REPORT

The Nikko-kisuge daylilies of Shiga Kogen are now past their peak around the lower-elevation areas of Maruike and Hasuike, while reaching peak bloom across the slopes of Takamagahara Mammoth and Higashidateyama (pictured). In 2023 and 2024, Snownavi featured detailed reports on Shiga Kogen’s impressive colonies of daylilies, but this year we’re shifting the focus toward highlighting the “Mountain Cycling Tour.”
[Higashidateyama Tenku Course・Higashidateyama Alpine Botanical Garden]

That’s because last year at the Biwa-ike Pond, Mr. Yumoto (pictured, left), a representative of Shiga Kogen Mountain Discovery, generously offered, “Next time, please join me on our Mountain Cycling Tour!” And so today, I found myself geared up with elbow and knee pads and a helmet in front of the Higashidateyama Gondola base station, feeling excited as I hopped aboard the gondola for the ride up.
[Higashidateyama Gondola Base Station]

From the Higashidateyama Gondola base station (elevation 1,600m), we rode up to the starting point at the summit of Higashidateyama (1,994m). “The daylilies are blooming beautifully!” commented a tour participant from Nagano Prefecture (second photo, right). Around the summit, vibrant fields of Nikko-kisuge stretched across the slopes—every bit as impressive as last year. Plenty of buds still remained, too, promising more blooming flowers in the days ahead.
[Higashidateyama Tenku Course・Higashidateyama Alpine Botanical Garden]

Welcomed by the stunning Nikko-kisuge blooms and the crisp, refreshing air at the summit of Higashidateyama, our excitement was high even before we started riding. After a briefing from our guide, Mr. Yumoto, on saddle height adjustment, riding techniques, and safety tips, we set off! Around 9 a.m., clouds began rising from the base and gradually covered the blue sky. (※ To be continued in Mountain Cycling Tour, Pt. 2)
[Shiga Kogen Garden Terrace]

　
[Shiga Kogen Opening Information]
* Period … Yokoteyama Skylator and Sky Lift 4/23 – late October (*scheduled, 5/30 – 6/15, 6/24, 6/25 close), Shibu-toge 1st Romance Lift 5/30 – Early November (*scheduled, 6/16 – 7/18 close), Shiga Kogen Golden Line 6/14 – 11/3, Maeyama Summer Lift 6/14 – 10/19 (Sat, Sun, holidays and reserved days), Takamagahara Summer Lift 8/17 – 8/19.
* Summer Lift Fees … Shiga Kogen Golden Line round trip 1-day pass / Adults JPY3,000, Child JPY1,800, Takamagahara Summer Lift round trip / Adults JPY1,200, Child JPY800, Maeyama Summer Lift one way / Adults JPY600, Child JPY400, Yokoteyama Sky Lift and Sky Lift round trip / adult 2,000 JPY, child 1,700 JPY, Shibutoge Romance Lift round trip / adult 2,000 JPY, child 1,700 JPY.
　　
*Click here to purchase photos found in this report.
　　　
reported by Snownavi