Hakuba (Nagano) - 2006

Nagano Prefecture is located in north central part of Honshu island. It became famous when winter olympics were held in 1998. The games took place in surrounding mountains of Hakuba and Karuizawa. And in mountains of neighbouring  prefecture Yamanouuchi. As I heard from people a special track of rapid train Shinkansen was laid down from Tokyo to Nagano city to make it convenient for international sports people to reach there.

A chance invitation by a Doctor who had attended my husband’s teaching at Maizuru hospital arranged for a visit for my husband to teach at a small town called Saku Deira in Nagano. It was a very convenient journey as this town was located on Shinkansen route built for winter Olympics held in Northern Alps in Nagano Prefecture.

We went to this hospital several times. It is considered the Dairy town of central Japan. Saku is conveniently located on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, making it easily accessible from Tokyo (about 1 hour by train). Saku is known for its dairy products. The city has a strong agricultural background, and dairy farming is one of its key industries. The region's clean air, abundant natural water, and cool climate make it ideal for high-quality milk production.

At that time  we had an opportunity to explore surrounding interesting places.

On our first visit we had planned to take a short holiday at one of the skiikng centre resorts at a town named Hakuba used during winter olympics. For this trip, a kind Japanese gentleman who spoke English accompanied us to Nagano city to see a famous Buddhist temple, Zenko-ji Temple.

After that he dropped us at the bus stop and from then on we were on our own  in an unknown land. This area is still quite rural and has maintained its scenic beauty. No one on bus spoke English nor did we speak much of  Japanese language. 

Geographically I knew very little about this place except that it was in mountains. We had booked to stay in a small inn. We needed a room with attached toilet for 3 nights. The Inn keeper had promised to come to bus stop to pick us up as we had no vehicle.

As we approached nearer to the place, we realised that there were 3 different stops in Hakuba region. We were at a loss and worried about our adventure.

Ultimately we decided to get off at the bus stop near rail station. Lo and behold, our kind Inn keeper arrived after some time and we were relieved. It was a small family run outfit which was to our advantage. They were very kind to cook for us a vegetarian meals. For our outings, the inn keeper was our guide and driver who took us to near by places. The Inn keeper was a very helpful person.

Next day he took us to a wooded path for a walk a visit to “Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden“ which  is located on Togakushi Highland. There are many trees, walking tracks and greenery around, for people of all ages. This area is known to be frequented by bears. And everyone is supposed to go with a wooden stick with bells attached to it. We were afraid and did not go much deeper into forest. He was coming back to pick us up when we are finished. He made arrange for us to seat at a restaurant when we are finished. And he gave  his phone number with the person at the counter. It was a lovely restaurant and we sat there seeping a cup of coffee until he came to pick us up. Such kindness you rarely come across, perhaps only in Japan.

Hakuba - Happo was our main destination.

Happo Village is one of the prominent areas within the Hakuba region.  Happo Village is a key hub within this picturesque mountainous area. While Happo Village is primarily known for winter sports, it also attracts visitors during the summer months. The ski slopes transform into lush green landscapes, offering opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. The gondolas often operate during the summer to provide access to higher elevations for hiking enthusiasts. Happo Village serves as a central location within the Hakuba region, making it a convenient base for exploring other nearby villages and ski resorts. Transportation options, including buses and taxis, make it easy for visitors to navigate the Hakuba Valley. Happo Village's combination of winter sports, scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences makes it a popular destination for those seeking both adventure and relaxation in the Japanese Alps.

When we reached the top we saw very few people but soon people from Tokyo started coming with families in fancy cars for Hang gliding because it was summer. All we did was enjoy the pristine surroundings and watched others flying in the sky. It was exciting to see so many gliders in the sky. On our way back we had lunch in a nice restaurant by the road side. They even offered Mexican and Italian food. 

When we returned we had noticed a small museum near our Inn. We requested him to drop us there. It had small exhibit of Van Gogh’s paintings that one can watch on a screen. It was so peaceful and beautifully done. We found that such small art museums are often set up at tourist destinations.