663highland / CC BY-SA 4.0

Midagahara is a high volcanic plateau of marshland between 1,600 and 2,000 m, dotted with hundreds of small ponds the locals call 'gaki-no-tanbo' (hungry ghosts' rice paddies). Wooden boardwalks let visitors cross the fragile bog past alpine wildflowers in summer and golden grasses in autumn. It was designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 2012.

Best season

Summer

Crowd level

Hidden gem

Opening hours

Outdoor site; accessible only while the Alpine Route operates (mid-April to end of November)

Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.

Nearest station

No rail access — Tateyama Highland Bus to Midagahara stop (from Tateyama Sta. via cable car to Bijodaira); part of the Tateyama Alpine Route

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