Summer Info
Fall colors are running ahead of schedule this year, and the change seems to have accelerated over the past few days since the difference between the daytime and nighttime temperatures has been especially pronounced. In fact, the foliage today, 9/23 (Wed., public holiday), is already more advanced than it was on 9/28 (Sun.) last year, making this year’s fall season around a week earlier. The morning dawned brilliantly clear today, with the thermometer at the Tsugaike Visitor Center reading just 4°C.
[Watasuge Marsh]
At the Watasuge Marsh, the sharply defined Hakuba Sanzan peaks rose above slopes already glowing with fall color (first photo), drawing delighted comments from visitors passing by. Looking back, the trees along the ridge toward Tenguhara (pictured, background) were also beginning to show vivid autumn colors.
[Watasuge Marsh]
By the time I reached the Ukishima Marsh at around 9:30 a.m., clouds rising from below had begun to obscure the Northern Alps ridgeline. Across the Tsugaike Nature Park, the foliage is now roughly halfway to its peak. At the Ukishima Marsh (pictured), dakekanba and maples beginning to turn yellow stood out against the landscape, while the colors spreading across Mt. Korenge were becoming increasingly impressive.
[Ukishima Marsh]
At the Yase-One ridge, some okamenoki trees had already turned a brilliant red, although the area as a whole is still in the early stages of the season. Looking down toward the Mosen Pond, the trees covering the slopes of Mt. Korenge were especially vibrant (pictured). Temperatures remained low, but the strong sun took the chill off the air and made for comfortable walking throughout the day.
[Yase-One Ridge]
*The “Tsugaike Nature Park Autumn Foliage Week” will be held from 10/3 (Sat.) through 10/9 (Fri.).
[Tsugaike Nature Park – Opening Details]
*Period … June 6 – Oct 25, 2026
*Hours … Tsugaike Ropeway opens at 8:00 a.m.; 7:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays through September 23; 7:00 a.m. on September 26 and 27
*Fees … Tsugaike Ropeway round trip + park entrance / Adults ¥4,000, elementary school children ¥2,200, one preschool child free per accompanying adult → Adults ¥3,500, children ¥1,950 with early-discount tickets! (No need to exchange at the ticket counter—bring it directly to the gondola gate!)
