REPORT

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the rainy season appears to have ended in western Japan on 6/27 (Fri.). This marks the earliest end to the rainy season on record—since statistics began in 1951—for northern Kyushu, Shikoku, the Chugoku region, and the Kinki region. While the rainy season has not yet officially ended in the Kanto-Koshin region, which includes Hakuba, we’ve had three consecutive days of sunshine, and with today’s especially intense sun, I worked up quite a sweat.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo Cairn to Happo-ike Pond]

After cooling off by the snowfield just before Happo Pond (pictured, first photo), I arrived at the No. 3 Cairn and spotted some freshly blooming chishima-gikyo (pictured). Around the same area, I also saw the vibrant flowers of hosoba-tsumegusa and takane-bara in bloom. Across the entirety of the Happo-one Nature Trail, iwa-shimotsuke remains the dominant flower, while the Nikko-kisuge daylilies, which began blooming around 6/25 (Wed.), are steadily increasing in number.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・No. 3 Cairn]

The snow cover over the Happo-ike Pond has completely separated from the shoreline. I spoke with a man (pictured, foreground) there who told me, “The sun’s really blazing, but the light breeze feels great. I’m heading up to Mt. Karamatsu.” Despite tomorrow marking the start of July, the deck on the west side of the Happo-ike Pond remains closed due to lingering snow—another clear sign of how much snow we had during the 2025-26 winter season!
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo-ike Pond to Shita-no-kanba]

Early tomorrow morning, 7/1 (Tue.), the Kurobishi Forest Road will open to vehicle traffic, and the Kurobishi 3 Pair Lift will begin running, as the Kurobishi Skyline swings into full operation. (The Kurobishi Skyline includes the forest road, the Kurobishi 3 Pair Lift, and the Grat Quad). Also on 7/1 (Tue.), several mountain huts will open for the season: Hakuba-dake Renge Onsen Lodge, Tengu Sanso, Tsumetaike Sanso, Taneike Sanso, Harinoki Goya, and Funakubo Goya—meaning that all mountain huts along the Ushiro-Tateyama Range will be open, with the exception of Hakuba Yari Onsen Goya and Shinkoshi Sanso!
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo-ike Pond to Shita-no-kanba]

　
*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