Summer Grand Touring 2022 in an air-cooled Porsche 911 (Model 964) (Part 2)

Porsche 911
touring journal

the other dayPart I ArticleFollowing on from the first part of this report, we would like to present the second part of this report.

Day 3

To Tsumagoi Panorama Line

Morning in Nagano City, packed up and checked out.

Our first goal is the Tsumagoi Panorama Line. We headed south on K35 toward Ueda City. This road is absolutely wonderful and very pleasant to drive on.Good pavement, little traffic, some winding sections, some straight sectionsand various situations are squeezed together.

K35

Nagano Prefectural Road 35

The ride is so pleasant that I am very excited from the morning. With the windows and sunroof fully open as usual, we arrive in Ueda City with air-cooled sound all over our bodies.

Drive north on R144 toward the Sugadaira Plateau on the 911.All the roads in this area are pleasant. We headed for the north course of the Tsumagoi Panorama Line, stopping along the way at a villa area. It is always a great road to ride.

Sometimes there is soil on the road surface that has been scattered by tractors, so as long as you drive with caution, there is no problem.

Tsumagoi Panorama Line

Tsumagoi Panorama Line

Tsumagoi Panorama Line and Porsche

To Mt. Haruna

I thought about going up to the Shiga Kogen Plateau, but the weather forecast showed that it was going to rain. However, the weather forecast showed rain, so we decided to give up on Shiga Kogen this time and headed for Mt. Haruna on the way up.Footbath and lunch break at Roadside Station, Yamba Furusato Kan.

Lunch at Yamba Furusato Kan

Footbath at Yamba Furusato Kan

BeforeI have been to Mt.At that time, I came up from the south side of the mountain, but this time I took a course approaching from the north side, commonly known as "Ura-Haruna".This back Haruna is very pleasant.It is a very challenging road and will be very enjoyable, especially if driven with a powerful car.

The road is very wide and has an endless gentle climb. There is no traffic. It is a road that can be driven as much as you want.

Japanese hazel (Corylus sieboldiana)

Japanese hazel (Corylus sieboldiana)

Lake Haruna

In no time at all, we ran up and arrived at the shore of Lake Haruna. Unfortunately, the weather and fog made it almost impossible to see the entire lake, but this was a nice touch. We then tried to run east on K33, the main course, but the fog was so thick that we could not see at all, and we decided to turn back.

From here on, we leave for Saku City, where our lodging for the day is located for now, but we have almost no plan. Looking at the touring map book at random, we think about how to get to Saku City.

It's not fun to go there normally.Try the route over the mountains from Nammaki VillageGoogle Maps showed that it was quite a narrow road, but we decided that the compact body of the 964 would give us plenty of room to maneuver.

Porsche in the Fog

First, we passed through K54, where visibility was poor due to thick fog, and exited in the direction of Kita-Karuizawa. From there, we headed south to the roadside station, Oasis Nammoku. After taking a break at the roadside station, we set out to cross the mountain before it gets dark.

If we continue on K93, we should be able to reach Saku City. We passed through a number of villages along the way and continued westward at a brisk pace. As we gradually approached the mountains and the road began to get steeper, we saw an unexpected sign.

Yes, it is the usual "Road Closed" sign.

closure (of a road)

Suppressing my desire to see where it goes from here, I had no choice but to make a U-turn.

Having lost too much time, we returned to Tomioka City and from here took the highway to our hotel in Saku City.

Day 4

Run around Yatsugatake

This day was a complete no-plan. After waking up in the morning, I looked at the touring map book and contemplated the route. I had driven around the Yatsugatake area many times, but there were still many roads I had never been on.

in the meantimeTake R299 to Mugikusa Pass on the fairy tale road.I have been there many times on K480 with Lake Matsubara, but this is the first time I have approached from Yachiho Kogen on the north side.

The 911 is running at a brisk pace as it steadily gains elevation.

To Mugiso Pass

Driving a Porsche to Mugiso Pass

Porsche 911

For some reason, all the cars in front of us that we encounter along the way are willing to give way, so we put up our hazards to thank them and let them pass us without hesitation. I am so happy to be able to drive at such a comfortable pace that I can't help but pick up the pace.The Tiptronic transfers torque firmly to the rear wheels while shifting back and forth between second and third gears.The feeling that the entire car seems to rotate around the rear tires, which have traction, is unique to the 911.

The parking lot at Mugiso Pass was very crowded, so we went through and headed down toward Tateshina. The route was as nice as ever.

