What Is Hirugano Picnic Garden? A Highland Spot for Outdoor Fun
The appeal of this spot is that you can choose between sightseeing and active, hands-on experiences all in one place.
You can plan a day centered on gentle walks or on activities, depending on your companions' age and fitness and the weather.
The entrance fee is 500 yen each for adults, children (ages 4 through elementary school age), and pets, and the opening hours are 9:00–17:00.
A Winter Ski Slope Turned Green-Season Playground
Because the grounds use a ski resort's slopes, this is not a flat garden—expect hills and unpaved areas.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and move at an easy pace while taking in the views to enjoy the open, highland feeling.
Check the Flower-Field Planting Information
Kochia and flower-field scenery have been featured in the past, but official guidance states that no flowers will be planted in the summit flower area.
If flowers are your main goal, first check the official announcements for whether there is planting that season, rather than the bloom status on your visit date.
Choose How to Spend Your Time Based on Your Travel Goals
The best way to get around differs for those who want to relax in the highland air and those who want to try outdoor activities.
Agreeing on your group's preferences in advance makes it easier to decide what to do on-site.
Here is an overview of how to spend your time by traveler type.
| Traveler | Suited Way to Spend Time | Key Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Scenery-focused | Lift and strolling | Wind protection |
| Experience-focused | Reservation-based activities | Check requirements |
| With children | Break it into short segments | Baby carrier |
| With pets | Outdoor-focused | Check cage rules |
Top Things to Do at Hirugano Picnic Garden: Lift, Zipline & Cart
On the grounds, you can choose between rides that showcase the summit-side scenery and activities that make use of the natural terrain.
Operating days, booking methods, and participation requirements differ by activity, so you may not be able to do them all on the same day.
Ride the Highland Lift to the Summit Side (About 8 Minutes One Way)
The highland lift lets you take in the surrounding scenery as you rise up the slope; it takes about 8 minutes one way to the summit, or about 30 minutes on foot.
The highland lift costs 900 yen round trip for adults, 600 yen for children, and 600 yen for pets, and operating days vary by season.
It is suspended in rainy weather, and there are boarding rules depending on your companions, such as pets needing to be in a cage.
Glide Through the Forest on the Zipline (6 Courses, About 2 Hours)
The zipline is an outdoor experience you join with a guide and a safety briefing, covering 6 courses and a total distance of about 550 m over roughly 2 hours.
Participants must be elementary school age or older, at least 120 cm tall, and no more than 120 kg; preschoolers cannot take part. The standard fee is 4,700 yen with a separate entrance fee required, while advance online booking is 4,500 yen including an entrance ticket.
There are participation requirements for age, height, weight, and clothing, and photography while gliding is prohibited for safety, so be sure to check the notes on the booking page.
Choosing Between the Mountain Cart and the Summit Buggy
The mountain cart is a hands-on ride down the slope along a course about 1.5 km long with an elevation difference of about 150 m, while the summit buggy is a program that drives off-road following a guide.
The mountain cart has requirements such as a height of at least 135 cm and a weight of no more than 100 kg; the standard fee is 3,200 yen per ride with a separate entrance fee required, while advance online booking is 3,000 yen including an entrance ticket.
Drivers of the summit buggy must hold a standard driver's license, so travelers who want to use a license issued overseas should check with the facility before booking to be safe.
Play with Mountain Bikes and Mölkky
There are also options to enjoy the highland surroundings by bike, as well as Mölkky, a Nordic sport played with wooden pins.
Mountain bikes cost 1,500 yen for 2 hours, 2,000 yen for 4 hours, and 3,000 yen for the day, and Mölkky is 1,000 yen per set for 1 hour; both require a separate entrance fee.
Beyond thrilling activities, there are options you can enjoy while chatting with friends, making it easy to split by preference even on a group trip.
When choosing an activity, compare not only the level of thrill but also the booking and clothing requirements.
| Activity | Feature | Check in Advance |
|---|---|---|
| Zipline | Aerial gliding | Participation requirements |
| Cart | Downhill driving | Riding requirements |
| Buggy | Summit driving | License requirement |
| Bicycle | Highland touring | Rental details |
| Mölkky | Light outdoor play | Availability |
What to Wear and Bring: Preparing for Highland Weather and Outdoor Activities
Rather than visiting in the same clothes you would wear in the city, layered clothing that handles wind, sun, rain, and changing footing is a better fit.
At about 1,000 m elevation, the highland is cooler than town, and even in summer it can feel chilly in the morning and evening or on cloudy days.
If you join an activity, prioritize safety requirements over fashion.
