Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I would like to introduce Lake Nozori in Gunma Prefecture, which I toured by motorcycle from central Tokyo. Lake Nozori is a beautiful lake that has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Lakes, and is located on a plateau at an altitude of 1,200 meters. At Lake Nozori, you can enjoy nature in all four seasons. This time, we will tell you what kind of place Lake Nozori is, the route to Lake Nozori, the highlights of Lake Nozori, and the motorcycle parking lot at Lake Nozori. So let’s take a look.
Lake Nozori is an artificial lake located in Nakanojo Town, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture. It was created by Nozori Dam, which was completed in 1928, and is used for hydroelectric power generation and agricultural water supply. Lake Nozori is a circular lake with a circumference of approximately 4 kilometers and a maximum depth of approximately 40 meters. Lake Nozori has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Lakes and is designated as a national scenic spot and natural monument. Lake Nozori is located on a plateau at an altitude of 1,200 meters, and is surrounded by mountains such as Mt. Asama and Shiga Kogen. At Lake Nozori, flowers such as cherry blossoms and azaleas are in full bloom in the spring, cool and refreshing breezes blow in the summer, beautiful autumn leaves change color in the fall, and snowy landscapes spread out in the winter. Lake Nozori, where you can enjoy nature in all four seasons, is the perfect spot for motorcycle touring.
Route to Lake Nozori
This time, I toured from central Tokyo to Lake Nozori on my favorite Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. The distance from central Tokyo to Lake Nozori is approximately 250 kilometers. The journey takes approximately 5 hours, including traffic and breaks. I will briefly explain the route I took.
First, take the Shuto Expressway No. 6 Mukojima Line from central Tokyo. From the Shuto Expressway No. 6 Mukojima Line, enter the Shuto Expressway Inner Loop Line and transfer to the Shuto Expressway No. 5 Ikebukuro Line at Takebashi JCT. Go north on Shuto Expressway No. 5 Ikebukuro Line and get off at the Takashimadaira exit.
From there, head north on National Route 17 and enter the Tokyo Gaikan Expressway from the Wako Kita IC. Transfer from the Tokyo Gaikan Expressway to the Kanetsu Expressway and head toward Niigata. After driving about 100 kilometers on the Kanetsu Expressway, I got off at Shibukawa Ikaho IC.
From there, enter Prefectural Route 35 via National Route 17 and National Route 291. From Prefectural Route 35, enter Prefectural Route 58, via National Route 145, and then onto Prefectural Route 375.
From Prefectural Route 375, enter Prefectural Route 376, then via National Route 292, enter National Route 405. After driving about 13 kilometers on National Route 405, we arrived at Lake Nozori.
This route has a good balance of highways and local roads, and I think it’s easy to travel. On the highway, you can drive fast and comfortably. On regular roads, you ride through mountainous and plateau areas, so there are many curves, hills, and other changes, so you can enjoy the maneuverability of riding a motorcycle. There are also service areas and parking areas along the way where you can take a break and eat.
When we arrived at Lake Nozori, we first stopped at the Lake Nozori Visitor Center located on the lakeside. At the Lake Nozori Visitor Center, you can see exhibits and videos about the history and nature of Lake Nozori. Additionally, from the Lake Nozori Visitor Center, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Nozori. I was moved by the beauty of Lake Nozori that I could see from the Lake Nozori Visitor Center. Lake Nozori’s clear blue water surface was shining brightly. The sky, mountains, and forest were reflected on the surface of the lake, making it look like a mirror. Every time the wind blows, the ripples spread out, creating a magical atmosphere.
Motorcycle parking lot at Lake Nozori
There are several places at Lake Nozori where you can park your motorcycle. I used the parking lot at Nozori Lake Visitor Center. Parking at the Nozori Lake Visitor Center is available free of charge. The parking lot is spacious and can accommodate not only motorcycles but also cars and buses. From the parking lot, you can quickly go to the Nozori Lake Visitor Center and the walking course. The parking lot manager was also kind and guided me carefully to my bike.
Summary
This time, I introduced Lake Nozori in Gunma Prefecture, which I toured by motorcycle from central Tokyo. Lake Nozori is a beautiful lake that has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Lakes, where you can enjoy nature in all four seasons. It takes about 250 kilometers to reach Lake Nozori using expressways and local roads. There are also service areas and parking areas along the way where you can take a break and eat. You can sightsee around Lake Nozori using the Nozori Lake Visitor Center and walking courses.
