REPORT

Thanks in part to the rain from 9/30 (Tue.) to 10/1 (Wed.), the autumn colors inside the Tsugaike Nature Park have now advanced to about 70% of their expected peak. In recent days, overnight lows have dropped to 1 to 2°C, creating greater temperature differences between day and night—ideal conditions for fall foliage. As I walked deeper into the park, from the Mizubasho Marsh to the Watasuge Marsh and along the Kusukawa River (pictured), the sun seemed to grow stronger, and with it the brilliance of the autumn colors intensified, lifting my spirits with every step.
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Kusukawa River]

From the rest area between the Kusukawa River and Ukishima Marsh (pictured), I gazed out over the Watasuge Marsh—where the work to renovate the boardwalk is nearly finished—and was greeted by a dazzling tapestry of autumn colors. The foliage may be progressing a little more slowly than in typical years, but regardless, the view was absolutely stunning. Indeed, the “Tsugaike Nature Park Autumn Foliage Week” is being held this year from 9/27 (Sat.) through 10/5 (Sun.).
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Kusukawa River to Ukishima Marsh]

At the Ukishima Marsh, which was the most spectacular spot of the day, I noticed someone walking toward me with a big smile. To my surprise, it turned out to be Paul (pictured), who translates these very reports into English. He told me, “Today I’m guiding a group of guests from Mexico, the U.S., Pakistan, and Japan. This morning we’re planning to walk all the way to the Tenbo Marsh, and this afternoon we’ll have lunch at Teppan Dining Yamanami before heading to an onsen.”
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Ukishima Marsh]

At the Tenbo Marsh, the combination of the golden ground cover in the foreground and the colorful trees dotting the mountainside extending up towards Mt. Korenge (pictured, right) made for a beautiful scene—though it would have been perfect if the mountains had also been visible! For those planning a visit, the Tsugaike Ropeway will run early at 7:00 a.m. on 10/4 (Sat.), 10/5 (Sun.), and again from 10/11 (Sat.) through 10/13 (Mon., holiday).
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Tenbo 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