Summer Info
“Beautiful!” and “This is incredible!” were just some of the reactions I heard around the Jizo Cairn (pictured), but I was struck by something else entirely. In just three days since my last visit on 10/9 (Fri.), the band of fall color had moved dramatically farther down the mountain. Around the Jizo Cairn and Jizo Pond, the foliage was already past its peak and fallen leaves were becoming increasingly noticeable.
[Alps-Daira Nature Trail]
Even so, the stretch of clear weather that began on 10/8 (Thu.) kept conditions crisp without feeling too cold, making for a very pleasant walk. The bright red berries of nanakamado (pictured), standing out on branches that had already shed most of their leaves, were especially striking. With signs of late autumn all around, I took my time walking from the Alps-Daira Nature Trail through the Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden.
[Alps-Daira Nature Trail]
The views looking down the mountain were still spectacular. I was particularly drawn to the fall colors toward Hakuba47 and the sea of clouds stretching beyond them (pictured). The season has gone by quickly, and the Goryu Telecabin, Tenbo Lift, and Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden will all close for the season next weekend on 10/18 (Sun.).
[Alps-Daira Nature Trail]
On the final two days of the season, 10/17 (Sat.) and 10/18 (Sun.), the “AREA UNITE 2026 -Film festival-” will be held at Hakuba Goryu Escal Garden at the base of the resort. Then, just over a month later on 11/21 (Sat.), the ski resort is scheduled to open for winter using its newly installed snowmaking equipment. Today, the fall colors were at their best along the upper section of the Goryu Telecabin (pictured).
[Goryu Telecabin]
＊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)