After passing through Tateshina Kogen, we headed south on the Yatsugatake Echo Line. After taking a rest at Koubuchizawa Roadside Station, we decided to try to reach Fujimidaira Observatory. Unfortunately, however, we could not see anything due to the weather, and we immediately left.

eat soba

Yatsugatake Kogen Line

Drive 911 to the Yatsugatake Kogen Line and Yatsugatake Ranch Line.On holidays and during the season of autumn foliage, there are many cars and it is difficult to drive satisfactorily, but this time, despite being a Sunday, the area was empty.

Running at a brisk pace at my own pace, I headed again in the direction of Saku City.

The next route was to go to Tateshina town, this time taking the K40 to Lake Shirakaba; on the second day, we took the R152 Daimon road south, but this time we chose the adjacent K40.

This K40 is quite a famous road. It is a two-lane road that runs through the woods and has a gentle uphill grade.It is a very enjoyable road with occasional hairpin turns and mid-speed corners.

From Lake Shirakaba, we headed south on R152 with a Panamera Turbo with PCCB in front of us leading the way. We arrived at Suwa City, where our lodgings were located, early today.

Panamera Turbo

Day 5

To the Venus Line again

Today is the last day of touring. When I woke up in the morning, the weather was so-so, so I decided to go to Venus Line again in a hurry.

This time, we will approach from Suwa City via K424; K40 is a more pleasant road, but K424 is winding enough to be enjoyed as well. With the Kirigamine marshland plant community on the side, we headed for Kirigamine.

Driving along the Venus Line in a Porsche

Venus Line and Porsche

Riding the Venus Line in a Porsche

As usual, it is cool and the air is clean. For a while, the fresh morning highland air refreshed my body. After a random round trip along the Venus Line, we headed toward the R142 direction from Wadatoge.

I left the Venus Line with my hair pulled back.

To the Takabotchi Plateau

One of the places I have always wanted to visit someday when I come to Nagano is the Takabotchi Plateau.This is a spectacular spot with a panoramic view of Lake Suwa and, if the weather is fine, even Mt.

There seem to be several ways to get to the Takabotchi Plateau, and all of them are difficult to find. At first, we chose to approach from the south. This is the route from Okaya City to the north, but it is extremely difficult.

First, thisIt is difficult to find the road leading to the Takabotchi Plateau.

On the way, we had to drive on an intricate and extremely narrow farm road, which was so narrow that we could not even make a satisfactory U-turn, which was quite tiring. We were able to manage because of the compact size of the 964, but it was not enough to make a U-turn.You should not go there in a modern Porsche.

Road to Takabotchi Plateau, closed

I managed to find the road to the Takabotchi Plateau, but to my surprise it was closed (tears).

We had no choice but to turn around and switch to a route approaching from the west. Having come this far, we were ready to go up, no matter what it took.

Road to the Takabotchi Plateau

The trail begins its ascent to the mountain side from the cliff's yuguchi intersection on the way to the Alps View Shinonome Road. From the start, the road has a narrow and narrow feel to it. However, we were not to be daunted by this narrow road. We climbed higher and higher, but could not quite reach the top. The low speed of the climb meant that the engine was not getting enough air to cool it down.

The oil temperature gauge gradually rises and points a little over the middle.This is unusual because a properly maintained 964 would not get much above the middle. However, the temperature doesn't seem to rise much higher than that.

Looking in the rearview mirror, I saw Han coming up in a 2-meter wide Mercedes GLE. The 964 can easily pass the car coming down, but the GLE seems to be having a hard time.

Kubotchi Plateau

Kubotchi Plateau

Takabotchi Plateau and Suwa Lake

Man flying a radio-controlled glider

Sweating, we managed to reach the summit. At the top of the mountain, there was a man flying a radio-controlled glider, and I watched him for a while. The view, however, was fantastic. It was worth all the hard work.

With pictures of the panoramic view of Lake Suwa and a vow to come back to Nagano again, the four-night, five-day touring trip was on its way home.

The total distance traveled this time was 1784 km, and fuel consumption was 10.3 km/L.

Route map for this time

Hiro

I am Mina's husband. We don't drive cars for fashion or status symbols. We like cars that are fun to drive, are good industrial products, and have a sense of the maker's intention...

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  1. Nak

    Hello Hiro.

    You were running this way.
    They are all familiar roads.

