At an elevation of 1,600 meters, Shiga Kogen Ichinose is famous as a snow resort. But in summer, it reveals another face. Average temperatures stay below 25°C, and the air feels endlessly light. Cool clear streams, wetlands, and a night sky filled with stars — here is an introduction to the quiet, refreshing highland time that differs completely from the ski season.
When the City Is 35°C, the Air in Ichinose Is Clear and Cool
If you have ever stopped in your tracks under the heat radiating from city asphalt in summer, this number may speak to you: summer temperatures in Shiga Kogen average below 25°C. When you stand in Ichinose at 1,600 meters, the first thing that welcomes you is the touch of cool, dry air.
It is completely different from the coolness created by air conditioning. The breeze that passes through the trees carries the scent of the forest, and even when the sunlight is strong, stepping into the shade makes the sweat recede. Here, coolness is not something you set with a remote control. It simply exists. The natural air conditioner created by elevation gently wraps the summer of Ichinose.
When the Snow Disappears, Another Ichinose Appears
When people think of Shiga Kogen Ichinose, they often think of winter. It is known as a central area of the snow resort, where visitors can ski across wide, magnificent slopes. But fewer people know what Ichinose looks like after the snow melts.
The slopes that were once pure white transform into vivid green in summer. Beneath the lifts stretch grasslands colored by alpine plants and scattered wetlands. The compact highland village, where 21 inns stand close together, is softly surrounded by green. The slopes that are places for skiing in winter become places for walking, looking out, and breathing deeply in summer. You may be surprised by how dramatically the same scenery changes with the seasons.
Water and Wetlands Create the Coolness
The coolness of Ichinose is not created by elevation alone. The key is water.
The Kozako River, a clear stream flowing at the foot of the slopes, is home to native char that can only live in clean water. Its transparent flow and the wetlands scattered throughout the area make the surrounding air feel even cooler. Dip your hand into the water, and even in summer you may be surprised by how cold it is. Walk along the boardwalk through the wetlands, and the presence of water rising from beneath your feet reaches your skin in a gentle, refreshing way.
Incidentally, Ichinose is said to be the only area in Shiga Kogen without hot springs. If hot spring water flowed into the river, the delicate char might no longer be able to live there. That concern is said to be one reason people here chose to protect the river and nature. The cool waterside scenery of Ichinose is a landscape carefully preserved by the people of this area.
At Night, Only the Stars and the Sound of the Stream
The reward of a highland summer arrives after sunset.
With clear air and little city light, the night sky in Ichinose is filled with stars that seem ready to fall. The coolness of the day deepens even further at night. What you hear are only the murmur of the stream and the voices of insects. A night spent sleeping in this cool stillness, the complete opposite of a hot and humid city night, is a luxury in itself.
Enjoying the Inn Time of “Doing Nothing”
There are no fixed rules for how to spend time in Ichinose as a summer retreat. Take a slow walk through the wetlands in the morning, read a book in the shade during the day, and look up at the stars at night. You can go trekking, or simply sit on the terrace of your inn and feel the cool breeze.
What matters is that, in the cool air, time begins to slow down. Here, you will find a quiet, refined highland summer that is different from the lively atmosphere of winter. This summer, instead of staying in an air-conditioned room, come to 1,600 meters, where the natural air conditioner is already working. Ichinose is waiting for you with a cool breeze.