What Can You Do Around Norikura Highland? Hot Springs, Waterfalls and Snow
This guide is for visitors who want to know what there is to do around Norikura Highland on the Nagano side of Mt. Norikura besides the climb. It uses two pages of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). All pages were read on 2026-10-04.
Both pages are general introductions. They give few opening hours, prices or dates, and we leave those out.
The short answer
JNTO's page on the highland calls it an outdoor lover's dream. It says there are hot springs and a fantastic variety of outdoor activities year-round, including mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking and trekking. It describes the area as onsen, skiing and adventure on Japan's third highest volcano.
Short walks to waterfalls and a pond
The page says Norikura has many shorter woodland hikes around the Bandokoro and Zengoro waterfalls and Ushidome Pond. It describes the magnificent triple waterfall known as Sanbondaki as another sight well worth the detour, about a half-hour hike from the Sanbondaki bus stop.
Another JNTO page about the mountain describes Ushidomeike as a large pond formed when Norikura last erupted. It also lists Zengoro Falls among the beautiful sights.
Skiing, even in summer
The highland page says the Big Snowy Valley along the northeastern section of the mountain is permanently covered in snow, and that it is popular for skiing through the summer. Visitors hike up the trail and then ski down the mountainside.
For winter, the page describes the Mt. Norikura Snow Resort as famous for great conditions and fluffy white powder. It says the resort has 20 courses, a long run of 5.0 kilometres and off-piste skiing. It adds that the resort is popular with day-trippers from Matsumoto, and has a kids' park and runs for all levels.
Races and events
If you are an athlete, JNTO says, the area hosts a couple of high-profile events. The Heavenly Marathon crosses portions of Norikura's snow corridor. In August, competitors race up the mountain in the All Japan Norikura Mountain Cycling Race. The page gives no dates, so check the organisers before planning a trip around either event.
Shirahone Onsen
JNTO calls Shirahone Onsen one of Nagano's most famous hot spring resorts. It describes a beautiful and isolated enclave in the Yugawa river valley on the way to Kamikochi. The name literally means white bones, and the mineral-laden grey-white geothermal water is renowned for its therapeutic properties.
Many of the inns allow day visitors to use their facilities, according to the page. There is also a public bath down a ravine near the village centre. The page suggests staying at a traditional ryokan inn, strolling the halls in a yukata robe, and dining on local cuisine. It adds that many other onsen in the Norikura area are fed by the same thermal springs as Shirahone.
The other JNTO page says that if you visit nearby Shirahone Onsen, you can try the spring water, which it says is good for the digestion. We could not confirm where to drink it or whether it is safe to do so, so ask at your inn.
Getting around
The highland page says that, as with other areas in rural Nagano, a rental car will do wonders for expanding your freedom to explore. It says the nearest hub is Matsumoto Station and that you can take a train to Shin-Shimashima and then a bus to the Kanko Center Mae.
Which season suits which activity
The highland page says to hike Norikura in the summer for alpine vegetation and flowers and in the autumn for changing leaves. The skiing runs in two forms: summer skiing in the Big Snowy Valley, and winter skiing at the snow resort. The other JNTO page adds that the road to the summit is closed in winter, so skiing on the mountain itself is not an option then, while the snow lasts through summer.
The hot springs can be visited in any season, since many inns welcome day visitors. If you plan to combine the waterfalls with a bath, the half-hour walk from the Sanbondaki bus stop makes a short outing before a soak.
What we could not verify, and therefore left out
- Opening dates, lift prices and conditions at the snow resort.
- Opening hours and day-visit prices at Shirahone Onsen inns.
- Bus stops and timetables for the waterfalls.
- Dates and entry rules for the marathon and the cycling race.
Related guides
- How Do You Get to Mt. Norikura by Bus and Ride Up to the Summit Area?
- What Is Mt. Norikura? A 3,026 Metre Volcano You Can Reach by Bus
Sources
All URLs retrieved 2026-10-04.
- Norikura Highland (JNTO) — (waterfalls, summer skiing, snow resort, events, Shirahone Onsen)
- Mt. Norikura (JNTO) — (Ushidomeike, Zengoro Falls, spring water)