OTARI

TSUGAIKE NATURE PARK

Walking & Hiking Routes
in the Tsugaike Nature Park

In order to explore the Nature Park, a minimum of four hours is recommended, including approximately 2 hours for the round trip on the Panorama Way. There are multiple ways the park can be toured, and the 4 walking courses of different lengths listed below give you a general idea of the distances and times involved.

  • 1km Walking Course

    Park Entrance to the ‘Mizubasho’ (Asian Skunk Cabbage) Marsh: Approximately 1 hour

    An easy and relaxing walk along an elevated wooden walkway suitable for small children and the elderly. Visitors exploring this area will have opportunities to spot a variety of alpine flora, glimpse a small river fish known as Japanese Char in the crystal-clear creek, feel the cool breeze of the highlands, and be treated with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

  • 1km Walking Course
  • 2km Walking Course

    Park Entrance to the ‘Watasuge’ (Cotton Grass) Marsh: Approximately 1.5 hours

    The Watasuge Marsh is located just beyond the Mizubasho Marsh. The marsh is characterized by its subalpine vegetation, with the beautiful and rare Paris japonica (known as kinugasaso in Japanese) flowering in abundance here. There is also a mysterious rock formation featuring a gap from which refreshingly cool air continually escapes from deep underground, so much so that the snow in the immediate surroundings lingers well into the summer.

  • 1km Walking Course
  • 3km Hiking Course

    Park Entrance to the ‘Ukishima’ (Floating Island) Marsh: Approximately 2.5 hours

    This area of the park lies beyond the Watasuge Marsh and across the Kusu River, from where the trail gradually becomes a little steeper. In spots, you will leave the wooden walkway and travel on a dirt and rock trail, so it is best to come prepared with appropriate footwear when heading into the deeper recesses of the park. Daylilies dominate the landscape here in summer, while the vivid color changes of the foliage in autumn attract many tourists.

  • 1km Walking Course
  • Full(5.5km) Hiking Course

    Park Entrance to the ‘Tenbo (Observation) Marsh: Approximately 4 hours

    If you have the time and energy, it’s worth slowing down and enjoying the entire park at a relaxing pace. The marsh located at the extreme end of the Nature Park features an observation platform that offers a magnificent view of the large snowy valley of Mt. Hakuba, where snow remains year-round. Look closely, and you may even be able to see climbers shuffling up the snow, as the valley is a popular hiking route. Several other viewpoints, the fresh clear spring water flowing from the “Ginmeisui” water source, and the opportunity to observe the small carnivorous sundew plants growing near the Mosen Pond are some of the additional highlights of making the full trip. A word of caution: there are no toilets or other facilities beyond those at the Kusu River.

  • 1km Walking Course

Trekking Destinations & Distances Around the Tsugaike Nature Park

Destinations (One-Way) Time Required (Approx.)
Hiyodori-mine from the Nature Park 2 hours 30 minutes
Tenguhara from the Nature Park 1 hour 20 minutes
Hakuba Oike from Tenguhara 2 hours 
Kazafuki Oike from Tenguhara 2 hours 20 minutes
Renge Onsen from Hakuba Oike 2 hours 20 minutes
Mt. Hakuba from Hakuba Oike 3 hours 40 minutes

Access to the Tsugaike Nature Park

Fees for the Tsugaike Panorama Way As of March, 2023 Adults Children
Round-trip (Including gondola, ropeway, and park entrance tickets) ¥3,700 ¥2,100
One-way (Including gondola and ropeway tickets) ¥2,000 ¥1,100

Tsugaike Panorama Way Details

Total Length: 5,320 m (Gondola + Ropeway)
  • Gondola Lift Eve

    Details Total length: 4,120 m
    Max capacity: 6 passengers per carriage
    Ride time 20 minutes (one-way)
    Operating section Tsugaike Kogen Station Shirakaba Station Tsuga-no-mori Station
  • 1km Walking Course
  • Tsugaike Ropeway

    Details Total length: 1,200 m
    Max capacity: 71 passengers
    Ride time 5 minutes (one-way)
    Operating section Tsuga-Daimon Station Nature Park Station
  • 1km Walking Course
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