Situated in almost the center of Shinshu (Nagano Prefecture), Kirigamine to the north of Lake Suwa is a gently undulating highland. Its area constitutes a part of the Yatsugatake-Chushin Quasi-National Park. The point of its highest elevation is Mt. Kurumayama at an altitude of 1,925 meters. The expansive Kirigamine is one of the largest-scale semi-natural grasslands in the main island of Japan, Honshu, and contains three wetlands which are nationally designated as Natural Monuments. On fine days, from here you can command a sweeping view of the surrounding mountains: from Mt. Asama, Utsukushigahara Plateau, the Hida Mountain Range (Northern Japan Alps), Mt. Ontake and the Kiso Mountain Range (Central Japan Alps) and the Akaishi Mountain Range (Southern Japan Alps) through to Mt. Fuji and the Yatsugatake mountains.  

Deer-barrier fences to protect wild plants

▪ To protect wild plants from recently increased damage by deer, approx. 6000-volt electric fences are set up from spring to autumn.
▪ Flower density within the fences is 100 times higher than elsewhere, attracting a variety of butterflies and bees.

Andosol

▪ Along the hollow path, you can observe the grassland soil on the sides of the path. The black soil under the grassland is “andosol.”

“Juso” (natural groves)

▪ “Juso”(natural groves) contains many rocks and a spring. It remained intact from grassland open burning. It is comfortably cool inside and the rocks are covered with moss, retaining an unspoiled primeval atmosphere.