Summer Info
It was quite the surprise to see whole colonies of Nikkokisuge blooming in June! In a typical year, they reach this stage around July 10th, which means this year’s bloom is running about ten days early. On top of that, this is proving to be an exceptional year for Kobaikei-so. At the Kamaike Marsh (pictured), visitors were stopping to admire the vivid mix of yellow, white, and green, with voices calling out things like, “Wow, incredible!” and “It’s so beautiful!”
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Kamaike Marsh]
The wind felt cool, but the intense sunshine made it feel hot across my neck and back as I walked from Happo-ike Sanso toward the No. 2 Cairn. A sun umbrella, like the ones carried by the two visitors in the background of the photo, may be a good idea on days like this. Since the middle to final sections of the boardwalk course remain closed for repair work, I once again took the ridge trail.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Boardwalk Course]
Right now, iwa-shimotsuke (pictured) is the star of the Happo-One Nature Trail, blooming beautifully throughout the entire area. Nikkokisuge are also beginning to appear here and there before the No. 2 Cairn. Seeing the plump buds of akabana shimotsuke-so, I had the feeling they, too, would begin flowering earlier than usual this year.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Boardwalk Course]
Around the Shakuji Cairn, haetori-sumire, urajiro-yoraku, and yotsuba-shiogama were blooming beautifully. I met two visitors from Shizuoka Prefecture (pictured), who told me, “We’ve wanted to come to Happo for a long time. It’s cloudy today, but we’re hoping to see the Hakuba Sanzan peaks reflected in Happo Pond.” After that, the sun slipped behind the clouds around 9:20 a.m., making conditions much more comfortable.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Shakuji Cairn]
＊The Kurobishi Forest Road and the Kurobishi Line are scheduled to open on 7/1 (Wed.).
[Happo-One Nature Trail Opening Information]
*Period … 2026/5/30 (Sat.) & 5/31 (Sun.), 6/6 (Sat.) – 11/3 (Tue.)
*Hours … Happo Alpen Line (from 8:00; early‑morning service starts July 11). *The Kurobishi Line begins operation from July 1.
*Fees … Happo Alpine Line Roundtrip / Adults JPY3,500, Elementary School Students JPY2,300 → Advance Discount Tickets: Adults JPY3,200, Elementary School Students JPY2,000! (Skip the ticket window! Go straight to the gondola gate.)
