REPORT

For this report, I signed up for one of the guided programs offered by the Shiga Kogen Guide Association: the “Shijuhachi-ike Marsh & Onuma-ike Pond Touring Course.” The fee, JPY7,000 yen for adults and JPY5,000 yen for elementary school students, includes round-trip bus fare (JPY650) from the Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki (pictured), the Maeyama Summer Lift fare (JPY600), and accident insurance. I boarded the 9:05 a.m. bus with the guide and headed toward Hotaru Onsen.
[Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki]

Mr. Kobayashi, my guide for the day (pictured), told me, “On weekdays, the tours are often just one-on-one.” And sure enough, I was excited to find myself on a private guided tour with no other participants! After getting off the Maeyama Summer Lift, we passed through the Maeyama Marsh and Shibu-ike Pond area, then entered the forest. As the air grew noticeably cooler, the guide pointed out, “Take a close look around the base of the trees in this area—you’ll find hikari-goke (luminous moss) growing there.”
[Pond Touring Route・Shibu-ike to Shijuhachi-ike Marsh]

About an hour after leaving the Maeyama Marsh, we arrived at the Shijuhachi Marsh with fully overcast skies above. I met a couple staying at Hotel Takimoto (pictured), who told me, “A friend of ours is pretty fit and went off to climb Mt. Shiga. The cool breeze feels amazing. Tomorrow we’re planning to visit Mt. Higashidate to see the blooming yanagiran flowers.” Worried that the weather might take a turn for the worse, we picked up the pace and continued on.
[Pond Touring Route・Shijuhachi-ike Marsh]

By the way, if you’re a bit shy and thinking, “What if it’s just me and the guide?”—don’t worry! The guides are true professionals and great at keeping the conversation lively. The relaxed pace and gentle ups and downs unique to this course also make it easy to walk and chat the whole way through. About 40 minutes from the Shijuhachi Marsh, we reached a viewpoint (pictured) overlooking the cobalt-blue waters of the Onuma-ike Pond, which lifted my spirits even more. (*To be continued in Guided Tour, Pt. 2)
[Pond Touring Route・Shijuhachi-ike Marsh to Onuma–ike]

[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