NORIKURA TIMES (Spring Fun)

During this time, there are many ways to enjoy Norikura Highlands, especially the opportunities to enjoy activities. We also recommend this time to those who want to spend some peaceful time surrounded by the beauty of nature, so please come and visit us.

Skunk cabbages gradually begin to bloom, signaling the arrival of spring. There are many skunk cabbage spots within the Norikura Plateau that you can enjoy while strolling around. From the end of April to early May, the skunk cabbage colonies around Ichinose Grassland come into full bloom. Due to the large elevation difference in the Norikura Plateau, the flowers begin to bloom in the lower and warmer areas and gradually spread out. In particular, the skunk cabbage colonies along the Ichinose Grassland Trail route of Joyful Walks Norikura have been at their best during Golden Week in recent years. This wonderful trail has little elevation change, making it easy to walk, and allows you to enjoy views of the beautiful pond and Mount Norikura, so it is especially recommended to stroll around at this time of year.

▼Joyful Walks Norikura Click here for details
https://trail.norikura.gr.jp/jwn/

The Mt. Norikura Spring Mountain Bus will begin operating on Saturday, April 27th. From Saturday, April 27th to Sunday, June 30th, the bus will operate with special permission on the Norikura Echo Line, a road that is closed during the winter. Until May, the bus will run to Igahara Sanso, where you can see the approximately 5-meter snow walls near Igahara Sanso. You can also continue up from Igahara Sanso and enjoy mountain climbing. Avoid the heat of the lower reaches and enjoy the coolness of the snowy scenery overlooking the Yari-Hotaka mountain range. However, since Mt. Norikura is a 3,000-meter-high mountain, sudden changes in the weather can lead to winter mountain conditions. Appropriate snow mountain gear is required for activities such as mountain climbing. Please enjoy safely.

▼For details about Haruyama Bus, please check here.
https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/haruyama/
*The route between Igahara Sanso and Oyukikei/Kata no Koyaguchi is scheduled to start operating in late May (depending on the snow removal situation on the roads).
*From July 1st, a shuttle bus will be operating to the summit of Mt. Norikura (Tatami-daira).
For more information, click here:https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/echoline/

Norikura Kogen is home to the Norikura Community Mountain Bike Trails (NCMT), Japan's first public trails open to mountain bikers in a national park. The NCMT is scheduled to open on Saturday, April 27th. In addition to existing hiking trails and walking paths, the NCMT has been developed as trails that can be used by mountain bikers, including work roads within ski resorts and trolley tracks from the days when forestry was thriving. Even first-timers can experience the charm of mountain biking by taking part in mountain biking lessons or guided tours.
The other day, I participated in a trail maintenance event leading up to the opening, which made me feel even more attached to the trail and even more excited to run on it again this year. Norikura Trail Day will be held on June 1st and 2nd, with trail maintenance work and training sessions planned. If you're interested, be sure to check out the event information.

▼Norikura Community Mountain bike Trails Click here for details
https://trail.norikura.gr.jp

▼Norikura Trail Day details here
https://navigation-for-all.jp/norikura/trailday_spring2024/

Click here to see accommodation options in Norikura Kogen.
https://norikura.gr.jp/plan/accommodations/

▼ Click here for information on Norikura Kogen events.
https://norikura.gr.jp/visit/events/

NORIKURA TIMES is updated every two weeks by the blog team of the Norikura Tourism Association's Public Relations Department. Members who love Norikura take turns writing articles, delivering the latest information on Norikura Highlands recommended by the members. Yamamoto was in charge this time of year. I'm really looking forward to the coming season when we can enjoy a variety of activities, including mountain climbing, hiking, and mountain biking.
Please look forward to the next issue!