Hiking The Standing Boulder, Tatsuiwa in Nanmoku Village, Gunma

 Sengataki Falls 線が滝

What's up, everybody?

I hiked a bit in Gunma yesterday.  This is a report on that hike from Sengataki Falls to Tatsuiwa to Hoshio Pass and back on a loop.  I had also planned on popping up to the top of Mt. Gyozuka (経塚山) but decided to forego that as the weather changed.

Well, the weather did change, but actually I just got lost.  I mean, I was temporarily someplace different than I thought I was.  (I think maybe I shouldn't have made the turn at Albuquerque.)  It doesn't really matter.  I've been on that peak 2 or 3 times and there really isn't a view to speak of.

. . . about Tatsuiwa

Tatsu (立) means "Stand."  Iwa (岩) means boulder.

Area: Nanmoku (南牧) Village

This is in a fairly remote corner of Gunma that is serviced by just a few narrow roads.  The mountains aren't very high, but they are rugged.  Along with mountain trails for hiking, there are many scenic falls.  Check out the municipal web page for some pictures.

The demographic situation is depressing.  It's the oldest village in Japan.  Initially, when I saw that it was billed as the oldest village, I thought it was probably hype to entice tourism.  No.  It's not the oldest municipality.  It's the oldest in average age.  

And of course, the population is shrinking.  It is, like so much of Japan, turning into a ghost town.

It's sad.  I hope Japanese people start having babies.  Many of my favorite people are Japanese.  There should be more of them.

Story about trying to attract new residents. to Nanmoku

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 area.

Starting and stopping point: 

Arafune Tatsuiwa Trailhead Parking Lot 荒船・立岩登山口駐車場

Peaks bagged: 立岩山 (Tatsuiwa)

(First-time) peaks # 930

Getting there/getting around:  

I drove.  There's free parking at the trailhead for about 6~7 cars.

There is a bus from Shimonita (下仁田) to Hanezawa (羽沢).  35 minutes.  There are 1~6 buses per day and very few on the weekend.  Hanezawa is about an hour's walk from the trailhead.  This is the timetable on the village's website.  It is dated 2016.

A taxi from Shimonita to Sengataki (right near the trailhead) is about 40 minutes and cost ¥8,000 in 2023.

Helpful Info

Weather Information: 

Nearby Arafune's weather

Time and distance

YAMAP's Estimate:

Time:  6:01    Distance: 8.2 km

The Caveman did it in:

Total Time: 4:27  Break time:  :22  Distance:   9.2 km

Elevation:  Lowest: 709 m Highest: 1,312 m Total Ascent:  974 m Total Descent: 970 m

Technical considerations/difficulty:  

There are a LOT of chains and ropes.  All of the hike is below the treeline, but is still characterized by high, very narrow ridges which fall off steeply.  I really wouldn't want to fall of one of them.

When you're not pulling yourself up on a chain or walking a ridge like a tightrope, you're apt to get lost in the woods.  There are several areas that are very nondescript and where the trail is hard to identify.  Even though there are pink tapes here and there, they aren't always easy to spot and it's important to keep checking your GPS.  The Caveman is pretty good with a map and compass--but I admit that I'd have a hard time navigating here with just a paper map.

Facilities:  

Nothing

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

• Your GPS device.  It's very easy to get lost here.
• Gloves.  There are a lot of chains and ropes.  If they were wet or cold, gloves would be necessary.

Thoughts/observations/recommendations:  

I wouldn't go to this area in inclement weather.  Not only are the chains and boulders on the trail a bit spicy, but just getting there can be a bit like a wild wilderness trek, too.  Going over there from the Nagano side, there are Route 299 and Route 93.  Route 299 was out of commission for a long time after some bad weather a few years ago.  It's open now, but that circumstance gives you an idea of the driving situation you can experience in the area.  The other road, the one that I took yesterday, is the Prefectural Road 93 (下仁田〜臼田線 Shimonita~Usuda Line).  That is about 25 km from the Gunma side over to the Nagano side and is one narrow lane almost the entire way!  It's long, steep, and winding but there are very few mirrors to let you know if there is any oncoming traffic.  It's a bit nerve-wracking and I really wouldn't want to encounter a downed tree or some other obstacle on that road.  

Here're some pictures:

The day's destination spied from the road.

Trailhead

There are lots of ropes and chains.

Around the top of Tatsuiwa

The top of Mitsuiwa

When I first saw this, my reaction was a bit of disbelief.

It wasn't as difficult as it looks.

Sengataki Falls

35 meters high

The parking lot at the trailhead.  I guess about 7 or 8 cars could fit.  It's a dead end.  I wonder if it ever gets filled up.

Well, that's all for today.

Keep your fingers crossed.  I have a day off tomorrow and plan on hitting the Northern Alps if the weather is ok.

Make sure to subscribe and comment, etc.

Check out a post on Arafune here.

Caveman out.

Caveman conquers Mt. Arafune in the early morning.

 

What's up, peeps?  It's been a dog's age.  I have been saddled with social obligations for the last month and denied time in my mancave.  I've been away from the mancave because I've had the opportunity to spend some quality time with friends nearly every weekend lately.  What can I say?  I'm a people person--kind of like Ron Swanson.  

