The Formation and Landscape of Kirigamine
Volcanic activity in the Kirigamine area began approximately 1.4 million years ago. The gently rolling landscape seen today is thought to have formed around 300,000 years ago.
The highest peak is Mount Kurumayama, which rises to 1,925 meters above sea level. A weather radar observation station stands at the summit. From here, visitors can enjoy a magnificent 360-degree panorama, with views extending to the Yatsugatake Mountains, Utsukushigahara, and the Southern Alps on clear days.
Mist occurs frequently throughout the year. In 1963, mist was recorded on 293 days, illustrating the unusual climate of this highland. These climatic conditions have helped create the wetlands and alpine plant communities that characterize Kirigamine.
A Vast Highland within a Quasi-National Park
The Kirigamine plateau covers approximately 3,000 hectares, centered on Mount Kurumayama and extending toward areas including Lake Shirakaba, Koshikiyu, and Wada Pass.
It is one of the most popular areas within the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. Across the seasons, colorful wildflowers and expansive grasslands create an ever-changing landscape that attracts visitors seeking both outdoor recreation and peaceful encounters with nature.
A Highland Rich in Wetlands
Yashimagahara, Odoriba, and Kurumayama Wetlands
Kirigamine is home to Yashimagahara Wetland, one of Japan’s representative high-altitude wetlands. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,630 meters, its peat layer, consisting largely of sphagnum moss, has been developing for around 10,000 years.
Small ponds including Yashimagano-ike and Onigashinsui are scattered throughout the wetland. Well-maintained boardwalks allow visitors to walk through the area while observing the changing scenery and vegetation throughout the year.
Other important wetlands include Odoriba Wetland and Kurumayama Wetland. The plant communities of these three wetlands were designated as a Natural Monument of Japan in 1939, and in 1960 they were collectively designated as the “Kirigamine Wetland Plant Communities.” They are protected as important habitats for a wide variety of plants and animals.
Seasonal Flowers Across the Highlands
Kirigamine becomes a spectacular flower garden as spring and summer arrive. Kobaikeisō, or false hellebore, typically comes into bloom in late May, followed by renge azalea around mid-June. In mid-July, the highlands are transformed by the vivid yellow flowers of Nikkōkisuge, or daylilies.
The area around Kurumayama-kata is particularly famous for its vast fields of yellow Nikkōkisuge. A walking trail known as the “Nikkōkisuge Road” allows visitors to enjoy the flowers up close.
In summer, the combination of colorful flowers, fresh green grasslands, clear mountain air, and expansive skies creates a landscape that looks almost like a painting.
Nature and Wildlife of Kirigamine
The natural environment of Kirigamine can broadly be divided into grasslands, wetlands, and wooded areas.
The grasslands are largely secondary grasslands shaped by centuries of human activity. They were traditionally used as areas for harvesting grasses, and the regular cutting of tall grasses such as kaya has helped maintain the expansive open landscape.
Wooded areas are scattered across the highland, where diverse plants grow among the rocky terrain. These areas also provide habitats for wildlife. Approximately 40 species of mammals and 39 species of birds have been recorded in the region.
In recent years, however, feeding damage caused by Japanese sika deer has become an issue. Conservation efforts are being undertaken to protect the area’s distinctive plant communities and wider ecosystem.
History and Culture of Kirigamine
The Kirigamine area has been closely connected with human life since prehistoric times. It is known as a source of obsidian, a volcanic glass that was highly valued for making tools, and numerous archaeological sites from the Paleolithic and Jomon periods have been discovered in the surrounding region.
During the medieval period, the Misayama Festival was held at Misayama, where samurai gathered to demonstrate their skills in archery and hunting. At the remains of Former Misayama Site, traces of the ritual altar associated with the festival can still be seen.
From the Meiji period onward, Kirigamine became increasingly known as a destination famous for its flowers and natural beauty. The highlands attracted numerous writers and poets.
One of the most famous literary figures associated with the area was Akahiko Shimaki, a tanka poet from Suwa. His poem describing the scene after reaching the top of Kirigamine evokes an expansive grassland filled with flowers, helping introduce the beauty of this landscape to a wider audience.
The Birthplace of Gliding in Japan
Kirigamine is also known as the birthplace of gliding in Japan. Glider flights began here during the Taisho period, and the activity resumed after World War II in 1952.
Today, especially on holidays, gliders can still be seen soaring above the highlands. Near the runway, the Glider Experience Museum introduces the history of gliding in Kirigamine and displays aircraft associated with the sport.
Outdoor Activities Throughout the Seasons
Kirigamine offers outdoor activities throughout the year. In winter, the Kurumayama Kogen Ski Resort and Family Slope Kirigamine Ski Resort attract visitors for skiing and other snow activities.
During the warmer months, the highlands are ideal for trekking, hiking, and cycling. Driving along the scenic Venus Line is another popular way to experience the region, offering refreshing mountain air and sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.
Access to Kirigamine
Kirigamine can be reached in approximately 30 minutes by bus from JR Kamisuwa Station. By car, the area is approximately 30 minutes from the Suwa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway.
Its location also makes it convenient for exploring nearby destinations such as Lake Shirakaba and Utsukushigahara. Kirigamine can therefore be incorporated into a wider sightseeing route through the highlands of Shinshu.
Protecting the Natural Landscape
While Kirigamine attracts increasing numbers of visitors, this popularity also creates environmental challenges. Traffic congestion caused by tour groups and private cars, as well as the spread of non-native plant species, has become a concern.
Local authorities and communities are working to balance tourism with the protection of the highland environment, seeking ways to allow visitors to enjoy Kirigamine while preserving its unique natural character.
Wildfires associated with controlled grassland burning have also occurred in the past. Large-scale fires and the spread of flames were recorded in 2013 and 2023. These incidents have led to continued efforts to review disaster-prevention measures and promote the restoration and conservation of the natural environment.
A Highland Where Nature and Human Culture Meet
Kirigamine is a distinctive symbol of Shinshu, where remarkable natural scenery, a long human history, and local culture come together.
Flowers bloom across the wetlands and grasslands, mountain winds sweep across the open plateau, and distant peaks appear and disappear behind drifting mist. Each season reveals a different side of the landscape, from the vibrant colors of summer to the quiet atmosphere of winter.
With its ancient wetlands, prehistoric archaeological heritage, traditional cultural history, gliding tradition, and wide range of outdoor activities, Kirigamine offers much more than spectacular scenery. It is a place where visitors can experience a landscape shaped by both nature and generations of human interaction with the highlands.
Whether walking among the summer flowers, exploring the wetlands, enjoying panoramic mountain views, or simply watching the mist move across the plateau, a visit to Kirigamine offers an opportunity to encounter one of Japan’s enduring highland landscapes.