Hoshino Area Due to popular demand, we will be holding the SDGs tour "Megumi Tour Stars"Event period 2024/09/20-10/26 Every Friday and Saturday

The Karuizawa Hoshino area, where Hoshino Resorts was founded, celebrated its 2024th anniversary in April 4. As part of this commemoration, the SDGs tour "Megumi Meguru Hoshino" was held in June, and due to its popularity, it will be held again in the fall. In addition to the course that tours the hydroelectric power plant and Hoshinoya Karuizawa, a new trekking course has been created that follows the waterway, which is the flowing water source for hydroelectric power generation. Enjoy a stroll while taking in the autumn leaves as the trees change color in the season.

A course touring a 100-year-old hydroelectric power plant and Hoshinoya Karuizawa

When the Hoshino area first opened in 1917, they began generating their own electricity with a wooden waterwheel. In 1929, they introduced full-scale turbines and created a small private hydroelectric power station. The generators have been replaced and the station is still in operation today. The driving force behind the hydroelectric power generation is the river that runs through the center of Hoshinoya Karuizawa. As you walk along the riverside surrounded by autumn-colored trees, Hoshino Resorts staff will guide you and tell you about the history of the Hoshino area and the scenery of Hoshinoya Karuizawa.

period: Every Friday and Saturday from September 2024th to October 9th, 20
Time: 14:00~ *Travel time is approximately 60 minutes
Prices: Adults 1,500 yen, junior high and high school students 1,000 yen
Capacity: 10 people
Message: Tour participation fee, apple juice

BOOKING

Limited to 2 daysA trekking course following a waterway that has continued since the Edo period

The water that is the energy source for the hydroelectric power plant is taken from the Yukawa River, which originates from Shiraito Falls, about 1.3 km upstream from the Hoshino area. Along the way, the waterway branches into one that flows into the Hoshinoya Karuizawa site and another that connects to the Mikage Waterway. The Mikage Waterway is a historic irrigation canal that was excavated at the suggestion of Koemon Kashiwagi of Komoro over 350 years ago in the early Edo period. Part of the canal is managed by Hoshino Resorts staff. We will guide you along the canal, walking you through the maintenance work that is being carried out to protect it.

Dates: Saturday, September 9th, Saturday, October 28th
Time: 11:00～ *Time required is approximately 60 minutes
Prices: Adults: 2,000 yen; Junior and Senior High School Students: 1,400 yen
Capacity: XNUMX people
Message: Tour participation fee, apple juice

BOOKING

Providing apple juice from local farmers

Hoshino Onsen Tombo no Yu hosts an "Apple Bath" every autumn, using bruised apples that are not suitable for shipping. The apples are sourced from Nomoto Orchard in Komoro City. On the tour, 100% apple juice is served, using apples that are a Shinshu autumn gift. The apple juice is squeezed whole, with the skin on, and is rich and sweet.

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A sustainable system that supports decarbonization of local agriculture and accommodation facilities

HOSHINOYA Karuizawa's small-scale hydroelectric power generation system uses water taken from the Yukawa River, a first-class river whose source is Shiraito Falls, and water from the Sengataki Yukawa River, which is also used for agricultural purposes. Although there are examples of private companies generating their own hydroelectric power, what makes this site unique is that Hoshino Resorts staff are also responsible for managing the water intake facility, ultimately contributing to the local community.
This agricultural water has a history dating back to the 1650s, and it waters approximately 500 hectares of paddy fields in the downstream area, including Karuizawa Town. Management of water intake facilities is very important, such as stopping water intake due to weather conditions and removing dirt and fallen trees that obstruct the flow of waterways.
It is expected that maintenance and management of these systems will become increasingly difficult in the future as agricultural workers age, and we believe that this case will serve as an excellent model case for solving this problem.
Looking at the people involved, who are still using the canals that were built in the Edo period more than 370 years ago and are looking for new ways to use them for the future, we see that they continue to show an attitude of living in harmony with nature. I feel that I am breathing.

Yoshiyuki Uchikawa, Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University

Belongs to the Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University. His fields of expertise are agricultural civil engineering and rural planning. He is engaged in research and research on new land uses in rural and mountain villages, as well as maintenance and conservation techniques for rice terraces. Current position since April 2020.

Photo) Right: Associate Professor Uchikawa, Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University Left: Abe, Hoshino Resorts Facility Management

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