ゼロカーボンパーク乗鞍高原を満喫するおすすめの過ごし方

Norikura Kogen was registered as Japan's first zero-carbon park by the Ministry of the Environment in March 2021.
Aiming to become a decarbonized and sustainable tourist destination, the area is promoting various initiatives, including e-bike tourism. This time, we will introduce some recommended ways to stay at Norikura Kogen, a zero-carbon park, so that you can fully enjoy it.

Recommended ways to spend your time at Zero Carbon Park Norikura Kogen

❶ Enjoy walking and running

During your stay at Norikura Highlands, we recommend avoiding using a car as much as possible and instead walking at your own pace or riding a bicycle to feel the breeze and experience the highland air as much as possible when traveling.
Please try this stay, where the comfort of Norikura is carved deeply into your mind and body, and is kind to both people and nature.

◆E-Bike rental and tours

At Norikura Kogen, you can rent e-bikes (Tourist Center/Norikura BASE). Electrically assisted e-bikes are safe even for long distances and ups and downs. You can also travel to spots you'd like to visit but think walking is a bit difficult, and enjoy the natural beauty of Norikura to the fullest.

Click here to reserve an e-bike at the tourist center

For more information about Norikura BASE, click here

Norikura Kogen also offers e-Bike tours. E-Bikes (e-MTBs) are capable of off-road riding, allowing you to access spots where you can enjoy Norikura's nature on a deeper level using the various trails prepared for MTBs. Beginners can start by receiving a lesson on basic riding techniques, and another attractive feature is that you can choose an e-Bike tour that suits your level.

Click here for e-MTB guided tours

◆Walk at JWN (Joyful Walk Norikura)

JWN refers to three trails that start from the Norikura Tourist Center and are marked with route signs. They take you on a 2.5 to 6 hour walk around waterfalls, ponds, virgin forests, and more. The trails, which allow you to enjoy the unique nature of the Norikura Plateau that spreads across the lava plateau, each have their own charms throughout the four seasons, and walking them allows you to appreciate the diverse nature of Norikura even more.

For more information about JWN, click here

The trail is maintained regularly by local businesses, but to help preserve it for the long term, we ask for your cooperation in paying a usage fee. Walking along Norikura helps protect it.

Ride the NCMT (Norikura Community Mountain Bike Trails)

Norikura Plateau's expressive nature and gentle terrain make it the perfect location for enjoying mountain biking.
NCMT was developed using old work roads and trolley tracks to allow mountain bikers to fully enjoy the Norikura Plateau.

For more information about NCMT, click here

When using the trails, we ask for your cooperation in the form of a usage fee, just like JWN, in order to protect the trails and the natural environment.We also hold events for the public that double as trail maintenance events (held irregularly).

❷ Use a water refill station with your own bottle

At Norikura Kogen, where you can enjoy a variety of activities, we encourage you to bring your own bottle with you as one of the actions to decarbonize the area. You can find water refill spots by searching the "mymizu" app, which can find free water refill spots all over Japan. In addition, you may be able to refill at facilities not listed on the app, so please feel free to ask.

3. Taste local food

At Norikura Highlands, you can enjoy delicious mountain produce unique to the region, including native buckwheat noodles, the traditional vegetable Bansho cucumber, as well as adzuki beans, wild vegetables, and blueberries. The traditional cuisine passed down in the region also embodies the wisdom of mountain life, making this food culture one not to be missed. By eating local produce, you are supporting the region, and it is a sure step towards connecting Norikura Highlands to a sustainable future.

For more information on delicious food in Norikura Kogen, click here

Click here for a map of local food

❹ Participate in activities aimed at preserving ecosystems and maintaining landscapes

At Norikura Plateau, local residents are taking the lead in carrying out maintenance activities, such as eradicating invasive species to preserve the original ecosystem, improving hiking trails and landscapes that would otherwise deteriorate, and preserving the surrounding vegetation.
We hope to work hand in hand with not only local residents but also those who love Norikura Highlands, so we are calling on the general public to participate.
For more information, please follow Norikura Kogen's Facebook page and participate in any events that interest you.

For more information on invasive species, click here

Click here for information on trail maintenance

Norikura Kogen Facebook page is here

❺ Learn about the zero-carbon initiatives at each facility

Accommodation facilities, restaurants, and other establishments within Norikura Kogen are all working towards decarbonization. As businesses adjacent to the Zero Carbon Park, they have a sense of ownership and are disclosing information about their progress, posting it within the facility to help them improve their efforts. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in these efforts.

The journey of Norikura Kogen Zero Carbon Park has just begun, but we are taking one step at a time with the aim of creating a region with zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. By moving forward together with our visitors, we believe we can achieve greater speed, broaden our knowledge and perspective, and create a virtuous cycle in the region. We hope you will enjoy your time at Norikura Kogen and join us in this journey.

◆Zero Carbon Park Norikura Kogen Special Site
https://zero-carbon-park.norikura.gr.jp/