Kita Karuizawa, a little away from Karuizawa, which is famous as a tourist destination, is rich in nature and is a hidden summer resort.
A common misconception is that Kita Karuizawa is part of Karuizawa.
In fact, they are adjacent to each other, but Karuizawa is in Nagano Prefecture, Kita Karuizawa is in Gunma Prefecture, and each prefecture is different.
In this article, we will talk about the charm of Kita Karuizawa, focusing on natural spots.
Chatsubomigoke Park
This is a place called “Hole Hell”. There is a kind of moss called Chatsubomigoke. Chatsubomigoke is a plant that grows in acidic water quality and is often found mainly in mines and hot springs. This Chatsubomigoke Park is famous for having the largest amount of them in the country.
As mentioned above, Chatsubomigoke is a plant found in mine sites. This park is no exception and was once mined as a place with iron ore.
When mining, a dimple was created, and Chatsubomigoke grew up there, so it was called by another name known as “Hole Hell”.
So why is the word “hell” used?
This is because the water quality of the park is so acidic that the Chatsubomigoke grows on a large scale. It is an environment where living things cannot live.
It is often said that animals fall into the holes and die. Be careful not to fall into the hole if you’re sightseeing there. Of course, there is a sidewalk and you can’t go near the hole.
Kusatsu-Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen is the most famous in Gunma Prefecture! It’s not an exaggeration to say that it is synonymous with Gunma Prefecture. It is one of the three major hot springs in Japan along with Arima Onsen and Gero Onsen.
Its spring quality is acidic, and it is said to be effective for neuralgia and joint pain, as well as for bruising, burning, burns and cuts, as well as for chronic skin diseases and coldness, as well as for arteriosclerosis and hypertension.
Here are some of the attractions of Kusatsu Onsen.
Yubatake
This is the face of Kusatsu Onsen, well known. Located in the center of the hot spring town, Yubatake, where 4000 liters of hot water springs per minute, is always covered with steam.
During the day time, you can see the Yumomi show held at Netsnoyu, and at night you can see the fantastic side of the illuminated Yubatake. It is recommended to enjoy the scenery while soaking in the footbath.
Nishino Kawara Park
This place also has a fantastic view. It is said that there was a time when the lava stones rolled and the hot springs springed out were feared as “Demon spring”.
You can enjoy two faces: a daytime where you can enjoy a hot spring pond that springs up and enjoy an open-air bath, and a night that is lit up to create a completely different space from the daytime.
You walk a little from Yubatake, but if you stop at Kusatsu Onsen, we recommend you to visit here.
Shirane Shrine
It is a shrine that enshrines Yamato Takeru no Mikoto. Located on the north side of Yubatake, this shrine has long been the center of Shiranesan faith.
The spacious precincts are full of emotions as a walking path, and the rhododendron flowers are in full bloom in the spring.
If you take a leisurely stroll through a quiet shrine, you will be healed.
Oni Oshidashi En (Demon Extrusion Garden)
Demon Extrusion Garden is where the lava flowing from the great eruption of Mt.Asama. The various rocks, large and small, create stunning scenery.
The pyroclastic flow generated by the great eruption of Mt. Asama in 1873 struck a nearby village in just 10 minutes.
And it is recorded in the record that the demon extrusion garden was completed by the last stone.
It seems that the exact origin of the name is unknown, but legend has said that there is a demon living on Mt. Asama.
The eruption of Mt. Asama resembled that of a demon angry and pushing out lava, so the theory that this name was given is said to be the most powerful.
The park has a mysterious view of countless lava, and several courses have promenades.
The magnificence of Mt. Asama, which rises over the lava, is truly a spectacular view. In spring, many flowers appearing from the gaps in the lava give you a different view than usual.
Summary
Kita-Karuizawa, which is often hidden behind Karuizawa, is full of miracles woven by nature and fascinates us with a fantastic landscape. Let’s visit this place that has a different charm from Karuizawa.
