Norikura Heights

What?
At the base of Mount Norikura (乗鞍岳) lies the highland of Norikura (乗鞍高原). The highland is dotted with waterfalls and awesome vistas connected by several walking paths, cycling paths and even paved roads. By car it's even possible to go close to the various power spots and drive from one to another.
Where?
Norikura Kogen can be reached through either Takayama (高山) or Matsumoto (松本). From Matsumoto you have to take the local Kamikochi Line (上高地線) to the terminus Shin-Shimashima 新島々. This station is a transfer hub for all visitors that want to go the several beautiful nature parks around Matsumoto that can only be reached by bus. To go to Norikura Kogen you have to take the bus at lane 2 just outside the station. You can choose where to get off the bus, but most people decide to start walking from the Kanko Center where there is a small tourist office.
URL
Japan Guide Outline Norikura Highland (JP) Matsumoto Tourism

When using beautiful Matsumoto as a base, Norikura Heights might be a bit a drag to get to, but it sure is worth it. While easily accessible by car (even to the top of Norikura Mountain), public transport takes time and at least one transfer. Maybe this is one of the reasons though that even with perfect weather in the weekend in summer it is not overcrowded.

Norikura Heights is full with paths: for cars, for bicycles and for hikers. The tourist information centers in Matsumoto and Norikura Kanko Center can provide a detailed map which is perfect for exploring the area.

It is possible to hike most interesting places at Norikura Heights in one day by getting of the bus at the Sanbondaki Waterfalls and hike back towards the Bandokoro Waterfall. In between you can choose whatever power spots you want to visit. However as my day only started around noon I chose to get off at the Kanko Center and hike from there.
Firstly I trailed to the Zengoro Waterfall. You can see this one both from the bottom (prepared to get wet) and the top. If you’re lucky with the weather you have some nice mountains views in the background. From Zengoro waterfalls I trekked on to the beautiful Ushidome Pond. Again, with clear skies there is a fantastic backdrop here. The next stop would be Ichinose Picnic ground which has a nice pond and some strangely nostalgic river running in somewhat wild greenery. While not as impressive as previous stops this is a very relaxing part of the hike.

Zengoro Waterfall from above.

Zengoro Waterfall from below.

Along one of the many walking paths.

Ushidome Pond

Hiking from Ichinose to the last stop Bandokoro Waterfall you need to travel a few kilometers. While nothing dramatically beautiful lies in between, Norikura is such an authentically beautiful place that it never gets boring. You can chose to walk along a cycling path or to stop at the mallet golf course for a game.
Eventually I arrived at the Bandokoro Waterfall which is quite impressive, not in the least thanks to the steep steps down.
Normally if you climb the steps again you can get down to the top of the waterfall, but this passage was closed when I visited. Don’t hesitate to take a detour though, because Senbenguchi is a MUST. This deserted area is only accessible by a worn down walking path and looks like an open cave with a waterfall. Whatever pictures I tried to take, they did not do this place justice at all.
Senbenguchi really made a fantastic closer to my day trip to Norikura. Next time I’ll have to include to Sanbondaki Waterfalls (edit: in the meantime I did. Read about it here).