But seriously, it's been more than a month since I've been able to do anything blog-worthy.  I've only been able to do a few short hikes on well-worn routes near home.  The one longish excursion I did go on was on pavement.  That was a 22 km powerwalk to Misasako (Lake Misasa) with the students at the high school I teach at.  I had planned on just walking it but couldn't help myself and ran about half of it.  

Running was dumb.  To my consternation, the lack of trail time recently coupled with the fact that I was running on pavement in shoes I don't usually wear left me with a big broken blister that day.  It's so disappointing.  I haven't had a blister in probably 5 years.  I like it that my feet usually are like leather and ready to go anywhere.  It's been a week since that powerwalk and my blister still hasn't quite healed.  I feel like a girly-man.

I am so glad I was able to get out this morning.  Mrs. Caveman could certainly attest to the fact that I've been cranky lately and that I've been complaining about not being able to heed the mountains' call.  Today I made my 3rd trip up Mt. Arafune.  This was my first time to climb it from the Gunma side.  Every time I drive down the road that passes this trailhead I have said to myself, "I really have to climb from there someday."  Getting up and on the road before 4 enabled me to finally climb it and be back in time for work.

. . . about Mt. Arafune

Mt. Arafune is a mesa that lies on the line between Saku City, Nagano and Shimonita, Gunma.  It's long, flat top makes it easily distinguishable for miles.  It's on several "100 Mountain" lists and the list of 200 Mountains for all of Japan.  It looks great as well as having great views.

The name, Arafune, has the word for boat in it.  It is thought that it was named because it's long flat top resembles something like a boat.  On one end of it is 艫岩 (Tomo iwa).  "Tomo" means "stern" and "iwa" means "boulder."

Area:

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

Starting and stopping point: 

Parking lot by Aizawa Trailhead

Peaks bagged: Arafune/荒船山 AKA Kyozuka/経塚山

(First-time) peaks # ---

Getting there/getting around:  

I drove.  There is parking for 3 cars.  You can't get there by public transportation.  Buses do run to Route 254, about an hour's walk from this trailhead.

Helpful Info

Weather Information: Mt. Arafune weather

Time and distance

Time estimates:       YAMAP : 5:20 Yama to Kogen estimate:　4:45

Actual:      Total Time:  3:15 Break time:  :13 Distance:  8.8 km

Elevation:  Lowest: 583 m Highest: 1,422 m Total Ascent:  955 m Total Descent: 955 m

Technical considerations/difficulty:  

This was a bit steep but there are no dangerous or particularly difficult spots.  Most of this is below the tree line.  It's steep, but not bad.  Absolutely no ropes or chains.  I seem to recall the trails from the Nagano side to be a bit spicier than this one.

Facilities:  

There is an emergency hut by the Tomoiwa with a toilet.  The toilet is out of order.  

There is a porta poddy at the Aizawa Trailhead Parking Lot.

There was no internet connection on the lower portions of the trail.  I could connect and communicate on top no problem.

Thoughts/observations/recommendations:  

It's a nice trail and the view from Tomoiwa is really worth it.

Walk quietly and have your camera out and ready to take pictures of deer when walking on the long, flat part.  Large groups of deer like to feed in that area.

Let's look at some pictures.

This was about 4:30 in the am, 25 minutes before sunrise.  It was still quite dark but the flash lit up the sign.

5ish, just after sunrise.

One of many objet d'art I saw on the way.

Looking up at Tomoiwa from the trail.  The picture doesn't pick it up but there were a few cherry trees on the side of the cliff in full bloom.

Taken at the Tomoiwa.  Looking at Mt. Asama

Mt. Tateshina is the mountain in the distance just to the right of the cliff on the left.

Deer

There are a lot in this area usually.  I saw 5 or 6 this morning--but had spooked them by stepping on a twig.  I'm sure I chased many away.

The stretch from Tomoiwa to the peak of Mt. Arafune is quite flat.

The top of the mountain sports signs with two different names--and there is actually even one more name by which this mountain is called.  The sign on the left reads "Mt. Kyozuka", the one on the right is "Mt. Arafune"  

The drawing on the right is Crayon Shin-chan, a mischievous pre-schooler character in an anime of the same name.  Sadly, the creator of Shin-chan, Yoshito Usui, met his demise on Arafune.  It is believed to be an accidental death; that he fell when looking over the edge of a cliff.  RIP.  And thank you for the laughs.

Yatsugatake from the top of Arafune

Who makes this stuff?

Astute readers of the blog might identify a new set of wheels. My excursion to climb in Kyushu basically killed my beloved Suzy the Suzuki.

Long live Holly the Honda.

Want to see Arafune in the snow?

How about viewing Arafune from a distance at sunrise?

Or maybe at sunset?

That's it for this post.

One more thing . . . have you clicked on the link to become a cave dweller?  You'll get an email whenever I post.  And I promise you, I don't do anything with your email address.

Holly the Honda could use some go-go juice to get me to more trailheads.  She'd really appreciate it if you clicked the "Buy me a Coffee" link.

Caveman out.