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Mount Miyogi
Gunma is the land of mountains and Mount Miyogi is one of the most beautiful mountains in Japan. It’s actually composed of several jagged peaks and unusual rock formations running along its spine. I got my first look at it coming down into Yokokawa from Usui Pass in Karuizawa and was quite impressed. I returned on a perfect November day to see it dressed in its autumn colors. .
I began riding from Matsuida Station which is about a 20-minute ride from Takasaki on the JR Shinetsu Line. I took Hwy 51 from Matsuida Station and turned left on Hwy 213 which becomes 196 near Miyogi Shrine. This is the road that runs all along Mt. Miyogi and allows you to climb right up onto its side. The road loops back around Miyogi Fureai Plaza which has a splendid view of the mountain.
The road winds around for about 10 km as it ascends the side of the mountain. There was a turnoff and parking lot near the highest point of the road. As I pulled off there to think about where to go next, I met a couple of people who were on their way to hike up the mountain. They convinced me to go hiking also after they told me of the glowing reviews they had seen on the Internet. This turned out to be a great blessing as this hike goes down as one of the best I’ve ever done.
I was wearing mountain bike shoes which, for the most part, did well on the hike. It is a rugged hike though. Mt. Miyogi is notorious for being a dangerous place to hike and several people have died there over the years. There are several steep rock faces with small indentations for footholds. They have done a good job of bolting chains to the rocks in the most dangerous places. I was impressed with how adventurous this hike was. At times it is more climbing than hiking.
The trail leads you up to a famous rock called Canon Rock. It is a tall column of rock that overlooks the side of the mountain. To get on top you need to climb up the chains and foot holds on the side of it. I mentioned earlier that my mountain bike shoes were adequate but they weren’t the best on those steep rocks. My cleats really took a beating.
I got to the top and found myself sharing it with a couple of young hikers. I was awed by the view and immediately took a 360 video. Only after that did I realize that there was a steep drop off on all sides of the rock. The realization gave me a slight adrenaline rush. I stayed up for some time soaking in the view and then headed back down.
I took several photos that I feature in the gallery below. Please check them out and I encourage you to check out Mt. Miyogi and consider both biking and hiking it. (please be careful if you do)
Mount Miyogi Gallery
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