Mt. Nanakura ■ a Seven-Mountain Range Where Native Akita Trek Altitude: 269.6 M ■ Cedar Trees Are Grown, Rare in Modern Times

▲ ■ Location: Noshiro City ■ Trek Length: 9.0 km 8 Mt. Nanakura ■ A seven-mountain range where native Akita Trek Altitude: 269.6 m ■ Cedar trees are grown, rare in modern times. Topographical Map (1/25,000): Height: 287.6 m Western part of Takanosu

grade Physical 2 Skill B Strength level

2 1 Enjoying the scenic beauty of Shirakami Mountain from the Minokura Observation Spot 2 A deformed rock called Hokkenoiwa Boulder

1 Late April, I embarked from the former site of Tenjin Lodge, where some nationally- known celebrities, including a famous singer, Misora Hibari, had once stayed overnight. Proceeding clockwise, I encountered an array of spring flowers growing along the trail, including anemone pseudoaltaica H. hara, violets, Stee atskra adside and soft windflowers - I felt as if I had been dnhills rek Starting Pint Statin neary ● 20m tatsi swept into a picture book.

7 It seems that the abundance of remaining cedar ▲atskra trees is due to the then feudal lord, the Satake 159.3 clan, prohibiting them from timbering them in order to preserve their position along the ▲⬅ kra 60 Yoneshiro River.

in Kotsunagi

▲ I touched the Shishiatama, a stone statue of a neshir Sannsgikra 3

iver lion head that was once drawn by famous travel in

ieing 30 writer Sugae Masumi, who was hoping that it Shirakai ⬅ anakra ntains Shiakra▲ Shrine Nanakura would help prevent a brain stroke. I then went to Nibuna Bridge to Hokkenoiwa Cave, which was similar to a big enin rek inkra ●▲ starting int bee hive. In the past, some Buddhist monks were chsan servatin St ● ● 18m to Aikawa, ？巻末の一覧表では Shrine nctin WC P Kamikoani believed to carry out their religious training ゴール地点が松倉登山口、タイムの San Shrine here. ゴールは天神登山 shikra▲ 236 口（松倉登山口から ● 天神登山口の30分 ⬅ ngenkts I was completely satisfied with not only the を合わせて3時間 shir ity 30 in

20分になる） in numerous spring flowers – including shorita –

⬅ blooming on the summit, but with my having Mt Nanakura Matsunokura Course 287.6 climbed up the seven ridges, all with the great ngenkra ⬅ the arach t the shrine 10 view of Yoneshiro River down below. I also highly in kkenia lder ● recommend looking over this mountain from

in Stee sle rse tie ina 0 250m 500m ● 20 Kimimachi Slope. nctin ▼ ▼ ▼ 3 h 20 m ⬅

Starting the Roadside Station Futatsui, cross Nanakura Bridge in Kotsunagi District to reach ACCESS Nibuna. Or go along Yoneshiro River after crossing Ginnan Bridge in Futatsui District. It takes approx. 10 min. from JR Futatsui Station to the trekking start by car.

10 Contact Info. Noshiro City Office Futatsui Branch, Division of General Affairs and Planning TEL 0185-73-2112 ■ Location: ▲ Mitane Town ■ Trek Length: 6.2 km 9 Mt.Sakanoue no Tamuramaro,Boju a great warrior from around ■ Trek Altitude: 153.4 m the 9th century, was believed to have a severe battle ■ Topographical Map (1/25,000): Height: 409.4 m here in order to conquer the present Tohoku region. Komataguchi

grade Physical 2 Skill B Strength level

2 1 Splendid view from the summit of the mountain 2 Offering a prayer at Boju Shrine before climbing

to Terayashiki Site I visited Mt. Boju during Golden Week in May, a day after it had rained, in hopes of seeing 409.4 0 250m 500m Mt Bou ▼ ▼ ▼ transparent umbrella leaves, fallen from the rain. As this mountain has been worshipped as a sacred ⬅ 30 40 mountain by locals, there are 33 Buddhist Statues in in shir ity ➡ of Mercy and others erected as well.

