Tsugaike Nature Park, One of Japan's Premier High-Altitude Moors, Opens 2026 Green Season on June 6

Tsugaike Nature Park, located in Otari Village, Nagano Prefecture, within the Chubu Sangaku National Park, will open on Saturday, June 6, 2026. The 2026 green season is scheduled to run from Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, October 25.

Known as one of Japan's leading high-altitude moors at an elevation of approximately 1,900 meters, Tsugaike Nature Park sees the blooming of Asian skunk cabbage (Mizubasho) as the snow melts. Visitors can enjoy spectacular early summer views woven by the lingering snow of the Northern Alps and alpine flora.

On the opening day, an 'Opening Festival' will be held to celebrate the start of the season, featuring a Shinto ritual to pray for safety within the park and the preservation of the natural environment.

Coinciding with the opening, a nine-day 'Mizubasho Week' will be held from Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, June 14. Set against the backdrop of Tsugaike Nature Park and Tsugaike Kogen colored by the Mizubasho, various events will take place, including the serving of mountain vegetable soup, alpine horn performances, and commemorative gifts for visitors.

Furthermore, as a new initiative this year, events such as the 'Tsugaike Kogen Market' and stage performances will be held in the Tsugaike Kogen area at the base of the mountain. Through markets organized by local businesses and community participation events, the lively atmosphere of early summer will be staged not only in the nature park but across the entire Tsugaike Kogen area.

What is 'Tsugaike Nature Park,' One of Japan's Premier High-Altitude Moors Overlooking the Hakuba Mountains? Spread out at an elevation of about 1,900 meters, Tsugaike Nature Park is one of Japan's leading high-altitude moors located within the Chubu Sangaku National Park.

While gazing at the magnificent mountain ranges of the Northern Alps, including the Hakuba Sanzan (Three Peaks of Hakuba), visitors can enjoy a wide variety of alpine plants and moorland scenery.

As the snow melts in June, large colonies of Mizubasho, as well as Glaucidium palmatum (Shirane-aoi) and Takane-zakura (alpine cherry blossoms), begin to bloom. In July and August, vibrant flowers such as Aleutian avens (Chinguruma), cottongrass, and Nikko daylilies color the moors, and the scenery transitions to brilliant autumn foliage in the fall.

Additionally, the aerial stroll to the nature park, taking the Gondola Lift 'Eve' followed by the Tsugaike Ropeway while overlooking the spectacular Northern Alps, is one of its major attractions.

With its majestic natural landscapes changing through the seasons, it is often referred to as a 'paradise above the clouds' and captivates many people.

[How to Enjoy Rainy Days: The 'Skeleton Flower' That Turns Transparent When Wet] At Tsugaike Nature Park, the alpine plant 'Diphylleia grayi' (skeleton flower or Sankayou) reaches its peak during the rainy season.

Usually producing white flowers, the skeleton flower is known for its petals turning transparent when wet from the rain. Its magical appearance, translucent like glasswork, is highly popular as a special natural beauty unique to this time of year.

Furthermore, because Tsugaike Nature Park, located at about 1,900 meters, is accessible via the Gondola Lift 'Eve' and Tsugaike Ropeway, a key appeal is that visitors can fully enjoy the alpine nature even during the rainy season or on wet days. Guests can enjoy the mystical landscapes unique to rainy days, such as the misty moorland scenery and alpine plants adorned with raindrops.

Tsugaike Nature Park 'Opening Festival' Event Overview On the opening day, Saturday, June 6, the 'Opening Festival' will be held to celebrate the start of a new season at Tsugaike Nature Park. On the day, in addition to conducting a Shinto ritual to pray for park safety and the conservation of the rich natural environment, visitors can enjoy the unique scenery of this season, woven by plants beginning to sprout as the snow melts. Please come and experience this special season unique to Tsugaike Nature Park, where you can simultaneously enjoy early summer flowers and lingering snow.

Date & Time: Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 11:00 Venue: In front of the Tsugaike Nature Park Visitor Center *Tsugaike Nature Park can be accessed in about 1 hour by taking the Gondola Lift 'Eve' and the Tsugaike Ropeway. Please allow plenty of time for your journey.

Tsugaike Nature Park 'Mizubasho Week' Event Overview 'Mizubasho Week' will be held to coincide with the opening. Various projects will be implemented as an event for visitors to enjoy the early summer Tsugaike Nature Park and Tsugaike Kogen, colored by Mizubasho.

Event Period: Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, June 14, 2026 Venue: Inside Tsugaike Nature Park, around the Visitor Center, around the gondola boarding area, etc.

① Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 'Omotenashi (Hospitality) Day - Nature Park Opening' Location: Around the Visitor Center at the entrance of Tsugaike Nature Park Time: 10:00 - 13:00

To commemorate the opening, a hospitality event for visitors will be held.

[Event Details] - Serving of mountain vegetable soup - Polaroid photo shoots and gifts - Alpine horn performance (Saturday, June 6 only)