Choose Shoes That Protect Your Whole Foot
The grounds have hills and unpaved areas, and some activities do not allow sandals or shoes that leave the feet exposed.
Non-slip athletic shoes that cover the toes and heels make it easier to handle both strolling and activities.
Think of Your Jacket and Rain Gear Separately
A light jacket handles wind and temperature changes, while rain gear handles sudden showers.
For activities that use a harness, such as the zipline, a separate two-piece rain suit (kappa) may be recommended, so check the page for the activity you plan to join.
Here is a quick summary of what to prepare for each type of weather.
| Conditions | Suitable Preparation | Points to Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny | Hat and drinks | Sun protection |
| Windy | Light jacket | Check for suspensions |
| Rain forecast | Two-piece rain gear | Watch your footing |
| Joining an activity | Long pants | Reduce accessories |
Tips for Visiting with Children, Pets, or a Wheelchair
Hirugano Picnic Garden can be enjoyed by a wide range of travelers, but you should prepare with the understanding that it is a facility that uses ski slopes and a lift.
Checking the facilities and restrictions that apply to your companions before visiting can reduce the burden on-site.
Bring a Baby Carrier for Small Children
There are no stroller rentals, and a baby carrier is required when a child who cannot sit up alone rides the lift.
The stroller itself can be taken up to the summit on the lift, and the guidance is to let a staff member know.
A nursing room is on the 2nd floor of the restaurant building, and diaper-changing tables are in the nursing room and the multipurpose restrooms, but it is smoother to confirm the locations on arrival.
Follow the Leash and Cage Rules for Pets
Keep pets on a leash on the grounds, and since there are places you cannot enter inside buildings, plan mainly for the outdoors.
A cage is required when a pet rides the lift, and holding them or using a sling is not permitted.
Large dogs that cannot ride the lift may be transported by a dedicated vehicle, so it is reassuring to check in advance.
Bring waste-disposal supplies and water, and be mindful of your distance from other visitors and dogs.
Check the Hills and Unpaved Areas When Using a Wheelchair
Free wheelchair rentals are offered at the information desk and the summit lift exit, but the number is limited, and the grounds have hills and unpaved areas.
Consulting the facility in advance about whether you will need assistance and which areas you want to use makes it easier to plan getting around on the day.
Shared Etiquette Puts Nature and Safety First
Do not enter off-limits areas, follow staff instructions, and refrain from long photo sessions that block the path.
At an outdoor facility, it is also important to manage hats and wrappers that can blow away and small items that can drop.
- Children:guardians keep watch nearby
- Pets:strictly use a leash and clean up waste
- Photography:check the restrictions during activities
- Trash:dispose of it according to the designated method
Access and What to Check Before Booking: Expressway, ETC & Highway Bus
Hirugano Highland is far from city centers, so it is important to decide your transportation and return time in advance.
Travelers using public transportation in particular should check not only the facility's opening hours but also bus reservations, stops, and how to arrange the shuttle.
By Car, Check the Route and ETC Requirements
The Hirugano-kōgen SA Smart Interchange on the Tōkai-Hokuriku Expressway is an ETC-only entrance and exit.
Vehicles without ETC reach the site via Takasu IC or Shōkawa IC along National Route 156, so the conditions differ depending on the interchange you use.
Rather than relying on your rental car's navigation alone, compare the official access guide and road information before setting off.
Look Up Both Legs of Your Public-Transport Trip Together
You can use a highway bus (such as the Kōsoku Nagoya–Gujō–Hirugano line) and a free shuttle from Hirugano-kōgen SA, but reservations or a phone call are required.
The highway bus requires an advance reservation, and for the shuttle the guidance is to phone the facility when you arrive at Hirugano-kōgen SA.
Secure not only your outbound but also your return service in advance, and it is reassuring to think through backup options in case you miss it.
Narrow Down What to Check on the Official Website
Just before your visit, check the operating days, lift operation, activity availability, participation requirements, dining facilities, and any weather-related changes.
If you are expecting flower fields, be sure to also check the planting information for that season.
- Same-day operating and suspension information
- Activity reservations and reception times
- Requirements such as clothing, age, and license
- Usage rules for pets and children
- How to use the bus and shuttle
Summary: Enjoy the Highland Scenery and Activities at Your Own Pace
Hirugano Picnic Garden is a spot where you can choose outdoor activities—highland strolls, the highland lift, the zipline, the mountain cart, and more—to match your travel goals.
At the same time, the flower planting, lift, activities, and dining facilities vary by season and weather.
Do not judge by past photos alone; check the official website's guidance and visit in comfortable walking clothes with a relaxed schedule.
Reviews (0)