduce the beauty of Minamimaki Village’s night sky to local residents, we held a village-residents-only stargazing photography workshop on Monday, November 24 at the Nobeyama Radio Observatory, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan NOBEYAMA.
Thanks to photographer Teruyasu Kitayama’s instruction on shooting techniques and the generous loan of a high-performance camera from OM Digital Solutions Corporation, even an amateur like me was able to take beautiful night-sky photos.
The air is clear and it’s a perfect season for astrophotography, but Minamimaki Village’s cold is in a league of its own—please come warmly dressed.
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I climbed Yatsugatake's main peak, MtAkadake (2,899 m), via Kenkai Ridge while also inspecting the trail.
It was my first time on Kenkai Ridge at this season. From around Daitengu, the path turned snowy and shaded sections were icy and very slippery. I put on chain spikes for the descent.
The weather was perfect, but strong west winds made the summit cold. It already felt like winter up there, and the mountain hut is closed at this time of year. Hikers should take care.
Climbing Kenkai Ridge in the deep winter is extremely dangerous; there have been recent fatal accidents. If you plan to climb, do so in the snow-free season.
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Nobeyama Highlands Today
This morning the lowest temperature at Nobeyama Highlands was -7.0°C, the third coldest in the country.
The sky has been clear since dawn, showcasing full Yatsugatake blue. Yatsugatake received its first snowfall of the season over this three-day weekend.
The maple trees in front of Nobeyama Station are in peak autumn color, and along Route 141 through the village the yellow foliage is at its height.
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Have you seen the Minamimaki Village logo?
When I first saw it, I thought, "What is this?", but this logo actually has a meaningful design.
Against a backdrop featuring Yatsugatake (Mt. Akadake, Mt. Yokodake, and Mt. Ioudake), the symbol of Minamimaki Village, and a star motif representing the beautiful night sky of Nobeyama Highlands—one of Japan’s three best stargazing spots—the village name "minamimakimura" is expressed as "mmm." I find it to be a very well-crafted logo.
We would be delighted if you used this mark in various situations to help promote Minamimaki Village!
Anyone may freely use it as long as they follow the usage rules. However, prior approval is required for commercial sales.
For details, please see below.
https://www.minamimakimura.jp/main/mmmlogo.html...
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I joined the Koumi Line priority-activity train “Highland Cycling Tour”
As part of efforts by the Koumi Line Regional Revitalization Council, an activity-priority train runs on the Koumi Line today and tomorrow, Sunday, September 28. In line with that service, I took part in a monitored tour that started at Nobeyama Station, rode e-bikes around the Nobeyama Highlands, and headed for Kiyosato Station.
https://koumilinehighlandtrain.hp.peraichi.com//
I didn’t even know the difference between an electric bicycle and an e-bike, but I was impressed not only by their stylish appearance but also by the sturdy tires and suspension that made me feel I could go anywhere. These bikes felt perfect for the Nobeyama Highlands, where not all roads are paved. It was my first time bringing a bicycle onto the train and riding it, and it went more smoothly than I expected—making the experience feel somewhat special.
The Nobeyama Highlands will soon be an ideal season for cycling. The tourist information center in front of Nobeyama Station also rents bicycles, so please make use of it. Note: e-bikes are not available.
▼Reserve rental bicycles here
https://www.kanko-nobeyama.jp/info/?p=567/...
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【Today's Nobeyama Highlands】
Although the country is experiencing a nationwide heatwave today, the usually cool Nobeyama Highlands has reached 28°C by noon. With the sun exceptionally strong, please take thorough measures against heat and sunburn before you come.
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Mount Iimori's daylilies are nearly in full bloom.
Yesterday we held a hike to see the daylilies on Mount Iimori. Right in the middle of the rainy season and worried we might cancel due to rain like last year, the forecast suddenly changed and, to our surprise, the weather turned out fine 😅 We even caught a glimpse of Mt. Fuji through the clouds, making it a lucky hike 🎉
The daylilies are just short of full bloom, but they were impressive enough to enjoy 😋 I think the peak will be around late next week.
Well done to everyone who joined us — great job 🫡
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Yatsugatake Trail Maintenance and Tsukumogusa Survey
I climbed Yatsugatake for a route inspection, trail maintenance, and tsukumogusa survey ahead of the “Mt. Yokodake Tsukumogusa Hike” scheduled for May 30.
The Somae-one Ridge had snow from about 2,400 meters up to just above the observation platform, with depths exceeding 50 cm in places. Many fallen trees, large and small, blocked the route, so I worked my way up cutting them away with a handsaw.
Beyond the steep climb, the ridge was once again carpeted with tsukumogusa in full bloom this year.
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[Special Collaboration Soft-Serve Ice Cream for the Detective Conan Movie “The One-Eyed Shrapnel” Now on Sale!]
A limited-time special soft-serve ice cream collaborating with the now-screening Detective Conan movie “The One-Eyed Shrapnel” is being sold at eateries throughout Minamimaki Village 🍦🐄
With the new Minamimaki Village Dining Map produced by the Minamimaki Village Chamber of Commerce in hand, please enjoy the local cuisine 🥗🍲🍜🍴
■ Shops Offering the Special Soft-Serve Ice Cream
1 Takizawa Farm Co., Ltd.
2 Restaurant Saikochiten Co., Ltd.
3 Restaurant Straw Hat
4 Minamimaki Village Rural Culture and Information Exchange Center Co., Ltd. (Vegitable With)
5 Hanafubuki
6 Restaurant 141
8 Kominka Meals and Sweets Furusato
9 Canadian Rocky
16 White Rabbit
Those are nine shops in total (the numbers correspond to the shop numbers on the dining map)
*Depending on the shop, sales begin on Saturday, May 17 or Sunday, May 18.
▼ View the Minamimaki Village Dining Map here
https://www.kanko-nobeyama.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mmmfoodmap.pdf...
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[Now Released Today!!]
The feature film Detective Conan: The One-Eyed Specter premieres today 🎬️👓️🎀🎉
Nobeyama Highlands in Minamimaki, Nagano Prefecture—the setting for the film and home to the Nobeyama Radio Observatory of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan📡—offers spectacular views of the Yatsugatake Mountains⛰️, the JR line’s highest elevation point🚞, the highest-elevation railway station in Japan, Nobeyama Station🚉, one of Japan’s three premier stargazing spots🌠, and top-tier production of highland vegetables nationwide, including leafy greens, corn, and broccoli🥬🌽🥦. There are so many great places and products to enjoy—please take this chance to discover the charms of Minamimaki Village ✨
▼Access information to the Nobeyama Radio Observatory is here
https://www.kanko-nobeyama.jp/info/?p=2413/...
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ID:1Thank you very much for your kind response. I'm planning to go after Golden Week, but it would be nice if everyone would know the good things about Minamimaki Village (Nobeyama).This text has been automatically translated.
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