REPORT

The Tsugaike Gondola, Japan’s second longest at 4,120 meters (pictured; see note below), is now fully surrounded by lush spring green. Today, 6/7 (Sat.), marked the start of summer operations for the “Tsugaike Ropeway,” which includes the Tsugaike Gondola and the 1,200-meter-long Tsugaike Ropeway above it. With the opening of the Tsugaike Nature Park and the launch of Hakuba Tsugaike WOW!, the summer season has officially begun at Tsugaike Kogen.
[Tsugaike Gondola]

Patches of lingering snow began to appear along the Tsugaike Ropeway (pictured). I spoke with a staff member at the Visitor Center who shared, “There’s about 1 meter of snow remaining in the Mizubasho Marsh, around 2 meters in the Ukishima Marsh, and approximately 3 meters in the Tenbo Marsh at the far end of the park. Only about 5% of the boardwalks are currently exposed, and the wooden steps on the narrow Yase-One ridge trail have been damaged by the heavy snowfall this past winter, so please walk on the adjacent dirt instead.” The day turned out to be perfect for a peaceful trek, with alternating periods of sunshine and clouds.
[Tsugaike Gondola]

There are three blossom hollows in the Mizubasho (Asian skunk cabbage) Marsh—one of which is pictured—and one in the Watasuge Marsh. The Mizubasho inside each hollow appear to be about 30–50% of full bloom. I met a father from Ishikawa Prefecture at the Watasuge Marsh, who commented, “I often check your slope reports! Today, I’m planning to go as far into the park as I can.”
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Mizubasho Marsh]

Over 90% of the Tsugaike Nature Park is still covered in snow, and the trail is marked by bamboo poles with pink ribbons. After crossing the bridge over the Kusukawa River, I found steps carved into the snowy surface (pictured). Since there’s a steep section beyond this point, it’s best to bring crampons, chain spikes, or trekking poles for safety.
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Kusukawa River]

　
＊ The longest gondola in Japan is the “Dragondola” (5,481m), which connects Naeba Ski Resort and Kagura Ski Resort. However, skiing along the Dragondola route is not permitted in winter—unlike Tsugaike, where slopes alongside the gondola are open for skiing!
＊ At 11:00 a.m., a traditional ceremony was held in front of the Tsugaike Visitor Center to pray for safety for the year ahead, followed by an alphorn performance near the entrance to the Mizubasho Marsh.
＊ In regards to parking, both the No.2 Parking Lot and the Champion Parking Lot (with a combined capacity of 300 vehicles) are free of charge. The Central Parking Lot, which is the closest to the gondola base station and can accommodate 300 vehicles, costs ¥500 per day. (*Please note that overnight parking is allowed in the No. 2 Parking Lot, and that the Kane-no-Naru-Oka No.1 Parking Lot is closed during the summer season.)

　
[Tsugaike Nature Park 2025 Opening Information]
＊Period … 6/7 (Sat.) to 10/26 (Sun.), 11/1 (Sat.) to 11/3 (Mon., holiday)
＊Hours … Tsugaike Ropeway (8:00～) *Early morning operation starts on 7/12
＊Fees … Tsugaike Ropeway Roundtrip + Entrance Fee / Adults JPY4,000, Elementary School Students JPY2,200, Preschoolers Free → Advance Discount Tickets: Adults JPY3,500, Children JPY1,950! (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 … 2025/7/19 (Sat) – 8/31 (Sun) *Closed on weekdays from 6/7 – 7/13 and 9/1 – 10/26.
Opening hours … 10 am – 4 pm (last admission at 3 pm)
Charges … Tobidas (1 time) JPY1,000 Kabedas (1 time) JPY500 Amidas (60 min) JPY1,600 for adults, JPY1,000 for primary schools students Kogidas (1 time) JPY2,000

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

reported by Snownavi