REPORT

Today marked the first clear day since the first snowfall blanketed the Ushiro-Tateyama Range on 10/27 (Thu.). At HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR (pictured), tourists arrived one after another to witness Hakuba’s famous sandan koyo—the breathtaking “three-tiered autumn colors,” where the white snow on the mountaintops, the red foliage on the mountainside, and the green forests at the base can all be seen at once.
[HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR]

The sandan koyo can only be seen where there’s a large difference in elevation—and where the full scene, from foothills to mountain tops, can be viewed at once. It also appears only on clear days during a brief window from late October to early November. This year has been called the best in eleven years, since 2014, thanks to the unusually healthy leaves and vivid colors. (Mt. Shirouma (2,932 m), the highest peak in the Ushirotateyama Range, pictured)
[HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR]

The autumn colors along the 5Sen Lift Line connecting the summit and Hakuba Hitotoki-no-mori (pictured) were also at their peak. Among the visitors were not only Japanese tourists but also many from Southeast Asia, as well as a TV crew filming on location. The early morning chill made gloves a welcome addition to warm clothing, but by around 11:00 a.m., the temperature had risen to a comfortable level.
[5Sen South]

In the Nezuko-no-mori forest (pictured), located just below the summit of Iwatake, the autumn colors were about 50 to 70% of peak. Taking the left fork in the trail past the giant nezuko (Japanese arborvitae) tree and the small gazebo led to a beautiful display of kaede (maple) in full fall color. I fully enjoyed the autumn scenery, accompanied by the soft crunch of fallen leaves underfoot along the gentle forest path.
[Nezuko-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