REPORT

Around 6/10 (Tue,), the Hokuriku region and the Kanto-Koshin region, which includes Hakuba, officially entered the rainy season. Yesterday and today were mostly overcast with occasional sunshine. Perhaps due to the high humidity, I began to sweat almost immediately after stepping off the Grat Quad and starting my hike, but a gentle northeasterly breeze along the ridge helped keep things comfortably cool.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Mountain Climbing Course]

A section of the wooden steps along the mountain climbing trail (pictured) was damaged by the heavy snowfall this past winter, and the middle portion is now reduced to single-lane passage. The snow has completely melted between the Shakujii Cairn and the No. 2 Cairn, while the remaining snow between the No. 2 Cairn and Happo Cairn has shrunk to about half of what it was last time I came. Along the trail up to the No. 2 Cairn, I saw plenty of blooming miyama azumagiku (alpine fleabane) and harurindo (Japanese gentian).
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Mountain Climbing Course]

By around 9:30 a.m., the clouds had thickened across the sky, and the sunlight began to fade. In the gravelly area around the No. 3 Cairn, I spotted kumoma sumire (alpine violet, pictured), while on the western slope of the Happo-ike Pond, a beautiful patch of yukiwari-so was in full bloom. Other flowers like kijimushiro and umehatazao were also blooming beautifully.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・No. 3 Cairn]

The Happo Pond is still largely covered by a thick layer of snow. A hiker I spoke with commented, “With a bit more sunlight, the thawed sections might have turned emerald green.” I also met a couple visiting from Saitama who shared, “We’ve been to Hakuba in winter and autumn before, but this is our first time during this season. The lingering snow on the Northern Alps is really beautiful. We’d love to come back later in the summer.”
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo-ike Pond]

*There are three free parking lots at the base area. The lot in front of the Kurobishi 3rd Pair lift can accommodate approximately 200 vehicles.
*At present, the Usagidaira Terrace has the highest elevation restroom available for public use. Due to a water shortage, the restrooms at Happo-ike Sanso are only available to overnight guests or those dining at the lodge.
*The Kurobishi Forest Road will open to traffic early in the morning on 7/1 (Tue.), though please note it may be closed in the event of heavy rain or other adverse conditions.

[Happo-One Nature Trail Opening Information]
*Period … 2025/5/31 (Sat.) – 6/1 (Sun.), 6/7 (Sat.) – 11/3 (Mon.)
*Hours … Happo Alpen Line (8am － *Early morning operation starts from 7/12) *Kurobishi Line starts from 7/1
*Fees … Happo Alpen Line Roundtrip / Adults JPY3,400, Elementary School Students JPY2,200 → Advance Discount Tickets: Adults JPY3,000, Children JPY1,850! (No need to exchange at the ticket window! You can proceed straight to the gondola.) Kurobishi Line Roundtrip / Adults JPY2,300, Elementary School Students JPY1,400.
(*One preschooler free with each paid adult. The second preschooler will be charged at the normal children’s rate.)

*Hakuba Happo-one will be reported 1－2times a week
*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs.

reported by Snownavi