REPORT

Near the torii gate standing in the Onuma Pond, I met a man from Tokyo who was there sketching the scene (pictured). In conversation, he shared, “I moved to Tokyo about three years ago. Shiga Kogen is such a quiet, beautiful place… it’s really wonderful.” After visiting the Daija Shrine, we arrived at the emerald-green waters of the Onuma Pond at 12:10 p.m. Surrounded by fellow hikers, we had lunch on a bench with a scenic view of the pond.
[Onuma-ike Pond・Daija-Jinja Shrine Torii Gate]

“Within Shiga Kogen, you’ll see large clusters of yotsuba hiyodori (pictured), which attract plenty of asagimadara butterflies,” the guide explained. Around Onuma Pond, we spotted shishi-udo, hananigana, momiji-karamatsu, and the fruit of oba takashima-ran. Near the edge of the pond, utsubokusa, kohagiboshi, shimotsuke-so, baikai-so, and more yotsuba hiyodori were also in bloom.
[Pond Touring Route・Onuma-ike Pond to Ike-jiri]

After about a 30-minute lunch break, we set off again and arrived at the edge of the pond, known as Ike-jiri at around 1:00 p.m. “From here, you can see the torii gate directly in front of you,” the guide explained. “During the Shiga Kogen Daija Festival, boats are launched straight from this spot toward the torii.” Following the spirit-consecration ceremony at Onuma Pond on 8/22 (Fri.), there will be food stalls, a performance of the Kutsuno Kagura sacred dance, and fireworks in front of Shiga Kogen Yamanoeki on 8/23 (Sat.).
[Pond Touring Route・Ike-jiri]

About 35 minutes downhill from Ike-jiri, we reached a trail junction. “From here, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the Onuma Pond Iriguchi bus stop, no matter which route you take,” the guide said. “Since we’re here, let’s finish by walking through the primeval forest. This is one of my absolute favorite spots.” Luckily, the ancient forest sheltered us from the light rain that began to fall around 1:30 p.m.
[Pond Touring route・Shimuzu Koen Park]

* Starting 8/4 (Mon.), the “Shiga Kogen Summer Concert 2025” will take place.

[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.

　　
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reported by Snownavi