Summer Info
The forecast was initially full of umbrella icons this week, but with each passing day they gradually gave way to more and more sunshine symbols, specifically for yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Looking across Japan, the rainy season was officially declared over for the northern Kyushu, Chugoku, and Kansai regions. Early this morning, I noticed many hikers carrying large backpacks as they set off for Mt. Goryu.
[Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden]
Nikkokisuge day lilies are now at their peak along the Alps-daira Nature Trail and across the upper section of the Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden. Along the nature trail, the beautiful displays of iwa-shimotsuke (pictured), urajiro-yoraku, and okome-tsutsuji were particularly memorable. I also noticed more buds beginning to appear on nameru-giboshi and akabana shimotsuke-so.
[Alps-daira Nature Trail]
Around eight Himalayan blue poppies (pictured) were in bloom in the lower Rock Garden. A visitor from Suwa City, who was photographing them with a DSLR camera, told me, “I came here specifically to see the blue poppies. I’m really happy to find them in such beautiful condition. …What? There are yellow poppies blooming too? I’ll have to go and photograph those as well.”
[Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden]
In the upper Rock Garden, komakusa remained at its best, while kirin-so, Ibuki jako-so, takane-nadeshiko, oyama-soba, and kuruma-yuri were also blooming beautifully. “Good morning, Snownavi! You’re out here bright and early again today,” said the same two visitors (pictured) whom I had met yesterday. More than anything, it simply felt wonderful to stroll slowly through the lush green scenery of the Alps-daira Nature Trail.
[Alps-daira Nature Trail]
*The free shuttle bus serving JR Kamishiro Station, the Hakuba Goryu Bus Stop, and Escal Plaza is currently in operation!
[Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden 2025 Opening Information]
*Period … Sat. & Sun. from 6/6 (Sat.) to 6/14 (Sun.), Daily from 6/20 (Sat.) to 10/18 (Sun.)
*Hours … Goryu Telecabin Starts at 7:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays from 7/4 through 8/9 and from 8/10 through 8/16; from 7:30 a.m. on weekdays from 7/6 through 8/7 and on weekends and holidays starting 8/22; and from 8:15 a.m. on weekdays starting 8/17.
*Fees … Goryu Telecabin round-trip June, September & October: Adults JPY2,800, 6 to 18 y/o JPY1,300 → Coupon Adults JPY2,500, 6 to 18 y/o JPY1,250!, From 7/1 to 8/31: Adults JPY3,000, 6 to 18 y/o JPY1,500 → Coupon Adults JPY2,900, 6 to 18 y/o JPY1,450! (Free ride on observation lift, One preschool child per adult is free)
