16 Oct 2015
Hiking from 高瀬ダム Takase Dam to 湯俣温泉 Yumata Onsen
08:00 TRAIN: Matsumoto -> Shinano Omachi Station 信濃町 大町 JR Oito Line (60 mins)
09:30 TAXI: Shinano Omachi Station -> Nakakusa dam 七倉ダム-> Takase dam 高瀬ダム (Y8500)
The taxi driver was very nice and stopped multiple times along various scenic spots for us to take photos (尾入沢大橋Irisawa Bridge,北葛沢 North Takase Tunnel). While he had very limited English, he got us to fill up a form which recorded our hiking plan (i.e. what equipment /food we were carrying, our planned entry and exit route in the mountain) which he will subsequently help us to submit to the tourist information for emergency purpose.
A detour to the base of the Takase Dam (176m)
As the area had no cell phone coverage, the taxi driver drove us to the location of the only land-line phone in the area. He gave us the tourist information center number to call in case there was no taxi available when we return to the Dam the next day. EXCELLENT SERVICE
All ready at the starting point of the track
Crossing tunnels, bridges, traversing the river side and forested trail ... a part of the bridge was broken by rain 2 week ago. Luckily there was a temporary by-pass
While the estimated time to cover the route was 2-3 hours, we obviously took our time inspecting every moss along the way, searching for birds and stopping to take photos almost every 5 mins. The trail is relatively easy with almost no elevation.
Arriving at 晴嵐荘 - 湯俣温泉 (Seiranso - Yumata Onsen)
Its just across the river ...
晴嵐荘 - 湯俣温泉 (Seiranso - Yumata Onsen)
中部山岳国立公園内
Tel: +81 261-22-0165
Email: seiransouweb@gmail.com
Simple dorm rooms with a view
Unfortunately Funtokyu was not accessible as the small bridge leading to it was destroyed by rain the week before. So no chance for us to go visit the sulphur rock formation formed at various points where the onsen water naturally flows out to earth ...
Seeking out the source of the onsen
Masayuki San was the nice, hardworking young man running the lodge. The lodge cannot be reached by vehicles. He backpack fresh food and treks in, tends the lodge, cooks the dinner and all other stuff to keep the place running. Seiranso is located in an unique place on earth in the mids of the Takase Gorge and Masayuki’s cheery and warm nature definitely makes this place even more special.
In case you were wondering how ice cream, your favourite Daishinshu sake or food gets into the lodge which is in the middle of nowhere ... its all the pure hardwork of this great young man carrying them in the same way we hiked in ...
17 Oct 2015
葛温泉 Kuzu Onsen
07:30 After a leisurely breakfast and bidding farewell to our host at Seiranso, we made our way back to Takese Dam.
The morning light casting a different hue in the valley ...
While it is the same route back, either the trees are turning more red and golden by the day or the morning light gives the place a clearer golden hue.
濁沢 Nigorisawa Hiking Course
11:00 Back at Takase Dam, we had enough time to hike toward Nigorisawa 濁沢, across the suspension bridge to visit the waterfalls.
Fudosawa suspension bridge 不動沢の吊り橋
Done with trekking for the day, we took a taxi (Y6500) from Takase Dam -> 仙人閣 SenNinKaku at Kuzu Onsen. One of the oldest and “secret onsen” of Japan
仙人閣 SenNinKaku
長野県大町市平２１１８
Tel: 0261-2-3211
After a full day of walking, nothing beats a hot soak in the onsen followed by a huge dinner
Specialities of the area .. Basashi (aka horse sashimi)
18 Oct 2015
Back to Matsumoto ...
08:30 TAXI: Kuzu Onsen -> Shinano Omachi Station (Y3500)
In time to catch the 09:30 JR Oito Line from Shinano Omachi -> Matsumoto (60 mins)