REPORT

When it comes to the main hiking routes in the Hakuba area, the top four are Goryu, Happo, Tsugaike, and the Hakuba Daisekkei. Despite the heavy snowfall this past winter, Goryu was the only one of the four routes where you could hike up high (Jizo Cairn, elevation 1,676m) without stepping on snow from the very first day of the season, 6/7 (Sat.). Please note that Goryu’s summer operations will be limited to weekends only until 6/15 (Sun.), and will switch to daily operations starting from 6/21 (Sat.).
[Alps-Daira Nature Trail]

Since the Tenbo Lift is out of service through 6/20 (Fri.), I hiked up through the Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Gardens after getting off the Goryu Telecabin, and then continued up the Alps-Daira Nature Trail to reach Jizo Cairn. With pleasant, sunny skies, I enjoyed the stunning close-up views of Mt. Goryu and the surrounding landscape. A few hikers were making their way toward Mt. Kotomi. Goryu-sanso, a mountain hut located at 2,490m on the saddle between Mt. Goryu and Mt. Shirotake, is set to open on 6/21 (Sat.).
[Alps-Daira Nature Trail・Jizo Cairn]

Although the flowers in the Alpine Botanical Garden were about 10 days behind their average blooming date, that actually turned out to be a good thing—it feels like things are being set up for a full-on showcase of spring alpine flowers. In the southern beech forest area of the garden, I found blooming shirane-aoi, sankayo (pictured), Togakushi-shōma, kinugasaso, murasaki yashio tsutsuji, and mitsuba oren. In the rock garden, Hakusan ichige, Shinano kinbai, miyama azumagiku, bergenia emeiensis, and iwaya-tsude were in bloom.
[Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Gardens]

At 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., guided tours titled “A Walk Through the Garden with a Curator” are held (¥1,000 for adults, ¥500 for elementary school students and younger, limited to 10 participants per session, approx. 1 hour). With detailed explanations from a curator, participants were able to observe and learn about the flowers more deeply. While reservations are required, same-day sign-ups are also available.
[Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Gardens]

＊Along the Alps Daira Nature Trail, various alpine flowers were in bloom, including Tateyama rindo, shojobakama, katakuri, and koiwa-kagami.
＊On weekends through 6/15 (Sun.), there will be alpine plant seedling sales (¥400 to ¥500) on sale in front of ALPS360, limited free seedling giveaways, and fundraising for the Rock Ptarmigan Restoration Project.

[Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden 2025 Opening Information]
*Period … Sat. & Sun. from 6/7 (Sat.) to 6/15 (Sun.), Daily from 6/21 (Sat.) to 10/19 (Sun.)
*Hours … Goryu Telecabin Starts at 8:15 a.m. (*Early morning operation available from 7/5)
*Fees … Goryu Telecabin round-trip June, September & October: Adults JPY2,600, Middle and high-school students JPY2,080, Elementary School Students JPY1,300 , From 7/1 to 8/31: Adults JPY3,000, Middle and high-school students JPY2,600, Elementary School Students JPY1,500 (Free ride on observation lift, One preschool child per adult is free)

*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