Kosuge Mountain・Giant Ginkgo Tree

Kosuge Mountain
The Kosuge district is known for its historic waterway made of stone walls. A rich natural forest with paths of stepping stones is lined with tall age old ginkgo trees. This forest called "the Forest of God" provides visitors with a pleasure of morning and afternoon strolls being engulfed by beautiful nature.

Giant Ginkgo Tree
The ginkgo tree in the picture above with a height of 36 meters and its trunk circumference of 14.7 meters is said to be over 1500 years old. People come to see this tree in the fall when its leaves turn gorgeous green and golden. There is a custom that if a mother prays to this ginkgo tree for milk for her baby, her wish is granted overnight, because the roots of the tree hang like women's breasts. This tree is designated as a Natural Treasure of Nagano Prefecture.

	Hashiramatsu Festival On the left is a scene of the "Gion Festival" held once three years. The picture on the right shows men competing of their muscle power and skill by climbing the ceremonially decorated tree.
	Hokuryu Lake The Hokuryu Lake is one of the "100 Outstanding Nature Spots” registered by Nagano Prefecture. Its form of a heart draws as a mysterious worshipping place a number of young couples who wish for happy marriages. The lake is also famous for its cherry blossoms and rape-flowers. You can enjoy fishing and boating as well in the spring and the summer.

Not Far from IIYAMA

Mayumi Takahashi Museum of Doll Art
Mayumi Takahashi Museum of Doll Art Exhibited are cutouts of nostalgic scenes of homes, towns, and villages-works of art by a well-known doll artist Mayumi Takahashi.

	Kenrokuen Garden of Kanazawa Kenrokuen Garden, one of the "Three Great Gardens of Japan" and also a National Cultural Heritage, is in the ancient city of Kanazawa, which is about 80-minute train ride from liyama by the Shinkansen. The garden was developed and completed by the Maeda clan, one of the feudal lords in the 17th century.
	Jigoku Tani Wild Monkey Park Often introduced and quoted in the travel journals of the world, the park has a natural hot spring where monkeys are found bathing, especially when the spot is covered with snow.
	Nozawa Onsen Town Nozawa Onsen Town Thirty different hot springs scattered all over the town are the common properties of the town residents. They are maintained and kept clean, and with minimal fees tourists can experience varieties of natural hot springs.
	Daiza Hoshi Pond A legend handed down for generations is told that a Buddhist priest Daiza Hoshi used to sit down here for meditation, and, as time went by, a large pond was formed by his sid
	Kijimadaira Village The village is endowed with natural hot spring water that flows from the surrounding mountains. While bathing in one of its outdoor hot springs, you can see the majestic views of the North Alps.
	Myoko-Kogen This area is located at Joshin-etsu Highland National Park, and its name is known to and treasured by all mountain lovers because of the great scenery that spreads at the foot of Mt. Myoko.