REPORT

Yesterday brought a sharp drop in temperatures across northern Japan, with Mt. Hakkoda recording Honshu’s first snow cover of the season and Wakkanai seeing Japan’s first lowland snowfall. Strong northerly winds also battered the Hakuba foothills throughout the day. This morning, however, the rough weather felt like a distant memory as crystal-clear blue skies returned, revealing spectacular fall scenery from HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR (pictured).
[HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR]

“What beautiful weather we have today. I thought the Northern Alps might get some snow yesterday, so I was a little disappointed that it didn’t happen. I’m hoping we’ll see Iwatake’s three-tiered fall colors on 10/28 (Wed.),” said a photographer who lives in Hakuba Village. With the foliage around Iwatake’s summit still at its peak (pictured), I saw plenty of visitors carrying large cameras and tripods.
[IWATAKE GREEN PARK]

Radiational cooling brought the temperature at the base down to 6°C at 7 a.m., the coldest morning of the season so far. Intense sunshine then sent temperatures climbing quickly, and by around 11 a.m. the warmth of the sun was beating down on my back. A couple from Aichi Prefecture (husband pictured) told me, “What we love about the Hakuba Iwatake MTB PARK is being able to ride through scenery like this. It’s so much fun!”
[Hakuba Iwatake MTB PARK]

“We’re having so much fun!” said two visitors who posed for a photo while riding the Mountain Carts (pictured). Farther away, a buggy came charging downhill in a cloud of dust, accompanied by excited screams and laughter. Surrounded by the beautiful, expansive scenery, I naturally found myself slowing down, breathing more deeply, and taking my time as I went.
[IWATAKE GREEN PARK]

　　
[Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort – Opening Details]
＊Period … Apr 23 – Nov 15, 2026
＊Hours … 8:30–17:00
＊Fees … Admission (includes gondola and No. 5 South round-trip rides) / Adults ¥2,900, elementary school children ¥1,600, pets ¥800
＊MTB PARK fees … 1-day pass (includes gondola and No. 5 South) Adults ¥6,000, elementary school children ¥4,000
　
＊Hakuba Iwatake will be reported 1－2times a week.
＊Request for the original data of our photographs.

reported by Snownavi