Story #
At the end of July 2025, I went on a short summer getaway, visiting Kiyosato Terrace in Yamanashi Prefecture, Yashimagahara Wetland and Utsukushigahara Highlands in Nagano Prefecture.
Kiyosato Terrace #
My first stop was Sun Meadows Kiyosato – Kiyosato Terrace in Yamanashi Prefecture.
- Sun Meadows Kiyosato – Kiyosato Terrace: https://www.sunmeadows.co.jp/green/parkguide/kiyosato_teracce/
Sun Meadows Kiyosato is an outdoor resort located near the Yamanashi–Nagano border.
In winter, it operates as a ski resort, but in summer, part of the area is open as a cool summer retreat.
The Panorama Area, reached by lift, sits at 1,900 meters above sea level, offering refreshing weather even in midsummer.
I parked in the resort lot, walked to the Center House, and bought a round-trip lift ticket for 2,800 yen per adult.
Passing through the Center House, I stepped out onto ski slopes now covered in lush summer greenery.
To reach the Panorama Area at the top, I took the Panorama Lift.
The lift stopped twice on the way, but only briefly, as it seemed to pause for wheelchair users or pets getting on and off. After about ten minutes, I arrived at the Panorama Area.
The view from the top was as spectacular as promised – clouds floating at eye level created a truly memorable scene.
The Panorama Area features large sofas where visitors can lounge freely, and a cafe next to it where I enjoyed some gelato.
From the cafe area, a staircase leads up to an observation deck at an even higher elevation. On a clear day, Mt. Fuji can be seen from there. Unfortunately, I couldn’t spot Fuji that day, but the view still stretched far into the distance.
For the return trip, I took the same lift back down.
Back at the Center House, it was lunchtime, so I had curry rice at the restaurant there. Even at midday in summer, the temperature was just 23°C with a refreshing highland breeze. The curry rice, eaten on the terrace, tasted especially good in the cool air.
When I was exploring, the skies over Kiyosato Terrace were sunny, though I could hear thunder in the distance. Since mountain weather can change quickly, it’s worth being prepared for sudden shifts.
Yashimagahara Wetland #
Next, I drove local roads from Kiyosato to Yashimagahara Wetland.
Yashimagahara Weland, located in Nagano Prefecture at about 1,600 meters elevation, is a well-known spot for nature observation and hiking.
I parked at the visitor center next to the wetland and headed toward the entrance.
A full loop around the wetland takes about 90 minutes, but a sudden sun shower caught me, so this time I only viewed the wetland from the entrance before turning back.
Roadside Station: Utsukushigahara Kogen #
Leaving Yashimagahara, I drove along the Venus Line to the Utsukushigahara Highlands.
The Utsukushigahara Highlands span parts of Matsumoto and Ueda in Nagano. The area offers pastures, walking trails, a museum, and a roadside station.
I had planned to walk one of the trails, but since it was raining, I headed straight to the roadside station. There, I enjoyed the scenery of sunlight and rain mixing over the landscape.
All the places I visited on this trip were at elevations of 1,500–2,000 meters, keeping them pleasantly cool even in midsummer. Unfortunately, the rain meant I couldn’t explore the boardwalks at Yashimagahara or visit the Utsukushi-no-tou Tower and the art museum in Utsukushigahara. I hope to return another time to enjoy them.
Gallery #
License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
You can view the Google Photos album here.
iPhone 12 mini #
α6500 #
You can download the RAW images here.
Map #
Kiyosato Terrace #
Yashimagahara Wetland #
Roadside Station Utsukushigahara Kogen #
Sites #
Change History #
- 2025/09/19: First version.