atre servatin I ran into a Kannon Statue amid the cedar and dcatinal rest beech trees, shortly after Boju Shrine. Nearby itane n was a sign written Daikura Slope, also known akiichi aikra as Babaotoshi, which means to abandoning old aikransaka rse ● has a stee sle Adventure Course ladies. As this ancient legend implies, this was the shld take akiichi rse t ● aikransaka toughest slope of the mountain - I had to watch trek saely Stee nctin sle my step the whole time, and cling onto the rope. ➡

in 30 Continuing from here, I enjoyed many spring

Shrine 30 ➡ ⬅ in 30 in akine rs flowers, such as glaucidium palmatum and ⬅30 ● rek starting int trigonotis guilielmi. But arriving at the crestland 256m ● of umbrella leaves, I was disappointed to find only P WC their flowers and leaves destroyed by yesterday’s hail. The lodge standing at the summit was so cozy that I decided to take it easy and stay Idogeta Trail there for lunch. rse tie to Regional to Regional 3 h 10 m Road 37 Road 37 Leave the Akita Express Highway at the Kotooka Moritake IC to get on the Regional Road 37, ACCESS aiming for Koarasawa District. Or move from Kamikoani Village Obayashi District in the middle of the National Route 285 to Koarasawa District along the Regional Road 37. The trekking course begins nearby the rest place, Bojukan.

Contact Info. Mitane Town Office, Division of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Exchange TEL 0185-85-4830 11 ■ Location: Oga City ▲ ■ Trek Length: 12.9 km 10 ThreeA mountain hikeOga running Mountains through the three ■ Trek Altitude: 550.0 m mountains from which Namahage originate ■ Topographical Map (1/25,000): Height: 715.0 m from. Kitaura / Funagawa

grade Physical 3 Skill A Strength level

to Namahage-Line rse tie aahage enter P WC 5 h ● syaden ● Kamishinzan 0 500m 1km ● 165m ▼ ▼ ▼ Shinan Shrine

⬅ hinan 567 Mountain 2 intri Sle atch t r 1 Ascending from Shinzan to ●tatsai80 Kamoaosa alling rcks Shrine, famous for in 715.0 The Self-Defence Force Namahage Honan ➡ Kamo Sub Base Three Oga Mountains vacatin ● 2 nent ● seen far away from nan nctin The Self-Defence Kitaurashinzan Force’s road

WC nctin ● 59 ▲enashiyaa ntain 677 In late April, I trekked from Shinzan Shrine, from which Namahage are believed to depart from on New Year’s Eve, through Choraku Temple at Monzen. in Starting from stone steps, I climbed up the steep

130 ⬅ ramp of wooden steps and ropes towards the rear shrine of Shinzan Shrine. Descending a bit from here, I turned left at Futatsuai Junction since a road sign indicated that Kintori Slope was too steep to enter. At the summit of Honzan, the Self-Defense Force’s Radar Base prohibits people from entering. But ga ity instead, I looked over to the west, where the Sea of Japan was lightly covered with fog. The cluster ●10 shad Shrine of violet, anemone pseudoaltania, and dogtooth Eboshiiwa taki in Rock ● Hunagawaminato violet flowers relieved the toil from climbing down WC P ➡ Ryugashima ● Honzanmonzen hrak ele Mt. Kenashi, but I’m afraid I missed the chance to 80m to Oga City see amur adonis flowers. Because I was impressed the Sea aan by the long history of the Gosha Hall at Akagami Shrine, I managed to go through all 999 stone steps. Drive through the National Routes 7 and 101 toward Oga City to get on the Motorway ACCESS Namahage Line in aiming for Shinzan District. The trekking route starts just in front of the Shinzan Shrine. *It is advisable either to park your car at the course terminal or to arrange a taxi in advance, as the trekking course start and its terminal are different spots respectively.

12 Contact Info. Oga City Office, Division of Tourism, Commerce, and Industry TEL 0185-24-9141 ■ Location: Gojome Town / Akita City ▲ ■ Trek Length: 8.9 km 11 BabamedakeA mountain located on the westernMountain side of Mt. ■ Trek Altitude: 744.5 m Taihei, also referred to as a guardian god of ■ Topographical Map (1/25,000): Height: 1,037.5 m horses. Mt. Taihei

