Sugadaira Highland is a beautiful highland area extending from northern Ueda City to Suzaka City in Nagano Prefecture. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,250 to 1,650 meters, it forms part of Joshin’etsukogen National Park.
Its cool climate and rich natural environment make Sugadaira a popular destination throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy changing seasonal scenery, while the refreshing summer weather has made the area particularly well known as a summer retreat.
For many years, Sugadaira has also been a popular destination for school camps and sports training camps. A villa area extends through the Tennomura district, while the cool climate and fertile highland environment support the cultivation of a variety of highland vegetables.
In 1927, Sugadaira was described by Hidetake Yaoi as the “Davos of Japan,” inspired by the Swiss mountain resort of Davos. The same year, the Sugadaira Ski Club was established.
The following year, in 1928, Sugadaira Highland Ski Resort opened, establishing the area as a winter resort centered on skiing.
Sugadaira’s reputation as a sports destination expanded when the Hosei University Rugby Club began using the area for training camps in 1931. Waseda University’s rugby team followed the next year, helping establish Sugadaira as one of Japan’s best-known destinations for rugby training.
In 1999, Sugadaira Highland Sports Land opened with five natural-grass fields and an all-weather athletics track. Now known as Under Armour Sugadaira Sania Park, the complex hosts rugby, soccer, athletics competitions, and training camps for athletes and students.
In 2018, the indoor training facility Sugadaira Highland Arena opened, providing facilities for indoor sports such as volleyball and basketball. From April 2024, the facility adopted its current name through a naming-rights agreement with Under Armour.
Sugadaira is surrounded by impressive mountain peaks, including Mount Azumaya at 2,354 meters, one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, and Mount Neko at 2,207 meters, known as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains for its beautiful alpine flora.
These mountains provide excellent opportunities for hiking, trekking, and mountain climbing, with trails offering expansive views across the highlands and surrounding countryside.
Sugadaira is famous for its refreshing summer climate. The average summer temperature is approximately 19.5°C, making the area an attractive place for escaping the heat of the cities.
Even in August, temperatures can fall into the single digits during the morning and evening. This cool environment is particularly suitable for outdoor sports and highland recreation.
Winter brings a dramatically different landscape. Temperatures can fall below -20°C, and in 2012 the temperature reached -29.2°C, recorded as the lowest temperature observed in Honshu at the time.
The area also enjoys many clear days. Strong radiative cooling in winter, combined with the region’s snow conditions, creates an environment well suited to winter sports.
Sugadaira receives approximately 648 cm of snowfall per year, with an average maximum snow depth of around 104 cm. Because the snow remains for a considerable period, visitors can enjoy beautiful winter scenery for an extended season.
Heavy snowfall is particularly common from late February through March when southern coastal low-pressure systems affect the region. On February 16, 2014, snow depth reached 152 cm.
Under Armour Sugadaira Sania Park is a major sports complex equipped with natural-grass rugby and soccer fields and an all-weather athletics track. Every year, many student teams and athletes come to Sugadaira for training camps.
The nearby Under Armour Sugadaira Arena provides indoor facilities for sports including basketball and volleyball, allowing athletes to train regardless of weather conditions.
Other sports facilities include Ueda Sugadaira Highland Grand Virio Golf Club in Ueda City and Sugadaira Green Golf in Suzaka City.
The trails leading to Mount Azumaya and Mount Neko are popular with hikers and mountain climbers. The routes provide opportunities to experience the highland environment and enjoy panoramic mountain scenery.
The hiking routes around Davos Hill and Sugadaira Farm offer refreshing walks through open highland landscapes. The broad views and cool mountain air make these trails especially pleasant during the warmer months.
Sugadaira Marsh is a natural area where visitors can observe plants characteristic of highland wetlands as well as wild birds. It offers a quieter way to experience the area’s natural environment.
Karasawa Waterfall is a refreshing summer destination where the sound of falling water and the cool air around the waterfall provide a welcome escape from the heat.
Sugadaira Lake, formed by Sugadaira Dam, is a peaceful spot for walking and photography. The surrounding scenery changes beautifully with the seasons.
When winter arrives, Sugadaira transforms into a major snow sports destination. Sugadaira Highland Snow Resort, Harry Ski Resort, and Pine Beak Ski Area offer a variety of slopes suitable for different levels of skiers and snowboarders.
The combination of the high elevation, cold winter climate, and long-lasting snow makes Sugadaira an attractive destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Summer is also a popular season for golf. At Ueda Sugadaira Highland Grand Virio Golf Club, formerly known as Sugadaira Highland Country Club, and Sugadaira Green Golf, golfers can enjoy the refreshing air and open landscapes of the highlands.
From climbing Mount Neko and Mount Azumaya to hiking from Sugadaira Farm toward Davos Hill, there are numerous ways to explore the highland landscape. Nature enthusiasts can also observe plants and birds around Sugadaira Marsh or visit Karasawa Waterfall and Sugadaira Lake.
In winter, the same landscape becomes a snowy playground for skiing and other winter activities, giving Sugadaira a distinctly different character from season to season.
Sugadaira Highland brings together sports, nature, recreation, education, and mountain culture in a remarkable highland environment. Its cool summers, snowy winters, extensive sports facilities, and beautiful seasonal scenery have made it a popular destination for athletes, families, hikers, and travelers seeking a refreshing mountain escape.
Whether you visit for a summer sports camp, a peaceful highland hike, a round of golf, or winter skiing, Sugadaira offers a different experience with every season. Surrounded by mountains and rich natural landscapes, it is one of northern Nagano’s distinctive destinations for experiencing the outdoors throughout the year.