NORIKURA TIMES October (Late Autumn)

The other day, Mount Norikura was covered in its first snowfall of the season. The leaves in the Norikura Plateau are turning red, and on clear days, you can even see three layers of autumn foliage. With the cool autumn breeze, we're bringing you the latest information on Norikura Plateau, where you can feel the slight hint of winter.

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Ichinose offers a view of the snow-capped Mount Norikura along with the beautiful red and yellow trees. Every year, Maimenoike Pond and the giant maples reach their peak of autumn colors between the second and third weeks of October. Only at Ichinose can you see the wide sky, the majestic mountains, and the vibrant autumn leaves.

In late October, when the mornings and evenings get colder, frost begins to fall and the pond begins to freeze over. In the morning at Ichinose, the morning sun shines on the frosted flowers, creating a sparkling scene. Enjoy the view of Ichinose that can only be experienced at this time of year.

◆Miharashi Rock

The larch trees usually turn yellow between late October and early November. The trail to Miharashi Rock, where you can walk through the colored larch forest, is perfect for a stroll at this time of year. From Miharashi Rock, you can get a panoramic view of the Norikura Plateau and the Central Alps. After enjoying a hike among the yellow leaves, it's a special experience to sit on top of Miharashi Rock and enjoy the spectacular view while eating rice balls or bread you brought with you.

Highlights of autumn foliage in Norikura Plateau
"Autumn leaves on the plateau"

◆ Guided walks and strolls

This is an event where staff from the Nature Conservation Center will provide commentary and guidance on walking spots in Norikura Plateau.
Why not take a stroll and enjoy the autumn atmosphere?
Please see the image for details such as the meeting place.

(1) Guided walk (1 hour)

Ichinose: October 21st (Sat) 14:00~
Participation fee: 500 yen (junior high school students and younger: 300 yen) Maximum 8 people

(2) Autumn Ichinose Walk

October 18th (Wednesday) and 22nd 9:30-11:30
Participation fee: 1,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for junior high school students and younger. Maximum 8 people.

(3) Enjoy a leisurely nature walk

October 25th (Wed) and 29th (Sun) 9:30-11:00
Participation fee: 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for junior high school students and younger. Maximum 8 people.

Advance reservations are required, so please contact the phone number below to apply.
Application deadline: (1) 30 minutes before the start of the day, (2) and (3) 5:00 PM the day before
Norikura Nature Conservation Center 0263-93-2045
OPEN 9:00-17:00 (Telephone from 8:30) Closed on Wednesdays
Organized by Shinshu Norikura Green Tourism General Incorporated Association

Norikura Highlands Bird Call Making & Trail Running Experience Tour

At the first Zero Carbon Park, the naturally rich Norikura Highlands, adults and children can enjoy the earth together while experiencing the culture and history of people and nature coexisting together. Take a moment to reexamine your daily life through activities that you can't experience in the city. We will hold a fun tour that will give you an opportunity to do just that.
You can enjoy plenty in one day, making bird calls in the morning and trail running in the afternoon.
For trail running, you can run about 11km of beginner trails while receiving lectures on how to enjoy trail running and how to improve your running efficiency.

If you would like to participate, please apply using the form below.

Date and time: Sunday, October 29th, 9:00-15:30
Meeting place: In front of Cafe & Gallery KURUMu in Ichinose, Norikura Kogen
Participation fee: Free*We may ask you to fill out a survey after the tour.

▼Schedule
9:00-11:30 Bird call making workshop
11:30-12:00 Lunch (lunch boxes will be provided by the organizers)
12:00-14:30 Trail run
14:30 Trail run ends
・BUDO pop-up at the hot spring inn Raicho
・Bathe in the hot springs at Yukemurikan or Onsen no Yado Raicho
15:30 Scheduled to end

▼Guest runner
Naoki Tsukuda
A trail runner with a smile on his face
He is a cheerful runner who runs with a smile no matter what the field.
7th place in the 2022 Shinetsu Gogaku Trail Running Race
2022 doi inthanon by UTMB 21st place
2023 UTMB final 253rd place

◆ Crowdfunding for the redevelopment of the Norikura Ichinose base

The restaurant "Ichinose" was once a bustling center of the Chubu Sangyo National Park and Norikura Highlands, and is currently closed.ZabouanA project is underway to renovate the building and revive it as a new cafe.
We hope to make this a base where many people can enjoy the rich natural environment, so we would appreciate your support and cooperation.

Crowdfunding period: Until 23:59 on November 30, 2023

For more information, click here:https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/661959?utm_campaign=cp_po_share_mypage_projects_show

◆About the Mt. Norikura shuttle bus

The Mt. Norikura Shuttle Bus, which runs to the Tatamidaira Bus Terminal at the top of Mt. Norikura, will change to the E schedule from October 16th, with six round trips per day, with the first departure from the Norikura Tourist Center at 7am on weekends and holidays and 8am on weekdays (on sunny days; on rainy days it will be the F schedule).

For details, please check the timetable below.
Alpico Transportation:https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/echoline/

Please note that the shuttle bus may be suspended due to snow accumulation or frozen roads, so please check the operation information on the following page in advance.
Alpico Transportation:https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/trafficinfo/kamikochi/

◆Why not enjoy Norikura Plateau on a mountain bike or e-bike?

Norikura Plateau, with its pleasant autumn air, is perfect for mountain bike trail riding and cycling.

Norikura Kogen has a trail that can be enjoyed by mountain bikers of all ages, from beginners to experienced riders.Norikura Community Mountain bike Trails (NCMT)Why not enjoy the many different trails that only Norikura can offer, weaving through birch forests, passing through grasslands, and running along ridges?

If you are riding a mountain bike on a trail for the first time, we recommend joining a guided tour.

▼Norikura Community Mountain bike Trails (NCMT)
https://trail.norikura.gr.jp/ncmt/

▼For those trying mountain biking for the first time
https://trail.norikura.gr.jp/beginner-mountainbike/

▼ Mountain bike guided tour inquiries: NORTHSTAR
https://ridenorthstar.com/activities/bike/

In addition to mountain bike trails, Norikura Plateau also has paved cycling roads. Why not rent an electrically assisted e-Bike and enjoy the red and yellow-hued plateau?

Bike
Specialized Vado SL4.0
Specialized brand electric bicycles
Cross bikes are somewhere between road bikes and MTBs, and we offer an ultra-lightweight version weighing just 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
Rental hours: 9:00-15:30
Please see the calendar for opening days. (Open every day in October)
https://norikura.gr.jp/content/norikura-kanko-annaisho/

◆Blue Resort Norikura 23-24 season tickets are now on sale

To purchase, please purchase a digital season pass through Go NAGANO Smart Pass.
Please see below for details.
https://www.brnorikura.jp/news/78/

◆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/

◆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.

The leaves gradually turn red, and the scenery at Norikura Highlands changes with each passing day. Mornings and evenings can get cold, dropping close to freezing, but the crisp, clear air makes this a pleasant season. During your stay at Norikura Highlands, you can visit the same spot on different days, or visit a variety of locations, to enjoy the ever-changing autumn scenery.