Summary
This time is the installment of Mountain View Enjyo!
Visitors can explore the area by renting a bicycle-type trolley “Rail Bike Agattan,” which runs on an abandoned railway line that has found a new use as a tourist attraction due to the construction of the Yamba Dam, or by using a bicycle rental service. You can also explore the area by renting a bicycle. You can even go to the roadside station where you can enjoy food and local specialties inspired by the Yatsuba Dam.
We enjoyed a trip full of local color and full of active feeling ✨Please refer to this page.
*Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change.
Travel Itinerary
Takasaki Station（高崎駅）
This trip started from Takasaki Station.
Rent a car and leave!
Spot Outline
Takasaki Station, located at 235 Yashima-cho, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, is a station of East Japan Railway (JR East), Japan Freight Railway (JR Freight), and Jyoshin Electric Railway. The station is celebrating the 140th anniversary of its opening, and commemorative events are being held in the vicinity of Takasaki Station in grand style.
10:30am Agatsuma Gorge Area Promotion Center（吾妻峡周辺地域振興センター）
First of all, we came here to try the bicycle-type trolley (nicknamed “Agatsuma Gorge Rail Bike A-Gattan”)!
By using part of the railway line that was discontinued with the construction of the Yamba Dam, visitors can easily enjoy sightseeing around the dam ✨
This new kind of trolley trip was interesting and fresh! The scenery was great again.
Colorful and cute helmets
Spot Outline
The Agatsuma Gorge Area Promotion Center is located in Higashi-Agatsuma-cho, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture. Here, visitors can try their hand at riding a bicycle-type trolley (nicknamed “Agatsuma Gorge Rail Bike A-Gattan”). The facility utilizes part of the rail track that was decommissioned in conjunction with the construction of the Yatsuba Dam, and is attracting attention as a new tourist spot.
Bicycle-type trolley (nicknamed “Agattan,” the Agatsuma Gorge Rail Bike)
It can carry luggage in the middle and a place for children to sit!
As it runs on rails, you can feel the vibration from the joints of the rails every time you paddle, and you really feel like a train driver.
Rail Bike Agattan
The nickname “agattan” was coined by combining the word “agatsuma” and the “gattan” sound transmitted from the vibration of this rail bike.
Starting point of the canyon course: Gangasawa Station
There are two types of courses: a rural scenery course and a canyon course, and I chose the canyon course this time, so we started from the Ganagasawa station!
Canyon Course and Rural scenery Course MAP
Get a cute illustrated MAP✨
This will give you a quick overview of the course.
Tarusawa Tunnel
It is only the shortest tunnel in Japan, and passing through it takes only a moment!
I enjoy being able to enjoy the mountain scenery.
Spot Outline
Agattan is a bicycle-type trolley located in Higashi-Agatsuma-cho, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture. It can carry luggage in the middle and has a space for children to sit. Since the bike runs on rails, each time you pedal, vibrations are transmitted from the joints of the rails, making you feel as if you are the driver of a train. You can enjoy the surrounding nature and relax on the bike and enjoy the scenery.
Yamba Dam（八ッ場ダム）
The multi-purpose dam was completed at the end of March 2020.
It is a rare experience to meet the dam at such a close distance, so I was surprised at how powerful it was! I experienced the enormity of the dam.
It seems that there is a tourist elevator installed at this dam and it is possible to go down below the dam.
You can see it during the rail bike canyon course, and I was able to see the dam when I rented a bike to explore the Yamba Agatsuma Lake area ✨
Agatsuma Gorge Yamba Station（吾妻峡八ツ場駅）
Yatsuba Station is also the turnaround point for the gorge course of the Agatsuma Gorge Rail Bike.
Spot Outline
The Yamba Dam is a multipurpose dam located in Yogiya, Naganohara-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture. It was completed and put into operation in March 2020, many years after the start of research in 1952. It is located about 10 minutes by car from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, and can be accessed while driving.
11:20am Kawarayu Onsen Asobino Kichi NOA（川原湯温泉あそびの基地NOA）
Next time I will cycle differently again!
This complex is located about a 1-minute walk from JR Kawarayu-Onsen Station and is situated on the lakeside of the Yamba Dam.
Outdoor camping and barbecue areas are set up, and everything you need is provided so you can come empty-handed ✨
There was also an indoor “Sasayu Cafe” and a day spa.
Sasayu Cafe Space
Sasayu Cafe Menu
There is coffee and little sweets to relax after bathing.
order
Coffee milk ¥440
Coffee ice cream ¥350
Schedule of Charges
This time, we rented bicycles at the “la la la station,” a tourist information center in the facility!
I participated in a course that went around Lake Yamba Agatsuma.
It can be rented for 1,000 yen from 2 hours!
rent-a-cycle
The bicycle was an electrically assisted bicycle.
Driving is easy and you can enjoy cycling without getting tired!
Children’s bicycles are also available.
Spot Outline
Kawarayu Onsen Asobino Kichi NOA, located in Naganohara-cho, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture, is a compact campground, just a minute walk from JR Kawarayu Onsen Station and situated on the lakeside of Yamba Dam. There are outdoor camping and barbecue facilities, and all necessary supplies are provided, so you can enjoy the area empty-handed.
