REPORT

Sometimes, a familiar landscape can suddenly become something unforgettable. As I climbed toward Mt. Kotomi this morning, clouds began drifting in around Ichinose-gami (pictured). One hiker I met told me, “The fall colors seem to be further along than I expected. I’m planning to continue to Mt. Kotomi, but the clouds are moving in quickly. I hope we’ll still get a view of Mt. Goryu and Mt. Kashimayari.”
[Mt. Kotomi Trekking Course・Ninose-gami]

Fall colors around the Alps-Daira Nature Trail were still at about 30 of peak%, but along the Mt. Kotomi Trekking Course, they had progressed to around 50 to 60%. The stretch from Mikaeri-zaka to Ninose-gami was especially beautiful, with yamaurushi showing striking color gradients (pictured), alongside brilliant red azaleas and nanakamado.
[Mt. Kotomi Trekking Course・Ninose-gami]

I remembered photographing yamaurushi during last year’s visit on 10/3 (Fri.), so I compared the two later back at the office to see how much further along the colors are this year. I then continued to Mt. Kotomi with a couple from Taiwan, who told me, “The fall colors are so beautiful. We’re really impressed!”
[Mt. Kotomi Trekking Course・Ninose-gami to Mt. Kotomi Summit]

Just before reaching Mt. Kotomi, we climbed above the clouds and were rewarded with a magnificent view of Mt. Goryu (2,814 m) beneath a deep blue autumn sky. The fall color around the summit was about 70% of peak. The scenery was so captivating that I stayed on the summit until around 11 a.m., enjoying the view until the steadily rising clouds finally wrapped around Mt. Goryu and hid it from sight.
[Mt. Kotomi Trekking Course・Ninose-gami to Mt. Kotomi Summit]

　　
＊The “AREA UNITE 2026 -Film festival-” will be held at Hakuba Goryu Escal Garden on 10/17 (Sat.) and 10/18 (Sun.).
＊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)

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi