REPORT

Along the Venus Line, one of Shinshu’s signature scenic highland roads, dew-covered susuki grass sparkled in the morning light (pictured). Traffic was still light around 7:30 a.m., making for a wonderfully refreshing drive. However, on the first day of the five-day Silver Week holiday, the free parking lot at Kurumayama Kata was already full before 8 a.m.
[Venus Line]

Kurumayama (1,925 meters) is one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, yet it is remarkably easy to reach. There are three main ways to the summit: a roughly 40-minute hike from Kurumayama Kata; a ride on both the Sky Liner (730 m) and Sky Panorama (869 m) lifts at Kurumayama Kogen SKYPARK RESORT; or a roughly 90-minute hike from the Sky Liner base station. A line for the lifts, which begin operating at 9 a.m., had already started forming by 8:30.
[Sky Liner]

Even the base of the ski area sits at 1,560 meters, so the breeze felt cool and refreshing from the moment I boarded the lift. As the summit drew closer, I found myself wondering what kind of view would be waiting at the top. Pets are allowed on both lifts, and I saw plenty of visitors riding with their dogs in their arms.
[Sky Panorama]

The spacious SKY TERRACE observation deck (pictured) offered plenty of room to relax and take in the scenery, even as more visitors arrived. I met a couple from Tokyo who told me, “The weather looked good, so we decided to come up for the day. The view from here is amazing! We’re really glad we came.” (Continued in Kurumayama Kogen, Pt. 2.)
[Sky Panorama Observation Deck SKY TERRACE]

　
[Kurumayama Kogen SKYPARK RESORT Opening Information]
*Period … 2026/4/18 (Sat.), 4/19 (Sun.), 4/24 (Fri.) – 11/3 (Tue.) and 11/21 (Sat.) – 11/23 (Mon.)
*Hours … 9:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m.
*Fees … Sky Liner + Sky Panorama round trip / Adults JPY2,800, Elementary school children JPY1,700, 4 – 6 y/o and Dog JPY500, One-way / Adults JPY1,700, Elementary school children JPY1,300, 4 – 6 y/o and Dog JPY500

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi