REPORT

From 6/23 (Mon.) to 6/27 (Fri.), Hakuba saw a total of just 8.8 hours of sunshine—less than half of the annual average for that period. On 6/28 (Sat.), despite being a mostly sunny day, intermittent cloud cover kept the sunlight at bay, and the heat from the previous week had subsided, making for a pleasantly cool hike up to the No. 3 Cairn. At the Happo-ike Pond (pictured), the snow cover had mostly receded from the shoreline, though access to the deck on the west side remains closed.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・No. 3 Cairn]

I spoke with a man from Tokyo (pictured, second from left) who told me, “I’m doing a day hike up to Mt. Karasawa with three friends—this is their first time.” One of those friends added, “The hike up to this point has been so refreshing and really enjoyable!” Many hikers were continuing on toward the trail to Mt. Karasawa, and in the distance, a line of people could be seen making their way up the snow-covered slope just before the Maruyama Cairn.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo-ike Pond]

Throughout the entire Happo-one Nature Trail, numerous iwa-shimotsuke (pictured) and Tateyama rindo were in full bloom. Along the mountain trail, I also spotted Nikko kisuge daylilies, yotsuba shiogama, Ibuki jako-so, toriashi shoma, urajiro yoraku, and urajiro nanakamado. Around the No. 3 Cairn, the rocky terrain was dotted with vibrant red blossoms of ota kanebara.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Mt. Climbing Course]

As for the boardwalk route, the initial section leaving from in front of the Happo-ike Sanso remains closed, and the segment beyond the junction near the wooden stairs (on the mountain climbing) route is also currently off-limits due to repairs. The restroom just before the No. 2 Cairn (pictured, background) is still unavailable as well. On 7/1 (Tue.), the Kurobishi Forest Road will open for the season, marking the start of summer operations for the Kurobishi 3 Pair Lift.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo Cairn to No. 3 Cairn]

　
＊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