Spot in Nagano Prefecture

Sugadaira highland [菅平]

Pasture in Sugadaira
Pasture in Sugadaira

Trekking route in Sugadaira
Trekking route in Sugadaira

Sugadaira is a highland located about 15 km northeast of Ueda city and about 25 km southeast of Nagano city.

This area is a highland located at the level of 1,300 to 1,500 meters.

To the east and the north of this area, there are some mountains over 2,000 meters.
Mount Azumaya (四阿山, 2,354 m) and Mount Neko (根子岳, 2,207 m) are the main mountains.

The trekking routes to these mountains are set up.

It is cool in summer, so here has been the popular place for the training camp of rugby from old times.

Now, there are various sports facilities such as rugby, soccer, track and field, tennis and golf.
And we can enjoy various outdoor sports such as mountain biking, paragliding, orienteering, fishing and horse riding.

It is very cold in winter.
The temperature in January often becomes lower than 10 degrees C below the freezing point.

So there are some ski slopes in this area.

The scenery and climate are similar to Davos in Switzerland, so here is sometimes called "Davos in Japan".

Ski area in Sugadaira
Ski area in Sugadaira

Karasawa-no-taki in Sugadaira
Karasawa-no-taki in Sugadaira

Above facilities are dotted within about 5 to 6 km.

Of course, there are pastures, marshes and forests in this area.

As a sightseeing spot, there is Karasawa-no-taki falls (唐沢の滝) at the south edge of the area.

How to get here

By Hokuriku Shinkansen, about 1 hours 30 to 40 minutes from Tokyo to Ueda.
Then, by route bus, about 50 minutes from Ueda station.

Other Tourist Attractions in Nagano Prefecture

Northern part

Mount Asama Karuizawa Kaikoen Bessho Onsen Zenkoji temple Obuse town Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen towns Jigokudani Monkey Park Shiga highland Nozawa Onsen Lake Nojiri Mount Togakushi

Central part

Tateshina highland Kirigamine highland Lake Suwa Matsumoto Castle Azumino town Utsukushigahara

Along Northern Alps

Kamikochi Norikura highland Lake Aoki Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Hakuba village

Along Kiso Valley

Narai post station Mount Ontake Nezame-no-toko gorge Tsumago & Magome post stations

Along Ina Valley

Mount Kiso-Komagatake Takatô Castle Ruins Park Tenryukyo gorge

Return to Nagano Prefecture Return to Koshin-etsu Region