Hiwada Plateau (Gifu Prefecture) Complete Guide｜Explaining the Spectacular Views at 1,400m Elevation and the Charm of Four Seasons in Detail
Hiwada Plateau, which spreads across Takane Town, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, is positioned at a high altitude of approximately 1,400m, boasting Hida’s finest scenery with the majestic Mt. Norikura to the north and the sacred Mt. Ontake to the south. The beautiful natural environment with birch forests, starry skies filled with countless stars, and the ever-changing expressions of nature throughout the seasons continue to enchant visitors. This article provides detailed explanations of Hiwada Plateau’s attractions, facility information, access methods, and ways to enjoy the area.
What is Hiwada Plateau? Basic Information and Characteristics
Hiwada Plateau is a highland area located in Tomenoharacho, Takane Town, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, at an elevation of approximately 1,400m. Known as part of the Hida Ontake Highland High-Altitude Training Area, it offers diverse usage possibilities by taking advantage of its favorable natural environment and elevation.
Geographic Features and Location
The greatest characteristic of Hiwada Plateau lies in its geographic advantages. Located between two famous peaks—Mt. Norikura (3,026m) of the Northern Alps to the north and Mt. Ontake (3,067m) to the south—it offers the luxury of being able to view both mountains simultaneously. The altitude of 1,400m provides a cool and comfortable climate even in summer, while creating a varied environment with snowy landscapes in winter.
The landscape of the plateau with its spreading birch forests creates beautiful contrasts with the blue sky, particularly captivating visitors from early summer through autumn. Along Prefectural Road Asahi-Takane, birch trees line the route, making it a popular driving destination.
History and Cultural Background
The areas surrounding Hiwada Plateau have long been inhabited, with numerous stone Buddhist statues and historic sites scattered throughout. These stone statues contain stories of people and horses from the past, and walking courses have been established as “Hida Takane Sky Village Hiwada Plateau Stone Buddha Pilgrimage.”
The region has also been influenced by Mt. Ontake worship, carrying a history as a pilgrimage route to the sacred Mt. Ontake. While developing in modern times as a tourism and leisure hub, it carefully preserves this cultural heritage.
Hiwada Plateau Lodge and Campground Facility Introduction
The core facility of Hiwada Plateau is Hiwada Plateau Lodge and Campground (〒509-3405 1742-1 Tomenoharacho, Takane Town, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, TEL: 0577-59-2510), a comprehensive facility where you can fully enjoy outdoor life in nature.
Types and Features of Accommodation
Hiwada Plateau Lodge provides facilities accommodating diverse lodging needs. The main lodge building allows guests to spend comfortable nights in the high plateau with indoor amenities, accommodating everyone from group visits to families.
The campground area features organized tent sites where you can enjoy comfortable camping in the cool environment of 1,400m elevation. Particularly during the Obon period, it remains cool with nighttime temperatures so low that short sleeves feel somewhat chilly, making it ideal as a summer retreat. The babbling brook flowing nearby creates a healing space filled with negative ions.
Campground Equipment and Services
The campground is equipped with complete barbecue facilities, allowing you to enjoy outdoor cooking with family and friends. Recently popular tent saunas have been introduced, attracting crowds interested in the novel experience of sauna bathing in the high plateau nature.
Basic facilities such as cooking areas and restrooms are well-maintained, providing a comfortable camping experience even for beginners. Additionally, sports facilities like tennis courts are available for those who prefer active pursuits.
Nagoya YMCA Campground
Hiwada Plateau also has the Nagoya YMCA Hiwada Plateau Campground (〒509-3405 1752-71 Tomenoharacho, Takane Town, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, Inquiries: 0577-59-2450) on its grounds. Operated as a facility suitable for educational camping activities and group use, it serves as a venue for youth nature experience activities.
High-Altitude Training and Training Camp Use
Hiwada Plateau is located in the “Hida Ontake Highland High-Altitude Training Area,” making it an ideal location for high-altitude training that takes advantage of its 1,400m elevation, utilized by numerous sports teams and athletes.
Benefits of High-Altitude Training
At 1,400m elevation, oxygen concentration is approximately 85% compared to sea level, effectively improving cardiopulmonary function and increasing endurance. Training in this environment promotes increased red blood cells and enhances oxygen transport capacity.
The surroundings of Hiwada Plateau have running courses and roads suitable for training, allowing athletes to maintain high motivation while training with views of Mt. Norikura and Mt. Ontake.
Use as Training Camp Facility
An environment integrating accommodation and exercise facilities is ideal for sports training camps. Various competitions including track and field, cycling, soccer, and basketball have held camps here. The support system is complete with group meal provision and meeting room availability, providing backup for both training and daily life.
The cool climate is particularly suitable for summer camps, allowing concentrated training while reducing heat stroke risk.
Enjoying Each Season
Hiwada Plateau presents different faces in each season, offering value in visiting year-round.
Hiwada Plateau in Spring
Spring arrives to the plateau with snowmelt. From May through June, you can observe delicate white flowers of Skunk cabbage at growth sites. Flame azaleas come into bloom, painting the plateau in vivid orange.
