NORIKURA TIMES September (Invitation to Autumn)

With daytime temperatures around 20°C and the sky getting much closer, Norikura Plateau is beginning to take on the autumn air.
We will introduce you to the seasonal produce of Norikura Plateau, which is now enveloped in the soft light of autumn after the crisp brightness of summer.

Norikura shuttle buses running on the Norikura Echo Line are now available to the "Tatamidaira Bus Terminal" at the top of Norikura Mountain.
Tatamidaira is located at an altitude of 2,702 meters and is an attractive tourist destination for hiking and easy 3,000-meter mountain climbing.
From Tatamidaira, depending on your mood and the weather that day, you can take a walk to easy-to-climb Maodake (15 minutes on foot) or 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.
Norikura-dake, temperatures can be in the single digits, so please dress and equip yourself accordingly.

Fees

bus fare
Adult round trip ¥3,400 Child round trip ¥1,700
(Discounts for the handicapped are available.)

Timetable

Starting July 15, the schedule will be changed to A schedule, with 11 round trips per day and the first departure from Norikura Kanko Center at 6:10 a.m. (on sunny days; B schedule on rainy days). The first departure from Norikura Kanko Center will be at 6:10 a.m. (on sunny days.)
For details, please check the timetable below.
Alpico Transportation:https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/echoline/

*The Norikura Echo Line sunrise bus service will be suspended in FY2023.

Grouse on Norikura-dake

What you need to know about "Grouse."

Click here for more information about Tatamidaira Flower Garden.

"We went to Tatamidaira to look for pretty alpine flora."

Click here for details of Norikura-dake climbing route.

Norikura Mountain Climbing Route Guide

Enjoy the world of the sky at Norikuradake!

"Into the 3000-meter-high sky."

◆ Primeval Forest Path

The moist air on the autumn virgin forest path is a pleasant sensation on skin tired from the summer heat.
When you walk during a light rain or after a rain, the wet green is vivid and the faint scent of the earth wafts through the air, making you want to take a slow, deep breath.

◆ Birch Path

The Shirakaba Path is an easy hike, and as its name suggests, it is a bright path where you can see many white birch trees. The mountain stream lined with moss-covered rocks is cool and refreshing, and it is a walking path where you can enjoy the moist beauty. It is also included in the trail course that leads from the trailhead at Norikura Tourist Center to Ichinose.

More details about the trail here

"Let's play at NORIKURA KOGEN TRAILS"

For more information about the Ichinose Grassland Trail, click here

"Ichinose Grassland Trail"

◆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.
Representative autumn flowers such as Akebonosou and Matsumushisou begin to bloom, creating an autumnal atmosphere.
The temperature is around 20 degrees during the day, making it a perfect time for a stroll.

For more information on Norikura Walking Guide, click here.

Norikura Kogen," "If you want to go for a walk in Norikura Kogen, here are six courses recommended by the proprietress! Six courses recommended by the proprietress.

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

A noiseless time spent at Ichinose."

Stargazing

The Norikura Plateau, which stretches from about 1,200 to 1,600 meters above sea level, offers a clearer view of the stars in the clear air than on the plains.
There are many stargazing spots such as Norikura BASE and Ichinose, so please stay at Norikura Kogen and enjoy stargazing.

Click here for more information about stargazing at Norikura Kogen.
The sky is filled with stars."

◆Rikura Picture Book Project

The Norikura Picture Book Project, a project to create picture books set in the Norikura Plateau, began last November.
This book will be a picture book that both adults and children can enjoy, as it will serve as a trekking map where they can learn about the charms of the Norikura Plateau through the picture book and enjoy discovering them while actually walking.
We are currently running a crowdfunding campaign to create a picture book until September 15th. Thanks to your support, we have now reached 42%.
We're still a long way from our goal, but we'll make a final push until we have time left!
We appreciate your support, encouragement and participation.

Crowdfunding period
Publication starts: July 15, 0:00
Publication ends: September 15, 23:59

[Previous efforts]
・Project launch in November 2022
・May 2023 Norikura Walking & Picture Book Workshop

Future Initiatives

◆ Bench making using thinned birch trees & guided tour

For the past two years, Norikura Plateau has been producing Kimama benches, which are made from birch logs felled as part of grassland regeneration activities in Ichinose, and which decay naturally without the use of nails or preservatives.
This year, we will once again invite participants to make benches, and in the afternoon we will hold a guided tour where you can learn about the history of Ichinose and the current efforts being made to make it a zero-carbon park.
Families are also welcome to join, so please invite your friends and family to join us!

