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Know Norikura

Norikura Kogen is located in Chubu Sangaku National Park, at the southern end of the Northern Alps.
Tour the spectacular scenery that lets you experience the changing seasons in the mountains.

ABOUT

Only here
In the scenery,
Life is getting better.

Norikura Kogen is located at the southern end of the Northern Alps and is located in Chubu Sangaku National Park.

It depends on the season you visit and the time of day you see it.
The scenery, brought about by the blessings of the earth, always shows a different look.

Immerse yourself in beautiful nature
It's also good to relax and calm your mind.
It's also good to be active and move your body.

If you encounter a view that can only be found here,
Your life will surely become more in tune.

　

Norikura in Spring

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Ichinose Meadow Azalea Garden

The azalea garden spreads across Ichinose Meadow, a special scenic spot in Matsumoto City. In mid-June, when the flowers reach their peak, the large, vibrant petals paint the entire Ichinose area orange. The beauty of the azalea garden is even more striking when viewed against the blue sky on a clear day and the remaining snow on Mt. Norikura.

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Plums of Ichinose Meadow

The plum tree is a symbol of Norikura, heralding the arrival of spring. In spring, white blossoms bloom on the plum trees, releasing a sweet fragrance into the air. As you stroll through Ichinose Meadow, you'll be able to encounter gentle colors and fragrances everywhere.

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Skunk cabbage(Osomejikke & Ushidome Pond & Miyanohara)

Spring slowly arrives on Norikura Kogen from late April to early May as the snow melts. Skunk cabbage is the flower that heralds the arrival of this season. Places where you can see them include Ichinose Meadow, Miyanohara Colony, and Ushidome Pond.

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Snow Corridor(Norikura Kogen Haruyama Bus)

Even with the arrival of spring, snow still remains on the mountain in Norikura. By taking the Mt. Norikura Spring Mountain Bus, you can easily access the snow corridor that is unique to mountainous areas. Walk through snow walls that are approximately 5 meters high and gaze upon Mount Yari-Hotaka in the distance. You will encounter scenery that you would never experience in your daily life.

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Menyanthes trifoliata in Ichinose Meadow
(Dojo Pond & Azami Pond)

Menthoxylum trifoliate, which begins to bloom beautifully from late May, is a plant found in high-altitude ponds and wetlands. It is characterized by three leaves protruding from the water and hairy white flowers. Places where you can see it include Ushidome Pond, Loach Pond in Ichinose Meadow, and Azalea Pond.

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Fresh greenery on the plateau

The plants that have been patiently enduring under the snow finally sprout and bloom when spring arrives, as if they have been waiting for this moment. Trekking at this time of year, where you can feel the beauty and vitality with your whole body, is a favorite activity among locals.

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Norikura in summer

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Maime Pond

At Maimenoike Pond, you can enjoy the scenery that changes with the seasons. On a clear summer day, the beauty of Mount Norikura reflected beautifully on the water's surface is particularly exceptional. Stopping mid-trek and relaxing to gaze upon the scenery may help soothe your soul.

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Norikura Three Waterfalls

Norikura Highlands is also home to waterfalls created by the natural terrain. Sanbontaki, designated as one of the "100 Best Waterfalls of Japan," Zengoro Falls, which has a legend about a fisherman who fell into the basin, and Bansho Falls, the largest waterfall in the Norikura Highlands, are collectively known as the "Norikura Three Waterfalls."

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Norikura Tatamidaira & Mt. Norikura

Mt. Norikura, which can be reached by bus up to Norikura Tatamidaira at an elevation of approximately 2,700m, is said to be "the easiest 3,000m mountain in Japan to climb." Some peaks can be reached in about 15 minutes, so you can choose your destination based on your physical strength and experience. Summer is especially recommended, when you can enjoy alpine plants.

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Sengenbuchi

Located upstream of Bansho Falls, Sengenbuchi is an impressive spot with its small waterfall and dome-shaped waterside. This mystical space is the perfect place to seek coolness and healing during the hot summer months. There is a walking path, so you can easily access it while strolling.

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stargazing

High altitude and clear air. Stargazing is one way to enjoy Norikura Highlands, taking full advantage of this environment. The starry sky can be enjoyed from Ichinose Grassland, where there are no obstructions and few facility lights, making for a particularly spectacular view.

