LAMPYA

Author: LampyaIchibeh

  • How is Obuse like? It is a beautiful and cozy town.

    Obuse is a small town in the North Nagano Area. It is approximately 30 minutes from Nagano Station by car or train. But you can see the local scenery of Nagano here. This town is popular among tourists for its art museums, seasonal fruits, and fermented food.

    Hokusai-kan is a museum collecting the works of Katsushika Hokusai. He stayed here and left many great drawings.

    Ganshoin Temple is famous for the large drawing of a phoenix on the ceiling by Hokusai.

    Chestnut is a specialty of Obuse.

    The entrance of a Sake brewery, where you can taste and buy.

    Here is the point where the Matsukawa River meets the Chikuma River, and an old road runs through from Nagano to the northeast, crossing into Niigata Prefecture. Many people have come and stayed here in the past.

    Rape blossoms in spring along the Chikuma River in Obuse Town

    The old road (route 308) runs through the center of Obuse.

    You can discover local food, history, and culture here. Why don’t you want to visit Obuse Town?

  • Naraijuku Street, a historical post-town of Nakasendo

    I visited Naraijuku in Nagano Prefecture on a hot day in mid-August. Naraijuku is an old historical post-town in Kisoji (Kiso Road) along the Nakasendo, which was one of the main highways in the Edo Era (1603-1867) and connected Kyoto and Edo (old name of Tokyo).
    Naraijuku Street is about 1km long, and old wooden houses are beside it. The Japanese Agency of Culture has specified this street as an “area of valuable traditional buildings to be reserved.”

     

  • A chartered bus to Mt. Norikuradake in Kita-Alps

    A day in the middle of Aug. this summer, we ran a chartered bus round trip from Shinanomachi in Nagano Pref. to Mt. Norikuradake in Kita-Alps.
    The customers were the residents of the second house community in Shinanomachi, where our company, LAMPYA, is based.

    Mt. Norikuradake has a height of 3026m and consists of many peaks and ponds. It is an excellent high mountain suitable for a wide range of people, families, beginners, older people, etc. Though private cars can only reach Norikura Kanko Center Bus Terminal on the way, only buses can reach Tatamiodaira Bus Terminal, Japan’s highest bus terminal, at 2702m. Many visitors leave their cars early in the morning at Norikura Kanko Bus Terminal and change to the shuttle buses. It usually takes two or three days to climb Mt. Norikuradake because accommodation is needed. We provide chartered bus services, which have a day trip possible from around Nagano city, about 140km from Norikuradake.

    Our trip started at 5:00 am in Shinanomachi and arrived directly at Tatamidaira Bus Terminal at 8:40 am. This convenient service eliminates the need for overnight accommodation, making your travel planning stress-free.

    After enjoying over five hours of trekking on Mt. Norikuradake, our customers returned to Shinanomachi at 6:30 pm, ensuring a timely and convenient end to their adventurous day.

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  • Green tea Roastery in Niigata

    Green tea Roastery in Niigata

    There are many coffee roasters, but Japanese tea roasters are rare.

    Taga Tearoastery is located in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture.　The aroma of roasted green tea wafts through the air on the street in front of the store. You can choose your own brand and have it roasted by hand to enjoy.

    Tea roastery

    　Tea RoasteryTea Roastery

     

    多賀茶焙煎所　Taga Tearoastery  https://taga-tearoastery.com/

  • Wild monkeys in Kamikochi

    Kamikochi is a beautiful mountain resort at the base of Mt. Hotaka with a limpid stream of the Azusa River in the Chubu Sangaku (Central Mountains) National Park.  These days, with beautiful fresh green leaves, many people visit there, including those from overseas.  You can enjoy Kamikochi by walking and trekking if you take a one-day trip.

    Several groups of wild monkeys live here. They often come around the paths along the Azusa River, making the observers enjoy themselves.  Lovely baby monkeys were born in Spring and are now clinging to their mothers.

    Private cars are prohibited; only buses and taxis can enter.
    For your convenience, Lampya offers direct private transportation from your accommodation in Matsumoto, Nagano, and other locations to Kamikochi.  This service ensures a hassle-free journey, allowing you to focus on the beauty of your surroundings

  • Cedar Tree Path to Togakushi Okusha

    Togakushi is located north of Nagano City and takes about an hour by bus from Nagano Station.

    The approach to the shrine is approximately two kilometers long, having a red gate with thatched roof named Zuishinmon　（随神門） in the middle of the path. This is followed by giant cedar trees over 400 years old along the road on both sides, which are a part of a forest reserve designated as a natural monument.

    Okusha Shrine is popular not only in summer but also in winter,  many people visit there between skiing trips.　However, if you visit in winter, we recommend you bring warm shoes instead of sneakers.

     

     

     

     

    There are four other attractive shrines in Togakushi, and some people make it a goal to visit all of them, known as the “Five Shrine Tour.”　（五社巡り　Gosya Meguri）

    　

  • Nakasendo walking

    On sunny day of May, I walked Nakasendo trail from Yabuhara-jyuku to Narai-jyuku.　I just wanted to walk along Torii Pass, which is popular with foreigners.

    The Nakasendo trail is the old mountain route that connects Tokyo and Kyoto during the Edo Period (1603-1867).

    The Torii Pass that I walked this time was one of the most challenging places for travelers now and then.　Moreover, in the past people used to cross this  mountain pass in straw sandals instead of sneakers.

    In fact, it was difficult for my body,  usually lacks exercise to cross the mountain pass.　However, all the foreigners passing us were smiling and walking lightly and  the clothes are light.

    After 2hours walking,  tourists were happily eating soba and buying souvenirs.

    At Narai-jyuku and Yabuhara-jyuku ,you can rent Hinoki-hat（Cypress hat).If you walk around wearing a Hinoki  hat, you might understand the feelings of people in the past.

    Nakasendo

    Nakasendo

     

  • Snow Spaceship?! in NAGANO

    This is not a spaceship. We have much snow this season.
    It’s located by the side of Lake NOJIRI,NAGANO.

    It’s snow mountain made by snowplow.

  • Cycling tour supported by Tabiya Ichibeh

    Cycling tour supported by Tabiya Ichibeh

    From starting point to your destination, our vehicle with cargo can run side by side. According to your condition and weather, you can enjoy cycling.

    Our vehicle has power supply , available for mobile phone charging and hair dryer, boiling hot water.

    集合場所から目的地までをカーゴ付きバスが並走する「安心安全のサイクリングサポート」を実現
    体調や天候に合わせた走りができます

    車両には電源付き、スマホの充電やドライヤーの使用、お湯を沸かすことも可能です。