Tsugaike Natural Park Launches Digital Stamp Rally Through 1,900m Alpine Wetlands

TL;DR: Tsugaike Natural Park (1,900m) in Hakuba's national park opens a digital stamp rally June 20–October 25, 2026.

Yamakei's YAMASTA app is running a digital stamp rally at Tsugaike Natural Park (栂池自然園) in the Chubu Sangaku National Park from June 20 through October 25, 2026. The park sits at 1,900 metres elevation on the flank of the Northern Alps and is recognised as one of Japan's most extensive high-alpine wetlands. The rally guides walkers along a 5.5 km boardwalk loop that takes roughly 3.5 to 4 hours at a relaxed pace, passing through zones known for summer alpine wildflowers — including Nikko kisuge (daylilies) — and autumn grassland foliage. The route ends at a viewpoint facing the Hakuba Daisekkei (大雪渓, Great Snow Gully).

The collaboration involves Otari Promotion Corporation and Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co., and the stamp rally features two mascot characters — Okojo-kun (stonemarten) and Asagimadara-chan (butterfly) — themed around Tsugaike's four seasons. Participants who complete the trail collect digital stamps and qualify for a commemorative pin badge, completion certificate, and entry into a lottery for limited-edition enamel pins. Electronic discount coupons for shops and facilities near the park are also bundled with the app.

Key Facts

• Duration: June 20 (Saturday) to October 25 (Sunday), 2026
• Elevation & terrain: 1,900m alpine wetland; 5.5 km loop on maintained boardwalks
• Estimated time: 3.5–4 hours at a leisurely pace with rest stops
• Access: Gondola and chairlift from Tsugaike Kogen (栂池高原) base; not accessible by car
• Seasonal highlights: Alpine flora (summer), grass-tinted autumn foliage, views of Hakuba Daisekkei
• App platform: YAMASTA (山のスタンプラリーアプリ), a registered trademark of Yamakei publishing

What This Means for International Buyers / Visitors

I've walked this loop twice — once in late July when the wetland was carpeted in yellow, and again in mid-September when the grasses turned rust and gold. It's one of the few places in Hakuba where you can step off a gondola and be surrounded by alpine scenery without technical climbing. That accessibility makes Tsugaike Natural Park a reliable summer and autumn attraction for property owners hosting guests or families looking for a half-day outing that isn't skiing.

From a property-investment angle, Tsugaike Kogen has historically lagged behind Happo and Echoland in both price appreciation and international buyer interest, but its year-round gondola operation and the national-park designation give it a differentiation point. The digital stamp rally is a minor event in itself, but it signals consistent efforts to extend the summer season beyond trekking purists. If you own or are considering a property on the northern end of the valley, the existence of managed, family-friendly summer content like this adds a talking point when marketing rentals to Asian tour groups or domestic visitors outside ski season. The 3.5–4 hour loop also pairs well with an onsen stop at the base, which is exactly the kind of itinerary that fills midweek vacancies in July and August.

Background

Tsugaike Natural Park has been a designated component of Chubu Sangaku National Park since the park's founding era, and its wetland ecosystem supports rare alpine plants that don't survive at lower elevations. The boardwalk network was built to protect the fragile ground from foot traffic, and the route has been progressively maintained by the local promotion corporation. Yamakei's YAMASTA app has run similar stamp rallies at mountain parks across Japan since its launch, blending gamification with light environmental education. For those with stamina, the trail can be extended beyond the official stamp-rally terminus to Norikura-dake, Hakuba Oike, or even Hakuba-dake — full-day or overnight alpine routes that require proper gear and planning.

Editorial note: HakubaHub.com is an independent research blog. We translate Japanese-language sources for international readers and add local context. We are not affiliated with the developers, operators, or municipal bodies mentioned. All figures and dates are reported as published; always confirm details directly with the operator before making plans or investments.