Japan Tour 6 - Helo Tour of Japan's Northern Alps

Japan Tour 6 - Helo Tour of Japan's Northern Alps

This tour features landings at two Samurai Castles, seven mountain helo pads, a mountain hotel, and four dams. Departing from Matsumoto (RJAF) it is a short leg to Matsumoto Castle then climb into the alps for a landing at Dakesawa Hut below Mount Hotaka.  Climbing steeply up to the main ridge we make our way to Mount Yari before descending to the west down into the steep gorge of the Kanakido River and attempt a landing at the Hokuriku Electric Power Ikenoo Power Station.   Heading downstream to the Takahara River junction we turn north and make our way to Kamioka Castle.  The route proceeds northward over rugged mountainous terrain with brief stops at several landing pads before reaching the resort Hotel Tateyama below Mount Tate.   The final section of the route takes us to four hydroelectric dam sites followed by several helipad landings before reaching our destination Nagano.

 Flightplan HERE

Matsumoto Castle, once called Fukashi Castle, is located in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Built in the late sixteenth century, it retains its original wooden interiors and stonework. As a flatland castle, it was constructed on a plain and featured interconnected walls, moats, and gatehouses for defense.

Dakesawa Hut is a seasonal mountain lodge in Japan’s Hotaka range near Kamikochi, offering dorm-style lodging, meals, and scenic alpine views for hikers. Reservations are required, cash is advised, and there are no showers—only basic, welcoming hospitality.

Mount Yari, located in Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, is known for its spear-like shape and is often called Japan's Matterhorn. The mountain attracts many climbers during hiking season, with lines forming for popular routes in summer. In 2005, a new trail from Hidarimata Valley to Mount Okumaru made access to Yari-ga-take easier from Shinhodaka onsen.

Kamioka Castle, also called Kamiokajō, is a historical site in Kamioka Township. The original fortification, Higashimachijō, featured moats and stone ramparts. Today, the main keep and gatehouse are modern reconstructions from 1970. The castle's faux donjon and metal roofing contrast with its Sengoku period theme, highlighting an amusing blend of history and modern elements.

Mount Tate, also known as Tateyama, is a mountain located in the southeastern area of Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the tallest mountains in the Hida Mountains at 3,015 m (9,892 ft) and one of Japan's Three Holy Mountains along with Mount Fuji and Mount Haku. Tateyama consists of three peaks: Ōnanjiyama The Oyama Shrine is located on Oyama Peak.

The Kurobe Dam is a 610 ft high variable-radius arch dam on the Kurobe River in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. The tallest dam in Japan, it supports the 335 MW Kurobe No. 4 Hydropower Plant and is owned by Kansai Electric Power Company. It was constructed between 1956 and 1963 at a cost of 51.3 billion yen. The project had taken the lives of 171 people by its completion.

The Shin-Takasegawa Pumped Storage Station, located 12 km west of Ōmachi in Nagano Prefecture, uses the Takase River for hydroelectric power. Partly within Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, construction started in 1971 and ended in 1978, with commissioning in 1980. The upper reservoir is created by the Takase Dam, Japan's tallest rock-fill dam at 176 meters, and the country's second tallest overall.  The Nanakura Dam creates the lower reservoir.  To protect against rapid draw-down in water levels the top of the dam is coated in hard rock materials.

The Ōmachi Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Takase River just west of Ōmachi in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Construction of the dam began in 1975 and it was completed in 1985. The primary purpose of the dam is water supply and it also supports a 13 MW hydroelectric power station. It is owned by TEPCO.

Nagano City began as a temple town during the Nara period and is known for Zenkō-ji, a 7th-century Buddhist temple recognized as a Japanese National Treasure. It was the site of the Battles of Kawanakajima in the Sengoku Period and served as an important post station on the Hokkoku Kaidō highway during the Edo period. After the Meiji restoration, Nagano became the first modern town in its prefecture in 1897. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, leading to improved transportation links, including the introduction of the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

Recommend Departure time of 1:00 PM

•        Date and time: Wednesday Jan 14, 18:00 UTC    
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