Mostly Japanese Mountains: Magically beautiful day snowshoeing Ikenotaira, Mt. Sanbongamine and Mt. Miharashidake in Tomi, Nagano.

. . . about

Yunomaru and the Ikenotaira Wetlands

On either side of the Jizotoge (Jizo Pass) are ski areas and mountains for hiking. The Yunomaru area is popular for athletes to come to train at high altitudes and there are many people that come here for trail running. There is a hotel with an onsen, various athletic training facilities, a dorm, a visitor's center, and a few restaurants.

If you hike from the Jizo Pass (in winter) or drive (in summer), you will arrive at the Ikenotaira Wetlands. There is a parking lot and visitor's center with public restrooms there open in the green months.

Location:

Map: ***If you want a link to the latest Yama to Kogen map, comment and I'll get you a link. This link is to a printable topo map of the Ikenotaira Wetlands and vicinity.

Starting and stopping point:

Parking Lot at Jizo Pass (Yunomaru Ski Area)

Peaks bagged: Miharashidake (見晴岳) ~~ Sanpogamine (三方ヶ峰)

(First-time) peaks # ---

Getting there/getting around: I drove. Apparently, there is no bus service from the nearest JR stations anymore. Tomi City's web page says to use a taxi. I did see several buses at the ski area but I assume they were chartered.

Helpful Info

Weather Information:

Snow report

Ikenotaira Wetland

Time and distance

YAMAP's Estimate Time: 3:43 Distance: 7 km

The Caveman did it in Total Time: 3:55 Break time: :29 Distance: 8.2 km

Elevation: Lowest: 1,730 m Highest: 2,092 m Total Ascent: 457 m Total Descent: 457 m

Technical considerations/difficulty:

This is a really easy walk in the green months. Even in winter, it's pretty easy.

Facilities:

There is a lot of stuff around the Jizo Pass, particularly related to athletics. Check out this link about the GMO Athletes' Park.

There are several facilities connected to the ski area which close in the off season.

The visitor's center has a restroom that is open year-round. The road from Jizo Pass to the parking lot at Ikenotaira is open from the end of April. The road is closed at night, even during the season it's open.

Thoughts/observations/recommendations:

Be cheap and be safe. If you haven't done any winter hiking, I have a few recommendations.

Don't blow your money on a bunch of equipment unless you're sure you're going to use it. I would suggest renting snowshoes before deciding whether to buy them or not. See if you like snowshoeing, first. Then, I recommend you buy used equipment. There are a lot of people who buy expensive stuff, use it only once and then sell it. I got my snowshoes at a recycle shop for about 1/3 the cost of what they would be new and have been really happy with them after many miles of use.

Bring the equipment you need. (And you may need more than you think.) On flatter places, with deeper snow, snowshoes are good. In steeper areas with some deep spots and some rocks, you may want wakan (smaller snowshoes). If you are not dealing with deep snow but just slippery areas, chain spikes (sometimes called aizen, sometimes called crampons) are the ticket. These are spikes that attach to your boots with a big rubber thing with the chains on the bottom as a kind of mesh. I don't have actual crampons. Those are the ones that have spikes pointing out from the toes as well as spikes on the bottom. They look kind of like a James Bond-type murder weapon. I've never felt the need for those because I they are more for ice climbing--and they are expensive as h#"!"

What kind of plans to execute? I suggest going places you already know from the green seasons. It's easier to get lost in the snow. Also, choose gentle slopes and go for shorter hikes until you learn the ropes. There are many suitable places near ski areas. The proximity of the people on the ski slopes will cut down your chances of being alone if you get into trouble.

Pack and clothe yourself with an eye to getting stranded. Dress in layers to stay warm and to give yourself the ability to take off some clothes if you get hot. Just like the Spanish Inquisition, nobody expects to lose a glove or a hat, so I bring extras. I usually carry a pair of heavy snow pants in case I get stuck somewhere overnight.

Keep your electronics warm and dry. Your smartphones and power banks will stop working if they get too cold. They'll also stop charging if you get them wet. I keep my powerbank in a pouch in my backpack right against my back. This has seemed to always keep it warm enough.

Zip up your pockets unless your hands are in them. Falling and getting a pocketful of snow is not the only danger. A car key* or smartphone falling out of your pocket could be a disaster.

*I've learned the hard way to bury my car keys in my backpack in a zipped pouch.

(Along with all the regular stuff such as maps, headlamps, boots, feet, and brains, . . .) don't forget:

Sun protection for your skin and your eyes. It can get really bright when the sun reflects off the snow. Hand warmers are nice.

Let's look at some pictures.

Today's lunch was Asian fusion. Filipino-flavored Cup Noodles!

I took this on my way, shortly after leaving home.

One of the day's peaks is on the left, Sanbongamine.

I was so pumped to have good weather.

-12 Celsius, 10 Fahrenheit

Despite the weather being in the low teens, I warmed up after a short while and took off a layer.

I'm happy with my pant situation. I usually wear a pair of long underwear covered with a light pair of rain pants. That keeps me dry but allows for good movement.

It was cold this morning so I started out with one more layer than usual. I wore a pair of summer hiking pants that I got at Decathlon. They are the "convertible" or "zip off" pants. You can detach the bottoms and wear them as shorts. I have several pair of these type of pants. The great feature of these in particular (and my rain pants as well) is that they are loose enough so as to be taken off without having to remove your boots. That is awesome--particularly on a snowy or rainy day.

These are my long johns before putting the rain pants back on. They are awesome.

I did my changing on the side of a ski trail.

I saw a crash or two while doing this.

I kind of like to think it was because the skiers thought I was

exposing myself. 😂

After a few kilometers hiking, I hit the Ikenotaira Wetlands. The walkways are boardwalks to protect the flora.

People. Must run away . . .

This was taken just about 50 yards back from where the last picture was taken.

This is the Kagami no Ike (Mirror Pond), near

where these few pictures were taken.

The Kagami no Ike is just out of the frame, to the left.

This was taken in September, 2023 from the same spot.

Heading up the hill toward Sanbongamine. Finally, I have some fresh snow.

In September . . .

Mt. Fuji on the left.

Yatsugatake on the right.

Be sure to look at the end of the post to see labels on many of the pictures of the distant mountains.

Yatsugatake

The same mountains in June

Some of the Alps

The day's second peak

In September . . .

Going down . . .

It was still really beautiful coming down, but I slipped quite a few times. Even though I was wearing snowshoes, my feet would go right out from under me, and I'd land on my butt. No injuries, so it was fun.