Kirigamine Highland
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夏の霧ヶ峰高原で涼を求めて
Located at an elevation of 1,550 meters (5,085 ft), the Odoriba Marsh (踊場湿原), which is known locally as Ike-no-Kurumi (池のくるみ), is one of three large marshes on the plateau of the Kirigamine Highlands, about 210 km (130 mi) northwest of Tokyo. From Yokohama, it took just three hours by expressway, thanks to a 4:00 a.m. departure that avoided the worst of the traffic.
The Odoriba Marsh consists of a bog with a peat deposit more than 2.5 meters (8 ft) deep, built up over the course of some 3,000 years. Because of this fragile landscape, it is essential that visitors stay on marked trails. Venturing off-trail can not only damage the ecosystem but also put hikers in potentially dangerous situations.
The marshes of Kirigamine are home to rare sub-alpine plants, including hygrophytes and three species of protected flowers. Until the 1950s, the surrounding grasslands were used for hay fields, leaving the habitat vulnerable to chemical fertilizers and mechanized farming. Fortunately, the highlands were designated as a quasi-national park in 1964, and the three marshes were later recognized as natural monuments.
Today, the plateau is a popular tourist destination with accessible hiking trails and sweeping views. On a clear day, visitors can see not only the rolling grasslands and moors but also Mt. Fuji and the surrounding Japanese Alps.
Since 2008, conservation concerns have grown due to woodland expansion and deer feeding on rare flowers. In response, the local community has stepped up efforts to protect the marshes. Fences now line certain trails to prevent accidental trampling of fragile plants, and deer tracking with transmitters helps determine where tall, discreetly placed fences can be installed to protect the ecosystem from deer and preserve natural views for visitors.
For me and my border collie, though, the appeal of the Kirigamine Highland was much simpler: escaping the sweltering heat and humidity of Yokohama. After weeks of slogging through sticky commutes, the cool breezes and lower humidity of the highlands felt like a refreshing breath of summer freedom!
Location: Kirigamine Highland, Nagano, Japan
Timestamp: 2025-07-30・07:04
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
45 mm ISO 100 for 1/400 sec. at ƒ/9
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Location: Kirigamine Highland, Nagano, Japan
Timestamp: 2025-07-30・07:03
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
53 mm ISO 100 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5
