REPORT

During the early summer opening period, while the lifts have been running only on Saturdays and Sundays until 6/16 (Sun.), the area around the Jizo Cairn has completely taken on its summer appearance (pictured). Early this morning I checked the Tateyama Murodo live camera and saw blue skies, so I decided to trek up to Mt. Kotomi for the first time this season, hopeful that the weather would improve during the course of the day.
[Alps-Daira Nature Trail]

As expected, blue skies began to spread overhead while I was still on the early part of the trail, and I had great, clear views to the east from Mikaeri-zaka (pictured). From there to Ichinose-gami, there was a section of trail where I had to push through bamboo grass and tree branches that had grown on both sides of the path, likely because trail maintenance has yet to be performed during the early summer opening period. I reached the summit of Mt. Kotomi (2,003 meters) without setting foot on any snow.
[Mt. Kotomi Trekking Course・Mikaeri-zaka]

Along the way, I saw the flowers of tsumatori-so (Arctic starflower, pictured)), mitsuba oren (threeleaf goldthread), maizuruso (False lily of the valley), gozen tachibana (Creeping dogwood), Tateyama rindo (Gentiana thunbergii), and okame-no-ki (viburnum furcatum) in bloom. In addition, the bright pink of murasaki yashio-tsutsuji (Albrecht’s azalea) stood out beautifully against the fresh spring green.
[Mt. Kotomi Trekking Course・Ichinose-gami to Ninose-gami]

I spoke with a couple from Toyama Prefecture (pictured), who told me, “We came to Mt. Kotomi as training to climb Mt. Tsubakuro this summer. We climbed here last August as well, but we were exhausted by the heat and couldn’t properly enjoy the scenery and alpine flora. This time, however, we are enjoying both!” The Goryu Sanso mountain hut will open on 6/22 (Sat.), and the Goryu Telecabin and Observation Lift will begin daily operation on the same day!
[Mt. Kotomi Trekking Course・Ninose-gami to the Summit of Mt. Kotomi]

　
*There is free parking for 1,500 cars around the Goryu Telecabin base station, enough that the parking lot is never full, even during the busy summer Obon holiday season. Escal Plaza will be open daily from 6/22 (Sat.) to 10/20 (Sun.).
*Night gondola service will be offered from 8/10 (Sat.) to 8/12 (Mon.).

[Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden 2024 Opening Information]
*Period … Sat. & Sun. from 6/1 (Sat.) to 6/16 (Sun.), Daily from 6/22 (Sat.) to 10/20 (Sun.)
*Hours … Goryu Telecabin Starts at 8:15 a.m. (*Early morning operation available from 7/6)
*Fees … Goryu Telecabin round-trip: Adults JPY2,200, Elementary School Students JPY1,100 (from 7/6 to 8/31: Adults JPY2,700, Elementary School Students JPY1,350) / Panorama Pack (Goryu Telecabin round-trip + Tenbo Lift): Adults JPY2,600, Elementary School Students JPY1,300 (from 7/8 to 8/31: Adults JPY3,000, Elementary School Students JPY1,300)

*Click here to purchase photos found in this report.
*This season’s Goryu Report will be updated once or twice a week.

　
reported by Snownavi