The famous Yatsugatake music hall and lodge are perched high among Japan's Southern Alps in Nagano Prefecture, just under 3 hours from Tokyo.

Barely 20 years ago, a select group of musicians and classical musical lovers organized a small local music festival which has grown and spawned the construction of a now nationally famous music hall: Ongakudo.

Ongakudo (pictured above) was completed in 1988. Inside is a medium-sized concert hall, a large reception room and a few rehearsal/classrooms at the far end. The main hexagon-shaped hardwood hall seats 250 patrons in leather appointed comfort. The listener is surrounded by exquisite live music and floor-to ceiling windows for an unobstructed view of the forest and mountains beyond. Bravissimo!

The nearby Yatsugatake Lodge is but a short walk through the woods from the Ongakudo (music hall). The lodge and accompanying restaurants are modem with a rustic New England feel about them, with fine artwork displayed throughout. Eleven tennis courts, a ceramics workshop and nearby wooded walking trails are available to guests. The fresh mountain air and quiet are a welcome change from city life. Room rates start at 14,000 yen a night. >From within Japan call 03-3535-0525 for reservations and more information.

By car from Tokyo, use the Chuo Jidousha Do Expressway heading west. At the Sudama Interchange exit to Route 141 (toward Kiyosato). Yatsugatake is a short jaunt from Nobeyama; depending on traffic, it is about 3 hours from Tokyo, 6 hours from Osaka. By train from Tokyo, take either the JR Chuo Line west, or the express from Shinjuku's platform 6 (tickets for this are sold in the little log cabin on the south side of the platform). At Kobuchisawa Station (2 hours from Shinjuku, by express) change from (arriving on track 1) the express to the local Koumi Line diesel train on track 3 or 4. The Koumi Line takes about 30 minutes from Kobuchisawa to Nobeyama Station. From there, a 15-20 minute taxi ride gets to the lodge. Or, when making reservations, check with the lodge to find out the current bus schedule, which varies by season. The yellow bus (550 yen each way) stops in the large parking lot 1 block from the station (past the tourist shops and just across the main road).

In September, the Ongakudo Music Hall hosts its annual "Yatsugatake Music Festival". This year the 6 performances will be on September 19-21 (Sat.-Mon.). Each concert features individuals and duets from Japan and around the world.

The Ongakudo Music Hall is acoustically designed and set on a peaceful wooded Mountainside in Japan's southern Alps. Special jazz and classical music concerts are held all-year-round, attracting talent (and music lovers) from both Japan and overseas. (by Paul Abramson)

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