grade Physical 3 Skill A Strength level

2 1 Trekking through the beech forest 2 Mt. Taihei seen from the lodge

1 Before starting from Asahimata, I had well prepared for a long climb, based on what I saw from a innsaa to Kitanomata, Sugisawa 0 250m 500m topographic map. rse ▼ ▼ ▼ Babaedake WC Following a relatively flat trail running along the Mountain aaedake dge 1037.5 e n mountain stream and crossing a bridge, I faced a to Akakuradake Mountain, ⬅ 40 50 Mt Taihei tough climb through a cedar foreast. The trail was he sit in in colored with fallen orange beech leaves and yellow the ntain ➡ n ers the degree ● maple leaves, and the higher I trekked, the brighter anraic vie the trail became. I found a lot of beech nuts as ● kakra nctin eech well. Even so, the well-conditioned state of the trail rest ➡ – for example, the grass being mowed and pink-tape

in in 40 30 marking the trail – expedited my path forward. ⬅ I turned to the left at the junction of Akakuradake ● atral cedar Mountain, and I caught a sight of the summit and a lodge while descending. Mt. Taihei, seen from farther edar rest away than the marshland, looked slim and attractive!

➡

in in The summit offered me a panoramic view of Mt.

50 60 ⬅ kita ity Moriyoshi, Hachimantai Plateau, and Oga Peninsula. I then gave my prayer to the guardian god of horses, and had lunch at a lodge. kakradake ntain rse WC To avoid the scorching summer, I opted to climb P trekking starting int in late autumn. Thus, I was able to also enjoy ● sahiata 293m the changing autumn foliage, including the reddish sahi iver rse tie mountain maples at Asahikawa Dam Park on my way to Nibetsukokuminnomori, to Mt.Taihei Akita City 4 h 30 m back. Drive through the Regional Road 15 from Akita City Soekawa District to Nibetsu District. The ACCESS terminal of a trail, Asahimata, which runs through Asahi River Dam Park toward Kokumin no Mori, leads to the starting location for climbing that can be reached in about one hour by car from JR Akita Station. Gojome Town Office, Promotion Division for Commerce and Industry TEL 018-852-5222 13 Contact Info. Akita City Office, Parking Maintenance Division TEL 018-888-5753 ■ Location: Akita City ▲ ■ Trek Length: 12.1 km 12 Mt. Taihei ■ A mountain symbolizing Akita City, and Trek Altitude: 877.4 m ■ worshipped by her citizens. Topographical Map (1/25,000): Height: 1,170.4 m Mt. Taihei

grade Physical 3 Skill C Strength level

2 1 Very close to the summit, but now suffering from claggy parts 2 Climbing up along the chain-link over Deshigaeri

1 I was planning to cross the bridge near Asahimata Park, but I was surprised to find that it was gone. So, I had to take a detour by a restroom to reach a trekking route. I ascended Deshigaeri, a ramp lined with cedar and beech trees, and famous for its steepness, since 17太平山【たいへいざん】 previously, monks had to climb it as a part・弟子還of のクtheir サリ場 3training.か所要注意・稜線は切れ落ちている。要注意 What a tough, rocky route! I had to wear ・急gloves な坂道。要and 注意cling onto an iron chain to climb up the slope.

kakradake ntain rse The trekking route along Mt. WC Sasari Taihei is really steep, as its P ▲ 293m ● sharp summit can be seen from trekking starting kita ity int sahiata far away. I tried my best to sahi iver taki Shrine reach the top of the mountain, to Nibetsukokuminnomori Ayamezaka ● where Miyoshi Shrine Okumiya Slope Hall awaited. I glanced over 150 Asahimata Course ⬅ in 140 Oga Peninsula and the Sea of ➡ in （烏帽子岳） 832 Japan. A priest recommended eech Hozodake Mountain Course itarashi ● rest that I enjoy the beautiful e aare ⬅ sahidake 50 ▲ night sky, filled with a myriad the three ints in ntain ith chaines at aikani of stars. So next time, I would eshigaeri Mt aihei illage kdake ntain love to stay here overnight. I nctre ● 0 250m 500m Sanrsy leisurely took Asahimata Course ariaa rse 30 eshigaeri ● ➡1170 .4 WC ▼ ▼ ▼ in ➡ in ●▲ 50 iyshi Shrine back down so that I could see ・rse507 tie dake ntain ear all 四ノ沢 1036 spectacular beech trees and 7 h small Buddhist statues. WC ▲ 剣岳 dake ntain Drive through the Regional Road 15 from Akita City Soekawa Districteshigaeri to Nibetsu District. The ACCESS trail terminal, which runs from Asahi River Dam Park to Kokuminiyshi no Mori, Shrine earcombines all with the Sanrsy trekking starting point, which can be reached in an hour or so fromsahidake JR Akita ntain Station by car. Sasari he nctre ariaa crse taki Shrine 14 Contact Info. trekking starting int sahiata Akita City Office, Parking Maintenancee aare the Divisionthree intsTEL chaines 018-888-5753 at eshigaeri itarashi t aiheikdake ntain a eech rest

