Mt. Taro-yama (1,164m), Ueda city

At first I wanted to climb Mt. Kurofu, near Asama on that day. I went to Kurumazaka-toge, but found that it was slightly snowing and that mountain tops were covered with dark clouds. So soon I gave up climbing there.

On my way back to Nagano, I thought I could climb a lower hill so decided to drop in Ueda city and climb Mt. Taro-yama.

The starting point is located very near the highway so it was very noisy. I saw some cars parked there so knew some people were climbing that mountain.

The path is well maintained so it seemed easy to climb but I was very tired because you have to go up with very steep slope almost all through the way.

After about an hour I reached a very big red Torii of Taro-yama temple. It is a symbol of a japanese temple. I prayed under the bell of the temple and found some 'emas' there and they show lots of school kids and even kindergarten kids had visited there. It was very surprising for me. *'ema' is a wooden board people write their wishes on it. And often they put them in a temple.

About ten minutes from the temple I got to the summit of Mt. Taro, 1164m. It was fine and warm on the top, which has a wide space of more than 100 square meters. I couldn't see the other tall mountains far away but enjoyed a lunch there. Surprisingly, the map of the pelorus on the summit shows you can see Mt. Fuji if views are clear.

On the way back down I dropped by the temple, where some benches are set for views for Ueda city and Mt. Asama. I enjoyed there nice views. It seems like better views in the southern direction than from the top if the weather is not so good. I thought I would come again for seeing Mt. Fuji.