SNOW REPORT
140cm
157cm
60cm
With clear skies and perfect sightseeing weather, about 3 cm of fresh snow blanketed the summit of Iwatake on the morning of 11/4 (Tue.), courtesy of the first snowfall of the 2025–2026 winter season. As soon as visitors stepped off the gondola at the summit station, many paused to take photos of the view looking down over the South Slope covered in snow. In the buna (Japanese beech) forest on the way to HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR, the melting snow dripped softly from the branches, creating a gentle pattering sound.
[IWATAKE GREEN PARK]
I decided to save the already-bustling HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR for later and took the South 5Sen lift down to Hakuba Hitotoki-no-mori instead. Early in the morning, on the still quiet CHAVATY HAKUBA terrace (pictured), I relaxed over a hot tea latte and a freshly baked scone. With the warm sunlight on my back, it felt much less cold than I had expected.
[Hakuba Hitotoki-no-mori]
Although the terrace at HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR (pictured) had been cleared of snow, patches of ice remained, so certain areas were restricted for safety. As a result, a long line of people waiting to take commemorative photos on the central deck extended well past the bridge. On 11/8 (Sat.) at 4:00 p.m., this same spot will host a special event, called IWATAKE AUTUMN NIGHT 2025.
[HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR]
Although the autumn colors had already passed their peak at both the summit of Iwatake and at Hakuba Hitotoki-no-mori, the lower-elevation reaches of Nezuko-no-mori (pictured) were still spectacular. The kaede (maple) leaves glowed brilliantly in the sunlight, and I found myself stopping again and again to take photos of the vivid scene.
[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
