REPORT

Peak fall colors have now descended to around 950 to 1,000 meters in elevation. Thanks to the beautifully clear skies this morning, the gondola offered sweeping views of the autumn foliage to the north (pictured). Although the ride lasted only a few minutes, it also presented clear views of Mt. Hiuchi and Mt. Amakazari, both of which received their first snowfall of the season yesterday.
[Gondola]

The moment I stepped off the gondola, I made a beeline for HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR(pictured). Just as I had hoped, the famous “three-tier autumn colors” were on full display, with white snow along the ridgeline, brilliant fall foliage across the middle slopes, and green at the base. This morning also brought the coldest temperatures of the season so far, and the terrace was coated in a thick layer of frost.
[HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR]

After leaving HAKUBA MOUNTAIN HARBOR, which quickly filled with visitors streaming in from the 8:30 a.m. opening onward, I walked through the beech forest, where the leaves are steadily falling, and made my way to the 5-Sen South Lift (pictured). The scenery along the way felt almost un-Japanese in its scale and atmosphere, and it was impossible not to feel excited. I also checked on the “Nezuko-no-mori” forest to my right and found the maples still holding plenty of color, which made me all the more eager for its weekend opening. (This year, it’s open on weekends only).
[5-Sen South Lift]

At Hakuba Hitotoki-no-mori, the new “Hitotoki Photo Frame” was proving especially popular, and the terrace seating at CHAVATY HAKUBA was also doing brisk business. Incidentally, when the 5-Sen South Lift ends operations on 11/8 (Sun.), CHAVATY HAKUBA, Mountain Carts, the Hakuba Giant Swing, Iwatake MTB Park, and the rental MTB + Hitotoki Downhill experience will also close for the season. Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort itself will remain open for the green season through 11/15 (Sun.).
[5-Sen South Lift]

　　
[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