Spring wild vegetable picking is a popular activity, allowing you to harvest abundant mountain products including bracken, ostrich fern, and fatsia shoots. You can enjoy nature’s bounty while learning from local knowledge.
Early Summer through Summer Appeal
Early summer at Hiwada Plateau is when the fresh green of the birch forest is most beautiful. The contrast between blue sky, white birch trunks, and vibrant green leaves is popular as a photography spot.
The cool climate at 1,400m elevation makes it ideal as a summer retreat. Even when the plains experience intense heat, Hiwada Plateau remains comfortable. It’s the perfect season to fully enjoy camping, barbecuing, and hiking.
Corn cultivated at Hiwada Plateau is known as exceptional due to concentrated sweetness from the climate’s significant temperature variation. Tasting local agricultural products is one of summer’s pleasures.
Autumn Foliage Season
The autumn foliage at Hiwada Plateau ranks among the most beautiful in Gifu Prefecture. Colors spread gradually from the Mt. Ontake foothills, reaching peak viewing from late September through mid-October.
Along Prefectural Road Asahi-Takane, colors transition from deep green to autumn hues, attracting numerous tourists as a scenic drive route. The contrast between white birch trunks and yellow and red foliage against the autumn sky creates breathtakingly beautiful scenery.
Autumn mushroom picking is popular, with opportunities to harvest shiitake, matsutake (if lucky), and various other mushrooms. However, distinguishing edible mushrooms from poisonous varieties is necessary, so going with experienced collectors is recommended.
Winter Activities
Winter at Hiwada Plateau is covered in snow, offering skiing and snowshoeing among other winter sports. Nearby ski areas are available, making it a base for winter outdoor leisure.
Winter nights have particularly clear skies, ideal for stargazing. In an environment with minimal light pollution, you can observe the Milky Way and meteor showers with the naked eye, a luxurious experience.
Stargazing and Astronomical Observation
One of Hiwada Plateau’s greatest attractions is its starry sky. The combination of 1,400m high altitude, location away from major cities, and clear air creates ideal conditions for astronomical observation.
Observable Celestial Bodies
On clear nights, the Milky Way is clearly visible to the naked eye, and during meteor shower periods, numerous shooting stars can be observed. You can enjoy seasonal constellations including the Summer Triangle and winter’s Orion.
Choosing dates before and after new moon allows observation of fainter stars, offering an encounter with starry skies that are impossible to see in cities. Bringing telescopes allows observation of Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s stripes, and lunar craters.
Star Photography Tips
Photography enthusiasts often visit for starlight photography. Numerous photogenic spots exist, including shots of the Milky Way with birch forests as silhouettes and compositions combining Mt. Norikura and Mt. Ontake with starscapes.
With a tripod and camera capable of manual shooting, you can capture beautiful star photos through long exposures. Winter offers particularly clear skies, but cold weather precautions are essential.
Stone Buddha Pilgrimage and Walking Courses
Surrounding Hiwada Plateau is an established walking course called “Hida Takane Sky Village Hiwada Plateau Stone Buddha Pilgrimage,” where numerous stone statues and historic sites are scattered, each containing stories of people and horses from the past.
History and Significance of Stone Buddhas
The stone statues in this area were primarily erected from the Edo through Meiji periods, placed for purposes including travel safety, crop prosperity prayers, and memorial services. The abundance of Horse-headed Guanyin reflects the historical importance of horses as transportation and labor.
Enjoyment of Walking
Walking course maps are provided, allowing leisurely exploration of historic touches while enjoying vistas of Mt. Ontake and Mt. Norikura as well as buckwheat flower fields. The relatively flat course is enjoyable for families.
Early summer when buckwheat flowers bloom in white carpets offers luxurious walking combining both stone statues and natural scenery.
Surrounding Tourist Attractions
Using Hiwada Plateau as a base to tour surrounding attractions is also recommended.
Mt. Norikura
The Mt. Norikura visible to the north is a renowned 3,026m peak of the Northern Alps. Using the Norikura Skyline allows vehicle access to Tatamidaira at 2,702m elevation, from which climbing to the summit is possible. Known as a treasury of alpine plants, it bustles with climbers in summer.
Mt. Ontake
The Mt. Ontake visible to the south is a 3,067m independent peak that has been an object of religious faith since ancient times. From Hiwada Plateau, you can see Mt. Ontake’s majestic form up close.
Takayama City Area
Takayama’s old town quarter is a major tourist attraction retaining Edo-period characteristics. Located approximately one hour by car from Hiwada Plateau, it offers opportunities to experience Hida’s traditional culture and local cuisine.
Access Methods and Traffic Information
Access to Hiwada Plateau is primarily by private vehicle.
Vehicle Access
From the Nagoya area:
- Approximately 2 hours via National Routes 257 and 361 from Nakatsugawa IC on the Chuo Expressway
- Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes via National Routes 41 and 361 from Takayama IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway
From the Tokyo area:
- Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes via National Route 361 from Ina IC on the Chuo Expressway
From nearest stations:
- Approximately 60 minutes by car from Kukuno Station on the JR Takayama Line
- Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Takayama Station on the JR Takayama Line
Public transportation options are limited, so rental car use is recommended.