    High bocce can be done with a 718 GT4, so a modern Porsche will do.
    However, if you are not very careful, you can scrape both the lip and the diffuser.
    Well, maybe only a thing lover like me would drive on such a road.
    And I've never seen another Porsche here to begin with.
    I'm probably the only one here who is also polcanting (^^;

    • HiroHiro

      Hello Nak.

      You went with the GT4, and with the Porcan, that's what I'm talking about!
      However, it still rubs the front lip, etc., doesn't it?

      We still managed to make it all the way to the high bocce.
      I first chose the route north from the Okaya City area and got lost on a farm road at that time.
      It was so narrow that I was afraid I would break out of the wheel.

  2. yellow submarine

    Hello Hiro.

    I see you went to the high bocce!
    I also ran the Hachibushi Kogen Skyline and a set of Hachibushi Kogen last year.
    The view from here is really nice.

    The south route was closed last year as well, but it hasn't been opened yet.
    Even the cliff bath route is indeed a tough GLE.
    Last year a light wagon that was passing the sedan in front of mine was scraping the guardrail.

    My 981 Boxster is a sports chassis, so I have to be pretty careful with it.
    I ran, but still hit my stomach many times.
    I will try the southern route next time when it opens.

    • HiroHiro

      Hello, Mr. Yellow Submarine.

      I wanted to visit the Hachibushi Plateau Skyline, too.
      Time did not allow me to go this time. So I would like to go next time.

      With the 981 sport chassis, it still rubs.
      Is the southern route still easier to drive?

  3. confection of brightly colored sweetened, melted agar-agar

    Hiro
    > This time, we will approach from the north side, commonly known as "Ura Haruna".
    Course taken.

    Oh, this is one of the courses I wanted to introduce.
    I see that you have already run it. That's what I'm talking about!

    I often run it as a practice course.
    Be careful on weekends because there are many motorcycles, but on weekdays you can run as much as you want.

    The Nidokami Pass (K54) in thick fog was very difficult. Crossing the pass from Nammoku was
    I have never had a challenge. Thank you for your hard work.

    Next time you come down K122 from Lake Haruna, go straight through San-no-Kura-Ochiai.
    Pass by Annaka Haruna Station on the K48 - then go to Michi no Eki Shimonita (Roadside Station).
    I think the route to Saku City on R254 is also a good one to aim for.

    • HiroHiro

      Hello, Melonjuus.

      Ura-Haruna, very nice!
      This is one of my personal top roads on this touring trip!

      Next time you come down K122 from Lake Haruna, go straight through San-no-Kura-Ochiai.
      Pass by Annaka Haruna Station on the K48 - then go to Michi no Eki Shimonita (Roadside Station).
      I think the route to Saku City on R254 is also a good one to aim for.

      Okay, thanks for the info!
      I'll definitely keep that in mind for next time!

  4. 168

    Hello, I always enjoy reading

    You're running all over Shinshu!
    I think it would be a good lifestyle to have a vacation home near Yatsugatake in the summer and spend the winter in Hyogo lol.

    On a personal note, I'm going to spend a week or so next week running in Hokkaido, a region I've longed to visit. Oloron Line, Enusaka Line, etc... I am very much looking forward to it!

    Please come to Shinshu again!

    • HiroHiro

      Hello 168.

      I am quite influenced by 168's photo of you running Venus (lol).
      Shinshu is really a nice place. It would be great to have a vacation home or something, but I'll try harder!

      Hokkaido, I love it! I've been thinking about going there, but haven't been able to....
      Have fun! Have a safe trip!

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  5. 168

    I'm glad to hear you say that! Thank you.
    I'll work on getting better pics!

  6. WATA

    I enjoyed reading your Shinshu touring diary.
    The idea of running in depth by narrowing down an area, rather than running broadly from prefecture to prefecture, was very fresh and very helpful.
    By the way, I have never been to the Takabotchi Plateau yet, even though I have run in Shinshu many times.
    I had hoped to go if I had the chance, but after reading about your struggles, I am second-guessing myself (sweating).

    • HiroHiro

      Hello wata.
      This was the first time we concentrated on one province, and it was great.
      Usually, in the evening, I ran as hard as I could to the next inn, as if driven by time (laughs).
      This time we had so much room and it was nice to be able to take our time stopping and running.

      The Takabotchi Plateau is quite a narrow road and there are many cars passing by, so it is very challenging.
      There is no way that the path that was passable to me cannot be passable to wata-san ^^.
      You should definitely go!

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