Norikura Highland (Norikura Kogen) is a scenic alpine plateau at the foot of 3,026-metre Mount Norikura, offering cool highland scenery of marshland boardwalk trails, waterfalls, ponds and alpine meadows that bloom with wildflowers in summer and colour in autumn. Private cars are banned on the mountain road to protect the environment, but a bus climbs to Tatamidaira at over 2,700 metres, near the summit, giving relatively easy access to some of Japan’s highest road-reachable alpine scenery, with short walks to viewpoints and, for the prepared, a hike to the peak.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Takayama (Norikura), Gifu |
| Hours | Highland accessible spring–autumn; bus to summit seasonal |
| Admission | Free; bus to Tatamidaira fee applies |
| Time needed | Half day to full day |
| Best time | Summer for wildflowers; autumn for foliage |
What to See
- Marshland boardwalk trails, waterfalls, ponds and alpine meadows.
- Wildflowers in summer and colourful foliage in autumn.
- A bus to Tatamidaira at over 2,700 metres near the summit.
- Some of Japan’s highest road-reachable alpine scenery.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Hida Mountains Northern Alps Views nearby.
- Pair with Gero Onsen or Takayama as a base.
- Read our Gifu overview .
Getting There
- By bus: buses from Takayama to Norikura Highland, then a shuttle bus toward Tatamidaira.
- By car: drive to the highland; private cars cannot continue up the summit road.
Tips
Private cars cannot drive the summit road, so take the shuttle bus up to Tatamidaira if you want the highest-altitude scenery. The plateau is cool even in summer and much colder near the summit, so bring warm layers regardless of the season, and check the bus schedule, as the summit route is seasonal and weather-dependent.
