High up in the Central Japan Alps is an unusual geological formation known as the Senjojiki Cirque. A bowl-shaped valley formed by a glacier at the end of the last Ice Age, Senjojiki Cirque is located just below Mount Hokendake in the Nagano Prefecture city of Komagane. I got there by using my three-day Shoryudo Bus Pass to travel onward from Magome.

The tramway's Shirabidaira Station is located at an altitude of 1,662 meters above sea level, and in the eight-minute ride to the top, it climbs some 950 meters – the highest elevation gain of any tramway in Japan. Located at an altitude of 2,612 meters, Senjojiki Station, the tramway's destination, is also Japan's highest-elevation terminal station.

The tramway's Shirabidaira Station is located at an altitude of 1,662 meters above sea level, and in the eight-minute ride to the top, it climbs some 950 meters – the highest elevation gain of any tramway in Japan. Located at an altitude of 2,612 meters, Senjojiki Station, the tramway's destination, is also Japan's highest-elevation terminal station.

The temperature at the top was sharply cooler than below, and I was glad I had thought to bring a warm jacket.

Adjoining the summit tram station is Hotel Senjojiki, where I would spend the night. Cozy and compact, in many ways the facility feels much like a traditional mountain ryokan inn.

The rooms are tatami, so of course you need to take your shoes off before entering.

The interior was clean and spacious, with my futon and bedding in one corner, ready for laying out later.

One entire wall had big windows that looked out upon the valley below, including the tram line. Below me were also an assembled group of photographers hoping for shots of the sunset glow over the valley and mountains beyond, a sight for which Senjojiki is well known.

As I lingered at the window to enjoy the changing view, the lights slowly came on in the town far below.

As I lingered at the window to enjoy the changing view, the lights slowly came on in the town far below.

On asking, my waiter suggested a local sake that paired very well with the food.

The next morning I was up early...but not earlier than the horde of people already gathered under my window with cameras and tripods, who were hoping to get pictures of Senjojiki's famously lovely sunrise views.

After watching the sun come up from my window, I was eager to start exploring Senjojiki, but the first order of the day was breakfast – a meal that again proved to be hearty and filling.

By then the sun was fully up, so I set out to look around.

Hotel Senjojiki is situated on a rise from which paths lead out in several directions, with mist-wrapped Mount Hokendake looming above, behind a small shrine.

Already people were on the paths, which took them to such destinations as a pretty pond or climbed to higher elevations.

The paths are steep, and the stones can be slippery, so proper footwear is a must.

I enjoyed the great views as I walked along.

At places where the going became especially steep and rugged, signs like this warned that proceeding further required appropriate gear and a filed travel plan.

I had neither, so I continued on along an easier route, which still offered plenty of strange and wonderful scenery to enjoy.

I even spotted some intrepid hikers who were climbing over the ridge in the onward to the far side of the mountain.

After my leisurely explorations, it was time to continue on to my next destination, so I checked out of the hotel and took the tramway back down the mountain to catch the bus back to Komagane. The operator saw me off with a bow.

More about my further adventures next time!

For more information about the handy Shoryudo Bus Pass I used, check here:
SHORYUDO Bus Pass