The Ichinose Meadow (乗鞍高原一の瀬園地) in Norikura Kogen is an unspoiled gem in the Japanese Alps. Located in Nagano and surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, it is one of the best spots for easy, accessible hiking and cycling and connecting with nature. From seasonal wildflowers to peaceful ponds reflecting the peaks, this meadow is the perfect starting point for any Norikura adventure.
The promenade from Ushidome Pond will eventually lead you to Azami Pond in the meadow after a 40-minute trek.
Norikura Kogen Ichinose Danchi is a beautiful park located in the highlands at an elevation of 1,500 meters. The park features a spacious grassland with ponds and mountain streams, making it perfect for a relaxing stroll or a picnic.
As the road is relatively flat, how about renting a bicycle and cycling around the park with a light breeze blowing on your face?
If you plan to follow the looped promenade and explore most parts of the meadow, it will likely take around 2 to 2.5 hours.
Tip: The flower season at Ichinose Meadow is from late April to July.
Azami Pond (あざみ池)
The first pond that you will encounter is the Azami Pond. It is where many wild birds gather in Ichinose Meadow. When they are in the mood to communicate with each other, it can be quite a nice symphony!
The pond was named Azami because its shape looks like a thistle leaf. From May to June, the white bogbean flowers will be in bloom.
In late June, if you look carefully, you might find Moria frog eggs around the pond!
Maime no Ike Pond (まいめの池)
The most picturesque part of Ichinose Meadow is probably Maime no Ike. It is one of the best photography spots in Norikura Kogen, both during the day and at night.
The fall foliage season at Maime no Ike starts in early October and peaks from mid to late October.
Trekking on the promenade, you will first go past a small marsh called Shinobu no Ike (偲ぶの池). In autumn, the color of the grass growing out of the marsh will turn brown, echoing the redness of the foliage on the trees close by.
Apart from the reflection of Mt Norikura on Maime no Ike, many photographers also like to focus their lenses on the trees and their reflections in the pond.
One of the best times for photography is early morning, when you are likely to capture some morning mist above the pond, making your photo more mysterious. If the weather conditions are right, you will get a photo of the fall leaves shining with the morning sun as a backlight.
If you have access to a car, visit Maime no Ike again at sunset for the stunning sunset reflection, followed by a sky of stars that is also reflected in the pond.
From the closest car park, it is only a 5-minute walk. So there should be no need to worry about getting lost.
Dojō Pond (どじょう池)
Trekking further into Ichinose Danchi from Maime no Ike Pond, Dojō Pond is another scenic place in the meadow.
This gorgeous pond in the photo has a name that doesn’t do it justice. Dojō in Japanese means kuhli loach. It was named after the fish because there is a large population of kuhli loach in the pond.
While you might not be able to see any kuhli loach from the surface, you can definitely see skunk cabbage floating. If you visit Norikura Kogen in May, you will get to admire the white flowers of the skunk cabbage.
Tip: As the sun goes down on the horizon at Mt Norikura, the best time for photographs at Dojō Pond is in the afternoon or even closer to sunset.
The closest bus stop is Kankō Center-mae (観光センター前), which is 2 km away.
How to Get to Norikura Kōgen Ichinose Danchi
- From Kyūkamura (休暇村) bus stop, it is around a 10-minute drive or around a 30-minute walk.
- You can also make a detour to Zengorō Falls (善五郎の滝).
Important: Before you wander off, please use the toilet located near the Ichinose Parking Lot, as there are no other facilities available in the park.
Discover Other Attractions in Norikura Kogen
Your visit to Norikura Kogen shouldn’t be limited to Ichinose Danchi. The highland in the Japanese Alps has a lot more to offer, including onsen to help your body relax and recover from a day’s hiking.
For more information about what else you can add to your Norikura Kogen itinerary, refer to our article on Norikura Kogen!
