From Current Students
Field Trip to Matsumoto City
MKOMA, Rahel Nasoni (Tanzania)
This was a remarkable field trip where I learnt more about forest and tourism management in Nagano Prefecture.
On the first day, we were shown around some plantations of Japanese larch trees and heard some of the challenges facing the forestry industry today. Also, we saw some specialty products made by locals.
The next day we visited Kamikochi, a national park gateway in Matsumoto City. In the beautiful North Japan Alps we saw natural forests, tall and old trees, mountains and a live volcano.
Kamikochi's old growth woodland was a contrast to the planted forests we had seen the day before, and the most interesting thing was afforestation after WW2. Tourism at Kamikochi was amazing too; many people of all ages, children, adult and old were there wondering at the beauty of nature. The guided walk we took to Taisho-ike (a lake made after volcanic eruption blocked the river) and the hot spring footbath were fantastic memories for me.
On the guided walk, we had an opportunity to visit different places, and were given specific explanations about nature (e.g. poisonous plants such as Japanese monkshood) and culture (e.g. Walter Weston, the first missionary to visit Kamikochi). Lastly, we stopped at the Azumi Branch Office of Matsumoto City and spoke to local government officials about their vision of promoting international tourism at Kamikochi.
Above: specialty products made by locals.
Above: deadly Japanese monkshood.
Above: Azumi Branch Office of Matsumoto City.