Tsugaike Nature Park is a breathtaking alpine park located in Hakuba, among the towering Northern Alps of Japan. While the Tsugaike area is a ski resort in the winter, in the spring, summer, and autumn seasons it comes alive with plant and animal life, making it a year-round destination to visit.
Accessible using the Tsugaike gondola, the Tsugaike Nature Park sits at an average elevation of 1900 metres and covers over 100 hectares. Located within the Chubu Sangaku National Park, the beautiful alpine landscape includes around 6km of raised wooden walkways that allow visitors to stroll through the park while not damaging the surrounding environment. Multiple walking courses – including 1km, 2km, 3km, and 5.5km trails – take between 1 and 4 hours to walk. Along the way, visitors can enjoy stunning alpine views, marshes and numerous alpine plants and flowers. Visitors who journey to the furthest point along the trail and panoramic view of the North Alps rising another 1000 metres above.
Access
Tsugaike can be most easily accessed from Nagano Station. From Nagano Station, take the ALPICO Hakuba Express Bus to the bus stop "Tsugaike Kogen". The bus service operates multiple times a day from Bus Stop No. 26 on the east side of the station, and it takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach Tsugaike. To check the bus schedule, please refer to our ‘ALPICO Hakuba Express Bus Timetable’ page.
From the bus stop, it is just a few minutes walk to the base of the gondola station that will bring you to the park. First, you will take the ‘Eve’ Gondola from the base station of (what is in winter) Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort – taking around 20 minutes – and then switch to the Tsugaike Ropeway – 6 minutes. Accessible from June until the end of October, the Tsugaike Nature Park is especially popular through October as the landscape is transformed by the beautiful colors of autumn.
For those travelling from Tokyo, please see our "How to Get to Hakuba from Tokyo" page!
Other Information
- Please make sure to dress appropriately for alpine walking including good quality boots or shoes and appropriate clothing for the season, noting that mountain weather conditions can change quickly at any time of year. The boardwalks in the park are flat and easy to walk on, making them accessible for most visitors. However, the park also has some more challenging hiking trails with rocks, boulders, and trails that can be muddy and slippery.
- Tsugaike Nature Park is accessible only in the summer season. The official dates vary each year, but it is generally open from the beginning of June until early November. Please be aware that snow may be remaining on the trails during some months, and the temperature may be significantly lower at high altitudes.