REPORT

Fall colors have reached their peak across Shiga Kogen. To coincide with the three-day weekend running from 10/10 (Sat.) through 10/12 (Mon., public holiday), the Okushiga Gondola is running special fall operations (※9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for the Autumn Foliage Festival. This morning, I rode the gondola up toward Chigo-ike Pond at the summit of Mt. Yakebitai (2,009 m), enjoying sweeping views of the colorful slopes below along the way (pictured).
[Okushiga Gondola]

From the gondola summit station, a gentle trekking trail climbs through the ski area for about 20 minutes. “What a beautiful view,” said a man I met on the boardwalk around Chigo-ike Pond (pictured, foreground), which was renovated this summer. I also spoke with a couple visiting with their dog (pictured, background) who told me, “We love Shiga Kogen and come to this fall foliage event every year.”
[Mt. Yakebitai Summit・Chigo-ike Pond]

Clear skies made for outstanding views from the Chigo-ike wetlands, with the Northern Alps and the Hokushin Five Mountains standing out sharply in the distance (pictured, background). After visiting Yakebitaiyama Shrine and walking a full circuit around Chigo-ike Pond, I rode the gondola back down and stopped for a light lunch at the event area, where stalls were selling apples, Shine Muscat grapes, tonjiru, simmered offal, takoyaki, yakitori, local craft beer, sake, and more.
[Mt. Yakebitai Summit・Chigo-ike Wetlands]

Back at the event area, one voice stood out above the rest: “How about a go at chestnut scooping? These pesticide-free chestnuts are grown right here in Kita-Shiga Kogen, and they’re delicious!” It was a guide from Mountain Discovery whom I had previously met during a SUP report at Biwa-ike Pond. “The kids get to keep whatever they earn from their sales, so they’re really putting their hearts into it.” he told me.
[Okushiga Gondola Parking Lot]

＊The “Okushiga Kogen Autumn Foliage Festival 2026” is being held at the Okushiga Gondola parking lot from 10/10 (Sat.) through 10/12 (Mon., public holiday).
＊The “Kinshu Craft Fair in Shiga Kogen” will be held at Shiga Kogen Yama-no-Eki from 10/17 (Sat.) through 10/18 (Sun.).

[Shiga Kogen – Opening Details]
＊Period … Yokoteyama Skylator & Sky Lift: Apr 22 – late Oct (※planned); Shibutoge No. 1 Romance Lift: after snow clearing is completed – early Nov (※planned); Shiga Kogen Golden Line: June 20 – Nov 1; Maeyama Summer Lift: operating on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and reserved days from June 20 – Oct 18; Takamagahara Summer Lift: Aug 8–16
＊Summer lift fees … Yokoteyama Skylator & Sky Lift round trip / Adults \2,200, children \1,900; Shibutoge Romance Lift one way / Adults \2,200, children \1,900; Shiga Kogen Golden Line 1-day round-trip pass / Adults \3,000, children \1,800; Maeyama Summer Lift one way / Adults \600, children \400; Takamagahara Summer Lift round trip / Adults \1,200, children \800, One preschool child free per paying adult.

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reported by Snownavi