REPORT

Tsugaike Nature Park, one of Japan’s premier autumn foliage destinations, is now entering its peak fall season. This year, however, the fall colors are progressing a little later than usual, and are currently around 40 to 50% of peak. Considering the forecast for rain and cloudy skies from tonight through 10/1 (Wed.), the peak is expected to occur around 10/10 (Fri.). This morning the air was calm with almost no wind, but the air was brisk enough to make a jacket or fleece absolutely essential.
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Mizubasho Marsh]

A pair of visitors (pictured), one from Aichi Prefecture and the other from Matsumoto City told me, “We were searching online and in magazines for places with beautiful autumn colors, and that’s how we found the Tsugaike Nature Park.” The east-side route around the Watasuge Marsh is open as far as the entrance (pictured), and, according to the Visitor Center, the ongoing boardwalk renovation work is scheduled to be completed by 10/3 (Fri.).
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Watasuge Marsh]

Along the trail this morning, the leaves here and there glistened with drops of dew. That’s important because the three key conditions for vibrant autumn colors are: large temperature differences between day and night, plenty of sunlight, and adequate moisture. At this stage, only a portion of the foliage has turned red or yellow, but spotting a young, small maple (pictured) sparked my anticipation for how the autumn colors will unfold in the weeks to come.
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Mizubasho Marsh]

I walked the full loop trail around the Ukishima Marsh, enjoying the subtle progression of the autumn colors. Since most visitors head first toward the Tenbo Marsh via the Mosen-ike Pond route, this area was wonderfully quiet in the early morning. By next week, as the eastern slopes of the Northern Alps begin to turn, the entire landscape here will transform into a tapestry of brilliant autumn hues.
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Ukishima Marsh]

　　
[Tsugaike Nature Park Opening Information]
*Period … 6/7 (Sat.) to 10/26 (Sun.), 11/1 (Sat.) to 11/3 (Mon., holiday)
*Hours … Tsugaike Ropeway is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m., weekends and holidays from 8/23 to 9/23 and 9/22 from 7:30 a.m.
*Fees … Tsugaike Ropeway Roundtrip + Entrance Fee / Adults JPY4,000, Elementary School Students JPY2,200, Preschoolers Free → Advance Discount Tickets: Adults JPY3,500, Children JPY1,950! (No need to exchange at the ticket window! You can proceed straight to the gondola.)
(*One preschooler free with each paid adult. The second preschooler will be charged at the normal children’s rate.)

[Hakuba Tsugaike WOW! Opening Information]
*Period … 2025/7/19 (Sat) – 8/31 (Sun) *Closed on weekdays from 6/7 – 7/13 and 9/1 – 10/26.
Opening hours … 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (last admission at 3:00 p.m.)
Charges … Tobidas (1 time) JPY1,000 Kabedas (1 time) JPY500 Amidas (60 min) JPY1,600 for adults, JPY1,000 for primary schools students Kogidas (1 time) JPY2,000

*This season’s Tsugaike Report will be updated once or twice a week.
*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs

reported by Snownavi