Norikura Kogen

📍 Access

💡Same-day tickets only. Reservations are not available.

🚂 Train from: Matsumoto station to Shin-shimashima Station (Fare: JPY 710)

🚌 Transfer to bus to N-29 Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Center, purchase ticket from vending machine at Shin-shimashima and line up for boarding. (Fare: JPY 1,350)

⏰ Matsumoto to N-29 Norikura Kogen schedule

‼️ Advance Reservation Required for Buses from Norikura Kogen to Mt. Norikura (Tatamidaira) Reserve here: Alpico Bus

Lockers: Coin lockers (JPY 100) located in the Tourist Centre (N-29). Note that the Tourist Centre closes at 17:00, and you have to retrieve your items around 16:30.

*Purchase the return ticket from N-29 Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Center once you reach.

Great Maple Tree - Maime Pond - Zengoronotaki

Date: 17 October 2023

The plan was to climb to Norikura dake [乗鞍岳] but the bus from Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Centre (N-29) to Tatamidaira (N-42) was suspended due to snow and ice. So I hiked around Norikura Kogen instead.

Norikura Kogen [乗鞍高原] is located in the southern region of the Northern Japanese Alps within Chubu-Sangaku National Park. This alpine village lies between 1200m to 1800m at the foot of Mount Norikura (3026m). It is also an onsen village where you can fully enjoy the blessings of nature, and relax in the numerous onsen resorts around here. I personally tried Japanese hotsprings Guesthouse Raicho during winter in February 2020 and did the guided snowshoe hike from Norikura Kogen to Taisho pond.

Today, I hiked one of the easy trails heading to the Great Maple Tree and Maime Pond, with a detour to Zengoronotaki Falls on the way back to the Tourist Centre, and catch the bus at 14:13 heading for Takayama.