秋晴れの牛伏山山頂に君臨する城

　昨日は群馬県も数日振りの好天に恵まれ、午後には３年振りに吉井町の牛伏山山頂へ行き、上毛三山【赤城山、榛名山、妙義山】の景色を高い位置から眺めました。標高４９１mは、一見してそれほど高くありませんが、山岳地帯の山でなく、平野から山になるので山頂からの景色は抜群です。

　山頂にはご覧の城が建っており、三階の天守閣へは自由に昇れます。特にこの天守閣からの眺めはお薦めで、高崎市、前橋市、藤岡市、伊勢崎市、富岡市、吉井町などが手に取るように見え、高崎市にこんな素晴らしい所があることに改めて驚きます。健脚なら歩いても昇れますし、車でも山頂へ行けます。

　写真左下は上信越自動車道です。高い位置から高速道が見られるのも珍しいです。たくさん車が走ってます。拡大してご覧ください。また、山頂には鐘撞堂【平和の鐘】があり、願いを込めて自由に撞くことができ、高い位置なので響きは四方八方に広がります。この他、山頂には長い洞窟があり、一見に値します。春は桜とツツジの名所です。牛伏山近くには「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」があり、帰路に立ち寄れば汗を流すことができます。

Dear my Facebook friends

　Yesterday, Gumma Prefecture was blessed with fine weather for the first time in several days, and in the afternoon, for the first time in three years, I went to the summit of Mt. Ushibuse in Yoshii Town and enjoyed the view of the well-known three mountains such as Mt Akagi, Mt. Haruna, and Mt. Myogi from a high vantage point. At 491 meters above sea level, it doesn't seem particularly high at first glance, but since it's not a mountainous area but it rises from plains, the view from the summit is outstanding beyond description.

　As you can see, the castle stands at the summit, and we can climb up to the three-story castle tower. I especially recommend you the view from the tower; you can see Takasaki City, Maebashi City, Fujioka City, Isesaki City, Tomioka City, and Yoshii Town all within reach, therefore, it's amazing to see such a wonderful place in Takasaki. If you're in good shape, you can walk up, or you can drive to the summit.

　The Joshinetsu Expressway is visible in the lower left of the photo. It's rare to be able to see the expressway from such a high vantage point. There are lots of cars on the road. Please enlarge the image for a closer look. There is also a bell tower called the Peace Bell at the summit, where you can ring it freely for your wishes to realize in mind, and because of its high position, the sound spreads in all directions. There is also a long cave at the top of the mountain, which is worth seeing. In spring, it is a famous spot for cherry blossoms and azaleas. Near Mt. Ushibuse, there is the Yoshii Ushibuse Dream Center, where you can wash off your sweat by stopping by on your way home.