Road Conditions and Precautions
Winter (late November to early April) brings snow, making studless tires or chains essential. Some sections of Prefectural Road Asahi-Takane close in winter, so check road information beforehand.
High elevation means temperatures are 5-10 degrees lower than lowland areas. Even in summer, nights are cold, so prepare cold-weather clothing.
Usage Fees and Reservation Methods
Hiwada Plateau Lodge and Campground Fees
Lodge accommodation rates and campground usage fees vary by season and number of people. For details, check the official site (https://www.hiwadakougen.jp/) or call directly (0577-59-2510).
Reservation Methods
Accommodations and campground use require advance reservations. Particularly during summer and foliage season, reservations well in advance are recommended. Reserve through the official site’s availability search function or by phone.
Day-use may also require reservations at some facilities, so confirm in advance.
Recommended Ways to Spend Time and Sample Plans
1-Night 2-Day Camping Plan
Day 1:
- Morning: Arrival at Hiwada Plateau, check-in
- Midday: Tent setup, surrounding exploration
- Afternoon: Stone Buddha pilgrimage or birch forest walks
- Evening: Barbecue
- Night: Campfire and stargazing
Day 2:
- Early morning: Sunrise viewing
- Morning: Tent sauna experience
- Midday: Check-out, surrounding sightseeing (Takayama downtown, etc.)
High-Altitude Training Camp Plan (3 nights, 4 days)
Each day:
- Early morning: Jogging (elevation-varied courses)
- Morning: Interval training
- Afternoon: Technical practice, weight training
- Evening: Cool-down, stretching
- Night: Meetings, rest
Autumn Foliage Day-Trip Plan
- Morning: Drive along Prefectural Road Asahi-Takane, photograph birch foliage
- Midday: Lunch at Hiwada Plateau
- Afternoon: Stone Buddha pilgrimage, enjoy Mt. Ontake and Mt. Norikura views
- Evening: Return (dinner in Takayama downtown)
Packing List and Preparation Tips
Essential Items
- Cold-weather clothing: Fleece or windbreaker necessary as nights are cool even in summer
- Sunscreen: Essential due to high altitude and strong UV rays
- Hat and sunglasses: Sun protection
- Rain gear: Mountain weather is changeable; bring rain wear
- Flashlight/headlamp: Convenient for nighttime movement and stargazing
Additional Camping Items
- Sleeping bag (3-season or better recommended even in summer)
- Cold-weather blankets or hot water bottles
- Insect repellent spray (summer)
- Cooking utensils and food
High-Altitude Training Precautions
- Water bottles for hydration (dehydration occurs easily)
- Begin with light training on the first day for altitude acclimatization
- Monitoring equipment like heart rate monitors
Local Food and Specialty Products
The area around Hiwada Plateau allows enjoyment of ingredients nurtured by Hida’s abundant nature.
Highland Vegetables
Corn grown in the climate with significant temperature variation has high sugar content and is exceptional. During summer, fresh corn is available at local farmer’s markets. Buckwheat cultivation is also active, with aromatic fresh buckwheat available during new buckwheat season.
Hida Regional Cuisine
Nearby restaurants serve Hida’s traditional dishes including Hida beef, magnolia leaf miso, and marinated steak. Extending to Takayama downtown offers access to even more diverse Hida cuisine.
Environmental Conservation and Usage Etiquette
When visiting Hiwada Plateau, observe the following etiquette to protect its beautiful nature.
Trash Disposal
Always take trash with you and avoid polluting the natural environment. Outside designated trash disposal areas in the campground, all garbage should be carried out as a principle.
Protection of Wild Plants and Animals
Avoid collecting or damaging alpine plants and wildlife. Photography is permitted, but avoid trampling and excessive approaches.
Campfire Rules
Campfires are only permitted in designated areas and must be completely extinguished before sleep or departure. During dry periods, fire risk increases significantly, requiring particular attention.
Conclusion: Fully Enjoy the Charm of Hiwada Plateau
Hiwada Plateau is Hida’s finest highland resort, offering diverse attractions including spectacular views of Mt. Norikura and Mt. Ontake from 1,400m elevation, beautiful birch forest scenery, starry skies filled with countless stars, and the ever-changing natural expressions of four seasons.
It welcomes diverse visitors including families enjoying camping and outdoor leisure, athletes pursuing high-altitude training, photography enthusiasts capturing foliage and starscapes, and people seeking healing in quiet nature. It possesses the capacity to embrace varied purposes.
Vehicle access is the primary means, yet this allows escaping urban hustle. While high elevation means cooler temperatures, this creates summer retreats, comfortable camping, and effective high-altitude training.
When visiting Hiwada Plateau, understand each season’s unique charm, prepare appropriately, and fully savor the rich natural experiences this beautiful plateau offers. Here awaits authentic encounters with nature impossible to experience in cities.
