REPORT

The Japan Meteorological Agency has announced that the nationwide average temperature this summer (June to August) was 2.36°C above normal, the highest since record keeping began in 1898. Perhaps that’s one reason why the number of visitors to the cooler climate of Happo this summer (through the end of August) has increased in comparison to last year. Early this morning, I could clearly see the rice fields in Hakuba Village beginning to turn a golden yellow (pictured) from the Donguri Panorama Observation Deck.
[Donguri Panorama Observation Deck]

By the way, the HAKUBA Mountain Festival 2025 is set to take place across three venues on 9/20 (Sat.) and 9/21 (Sun.): the Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium (first photo, back right), Happo’s Usagidaira, and Snow Peak LAND STATION HAKUBA. Today I ran into two hikers from Osaka and Kyoto (pictured) who told me, “The fog gives everything such a mystical feel. The forecast is calling for rain later, so we want to be sure and finish early.”
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Ridge Route]

I made my way from the steep beginning section of the Ridge Route to the gentler Boardwalk Course (pictured). The mountaintop was shrouded in mist, keeping the air refreshingly cool, and the easy-to-climb boardwalk made gaining elevation feel effortless. Just beyond the spot shown in this photo, I observed several hikers enjoying their breakfast at a large table set along the trail.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Boardwalk Course]

The closer I got to Happo Pond, the cooler the air became. I crossed paths with a hiker I often see in the mornings, who commented, “It’s so refreshing in the mist, and it makes the climb easier.” Arriving at Happo Pond, I overheard others exclaiming things like, “Well, unfortunately we can’t see anything!” and, “I’ll just have to imagine the view of the mountians!” I took the opportunity to sit down and enjoy my breakfast, accompanied by the crisp autumn air.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo Cairn to No. 3 Cairn]

　　
[Happo-One Nature Trail Opening Information]
*Period … 2025/5/31 (Sat.) – 6/1 (Sun.), 6/7 (Sat.) – 11/3 (Mon.)
*Hours … Happo Alpen Line: Weekdays open at 8:00am, Weekend from 9/13 – 9/21 open at 6:30am, 9/15 and 9/22 – 9/23 open at 7:00am, Weekend from 9/27 – 10/5 open at 7:30am,Kurobishi Line: Weekdays open at 8:15am, 8/30 – 8/31 open at 4:30am, Weekend and holydays 9/5 – 10/5 and 9/22 open at 5:00am.
*Fees … Happo Alpen Line Roundtrip / Adults JPY3,400, Elementary School Students JPY2,200 → Advance Discount Tickets: Adults JPY3,000, Children JPY1,850! (No need to exchange at the ticket window! You can proceed straight to the gondola.) Kurobishi Line Roundtrip / Adults JPY2,300, Elementary School Students JPY1,400.
(*One preschooler free with each paid adult. The second preschooler will be charged at the normal children’s rate.)

*Hakuba Happo-one will be reported 1－2times a week
*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs.

reported by Snownavi