REPORT

With the forecast calling for clear skies right as the fall colors are peaking, long lines had already formed at the Tsugaike Gondola base station before the start of business—despite it being a weekday. On my way up, a Tsugaike Ropeway staff member told me, “This year’s colors are absolutely spectacular. I hope you enjoy them to the fullest!” Sure enough, stepping out alongside the Watasuge Marsh (pictured) past where the boardwalk has just been renovated, I was greeted by brilliant hues that drew cheers of amazement from visitor after visitor.
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Watasuge Marsh]

From the viewpoint between the Kusukawa river and Ukishima Marsh, the scenery looking back across the Watasuge Marsh (pictured) was a truly breathtaking sight—even more vibrant and striking than when I last visited on 10/2 (Thu.). Right now, it’s fair to say that the autumn foliage in the Tsugaike Nature Park is at its peak. The temperature was a chilly 10°C, and the cold wind carried a bite, but thanks to the sunshine, it never felt uncomfortably cold.
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Kusukawa to Ukishima Marsh]

By around 9:30 a.m., as I entered the Ukishima Marsh, clouds began rising and slowly surrounding the area, so I hurried toward the Tenbo Marsh. Unfortunately, by the time I reached the deck, the main Hakuba Sanzan peaks were already hidden in the fog. During a short break, however, a patch of blue sky opened above Mt. Korenge, and sunlight poured through. Everyone gathered on the deck immediately raised their cameras and smartphones to capture the moment (pictured).
[Tsugaike Nature Park・Tenbo Marsh]

By around 10:30 a.m., the clouds lifted again and blue skies spread overhead, but in the end the slope rising toward Mt. Korenge (pictured), as seen from the Tenbo Marsh earlier in the day, proved to be the most beautiful foliage I captured. On the way back, I met a hiker from Tokyo who told me, “I always read your reports! When I saw that you said this year’s foliage was fantastic, I took some time off work to com out. It really is incredible!”
[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 9/27 to 10/13 from 7:00 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