NORIKURA TIMES 8月～9月乗鞍の夏休み満喫編

Norikura Kogen in summer, with dazzling sunshine during the day and cool mornings and evenings.
Here are some recommended ways to spend this time of year, such as biking on an e-bike through the greenery, hiking to waterside spots to feel the cool air, or taking a day trip to climb Mount Norikura.

NORIKURA TIMES August-September (Enjoy Summer Vacation)

Norikura-dake in season Climbing information

This summer, the Norikura Echo Line Norikura-dake Shuttle Bus is now running to the Tatamidaira Bus Terminal at the top of Norikura Mountain.

At an elevation of 2702 meters, Tatamidaira, known as the "flower garden in the sky," visitors can enjoy alpine plants that are at their best in the latter half of summer, such as Japanese knotweed, rabbit's knee, Japanese white fringed iris, and the cotton-wool figure of chinguruma.

Norikura-dake is also famous as a 3,000-meter mountain that is easy for beginners to climb.
Depending on your mood and the weather, you can explore the easy-to-climb Maodake (15 minutes on foot) and Daikoku-dake (40 minutes on foot), or challenge yourself to climb Kenga-mine (1.5 hours on foot), the highest peak on Norikura-dake. This time of year, it is also recommended to stay at a mountain lodge or accommodation to see the stars and sunrise.

Alpico Transportation Co:https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/echoline/

Grouse on Norikura-dake

What you need to know about grouse, which you can also encounter on Norikura-dake.

Click here for more information about Tatamidaira Flower Garden.

To Tatamidaira in search of pretty alpine plants

Click here for details of Norikura-dake climbing route.

Norikura Climbing Route Guide

Enjoy the world of the sky at Norikuradake!

To the world in the sky at 3000m level

Norikura Kogen in summer

◆Tour of Norikura's Three Famous Waterfalls

The long-awaited summer vacation! If you are so inclined, why not be greedy and enjoy three waterfalls with different atmospheres in Norikura Kogen?

Zengoro Falls

The waterfalls are a great place to enjoy the exhilaration of splashing water near the basin! From the waterfall viewing platform, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the waterfall cascading down with Norikura-dake (Mt. Norikura) in the background. A rainbow can be seen in the morning.

Bansho Otaki Waterfall

This is a large waterfall, 15 m wide and 40 m in drop, that spans the Ono River at an elevation of 1,248 m. It flows through black rock and cascades down the rugged rock surface like a mist. The misty waterfall cascades down the black rocks and over the rugged rock surface, giving you a sense of the wildness of nature that you will not find in other waterfalls. Please be sure to visit Sengenbuchi, the most powerful spot in Norikura, located upstream of the waterfall.

the three main waterfalls (of a river, etc.)

This is a rare waterfall spot in Japan where three streams with different water sources come together in one place as separate waterfalls of different aspects, allowing visitors to view all three waterfalls at once. Why not refresh yourself by feeling the powerful splash of the water?
*Slip-resistant shoes are recommended because the path to the waterfall is undulating, with tree roots and steps.

◆1017

White birches in the green meadows, Mt. Norikura in the distance, and blue skies. At Ichinose, you can enjoy the grassland scenery that led to Norikura Kogen being recognized as a national park.

In addition, the babbling brook of Ichinose is very suitable for water play. Along the walking path from Nature Plaza toward Thistle Pond, there are great spots for children to play.
Even in the hot summer, there is no better time to cool off with a glass of ice-cold water.
The water is so clear that the underwater looks very clear. This is a great spot to look for rockfish, catch dragonflies, and play with nature.
*Please have an adult watch over the children.

For more information on Norikura Walking Guide, click here.

If you want to go for a walk in Norikura Kogen! 6 courses recommended by the proprietress

Click here for more information on how to spend the first end of the year.

Noiseless time spent at Ichinose

Learn, Create, and Observe at the Nature Conservation Center

For summer vacation memories or as a subject for your children's free research, why not learn about Norikura's nature and try your hand at making something using mountain materials? The Norikura Nature Conservation Center has exhibits on the nature and history of Norikura, and on Saturdays and Sundays only, it holds the "Yama no Megumi Kobo" (Mountain Blessing Workshop), where visitors can make animals from natural materials.
Since it is indoors, it is also a good activity for rainy days.

*The Megumi Workshop in the mountains is popular every year and the number of participants is limited, so we recommend that you contact us in advance to participate.

Click here for more information on how to spend your summer.

Enjoy the great outdoors with your children! How to spend summer in Norikura Kogen

Click here for tips on how to spend a rainy day.

How to spend a rainy day in Norikura Kogen

❸ Taste the summer

◆Norikura soba

It is said that delicious buckwheat noodles can be grown in a lean land with short hours of sunlight, and Norikura is truly a suitable place for buckwheat noodle cultivation. Norikura has been growing Norikura's native "banjo soba," which is grown at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,300 meters above sea level.

In mid-August, all the soba flowers in the plateau bloom at once, and visitors can see pure white soba fields and butterflies flying around the soba flowers.

There are several restaurants in Norikura Kogen that serve bansho soba (buckwheat noodles), so be sure to try it between strolls or mountain climbs.

◆Other traditional Norikura vegetables and traditional foods

Bansho cucumbers, a traditional vegetable of Shinshu, are harvested for a short period of time from late July to early September and are rarely available in the market. Grape leaf sushi, a sushi of salted trout served with the aroma of fresh wild grape leaves. Fresh fruits harvested by nearby farmers, such as blueberries and strawberries.

Norikura Kogen is home to traditional seasonal foods that have been eaten in the region since ancient times. Please look for seasonal foods at lodging facilities and restaurants.

Click here for more information about food in Norikura Kogen.
Read "Delicacies of Norikura Kogen

◆MYMIZU (information on water supply by bringing your own bottle)

Norikura Kogen is certified as a Zero Carbon Park with many activities and encourages visitors to bring their own bottles.
You can search for water supply spots with mymizu, an application that allows you to find free water supply spots throughout Japan.
In addition, we may be able to supply water to facilities that are not listed on the application, so please feel free to contact us.

mymizu official website:https://www.mymizu.co/

Norikura Kogen is a place where you can spend time without air-conditioning even in summer. While working or studying, you can take a stroll in between, relax in a hot spring, and gaze at the stars at night. It is a great way to spend your time. Please come to Norikura Kogen during this season to cool off.