Shiga Kogen(Highland) is located to the northeast of Nagano City. Shiga-Kogen is of volcanic origin and consists of several peaks, ponds, marshes and beautiful forests and belongs to Joshinetu Highlands National Park.

  Shiga Kogen is the largest ski and snowboard resort area in Japan in winter. There are many hiking tracks and view points in the highland in any seasons as well.

  Thanks of easy access from Kanto district, crowds of hikers often used to be seen at weekends and holidays. They enjoy walking around ponds and looking around from the lookout points.

  I tried to climb Shiga-yama (2036m) from Kuma-no-yu on September 19.

  I parked at Kuma-no-yu and took a summer lift up to the top of Mae-yama for 5 minutes. The typical two mountains of Shiga, Yokote-yama and Kasa-ga-take, could be seen clearly from the top area. A flat, wide track for hikers stretched into forest to 48-ike marshy area.

  After 20 minute following the track, I found a junction. The main track continues to 48-ike marshy area. A left trail is the mountain trail for Shiga-yama.

  First the trail was gentle, but gradually became steep and went up among rocks and roots. After 30 minute climb, I reached a flat area seems to be the top, but it was surrounded with fir trees, so there was no view.

  Following the ridge, I headed to the next peak where there was a small open space with a triangular stone marker on the ground. From here Iwasuge-yama, highest mountain in Shiga, could be seen.

  The trail descended steeply through bamboo grass to the bottom and climbed the steep slope to the second mountain called Ura-shiga-yama(2037m).

  On my way up, there was a junction in the forest. The right trail was main trail and went down to 48-ike marshy area. The left trail stayed on the ridge and continued to the top of Ura-shiga-yama.

  A 10 minute pleasant ridge walk took me to the top where there was a small shrine. Since it was surrounded with fir trees, there was no view. But passing by the shrine, the trail abruptly got bright and came out an open place from where a great view could be seen below, especially cobalt blue Oonuma Lake was very impressive. The trail came to a dead end because of deep bushes.

  I had a lunch here, enjoying the view, turned back to the junction and descended to the 48-ike marshy area.

  The trail of the marshy area was laid with the wooden planks. When I walked on the planks, the two mountains I had climbed could be seen beyond the marsh and they are reflected in the water.