[Nagano ]Receive the power of nature - Asamayama Onishidashien

What is Mt. Asama like?

Mt. Asama is believed to have begun its activities more than tens of thousands of years ago, and after its eruption in 685 A.D., it is said to have repeatedly exploded over a long period of time.


Particularly famous is that Mt. Asama began to be active around April 1783, when the earth rumbled with volcanic earthquakes and repeated explosions occurred many times.

Then, in July, large-scale eruptive activity began.

The eruption became violent in the evening of July 7, and the rumbling at night is said to have been very intense.
Even after dawn, the sky was covered with black smoke, and it was as dark as night even though it was morning.

Then, at around 10:00 a.m. on August 8, the moment light was seen on Mt. Asama, bright red flames shot up hundreds of meters, and a pyroclastic flow quickly swept down the mountainside, engulfing homes and many people.

It took only a dozen minutes.

The avalanche of earth and rocks fell into the Azuma River, engulfing houses, people, and livestock.
It is said that 477 people were killed in Kamahara village, and only 93 survivors escaped to Kamahara Kannondo.

The last outflow during this eruption was the Oni-Oshi lava flow.

What is Onishidashien?

Gunma Prefecture residents are required to "Jomo Karuta "is recited on the "A" card of "Onishidashien ".
This facility is located in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, where visitors can enjoy the art of lava at the foot of Mount Asama.

It is a rare sightseeing spot in Japan where you can witness the magnificence of natural energy.

The large amount of lava that flowed out from the Maekake crater of Mt. Asama in a short period of time spread 5.5 km from the crater, covering an area of 6.8 lm2 with an estimated volume of 1.7×108m2, and is said to consist of massive lava that reaches a thickness of over 50 m at the end.

It is said that its appearance is as if it was made by "pushing out demons ", and thus it was called "Oni Oshidashi", which is why it was named "Oni Oshidashi ".

Admission

First, upon entering the park, you will cross a bridge.
To the left is a craggy lava rock, and to the right is an expanse of buildings labeled "Onishidashien ".
This building contains a restaurant, so you can have a meal if it is lunch time!

Follow the path from the entrance to the park and you will see a vermilion gate on your left.
This gate is the beginning of all courses.
In front of the gate, there is also a historical pre-collection, where you can take pictures with your dog.

It is a very powerful and beautiful gate.
After passing through this gate, you will see a lava county formed by a major eruption.

Walking along Omotesando with lava rocks on both sides is the main road.
This course is a 510-meter walk from Somon Gate to Sengenzan Kannon-do Hall.

lava county

The gate is also impressive, but the open atmosphere and the craggy lava county are very powerful in nature.

The walking route introduces rocks that resemble something like Godzilla's Rock and Sazae-san Rock.

There are covered and shaded resting areas at key points so that visitors can rest and explore.
This place was originally established and used as a shelter!

There are also many alpine plants along the walking route, and seasonal alpine plants such as hikage azalea and yamahako can be admired from among the lava rocks.

Hikarigoke is especially recommended.
Mosses heaped on the dark areas between the lava rocks appear to glow.
It is very mysterious of nature, so please go and see it!


If you want to enjoy plants to the fullest, please choose our recommended courses: "Alpine Flora Observation Course "or "Okuno-in Approach Course ".

You can also see a 100-year-old stone-cracked pine tree.

Asama Kannon Hall

After crossing the Taiko Bridge, the Sengenzan Kannon Hall sits on the left side. "Sengenzan Kannon Hall is located on the left side. "
It was erected as a memorial to the victims of the great eruption of 1783.

Today, the temple is visited by many people as a place to repose the souls of the victims of the volcanic eruption and as the "Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) of Onioshidashi.

The view from the gazebo is spectacular since it is at a much higher elevation than the entrance to the park!

resting place

There is a resting place right next to the Kannon-do (temple of the Goddess of Mercy).
The famous yakuyaku-yoke dango, miso oden, oyaki, and amazake (sweet sake) were on sale.

Of course, you can also purchase Jyoshu's specialty, baked manjuu (buns), and Tsumagoi's natural water, so why not enjoy Gunma to the fullest?

Bell Hall

Passing through the water basin house in front of the Kannon Hall, you will see the bell tower hall.

Some tourists actually rang the bell.
Since there are no obstructions in the area, the beautiful sound of the bells seems to echo everywhere.

When we finished exploring the park, we found a souvenir shop near the exit.
At the Oni Oshidashi concession center, visitors can purchase original goods from Oni Oshidashi En, Shinshu specialties, and local products from Asama Kogen and Gunma!

There were also Gunma-chan goods and dog goods.

The Raku pottery and ceramics corner, attached to the store section, sells ceramic artifacts such as tea bowls and Asama's magical demons.

There is a free rest area between the entrance to the park and the parking lot, which also includes the Mount Asama North Foothills Geopark.
The interior of the rest area has a very retro atmosphere, and a list of geo-sites is lined up.

Ingredients

Check the official website for discount coupons!

You can also get a discount coupon at the toll booth on the Onishidashi Highway after paying the fee.
The discount rate is the same for both, so please try to enter at a discount.



"Facility Information "
Places of interest: Onioshidashien Garden
Address: 1053 Kamahara, Tsumakoi-mura, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma
Tel: 0279-86-4141
Opening hours: 8:00-17:30 (last admission 17:00)
Closed: Wednesday
Admission fee: 650yen for middle school students and above, 450yen for elementary school students
Access by car: Approx. 45 minutes from Usui Toge Karuizawa IC of Joshinetsu Expressway, Approx. 50 minutes from Komoro IC of Joshinetsu Expressway
By train: 40 minutes by bus from Karuizawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line
Parking: Available
ＵＲＬ：https://www.princehotels.co.jp/amuse/onioshidashi/

Church Street

A shopping mall located in the Old Karuizawa Ginza.
This facility is architecturally outstanding and very stylish!
In fact, it was designed by Mr. Kitayama, Tadao Ando's younger brother, and constructed by Shimizu Corporation.

The concept of the facility is to have Church Street Karuizawa become Qcalized.
Feel and experience the charm of Old Karuizawa through goods sales, food and beverage, and community activities at Church Street Karuizawa.

"Facility Information "
Name: Church Street Karuizawa
Address: 601-1 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano, 389-0103, Japan
Business hours: [Shop/Cafe] 10:00-18:00 (LO 17:30)
　　　　　[Restaurant] 11:00-15:30 (LO 15:00), 17:30-20:30 (LO 20:00)
By train: 4 minutes by bus from Nagano Shinkansen "Karuizawa Station ", 3 minutes walk from the old Karuizawa rotary
Access by car: Joetsu Expressway from "Usui Karuizawa "
Parking: Available
Tel: 0267-41-2501
URL：https://www.churchst.jp/

Suwa Shrine

Karuizawa Suwa Shrine is located in Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture.
Although it is located just a short walk from the very popular Karuizawa tourist spot "Old Light Ginza ", it is a little-known and well-known tourist spot!

Shinju-mamori (sacred tree protection) is very popular. This Suwa Shrine is a place of power gathering, filled with the spiritual and divine energy of old and large trees.

Please visit us!

"Facility Information "
Name: Suwa Shrine (Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture)
Address: 865 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
Parking: Available