REPORT

Fall colors are running ahead of schedule across Nagano Prefecture this year, and the colors at Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort likewise appear to be several days to a week ahead of normal. Today, the foliage was at its best along the middle and upper sections of the Nagasaka Gondola route (pictured). Those looking for an even more impressive view can try one of the gondola’s two special cabins with transparent floors and watch the vast autumn landscape unfold beneath your feet. (※Simply ask the staff at the boarding station. There is no additional charge.)
[Nagasaka Gondola]

I met three visitors from Ishikawa Prefecture (pictured), who told me, “We’ve been to Nozawa for snowboarding in winter, but this is our first visit during the green season. We usually ride road bikes and wanted to give downhill mountain biking a try, so we rented MTBs.” Incidentally, the mountain bike trails and Uenotaira Picnic Garden will remain open through 10/25 (Sun.).
[Uenotaira Highland・Uenotaira Picnic Garden]

The climb up to the Kokenashi Observatory left me with sweeping views of the fall colors, Nozawa Onsen Village, Togari Onsen Ski Resort, Tangram Ski Circus, the Hokushin Five Mountains, Nakano City, and beyond. Temperatures were a cool 10°C or so, but the sunshine kept things comfortable. It was also ideal weather for taking on the steep 15-minute walk up from the gondola summit station, without working up much of a sweat.
[Uenotaira Highland・Kokenashi Observatory]

Uenotaira Highland can also be reached by car during the green season via Prefectural Route 502 (Okushiga Koen Sakae Line, pictured). Visitors to Uenotaira Picnic Garden can park near the gondola summit station and continue to the garden on foot. Nozawa Onsen is also currently holding its “GO! GO! Stamp Rally,” with exclusive merchandise available for participants who collect the stamps!
[Yamabiko Slope・Prefectural Route 502]

*Prefectural Road 502 will be closed to traffic towards Shiga Kogen from 9/28 (Mon.) due to bridge construction between Kayano-daira Junction and Nozawa Onsen. The road will be closed for the winter season from the completion of construction until 5/28 (Fri.).
　　
[Nozawa Onsen Opening Information]
*Period … 6/13 (Sat.) － 6/21 (Sun.), 7/18 (Sat.) － 10/25 (Sun.) *8/25 (Tue.) – 9/17 (Thu.) Closed on Tue., Wed., and Thu.
*Hours … Nagasaka Gondla (9:00 －)
*Fees … Nagasaka Gondla Roundtrip / Adults JPY2,500, Under 15 y/o JPY1,500, preschool children free

*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs

reported by Snownavi