Yamba BridgeOhashi Ohashi（八ッ場大橋）
We immediately entered the Yatsuba Ohashi Bridge!
The 494-meter-long bridge opened in 2014 with the construction of the Yamba Dam.
What a surprise! It looks like you can also experience bungee jumping.
Bridge Height
The piers are 73.5 meters high at the highest point!
Spot Outline
The Yamba Bridge is a 494-meter-long bridge located in Naganohara-cho, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture. It connects the Kawarayu and Kawarahata areas, and was opened in 2014 with the construction of the Yamba Dam. The bridge is also a great place to experience bungee jumping.
Yamba Lookout（やんば見放台）
The next spot we arrived at was a good view spot where we could look down on the Yamba Bridge from a high and close vantage point.
The observatory is free of charge & the path to the observatory is up a well-maintained slope on a small mountain.
The observatory is equipped with large binoculars and other equipment to provide an even closer view of the site ✨
Opening and closing hours
Yamba Dam
In this way, we can once again confirm how huge the scale of the dam is!
Bell of Yamba Water Goddess
The bell was installed with the hope that the dam will fulfill its role of protecting people from drought and rising water. Also a photo spot.
Spot Outline
Yamba Lookout is an observatory located in Naganohara-cho, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture. From here, you can view the main body of the Yamba Dam and Lake Agatsuma and feel the grandeur of the area. The observatory is free of charge.
1:30pm Roadside Station Yamba Furusato Kan（道の駅 八ッ場ふるさと館）
There was a rest spot!
It is a roadside station where you can fully enjoy your trip as both a transit point and a destination, as it has a variety of facilities, especially products that can only be purchased here using local specialties and a footbath ✨
Mascot character of Naganohara Town Signboard of Nyaga no Hara
Welcome to the house! Cute.
Spot Outline
Roadside Station Yamba Furusato kan is located in Hayashi, Naganohara-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture. There is a footbath where you can heal your tired feet from traveling and warm your body and soul.
Y Shop Roadside Station Yamba Furusato Kan store（Yショップ 道の駅八ッ場ふるさと館店）
A convenience store located in a roadside station.
Freshly baked bread made in the store’s bakery is available for purchase.
There are also breads full of originality that can only be purchased here, such as Yamba Dam Curry Bread, which is recommended as a souvenir.
Even when you are hungry.
Top 6 Popular Breads
All the breads are interesting, but the most eye-catching is the “Dam Curry Bread” that comes in at No. 1!
The bread is a funny bread with a dame motif: “Curry with 14 spices, potato salad, and natural cheese!
There is a lot of local love for the dam, and the local colorful food that can only be found here is fascinating ✨
Eye-catching hanamame (Runner bean) bread and mame daifuku (bean-stuffed rice cake) signboards
After the dam curry bread mentioned earlier, the Hanamame bread is the next most popular.
The texture and simple, gentle sweetness of locally grown Agatsuma hana-mame beans seem to be very popular ✨
You can also buy bean-filled Mame daifuku here!
Spot Outline
Yamazaki Y Shop Roadside Station Yamba Furusato-kan Store, located in Naganohara-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture, is a convenience store where you can purchase fresh bread baked in the store’s bakery. In particular, there are original breads, such as “Yamba Dam Curry Bread,” that can only be purchased here. It is also available when you are hungry.
Fudo Falls（不動ノ滝）
Arrived at the last viewpoint.
A waterfall sloshing down a black rock wall covered with green like a white thread.
The waterfall is made up of three tiers, and the changing appearance of the surrounding greenery in each season makes it one of the most popular viewing spots ✨
viewpoint
Spot Outline
Located in Shima, Nakanojo-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture, Fudo Falls is a waterfall that flows straight down a 50-meter-high cliff. The surrounding greenery changes with the seasons, attracting visitors. The last viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the falls and is especially popular for its scenery.
3:00pm Tsumagoi no Yado Aisai（嬬恋の宿 あいさい）
Return the bicycles and drive away.
Finally, we had a s’mores experience here ✨
Lobby
Modern atmosphere with Scandinavian interior design.
I was also excited about the fireplace in the middle!
The stylish and warm interior is wonderful.
Souvenir shop
The best quality rice grown in the highlands of Tsumagoi Village in Gunma Prefecture, Tsumagoi rice, sweets, sake, and more are available.
Room
Guest rooms and baths are located on the second floor.
The room is a nice Japanese modern suite ✨
S’mores Experience
S’mores are a popular dessert often eaten at traditional North American campfires, that sweet treat of marshmallow or chocolate sandwiched between crackers or cookies!
Marshmallow and chocolate are the standard, but there were even some oddballs, such as red bean paste and cream cheese.
This time, we chose marshmallow and caramel!
S’mores Experience
Start your s’mores making experience right away✨
S’mores Experience
The marshmallows were successfully baked to a golden brown, taking the utmost care not to burn them!
It is then sandwiched together with chocolate on a cracker!
It was fun and tasty with a camping feel✨
Spot Outline
Tsumagoi no Yado Aisai is an accommodation facility located in Tsumagoi-mura, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture. Located in the national land of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, it offers a panoramic view of Mount Asama from the lobby and walking paths on the premises.
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