Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I toured from central Tokyo to Oze National Park on a Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. Oze is a scenic spot that represents Japan, and many people visit from spring to autumn. As one of them, I have enjoyed the beautiful nature of Oze to the fullest. In this article, I would like to introduce what kind of place Oze is, the route to Oze, the highlights of Oze, and motorcycle parking lots in Oze.
What is Oze?
Oze is a basin-shaped plateau in the highlands that straddles the three prefectures of Fukushima, Niigata, and Gunma, and is designated as Oze National Park. Its area is 37,222ha, and it is a spot rich in nature that represents Japan. Oze has many attractions, but Ozegahara, which is 1,400m above sea level, and Ozenuma, which is 1,660m above sea level, are popular and easy to access even for beginners. Ozegahara is a wetland that is thought to have been formed about 10,000 years ago, and is said to be the largest mountainous wetland in Japan. Ozenuma is a volcanic dammed lake with a maximum depth of 9m and a circumference of approximately 9km. Boardwalks are built through these wetlands and marshes, allowing you to enjoy a variety of scenery throughout the seasons. Additionally, Oze, surrounded by Mt. Shibutsu and Mt. Hibigatake, is ideal for mountain climbing and trekking.
Route to Oze
I entered the Kanetsu Expressway from central Tokyo via the Shuto Expressway Inner Loop Line and Shuto Expressway No. 5 Ikebukuro Line. After driving about 125km on the Kanetsu Expressway, I got off at Numata IC and entered National Route 120. After driving about 25.5km on National Route 120, I turned left at the Kamata intersection and entered Okutone Yukemuri Kaido (National Route 401). We drove about 10.5km on National Route 401 and arrived at Tokura, Katashina Village. Since it is not possible to proceed by private car from here, we transferred to a shared bus from Togura bus stop and headed towards Numayama Pass. It took about an hour to walk from Numayama Pass to Ozegahara.
Highlights of Oze
At Ozegahara, you can see a variety of flowers and plants throughout the seasons, such as skunk cabbage in late May, daylilies in mid-July, and autumn leaves in October. Although I visited in late August, daylilies were still blooming and the scenery looked like a yellow carpet. The daylily is a flower that can be said to be the symbol of Oze, and is also a specialty product of Oze. In the center of Ozegahara is a mountain hut and visitor center called Yamahana Goya. Here you can receive the latest information about Oze and nature commentary. There is also a restaurant and a shop where you can enjoy souvenirs and gourmet food. I ate a local specialty called Douhua vanilla soft serve ice cream at Yamahana Hut. Douhua is a specialty of Katashina Village, and is characterized by its sweet and fluffy texture.
At Lake Ozenuma, you can see aquatic plants such as iris iris and skunk cabbage blooming along the lakeside. Also, the appearance of Mt. Hiushigatake reflected in the swamp is famous and is called “upside down”. I chose the route that goes around Ozenuma, but it was a long course that took half a day. There are few places to rest along the way, so you need to be sure to stay hydrated and take precautions against sunburn. However, I was able to see some beautiful scenery that made all my hard work worth it. The reflection of the blue sky, clouds, and mountains in the swamp was spectacular.
During the day, it is crowded with tourists, so the walking path may be filled with lines.
I think the key to enjoying Oze is to get there early.
Oze motorcycle parking lot
It is not possible to drive a private car inside Oze National Park. Also, there are limited places to park your bike. I used the Ozenuma Oike parking lot. You can park your bike and car here for free. This parking lot gets crowded during the high season, so it’s a good idea to plan to arrive early.
A shuttle bus departs from this parking lot, so you may want to use it depending on your destination, such as Ozenumayama Pass or Oze Oike.
summary
This time, I toured from central Tokyo to Oze National Park on a Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. Oze is one of Japan’s most famous scenic spots, where you can experience various natural attractions as the seasons change. You can also enjoy local specialties and gourmet food. However, as you cannot drive your own car inside Oze National Park, please park your bike in the parking lot or manage your luggage before enjoying your walk.