Date and time: September 24th (Sun) 9:00-15:30
Meeting place: In front of Cafe & Gallery KURUMu in Ichinose, Norikura Kogen

■Schedule
9:00 Meeting place: Ichinose Cafe & Gallery KURUMu
9:00-9:30 Orientation & Explanation
9:30-12:00 Bench making
12:00-13:00 Break
13:30-15:30 Ichinose Guided Tour

■Participation conditions: 4th grade elementary school student or older

■Participation fee: FreeLunch boxes will be prepared here

■What to bring:
・Long sleeves and long pants
・Work gloves
·rain gear
・Water bottle
・Sports shoes
・Sunscreen
・Cold weather gear
・Snacks

If you would like to participate, please apply using the participation form below.
https://x.gd/3i8zc

◆Take an e-Bike rental and enjoy Norikura Kogen to the fullest!

Norikura Plateau, with its pleasant autumn air, is the perfect place to enjoy e-bikes!
Enjoy the mountains and forests of Norikura Kogen with an electric-assist e-Bike rental.

Bike
Specialized Vado SL4.0
Specialized brand electric bicycles
Cross bikes are a cross between road bikes and MTB bikes, and are available in ultra-lightweight versions weighing as little as 15 kg!

Lending office: Norikura Tourist Center
4306-5 Azumi-Norikura Kogen, Matsumoto City

Reservations: Please make reservations through the reservation site below.
https://norikura.urkt.in/ja/direct/offices/2445/courses

Inquiries: Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Center TEL: 0263-93-2147
4306-5 Azumi-Norikura-Kogen, Matsumoto City, Matsumoto 390-1520, Japan
Business hours: 10:00-16:00
Lending hours: 10:30-15:30
Please see the calendar for business days.
https://norikura.gr.jp/content/norikura-kanko-annaisho/

How to enjoy e-Bike

eBike in the Sky.

From the Hill Climbing Guidebook

Norikura Hill Climb Recommendations.

◆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/

◆Would you like to participate in the extermination of invasive alien species?

Norikura Kogen, designated as a national park, is an area rich in nature where a wide variety of creatures coexist. This area, where a variety of native Japanese plants and animals survive, has recently been affected by non-native species (organisms that were not previously native to Japan).

Norikura Kogen has been focusing on extermination of invasive alien species, mainly by local residents.
We have also held events that are easy for visitors to participate in.

And now, we are pleased to announce that anyone is welcome to join our activities at the following two facilities on non-event dates. We look forward to your participation in activities that bring you closer to Norikura's natural environment!

Norikura BASE

(This facility has both hands-on activities and camping sites.)
3994-21 Ajimu, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, 390-1520 Japan
TEL: 0263-88-0300 (Telephone service hours: 10:00-16:00)
Operating period: April 23-November 6
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Tuesdays (open every day during peak season)
Café Chillon closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (open every day during peak season)
*Consumers who participate in invasive species eradication activities at Norikura BASE will receive 10% off at Café Cillon!

Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Center

4306-5, Ajimu, Matsumoto City, Matsumoto 390-1520 (in Norikura Tourist Center building)
TEL: 0263-93-2147
Business hours: 10:00-16:00
Reception hours: 10:30-15:30
Please see the calendar for business days.
https://norikura.gr.jp/content/norikura-kanko-annaisho/

Learn more about invasive species within the plateau.
What You Need to Know About Invasive Species to Protect Norikura's Native Species."

◆Bear Appearance

Norikura-dake Tatamidaira area and along the Echo Line, bears continue to appear.
Please pay attention to the following points when climbing, biking, etc.

Carry a bear bell.
If you encounter a bear, do not make noise, do not yell, and back away quietly and slowly.
Act calmly and without provoking the bear.
Do not take photos or videos.

◆Hawk Migration

As September begins, the hawk migration will soon reach its peak at Shirakaba Pass, close to Norikura Plateau.
Shirakaba Pass is widely known as one of Japan's leading spots for hawk migration, where you can observe approximately 15,000 migratory birds, including eagles and hawks, passing through. Many birdwatchers monitor the migration route, and specialized staff make fixed observations every day according to the season, allowing you to enjoy the magnificent migration of hawks such as the Japanese grey-faced buzzard, honey buzzard, and sparrowhawk.

Learn more about hawk migration.
Let's go to Shirakaba Pass to watch the hawk migration."

The autumn season in Norikura Highlands changes dramatically from day to day, and although September is early for the leaves to change color, it is still a recommended time for a stroll, as the trees begin to lose their leaves and the sunlight takes on gentle, soft colors. Enjoy a cup of hot coffee while gazing at the early morning sun.
Be sure to visit Norikura Plateau in early autumn.