Explore Plan 5

Only the shuttle bus can take you close to Oze.

Hearing the name “Oze” makes me excited. My Japanese friends told me it’s a must-visit scenic spot for nature lovers — and also a symbolic place for Japan’s nature conservation movement. To protect the environment, private cars are not allowed to enter the Oze area; only the shuttle bus can go in. That’s truly Oze!
Note: The shuttle bus between the Miike Parking Area and Numayama Pass operates from late May to late October.

The last return bus leaves around 5:00 p.m.

If you’re hiking just for the day, be sure to check the time of the last bus — usually around 5:00 p.m. in peak season.If you’re lucky, you might catch an electric shuttle bus, a great eco-friendly option.Once you’ve stretched and checked your gear, it’s time to start the hike!

Walk through a forest of giant trees

At the start of the hike, I spent about 50 minutes walking through a forest where coniferous and broadleaf trees grow together. I was amazed by the towering trees all around me. According to my hiking guide, these giant trees store water and function like natural dams.

I noticed many pink ribbons tied about 2–3 meters high on the trees. They mark the trail so hikers don’t lose their way in the forest. But why so high? Because Oze gets 4-5 meters of snow in winter! When the hiking season starts in late May, the remaining snow raises the ground level — something that amazed me as someone from Thailand.

Deer protection fences and metal grates

Just before leaving the forest, I noticed some man-made structures — a bit surprising at first, but they serve an important purpose.　Due to climate change and other factors, Japan now has more deer than at any time in the past 100,000 years. Oze is no exception.　To protect the rare wetland plants, fences and gates with special grates are installed around the marshes — the grates deter deer from entering.

The marshland glows golden with the colors of autumn leaves.

After walking through the forest, I arrived at the Oe Marshland.
I was moved by the vast view covered in colorful autumn grasses.
This is a high moor, formed over time as grass and moss decay slowly in the cold climate, creating layers of peat.
These water-rich peatlands, like sponges holding melted snow, nurture rare alpine plants that flourish during the short snow-free season.

Crystal-clear river water

In a small stream flowing through the marsh, trout were swimming gracefully. The crystal-clear water is mesmerizing — rivers in Japan’s mountain regions truly have exceptional water quality.

Bear Habitat

Ring a bear bell. In recent years, Japan’s bear population has been increasing.
Oze is not our habitat — it belongs to the bears. As visitors, it’s our responsibility to make our presence known and avoid unexpected encounters with them.

Praying at the memorial marker on the hill of the marshland

I paid our respects at the gravesite of the “Godfather of Oze,” the Hirano family, and at the monument honoring Dr. Hisayoshi Takeda.
Nature trekking in Oze became known to the public in the late 19th century, thanks to Chozo Hirano from Hinoemata Village. In the early 20th century, he opposed a hydroelectric dam project and moved to the harsh wilderness of Oze as an act of resistance against development.

After World War II, another dam project was proposed, sparking opposition from botanist Hisayoshi Takeda and Chozo’s son, Choei Hirano.
In the 1970s, when a plan to build a road through Oze emerged, Choei’s son, Chosei, led a movement that successfully halted it.
According to our guide, it is thanks to the three generations of the Hirano family and their nature conservation efforts that Oze’s pristine environment remains preserved today.

Wooden Boardwalks born from Oze’s hard-earned lessons

As Oze’s conservation movement gained nationwide attention, many tourists began to visit.
However, at the time, environmental awareness was still low — and ironically, the very marshlands meant to be protected were trampled by well-meaning visitors.
To solve this, the Wooden Boardwalk system was introduced, which now stretches over 65 kilometers throughout Oze.

The birthplace of nature
conservation in Japan

In Oze, initiatives such as “carry-in, carry-out” waste campaigns, private car restrictions, sewage treatment facilities, and deer damage control are actively maintained through public and volunteer efforts.
As travelers, I realized that Oze offers more than just breathtaking scenery — it is also the birthplace of Japan’s nature conservation movement, a place where visitors can learn the deeper meaning of protecting nature itself.

A mystical mountain lake with an 8.5 km trail — Lake Ozenuma

We arrived at Lake Ozenuma, our final destination. It took me about 70 minutes one way on foot. Formed roughly 10,000 years ago by volcanic activity, Ozenuma is a tranquil mountain lake that still preserves its untouched, primordial landscape. Its serene beauty and sense of isolation make it one of the most popular highlights of the Oze trekking routes.

The lakeside area is rich
with scenic spots and attractions.

The lakeside of Ozenuma is well equipped with attractions and facilities.
There are two lodges — Chozogoya and Ozenuma Hütte, both named after Chōzō Hirano.
You’ll also find a souvenir shop, café restaurant, and a visitor center, making it a comfortable and enjoyable stop for travelers.

Oze offers a wide variety of
trekking routes to explore.

My journey in Oze ends here.
Although it wasn’t as physically demanding as climbing Mt. Fuji, what I experienced today is just a glimpse of what Oze offers.
From vast marshlands and magnificent waterfalls to four famous 100-mountain peaks to conquer — Oze is truly a paradise for trekking enthusiasts.

Wash away your sweat and fatigue in the village’s refreshing hot springs.

I took a dip in the hot springs back in Hinoemata Village — the gateway to Oze.
After hiking in the rain and feeling chilled to the bone, soaking in the natural onsen was pure bliss.
In my opinion, “onsen” is one of the most essential experiences in Japanese travel.

Yamodo Ryori -
Wild mountain cuisine full of natural flavor,
and soothing natural hot springs.

I stayed at Kagiya Ryokan, a traditional inn with a 130-year history.
The name “Kagiya” means “key,” and according to one story, the owner’s ancestors once held the keys to a local checkpoint.
The current building is over 60 years old, and many older Japanese guests say that its wooden corridors remind them of their old elementary schools.

Foreign visitors also stay here to enjoy the organic mountain cuisine made from ingredients foraged in the surrounding wilderness.
The owner told me,
“We’re 1,000 meters above sea level, so it rarely exceeds 30°C even in midsummer. By late October, it snows — and in midwinter, snow can pile up to three meters. I hope guests can experience this authentic mountain environment and savor the flavors born from it.”

A friendly photo
with the kind-hearted owner

To commemorate the interview, I took a photo with the inn’s owner. He doesn’t speak English, but with the help of a smartphone translation app, he eagerly explains his dishes and the village’s history to foreign guests — a wonderful example of hospitality transcending language.