マイペースに楽しむ雪景色。｜のりくら観光協会公式サイト

Do you want to have a different winter experience than usual? Do you want to try snow activities other than skiing and snowboarding? Do you want to experience more tranquility? Snowshoeing and nature skiing are the perfect way to enjoy Norikura's winter at your own pace, taking in the quiet and fantastic snow scenery unique to Norikura Highlands and feeling the snow at your own pace. Here we will introduce ways to enjoy Norikura's winter at a relaxed pace.

Enjoy the snowy scenery at your own pace.

❶ Head to Zengoro Falls to see the frozen waterfall

Zengoro Falls is one of the most popular spots in Norikura Highlands where you can easily enjoy snow hiking. As you step into the forest leading to the waterfall, you will be greeted by rows of snow-covered trees, creating a mystical atmosphere. The easy access, about 20 minutes from the Zengoro Falls parking lot to the waterfall, also makes it an easy challenge.

When you see the frozen waterfall in front of you, you may be left speechless by its majestic and fantastical appearance. Once the base of the waterfall is covered with snow, you can approach the waterfall and enjoy the impressive frozen waterfall up close. Zengoro Falls is also popular with ice climbers, and if you time it right, you can witness their daring challenges.

❷ Nature skiing to the quiet Ichinose

“>The appeal of walking skiing and nature skiing is that you can enjoy it casually even if you have no prior skiing experience. Ichinose Park is a great place for beginners to start. The path to Ichinose is flat, so it's relatively easy to walk on skis and enjoy the snowy landscape at your own pace. Anyone can become friends with the snow just by walking on the fluffy snow. You can also find footprints of wild animals such as hares and serows everywhere, giving you the feeling that you're close to wild nature.

Around Nature Plaza, you can look up at Mt. Norikura and fully enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of Ichinose. If you walk towards Maimenoike Pond, you can stand on the frozen lake surface and get a panoramic view of Mt. Norikura, and you will be enveloped in a world of silver silence. You may feel like walking forever and ever into the depths of Ichinose that continue beyond.

3. To the fantastic Sanbontaki waterfall

Sanbontaki is one of the places you should definitely visit on snowshoes in winter. The three frozen waterfalls that appear as you walk through the quiet forest are a spectacular sight that will leave you gasping in awe. You may feel as if you have stepped into another world. The words Alpine Wonderland are a perfect description of this place.

During the winter, the Kyuka Mura gates are closed, so Sanbontaki Falls is inaccessible by car, but it can be accessed relatively easily by taking the lift. Take the lift to the top, then after viewing the falls, ski or snowboard down, or enjoy walking down towards Kyuka Mura via the Kosquirrel Path and Primeval Forest Path. However, the scenery is completely different from that in the green season, so if you're worried about walking on snowy roads, we recommend joining a guided tour.

❹ Walking along the virgin forest path

The area around the virgin forest path, which exudes the atmosphere of a primeval forest, is an excellent field for snow hiking and nature skiing. Evergreen conifers such as Abies veitchii and Tsuga diversifolia cover the forest, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing winter forest bath. The moment when the snow piled up on the trees flutters in the wind and sparkles in the sunlight shining through the forest is truly moving and captivating.

If you're walking along the virgin forest path, you should definitely stop by Ushidome Pond. Ushidome Pond is the best place to view the majestic winter mountain view of Mount Norikura, and when the lake surface is completely frozen, you can even step onto the pond. Another place you shouldn't miss is the so-called "Totoro Tree," located near the entrance where the virgin forest path meets the prefectural road. The Totoro Tree is a giant linden tree, and its snow-covered appearance gives it a unique presence, like that of the lord of the forest.

5. Snowshoe and nature ski rentals and guided tours

First, why not rent snowshoes or nature skis and enjoy a casual walk in the snow? Even just walking around the neighborhood will allow you to experience a new winter side of Norikura. Also, by joining a guided tour with a local guide, you can not only enjoy walking in the snow with peace of mind, but also take it a step or two further and discover the ultimate winter side of Norikura.

In addition to tours within Norikura Highlands, there are also plans for snowshoe tours and nature ski tours with transportation to neighboring Kamikochi. Be sure to add these to your plans as an extra experience to your stay at Norikura Highlands.