REPORT

The fluffy, firework-like flowers of akabana shimotsuke-so have reached full bloom in the middle section of the Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden. This vibrant red mass marks the climax of the alpine flower season at Hakuba Goryu. Clouds began to rise up early this morning, and by around 7:40 a.m., a mist had already settled over Alps-Daira, which made the morning air feel all the more crisp and refreshing.
[Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden]

“It’s a breathtaking sight with the entire area dyed red—we hope more people come see it for themselves,” was the comment from a Hakuba Goryu staff member. Many of the plants were in excellent condition with little insect or other damage, making them beautiful both up close and from afar. Meanwhile, the clusters of flowers higher up on the upper portion of the Grand Prix course were still only about 20 to 30% of peak bloom.
[Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden]

In the lower area of the alpine botanical garden, yanagi-ran (fireweed, pictured) were in full bloom. Other flowers such as yamabuki-shoma and tamagawa-hototogisu were also blossoming beautiifully. Interestingly, despite its name, yanagi-ran is neither related to willows (yanagi) nor orchids (ran); it actually belongs to the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). It was named for its willow-like leaves and orchid-like beauty.
[Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden]

In the early morning, many hikers could be seen headed toward Mt. Kotomi. I was greeted by two international visitors (pictured), who commented, “Good morning! It’s easy to walk since there’s no direct sunlight.” (This year there seems to be quite a few international visitors in Hakuba for the summer season this year.) Along the Alps-Daira Nature Trail, beautiful flowers of namerugiboshi, akabana shimotsuke-so, hotsutsuji, and okome-tsutsuji were in full bloom.
[Alps-Daira Nature Trail]

　
[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)
Weekend & Holidays 7/5 – 8/11 and 8/12 – 8/15 start at 7:00 a.m., Weekdays 7/7 – 8/8 and 8/16 – 8/17, weekends and holidays 8/16 – 8/17 start at 7:30 a.m., 8/18 – 9/12 start at 8:15 a.m.
*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