Visitor Center Report

Kougen onsen numameguri course autumn leaves report
Now is end of August, but it is still hot like midsummer in Hokkaido.
At the mountain autumn is around the corner.

About Kougen onsen numameguri course
Takimi numa and Midori numa at the bottom of this course ~ Daigakunuma・Kougenonsen・Karanuma at the upper of this course“Sorbus matsumurana” is changing color.
From this weekend to the begining of next week it temperature will go down.
After that it will go up again.
So it’s hard to say when autumn leaves is best time.

From Sep.10th to 30th only people who stay Taisetsu Kougensou can enter this hotel to prevent the spread of infection COVID virus.
If you know detail, please check HP.
Privately owned car restrictions starts from Sep.12.
(Ginsendai line Sep.12th~22nd, Kougen onsen line 18th~27th)
These shuttle bus have a limit on the number of people.
Check Kamikawa town HP.
(You can check “Fall foliage season traffic restrictions” down this page)

Mt.Kurodake autumn leaves report
*The northeast slope of Mt.Kurodake
Comparing with last report “Weigela middendorffiana” turned yellow lightly.
So whole Mt.Kurodake tured to autumn color.

“Sorbus matsumurana” that is near the Manekiiwa is getting dark red.
And leaves of “Sorbus matsumurana” that is side of stream under the Manekiiwa started turned red.

*The top of Mt.Kurodake ~Mt.Pon kurodake
As shown as a picture, Red leaves of “Arctous alpina var. japonica” become darker and spread.
Some leaves is really good and beautiful to see.
“Sorbus matsumurana” that is both sides of akaishi river start coloring.

“Pleuropteropyrum ajanense”,”Pennellianthus frutescens” and “Therorhodion camtschaticum” are also getting dark color.

*Kumonodaira
Most of leaves are green. Some leaves are getting darker.
Glasses plants like “Geum pentapetalum”, “Salix reinii” and “Vaccinium uliginosum” are also becoming darker.


Now autumn leaves in Mt.Kurodake is same as usual years.
We posted autumn leaves report on August 27th last year.
We thought it is same.
Weather forecast says it will be cold in Mountains this weekend.
They also says that it will be hot early September.

Mt.Kurodake autumn leaves report
At the bottom of mountains it still hot, at the mountain it is cool in the morning and in the evening.
The past a few days leaves turn red.
We don’t know temperature in Kurodake ishimuro. Because there is not a keeper in Ishimuro.
judging from the temperature at Hakuun hut (8/22 in the early morning) was 2°c, we guess the temperature at Kurodake ishimuro was same as at Hakuun hut.

“Arctous alpina var. japonica” is getting more red.
From Mt.Kurodake to Mt.Pon kurodake most of leaves are green.
Some leaves is turning red.
*We think “autumn leaves season has started.”

“Sorbus matsumurana” that is at Mt.Kurodake ~Kumonotaira ~Hokkaidake is almost as same coloring as around Manekiiwa at the 9th station of Mt.Kurodake.
Some leaves are coloring early.

Leaves is coloring gradually.
Comparing with last year’s, it is little earlier than last year.
But it is almost same as usual year.
Today was very hot since morning.
It was very hot in the afternoon.
When it is bad weather, it is sometimes very cold at the summit.
*Please bring something warm to wear when hiking.

Mt.Akadake trail report
The temperature was 2°c in the morning at Mt.Hakuun refuge hut.
The wind blowing to ridge is cold and just around the corner.
Now is end of August, the plane area is still hot summer.
At the mountain autumn is coming early.

This time when hikers climb up, they sweat.
But cold wind at the summit and at the ridge cools their body and heat.
This cold wind takes away hiker’s physical strength.
Please bring something warm to wear and a lot of food and make a relax hiking plan.

Everyone is worry about autumn leaves now.
Look at the picture 1. (It was taken at the good view point that is around trail head ~Daiichi kaen)
It is difficult to understand, “Sorbus matsumurana” is turning red a little.

It is difficult to say when autumn leaves is best time.
But autumn is just around the corner.

Alpine flowers are almost finished.
At the place snow melt late some flowers are blooming.

Mt.Kurodake autumn leaves report
North-east slope of Mt.Kurodake ~Kumonodaira
“Sorbus matsumurana” turns red partly, but most leaves are still green.
“Arctous alpina var. japonica” that is on the top of Mt.Kurodake ~on the Mt.Ponkurodake is getting thick. It is spreading.
But most leaves are still green, too.

Leaves turn color more than last report (Aug 14th)
But they turn color very slowly.
Weather forecast says that the temperature will stay around 10°c.
We think about this weather forecast, autumn will come slowly.