Norikura Kogen is a highland area located in Azumi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, stretching from approximately 1,100 to 1,800 meters above sea level. It lies on the eastern foothills of Mount Norikura, one of the prominent peaks of the southern Northern Alps, which rises to 3,026 meters.
Thanks to its high elevation, the area remains pleasantly cool even in summer. The scenery changes beautifully with the seasons, making Norikura Kogen a popular destination throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy hiking and escaping the summer heat, colorful autumn foliage, winter skiing and snow activities, as well as relaxing hot springs.
Norikura Kogen is surrounded by beautiful forests of Japanese larch and white birch. Its bright, peaceful landscape sometimes evokes the atmosphere of a European or Swiss mountain resort. In spring, fresh greenery and wildflowers appear across the highlands, while summer brings cool mountain air. In autumn, the surrounding mountains turn brilliant shades of red and gold, and winter transforms the entire landscape into a beautiful world of snow.
The rich natural environment is also home to a wide variety of plants and wildlife. Visitors may encounter the Japanese serow, a Special Natural Monument of Japan, as well as mountain species such as forest green tree frogs and azure damselflies. The area is also popular among nature lovers who come for birdwatching and plant observation.
In spring, fresh green leaves begin to emerge, while flowers such as Japanese skunk cabbage and false starwort bloom around wetlands and ponds. Summer temperatures remain relatively cool, making Norikura Kogen an ideal place to escape the heat. Hiking, camping, and cycling are especially popular during this season.
In autumn, Japanese larch and Japanese rowan trees turn vivid colors, covering the highland in a beautiful tapestry of foliage. The area around Suzuran Bridge is particularly well known for its autumn scenery and attracts many photography enthusiasts.
During winter, Norikura Kogen becomes covered in snow and offers a variety of winter activities, including skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Although the area is quieter than during Japan’s historic ski boom, it continues to attract winter sports enthusiasts who appreciate the quality of the snow and the beautiful natural surroundings.
Sanbondaki Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the area and has been selected among Japan’s 100 Notable Waterfalls. Three separate streams cascade down the mountainside, creating a distinctive landscape. The powerful sound of falling water echoes through the surrounding forest.
Banshodaki Falls, with a drop of approximately 40 meters, and the elegant Zengoro Falls are both counted among the Three Great Waterfalls of Norikura. Their abundant, crystal-clear water is one of the natural treasures created by the volcanic landscape of Mount Norikura.
Ushidoru Pond is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Norikura Kogen, located at an elevation of approximately 1,580 meters. From the eastern shore, visitors can see the full form of Mount Norikura, while the calm surface of the pond sometimes reflects the mountain like a mirror, creating the beautiful scene known as “Upside-Down Norikura.”
Surrounded by primeval forest, the pond provides a peaceful setting for nature observation. Japanese skunk cabbage and false starwort grow in groups around the pond, and salamanders and other wildlife can also be found here. From late May to early June, the white blossoms of Japanese skunk cabbage create an especially beautiful landscape.
Ichinoseenchi and the Norikura Nature Conservation Center form an important base for exploring the highlands. A variety of walking trails are available, including the Zengoro Falls and Ushidoru Pond Trail, the Banshodaki Falls and Senmaibuchi Loop Trail, and the Legends Trail. These routes can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to families.
Several hot springs emerge throughout Norikura Kogen. The area is known for its three main hot spring sources: Norikura Kogen Onsen, Suzuran Onsen, and Azumi Norikura Onsen.
Among them, Tenpo-no-Yu at Kyukamura Norikura Kogen is located at an elevation of approximately 1,600 meters and is supplied by hot spring water rising from about 1,300 meters underground. From the open-air bath, visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the Northern Alps while relaxing amid the fresh greenery of spring, colorful autumn foliage, or snowy winter scenery.
Norikura Kogen offers a wide range of activities throughout the year. From spring through autumn, hiking, cycling, and camping are especially popular. Walking trails such as the Shirakaba Path and Seseragi Path are well maintained, allowing even beginners to enjoy a leisurely walk through nature.
With some luck, visitors may even encounter a Japanese serow, a Special Natural Monument of Japan. The forests and clear mountain streams provide an important habitat for a diverse range of plants and animals.
Winter brings skiing and snowboarding. Mt. Norikura Ski Resort and Igaya Ski Resort offer courses suitable for a wide range of abilities, from beginners to experienced skiers. Snowshoe tours and visits to frozen waterfalls provide additional ways to experience the unique beauty of winter in the mountains.
Norikura Kogen is a long, narrow mountain foothill plateau formed by lava flows that once descended eastward from Mount Norikura, particularly the Bansho Lava. The elevation rises from approximately 1,100 meters at the eastern end to around 1,800 meters at the western end. The entire area belongs to the Azumi district of Matsumoto City.
Parts of the higher-elevation area are included within the Chubu-Sangaku National Park, where the natural environment is carefully protected. Across this volcanic plateau are streams, waterfalls, ponds, wetlands, and forests, creating a landscape with remarkable variety.
Even in the height of summer, refreshing mountain breezes sweep across the plateau, offering a sense of coolness and tranquility that feels far removed from the cities below.
Mount Norikura has long been revered as a sacred mountain and was once a place of religious training for ascetic practitioners. During the Edo period, the area also became known as a hot spring destination, attracting visitors seeking therapeutic stays. Historic hot spring inns still stand throughout the highlands, preserving something of the atmosphere of earlier times.
Today, Norikura Kogen is home to seven settlements, and tourism has played an important role in the development of the local community. More than 100 accommodation facilities, including pensions, guesthouses, traditional inns, youth hostels, and public lodging facilities, can be found in the area.
Restaurants, soba shops, souvenir stores, ski rental shops, and other visitor facilities are also available. Many local residents are involved in tourism and warmly welcome travelers visiting the highlands.
By public transportation, route buses operate from Shin-Shimashima Station, the terminal station of the Matsumoto Electric Railway Kamikochi Line. Seasonal direct buses are also available from the Tokyo and Yokohama areas.
By car, Norikura Kogen can be reached from the Matsumoto Interchange on the Nagano Expressway via National Route 158.
Access to the Mount Norikura area is subject to restrictions for private vehicles on the Norikuradake Prefectural Road, also known as the Echo Line, as part of environmental conservation measures. Visitors generally leave their cars at designated parking areas in Norikura Kogen and transfer to shuttle buses or taxis.
The opening of the Abo Tunnel in 1997 also significantly improved access between the Norikura area and Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture.
Norikura Kogen is a mountain resort where spectacular volcanic landscapes, a long history, and warm local hospitality come together. Summer offers a refreshing escape from the heat, autumn brings magnificent foliage, and winter transforms the highlands into a beautiful snowy wonderland.
With its abundant natural scenery, hot springs, and year-round activities, Norikura Kogen offers something new to discover with every visit. Surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Northern Alps, it is an ideal place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and enjoy a peaceful mountain getaway.
60 min. by car from Matsumoto IC [45 km].
54 min. by bus from Niijima Station on the Matsumoto Electric Railway Kamikochi Line