REPORT

Following the Chugoku, Kinki, and Tokai regions on 7/20 (Thurs.), along with Shikoku and Hokuriku on 7/21 (Fri.), the end of the rainy season has come to the Kanto Koshin and Tohoku areas as well, as of 7/22 (Sat.). With that, the rainy season here in Shinshu ended 3 days later than average, yet one day earlier than last year. While taking the Tsugaike Gondola first thing this morning, I enjoyed the deep green scenery of the summer ski slopes (pictured) while feeling the cool alpine breeze.
[Tsugaike Ropeway・Tsugaike Gondola]

The morning sky was blue and the Northern Alps were clearly visible around 6:00 a.m., but as Tsugaike opened for business, clouds began to rise and envelop the mountains. I met a hiker getting ready in front of the Visitor’s Center, who greeted me with a “Good morning” and went on to say, “I’m heading out on a day trip to the Hakuba Oike alpine lake. I hope I can get above the clouds.” A large number of those boarding the 7:30 a.m. Tsugaike Ropeway appeared to be hikers.
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Watasuge Marsh]

A couple from Mie Prefecture (pictured) commented to me, “The stairs on the Yase-One Ridge really are steep, just like it says on the map of the Nature Park. They’re tough (lol).” At the end of the steep stairs, which continue for about 100 meters, is the park’s highest and observation platform (2,020 meters above sea level). In contrast to the busy observation deck in the famous Tenbo Marsh, it’s a quiet, seemingly unknown “secret” spot.
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Yase-One Ridge]

In the Ukishima Marsh (pictured), the orange nikkokisuge day lilies and purple hiogi ayame (beachhead iris), which are now past their peak, have been replaced by many white tufts of watasuge cotton grass and ibuki toranoo (bistort). A good amount of kuruma yuri (wheel lilies) were also in bloom from place to place throughout the Nature Park, and the hakusan furo geraniums were beginning to bloom near the Kusu River. Midsummer flowers are in full bloom in areas where the snow melted early, while early summer flowers can still be found in areas where the snow melted later.
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Ukishima Marsh]

*The new VR (Virtual Reality) attraction is now open at the Yuki-no-hiroba gondola mid-station as of 7/22 (Sat.)!

　
[Tsugaike Nature Park 2024 Opening Information]
＊Period … 2024/6/1 (Sat.) – 10/27 (Sun.), 11/2 (Sat.) – 11/4 (Mon.)
＊Hours … Tsugaike Ropeway is open from 6:30 a.m. until 8/18, from 7:00 a.m. on 8/24, 8/25, and 8/31, and from 8:00 a.m. on 8/19 – 8/23 and 8/26 – 8/30.
＊Fees … Tsugaike Ropeway Roundtrip + Entrance Fee / Adults JPY3,700, Elementary School Students JPY2,100, Preschoolers Free → Advance Discount Tickets: Adults JPY3,300, Children JPY1,850! (No need to exchange at the ticket window! You can proceed straight to the gondola.)
(*One preschooler free with each paid adult. The second preschooler will be charged at the normal children’s rate.)

[Hakuba Tsugaike WOW! Opening Information]
*Period … 2024/6/18 (Sat) – 10/27 (Sun) *Closed on weekdays from 6/10 – 7/12 and 9/2 – 10/25.
Opening hours … 10 am – 4 pm (last admission at 3 pm)
Charges … Tobidas (1 time) JPY1,000 Fumidas (1 time) JPY800 Kabedas (1 time) JPY500 Amidas (60 min) JPY1,600 for adults, JPY1,000 for primary schools students Kogidas (1 time) JPY2,000 Pochadas (90 min) JPY2,800 for adults, JPY2,500 for primary schools students Tent sauna ( (90 min) JPY1,200 Baggy Cruise (1 time) Adults JPY2,000, 4 years to primary schools students JPY1,500 Trampolines (5 min) JPY500

*This season’s Tsugaike Report will be updated once or twice a week.
*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs

reported by Snownavi