During a trip to Japan next year, I’m hoping to visit Togakushi in Nagano around April 7th-8th. In particular, I’m hoping to walk from Togakushi-Jinja Hokosha -> Chusha -> Okusha -> Kagami Ike pond. Additionally, I’d also like to visit Lake Nojiri, Naena Falls, So Falls, and Tsubame Onsen via car.
I’ve gotten mixed answers from the Ministry of Environment (the contact for Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park) and an employee of a local ryokan, re: the availability of these places.
The former said:
Hokosha, Kagame Ike, Lake Nojiri, So Falls, and Tsubame Onsen would all be easily accessible, but that Okusha and Naena Falls would be inaccessible due to snowfall.
The latter said:
The walk from Hokusha to Okusha is possible but difficult because of snowfall, and Kagame Ike wouldn’t be accessible.
What are y’all’s thoughts? Does anyone have any experience with this area during this time of year? Any info would be appreciated 🙂
2 comments
I went to Togakushi in mid March, though we walked only until Chusha. I spoke to someone walking to Okusha, and he said it was doable in shoes though I saw a few hikers in snowshoes. I believe you can rent them from the soba restaurant right at the entrance to the trail. If you are going in April there might be no need for snowshoes at all.
The road leading up to naena falls is in a gully. Avalanches are a real possibility at that time. Plan accordingly and be sure to not go in over your head without the required experience.