REPORT

Sitting at an elevation of 1,289 meters, Iwatake’s summit area is now transitioning towards the autumn foliage season, which lasts through early November. Comparing this first photo with the second picture from my report on 9/25 (Thu.) makes it easy to see how the band of fall color has gradually descended down the mountain during that time. With the forecast calling for a west-high–east-low pressure pattern and colder temperatures starting the night of 10/19 (Sun.), the first snowfall on the Ushiro-Tateyama Range could be just around the corner—perhaps even giving us a chance to see the beautiful “three-tiered autumn leaves” (sandan koyo) effect!
[Hakuba Iwatake・HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR]

Along the South 5-Line, the forest of buna (Japanese beech) and mizunara (oak) had taken on a soft yellow hue, accented by the vivid reds of momiji (maple), yama-urushi (Japanese sumac), and nanakamado (rowan), which begin to change color earlier than the rest. In contrast, the Nezuko-no-mori forest was only starting to turn. At this rate, the autumn colors there should reach their peak from late October to early November, right on schedule with an average year.
[Hakuba Iwatake・5sen South]

A couple visiting from Aichi Prefecture brought along their little pet owl named Kurumi (pictured). They told me, “We always read your reports. Ever since we welcomed Kurumi 10 years ago, she’s joined us on every trip. Hakuba is one of our favorite destinations—we come here often.” The pet admission fee, covering the round trip on both the gondola and the 5Sen South Line, is ¥800 per animal, regardless of type.
[Hakuba Iwatake・IWATAKE GREEN PARK]

Due to the heavy rain that fell during the day yesterday, the lawn area in front of Hakuba Hitotoki-no-mori (pictured) was still damp over a wide area around 10:00 a.m. At CHAVATY HAKUBA, two new seasonal items are now available until 11/9 (Sun.): the “Marron (chestnut) Earl Grey Soft Serve” (JPY680) and the “Waguri (Japanese Chestnut) and Orange Tea Latte” (JPY980).
[Hakuba Iwatake・Hitotoki-no-mori]

　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort Information]
*Season … Apr. 24 (Thu)－Nov.16 (Sun), 2025
*Hours … 8:30 a.m.－5:00 p.m.
*Price … Entrance Fee (Gondola and 5-sen south line fee included) / Adult: JPY2,900, Child: JPY1,600, Pet: JPY800

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

reported by Snownavi