往復2時間でこの絶景！【佐久平PA直結】お手軽登山｜平尾富士1155mから浅間山ドーン！

Continue reading here A breathtaking view in just 3 hours round trip: Mt. Kirifushi (1,305m), one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Shinshu | An easy hike for a couple in their 60s    • 往復3時間なのに絶景【信州百名山】霧訪山1,305m｜60代夫婦旅お手軽登山   To Mt. Hirao Fuji, one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Shinshu, accessible from Sakudaira PA! A challenging hike along the trail of perseverance and a spectacular view of the Northern Alps On April 21, 2026, we hiked Mt. Hirao Fuji in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. Mt. Hirao Fuji is another name for Mt. Hirao, and is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Shinshu. Hirao Fuji Asama Shrine 2698 Kamihirao, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture 385-0002 On this day, we first visited Pinkoro Jizo in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. https://niyodogawa.org/blog/outdoor/s... From there, we drove towards Mount Asama. The scenery along the way was magnificent, and the sheer size of Mount Asama was clearly evident. It was a landscape reminiscent of Hokkaido. https://niyodogawa.org/blog/outdoor/w... Departure from the Parada Lift Station We bought lunch at Lawson and drove along the Joshinetsu Expressway. We went up a slope near the Sakudaira PA and arrived at the parking area near the Parada lift station. There was space for about 10 cars. It's a convenient location at the highway oasis, accessible from the Sakudaira PA via escalator to the ski resort, and also features a hot spring bath. In the distance, we could see the snow-capped Yatsugatake Mountains. https://niyodogawa.org/blog/outdoor/c... The Path of Patience is a Steep Climb as its Name Expects Check the route using the signpost. There's also a sign warning of bear sightings, so caution is necessary. Although it's labeled as a walking trail, it's actually quite a challenging path. The path is called the "Path of Patience." It truly is a steep slope requiring only patience. The path is wide, but the incline is steep. I climbed 150m in 23 minutes and recharged my energy on a bench. I continued along the narrow ridge and rested at a gazebo. After passing the fork to Ryujin Pond, the summit was only 15 minutes away. The final stretch was a staircase hell. Arriving at the Summit of Hirao Fuji After climbing the staircase hell, I arrived at the summit of Hirao Fuji. The elevation is 1,155.5m. Cherry blossoms were blooming at the summit. The Northern Alps stretched out before me, covered in snow. From Mt. Hakuba to Mt. Yarigatake, Mt. Hotaka, and even the Daikiretto ridge are visible. Mt. Tateshina and Mt. Akadake were also covered in snow. https://niyodogawa.org/blog/outdoor/c... A sign reads "Konohanasakuya-hime Forest," and Mt. Asama is clearly visible in front. To the left, Mt. Kurofu, which I climbed previously, is also visible. https://niyodogawa.org/blog/outdoor/c... A mountain resembling Mt. Haruna was also visible. https://niyodogawa.org/blog/outdoor/c... Summit Lunch with a Magnificent View We had lunch at the summit. I had rice balls and negitoro sushi rolls bought at Lawson, and my grandmother had a fruit sandwich from Hattendo. "With this view, even a convenience store bento box feels like a feast." The Northern Alps were truly like a wall. Even a short climb is incredibly satisfying with this view. Descending from the Path of Nostalgia to Ryujin Pond The descent followed the same path partway, then continued onto the Path of Nostalgia. Mount Asama was clearly visible, and the cluster of greenhouses was also impressive. We passed the top of the ski lift. Walking to Ryujin Pond, we found a gazebo and a parking lot. Having seen skunk cabbage at Utsukushimori the day before, I had some expectations, but this pond had a quiet atmosphere. https://niyodogawa.org/blog/outdoor/c... We walked along the waterside path and joined the Path of Patience. Carefully descending the steep slope, we safely returned to the parking lot. Walking Data | Item | Record | | --- | --- | | Time Required | 1 hour 56 minutes | | Distance | 4.11 km | | Cumulative Elevation Gain | 435 m | | Summit Elevation | 1,155.5 m | | --- | --- | The climb was more challenging than the 4.11 km distance suggested. The steep ascent was tough, but the spectacular view from the summit made it well worth it. After Descent, To Tateshina Onsen Gongen-no-Yu After descending, I drove through the shopping district of Saku, along National Route 142, and headed to Tateshina Onsen Gongen-no-Yu. Tateshina Onsen Gongen-no-Yu 363-2 Yamabe, Tateshina-machi, Kita-Saku-gun, Nagano Prefecture 384-2307 0267-56-0606 The bathing fee was 500 yen. After my bath, I had soft-serve ice cream. "Grandma would have preferred a smoothie." It was a truly memorable day of travel. Summary Hirao Fuji is a convenient mountain easily accessible from Sakudaira PA, but the "Path of Patience" is, as its name suggests, a steep climb...