Summer Info
The sky this morning was about as clear as it has been all season. In fact, the cool, dry early-morning air, the clouds taking longer to build, and the first hints of yellow appearing on the slopes all made it feel as though autumn was beginning to arrive. While a steady stream of hikers made their way up from the Grat Quad Lift, I also passed plenty of people heading down from the direction of Mt. Karamatsu (pictured).
[Happo-One Nature Trail・No. 2 Cairn]
The views made every short break on the way to Happo Pond worthwhile. There were spectacular mountains in every direction, including the Hakuba Sanzan peaks and Mt. Goryu to the west, Mt. Amakazari and Mt. Hiuchi to the north, and Mt. Azumaya and Mt. Asama to the east. Underfoot, delicate white umebachi-so were blooming all along the trail.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo Cairn to No. 3 Cairn]
Visitors came and went constantly from the deck overlooking Happo Pond and the Hakuba Sanzan beyond (pictured, center). Umebachi-so, Hakusan-shajin, nokongiku, and Happo-waremoko were all blooming nearby. Strong southerly winds kept the surface of the pond rippled today, however, so there was no reflection of the peaks in the water.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo Pond]
The close-up views of the Hakuba Sanzan were equally impressive on the trail from Happo Pond toward the Shita-no-kanba forest area, and it felt noticeably cooler as soon as I entered the shade of the trees there. Meanwhile, down at the base of the mountain, the “Obinata-no-yu × Kurobishi Line × Garigari-kun Campaign 2026” has been running at Obinata-no-yu since 8/22 (Sat.). (※The first 500 visitors who present a used 2026 summer Kurobishi Line lift ticket at Obinata-no-yu will receive a free Garigari-kun ice pop!)
[Trail to Mt. Karamatsu・Happo Pond to Shita-no-kanba]
*The “HAKUBA Mountain Festival 2026” will be held at Usagidaira Terrace on 8/29 (Sat.) and 8/30 (Sun.)!
*Through 8/30 (Sun.), the Kurobishi 3 Pair Lift will operate from 4:30 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. From 9/5 (Sat.), the opening shifts to 5 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
[Happo-One Nature Trail Opening Information]
*Period … 2026/5/30 (Sat.) & 5/31 (Sun.), 6/6 (Sat.) – 11/3 (Tue.)
*Hours … Happo Alpen Line: 8:00 a.m., Aug 29–30 from 7:30 a.m.; Sep 12–12, and Sep 26–27 from 6:30 a.m., Sep 23 from 7:00 a.m., Kurobishi Line: 8:15 a.m., Aug 29–30 from 7:45 a.m.; Sep 12–12, and Sep 26–27 from 6:45 a.m., Sep 23 from 7:15 a.m.,
*Fees … Happo Alpen Line round trip / Adults ¥3,500 · Elementary school children ¥2,300 →Adults ¥3,200, children ¥2,000 with early-discount tickets! (No need to exchange at the ticket counter—bring it directly to the gondola gate!)
