🗺️ Thousand-layer ice bucket千畳敷カール

The 千疊敷冰斗 (Chitose-dake Ice Bowl) is located beneath the 宝剣岳 (Tōken-dake) in the Central Alps, spanning the city of 駒根市 (Komane) and 宮田村 (Miyata Village) in Nagano Prefecture. It is a bowl-shaped valley formed 20,000 years ago due to glacial erosion. The valley showcases a rich and varied natural landscape that changes with the seasons, attracting many mountain climbing enthusiasts throughout the year. From the 駒根高原 (Komane Plateau), visitors can easily reach the "千疊敷" (Chitose-dake) station by taking a local bus and then transferring to the 駒岳空中纜車 (Koma-dake Aerial Cableway). Inside the 千疊敷冰斗, there are well-maintained trails for leisurely walks, with a full loop taking about 40 minutes. The 千疊敷冰斗 is also known as a treasure trove of alpine plants. Every summer, the high-altitude area above 2,500 meters is filled with various flowers, especially from mid-July to early August, when the entire valley transforms into a colorful garden. Here, visitors can admire over 150 species of alpine plants, including the golden lotus flower and the rare 小梅蕙草 (Kobai-kaisō), which blooms only every few years. In the 千疊敷冰斗, visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the spring, appreciate the vibrant autumn foliage in the fall, and gaze at the starry night sky in a silver-white dreamland during winter, making it a charming destination that is beautiful in all four seasons.

A bowl-shaped valley formed 20,000 years ago due to glacial erosion. The natural landscape presents rich and varied scenery with the changing seasons. The walking trails are well-maintained, and a stroll around takes about 40 minutes. It is a treasure trove of alpine plants, especially from mid-July to early August, when you can see over 150 species of alpine plants at once. The autumn foliage and winter snow scenes are also quite enchanting.