REPORT

On 6/30 (Mon.), Japan recorded its hottest day of the year so far, with 100 locations across the country experiencing extreme heat over 35°C and 618 locations reaching midsummer temperatures over 30°C. Even Hakuba Village, known as a cool summer retreat, was hot. Around the Jizo Cairn and Jizo Marsh, the number of blooming Nikko kisuge daylilies had noticeably increased. I continued along the trail, seeking shade beneath the vibrant green canopy, away from the intense sun.
[Alps-Daira Nature Trail]

“This stretch of the trail is lined with tiny flowers blooming continuously,” commented a hiker I met just before Mikaeri-zaka. Delicate maizuruso (false lily-of-the-valley), which had just started blooming during my previous report, were now blooming in clusters, creating a beautiful sight. At one point while climbing, I paused and looked up—the young leaves swaying in the wind glowed beautifully in the sunlight.
[Mt. Kotomi Trekking Course・Jizo Cairn to Mikaeri-zaka]

Near the gazebo at the upper section of the Rock Garden, the “queen of alpine flowers”—komakusa (pictured)—was in full bloom. Another star of early summer, the blue poppies, were still just budding. A staff member at the Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden told me, “They should start blooming within the next week or two.”
[Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden]

A hiking safety ceremony was being held at the Jizo Cairn (pictured). One of the participants told me, “Last year the weather was rough during the ceremony, but today it turned out to be very nice, and hot.” I also spoke with another hiker who shared, “I come every year, and there’s definitely still more snow than usual this time.”
[Alps-Daira Nature Trail・Jizo Cairn]

[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