Summer Info
Following the end of the rainy season in northern Kyushu, Chugoku, and Kansai on 7/8 (Wed.), the Japan Weather Association has forecast that the Tokai area will follow suit around 7/14 (Tue.) and Kanto-Koshin around 7/15 (Wed.). Hakuba is expected to become much busier after 7/18 (Sat.), when the start of summer vacation at public elementary, junior high, and high schools coincides with the first day of a three-day weekend. This morning brought a welcome return of clear skies, with the Hakuba Sanzan peaks standing out beautifully against the background of summer blue.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Ridge Trail]
The strong sun beating on my back had me sweating right away. Summer clouds were already building quickly this morning, and the sun began to disappear near the No. 3 Cairn before 9:30 a.m. (pictured). I ran into a man from Hakuba Village, who told me, “I always read your reports. I hurried up here, but the clouds beat me to it.” Anyone hoping for clear mountain views should make the most of the early-morning services on the Happo Alpen Line and Kurobishi Line, which kick off tomorrow.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo Cairn to No. 3 Cairn]
The Nikkokisuge were eye-catching today, but this year undoubtedly belongs to the kobaikei-so (pictured), which are enjoying an exceptional flowering season. Their pristine flowers and leaves drew a steady stream of smartphone and camera lenses pointed in their direction. Watasuge cotton grass was blooming along the upper section of the boardwalk course, while miyama-azumagiku, yukiwari-so, and ko-iwakagami looked especially fresh in areas where the snow had lingered longer into the summer season.
Around Happo Pond, the flowering chinguruma, tegata chidori, and miyama murasaki were particularly memorable, as were the chishima-gikyo and takane-bara growing in the gravelly ground near the No. 3 Cairn. Walking in the cool breeze along the ridge left me thinking, “Next time, I’d love to climb all the way to Mt. Karamatsu again!”
[Trail to Mt. Karamatsu / Happo Pond to Shita-no-kanba]
＊From 7/11 (Sat.) to 8/30 (Sun.), the Kurobishi 3 Pair Lift will begin operating at 4:30 a.m. for sunrise viewing on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, 8/10 (Mon.), and 8/12 (Wed.) to 8/13 (Thu.).
[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.)