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Norikura Plateau Trail

You can easily enjoy the trails of Norikura Highlands even if you don't have proper hiking boots. Popular routes include the "Virgin Forest Path," where you can experience the atmosphere of an untouched ancient forest, and the "Baby Squirrel Path," where you can encounter a variety of plants while basking in the sunlight filtering through the trees.

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Autumn at Norikura

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Large Maple

There are many "small maples" growing in the Norikura Plateau. Among them, one particularly eye-catching tree in Ichinose Grassland is affectionately known as the "big maple." With Mount Norikura in the background, it is a great spot for taking photos.

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Three-tiered autumn foliage on Mount Norikura

In autumn, when Mount Norikura receives its first snowfall, you can see the "three-tiered autumn foliage" - the white of the snow falling on the distant mountains, the green of the vegetation spreading across the plateau, and the red of the autumn leaves of the large maples all changing color right before your eyes. It is a spectacular view that can only be seen in this season.

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Autumn leaves at Norikura Santaki

On the footpath around the Norikura Three Waterfalls, you can enjoy the autumn foliage of the larch, maple, katsura, mizunara oak, rowan, and other trees. The combination of the majestic waterfalls and the vibrant autumn foliage is a pleasure that can only be found at Norikura Plateau.

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Maime Pond to Dojo Pond Trail

During the autumn foliage season, many people visit Ichinose Grassland. Among them, the area between Maimenoike Pond and Dojoike Pond is a favorite among locals. Looking through the tunnel of vibrant maple leaves, you can feel the power of nature.

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Hawk migration at Shirakaba Pass

Shirakaba Pass, which crosses the Naka River from Norikura Highlands, is a "holy land for birdwatchers." It is one of Japan's leading spots for observing the "hawk migration," where hawks migrate to Southeast Asia for the winter. The peak is from mid-September to mid-October.

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Miharashi Rock

The trail to Miharashiiwa, which leads through a golden larch forest, is recommended for an autumn walk. Once you reach Miharashiiwa, you can get a panoramic view of the Norikura Plateau and the Central Alps. If you start climbing early in the morning, you can see the land of Norikura Plateau dyed orange by the morning sun.

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Norikura in winter

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Icefall at Zengoro Falls

Zengoro Falls, which flows spectacularly down a height of about 22 meters and sends up refreshing spray, changes appearance completely in winter. It transforms into a majestic frozen waterfall that seems to tell the story of Norikura's harsh winter. It can be enjoyed in just under an hour round trip from the parking lot, so it is recommended even for beginners to snow hiking.

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Starry sky at Norikura Plateau

Norikura Highlands is already an excellent place for stargazing thanks to its noiseless environment. Winter, when the air is even clearer and silence prevails, is perhaps the best time for stargazing. At Norikura Highlands, you can even spot sixth magnitude stars, which are often invisible to the naked eye.

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Looking down from the slopes
Norikura Plateau and the Alps

Mt. Norikura Snow Resort is a ski resort located at the foot of Mt. Norikura. The base of the slope is at an altitude of 1,500m, and the top is at an altitude of 2,000m. While skiing down the snowy mountain, you can enjoy the spectacular views that can only be seen at a ski resort on a plateau, overlooking the Norikura Plateau and the Central Alps.

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Ichinose Meadow, shrouded in silence

Ichinose Grassland is a place where you can enjoy the scenery of every season. In winter, you can immerse yourself in the tranquil environment of the snow-covered grassland, making it the perfect time to tune out your busy days.

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Making the most of high-quality snow
Winter Sports

Norikura Highlands is renowned for the quality of its snow, due to its high altitude. The soft, fluffy snow is also known as "feather snow," and every winter skiers, snowboarders, and families come to enjoy the unique sliding experience.

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Ushidome Pond

Ushidome Pond is quietly surrounded by trees. A pond in an open area where you can feel a sense of freedom is nice, but how about a pond that harbors a mystical beauty? In winter, the scenery is even more tranquil when the area is covered in snow, calming the soul.

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Choose a season

Our
attempt

Norikura Kogen, located within Chubu Sangaku National Park, was registered as Japan's first zero-carbon park by the Ministry of the Environment in March 2021. The unique, beautiful environment has been preserved by the way the area has thrived, both by utilizing nature and being sustained by it. However, as society and the times change, the area also faces a variety of challenges. Once lost, the richness of Norikura Kogen cannot be regained. To ensure a sustainable connection to the next generation, Norikura Kogen is proposing sustainable tourism.

01.Norikura Kogen Mirais

02.Zero Carbon Park