Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Mt. Haruna in Gunma Prefecture. Mt. Haruna is a volcano that rises to the northwest of the Kanto Plain, with an altitude of 1,449 meters. Mt. Haruna has a lot to offer, including its rich natural scenery and historic shrines. This time, I would like to introduce its charm.
Mt. Haruna is a volcano that erupted about 100,000 years ago, and was formed through several subsequent eruptions. Mt. Haruna has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains and is a popular spot for mountain climbing and hiking. There is a beautiful lake called Lake Haruna halfway up Mt. Haruna. Lake Haruna is known for its deep water and high transparency, making it ideal for leisure activities such as boating and fishing. There are also facilities such as hot springs and campgrounds around Lake Haruna.
Route to Mt. Haruna
On this tour, we took the Metropolitan Expressway Inner Loop Route/C1 from central Tokyo and continued on the Metropolitan Expressway No. 5 Ikebukuro Line/Route 5 and Kanetsu Expressway/Kanetsu Expressway to National Route 17/National Route 291 in Nakamura, Shibukawa City. . After exiting the Kanetsu Expressway/Kanetsu Expressway at Shibukawa-Ikaho IC, I continued on Prefectural Route 33 to my destination in Harunako-cho, Takasaki City. The entire journey was about 200 kilometers and took about two and a half hours.
On the Shuto Expressway Central Loop Line/C1, I was able to see the cityscape of Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. The Shuto Expressway No. 5 Ikebukuro Line/Route 5 took me through downtown areas such as Ikebukuro and Oizumi. On the Kanetsu Expressway/Kanetsu Expressway, I was able to see the countryside and mountains of Saitama and Gunma prefectures. Especially after entering Gunma Prefecture, I was moved by the magnificent scenery of Mt. Akagi and Mt. Myogi.
When you enter Prefectural Route 33 from Shibukawa-Ikaho IC, the road has many curves. In this section, I was able to enjoy the handling of the bike. Also, along the way we visited famous places such as Ikaho Onsen and Mizusawa Udon. As we climbed Prefectural Route 33, Lake Haruna came into view. The surface of Lake Haruna was shining blue, and the surrounding area was surrounded by a lush green forest. I parked my bike at a parking lot near Lake Haruna and headed to my destination, Mt. Haruna.
Highlights of Mt. Haruna
Mt. Haruna is known for its beautiful natural environment, lakes, and hot springs. Below are some of the main attractions of Mt. Haruna:
Lake Haruna: A beautiful lake that spreads out at the foot of Mt. Haruna, where you can enjoy the scenery of each season. There are hiking trails and picnic areas surrounding the lake.
Haruna Fuji Shrine: This shrine is located near the peak of Mt. Haruna, and from here you can see the magnificent scenery of Gunma Prefecture.
Haruna Onsen: This is one of the most famous hot spring spots around Mt. Haruna. You can enjoy hot springs with abundant gushing water and high quality hot springs.
These spots are places where you can relax and enjoy nature. However, since Mt. Haruna is an active volcano, we recommend checking the latest information before visiting.
Haruna Shrine
Haruna Shrine is a shrine located at the foot of Mt. Haruna, and is dedicated to Mt. Haruna. Haruna Shrine has been worshiped since ancient times as a god that quells disasters such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. In addition to the main hall and worship hall, Haruna Shrine has many other shrines and pagodas. Particularly famous is the huge torii called Haruna Otorii. Haruna Otorii is 22 meters high and is said to be one of the largest torii gates in Japan. The view of Lake Haruna from Haruna Otorii is spectacular.
Haruna Fuji
Haruna Fuji is a crater lake located halfway up Mt. Haruna, and it got its name because its shape resembles Mt. Fuji. Haruna Fuji is approximately 300 meters in diameter and approximately 30 meters deep. The water surface of Haruna Fuji is calm and beautiful, and colorful flowers are blooming around it. Haruna Fuji has a promenade where you can take a stroll. There are also facilities such as an observation deck and rest house near Haruna Fuji.
Haruna Ropeway
Haruna Ropeway is a ropeway that connects Lake Haruna to the summit of Mt. Haruna. Haruna Ropeway has a total length of 1,200 meters and takes about 6 minutes. If you ride the Haruna Ropeway, you can get a panoramic view of Lake Haruna and Mt. Haruna. Especially in spring and autumn, you can enjoy seasonal scenery such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. At the end of the Haruna Ropeway, there are facilities such as an observation deck and a restaurant.
Motorcycle parking lot at Mt. Haruna
There is a motorcycle parking lot at Mt. Haruna. Specifically, there are parking lots for Mt. Haruna Skyline'' andMt. Haruna Ropeway,” where you can also park your motorcycle. However, road conditions and road closure information are subject to change, so we recommend checking the latest information before departing. If you require specific information, please contact each facility directly.
Summary
This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Mt. Haruna in Gunma Prefecture. Mt. Haruna was an attractive spot full of nature and history. At Mt. Haruna, we visited Haruna Shrine, Haruna Fuji, and the Haruna Ropeway. Along the way, we also enjoyed highways such as the Shuto Expressway and Kanetsu Expressway, as well as curved roads such as Prefectural Route 33. Mt. Haruna is a recommended place to go by bike. Please come and visit us at least once.
