Kirigamine Highlands

A glittering, crystalline forest on Mt. Kirigamine

In the highlands of Nagano's Mt. Kirigamine, visitors can enter a crystalline wonderland of Japanese larch trees covered in hard rime ice. This ice layers over the evergreen foliage, building up a hard coating that turns the entire tree white like a painted statue. In addition to the shimmering beauty of these trees, visitors can look forward to seeing “diamond dust” ice clouds and the ethereal light pillars reflecting off the ice crystals suspended in the air. Thanks to its gentle slopes and spacious plains, this area is an excellent retreat for family-friendly ski trips. The snowshoeing, hiking and cross-country ski trails nearby also provide opportunities for high-altitude training or leisurely adventures through the local wilderness. Gear rental is available at Kurumayama Kogen Ski Resort. On top of the ice-coated woods, the Kirigamine Highlands provide views of Mt. Fuji and the Japan Alps

How to get there

Take a limited express train on the JR Chuo Line from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Kamisuwa Station, which takes about two and a half hours. Highway buses are a more budget-friendly option; a bus from Shinjuku to Kamisuwa Station takes between three and four hours.

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