Summer Info
The five-day Silver Week holiday got off to a beautiful start with clear autumn skies. Today, I met two hikers from Saitama Prefecture (pictured), who told me, “We’re so glad the weather cleared up! We’re climbing Mt. Goryu today and traversing to Mt. Karamatsu tomorrow. If the weather continues to hold, we’d like to keep going all the way to Mt. Hakuba (Shirouma).” In fact, shortly after opening, the deck at the top of the Tenbo Lift was already packed with hikers.
[Tenbo Lift]
Along the Alps-Daira Nature Trail, minekaede and beech leaves were beginning to turn yellow, while maples, nanakamado, and azaleas were starting to show some red. The sun felt warm on my back, but the cool autumn breeze made for very comfortable walking. The trekking route as far as Mikaeri-zaka gets less breeze, however, and I still worked up a good sweat.
[Alps-Daira Nature Trail]
Down in the valley, the clear weather had prompted farmers to begin harvesting rice in earnest this morning (pictured, rear). After taking a short break at Mikaeri-zaka, I continued toward Ichinose-gami, where a refreshing autumn breeze returned along the route toward Mt. Kotomi. The fall colors at Hakuba Goryu are expected to peak from late September to early October along the Mt. Kotomi Trekking Course, from early to mid-October on the Alps-Daira Nature Trail, around mid-October in the Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden, and from mid- to late October along the Goryu Telecabin.
[Mikaeri-zaka]
A “Moss Terrarium Workshop” is currently being held at Alps-daira Plaza (in front of ALPS 360) from 9/19 (Sat.) through 9/23 (Wed., public holiday.) (※¥1,000 per session + ¥200 per figurine.) I spoke with a staff member (pictured) who told me, “Koyano mannen-gusa moss looks a little like a palm tree, so we’ve prepared lots of sea-creature figurines, too. Come create your own little ‘beach’ inside a jar!”
[Alps-Daira Plaza]
*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 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: operates from 8:15 a.m. on weekdays and from 7:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays.
*Fees … Goryu Telecabin round-trip 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)