Ayamezaka Slope Asahimata Course Hozodake Mountain course sahi iver ■ Location: Kitaakita City ▲ ■ Trek Length: 13.3 km 13 Mt.A prestigious mountainMoriyoshi renown for its alpine plants ■ Trek Altitude: 660.2 m blooming in the spring and summer, colorful autumn ■ Topographical Map (1/25,000): Height: 1,454.2 m foliage, and snow-covered trees in the winter. Mt. Moriyoshi

grade Physical 3 Skill B Strength level

2 1 The summit of the mountain seen from Ishimori 2 Varieties of alpine plants blooming in early summer.

Animaeda Station, Every time I’ve visited Mt. Moriyoshi, I’ve been to National Highway 105 rse tie 7 h impressed by a wide range of different alpine osei Forest 0 500m 1km ▼ ▼ ▼ plants that bloom alongside its trekking trail. rek starting int P WC 794m ● I found myself at Ichinokoshi, where I could see ●etsga dge abies mariesli and tsuga diversifolia shortly after nctin ● 40 going through a young larch and beech forest. ⬅40 in in➡ he th From there, I looked across at the townscape statin e carel nt ● ir of Odate City and Mukaidake Mountain. Behind 50 t get lst gnd ⬅ 40 this rer in Moriyoshi Shrine, there was also a large

ski sle in ➡ Samata Course deformed boulder called Kanmuri Rock.

30 ● ⬅ ansked nctin atskra 30 This mountain holds numerous varieties of rse in in he th statin ➡ alpine plants, such as primula nipponica, which ● chinkshi 1264.6 ansked is exclusively grown in the Tohoku region, and

● ⬅

nrei20 idge

20 glaucidium palmatum. The latter’s robust roots

itaakita ity in in to Hibakuradake Mountain, make it impossible to count all of them. anriia ck ● ➡ Yunotai Mountain

10 riyshi Shrine ⬅ True climber enthusiasts should definitely visit 10 riyshi dge WC ● in amabitodaira in the Chigo and Yamabito Plateaus, which are ➡ shiri ●▲ Chigodaira servatin st 1308 ni dge filled with geum pentapetalum and schizocodon ● Mt 20 WC 1311 ⬅ in soldanelloides. These places are also great for Sanch Statin● 20 ➡ ● Morioshi in ➡ 1454.2 in enjoying the sweet aroma of evergreen trees, gondola 50 in ⬅40 he and in the winter, the snow-covered trees, which eech rest rse sit has a great vie akara have been preserved by locals. As a result, this to Sanroku Statio rse mountain makes every visitor smile. Take the Akita Prefectural Road 309, a.k.a. Kumagera Echo Line, toward Yosei no Mori, which ACCESS used to be Moriyosi Ski Slope, after passing thourgh Moriyoshi Dam Information Center. It takes approx.30 min. by car from Animaeda to the trekking start. *Novice trekking course including Ani Gondola is also available.

Contact Info. Kitaakita City Office, Division of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism TEL 0186-62-5370 15 ■ Location: Kazuno City / Semboku City ▲ ■ Trek Length: 10.3 km 14 YakeyamaOffers a trek from which Mountainvisitors can see a ■ Trek Altitude: 377.1 m mysterious spot from the summit, terrestrial ■ Topographical Map (1/25,000): Height: 1,366.1 m vitality, and volcanic activity close by. Hachimantai Plateau / Tamagawa Hot Spring

grade Physical 2 Skill A Strength level

1 Viewing Kakoyunuma 2 Great view of the volcano behind the lodge

2 I went through the course running from Goshogake Hot Spring thorugh Tamagawa Hot Spring, where we realized there was active volcanic activity just in front of us. The deeper into the beech forest I went, the more abies mariesli I could see. I got 1 a scenic view of Hachimantai Plateau from Kunimidai. Shortly after Mosen Ridge, I found myself trapped by the scenery of relatively low trees, including pinus pumila and black crowberry, all of which created a very colorful world, resembling to patchwork pieces. Around here, I could catch a sight of Yunosawa, a natural hot spring, and a lodge newly built in 2017. After Onigajo (believed to be resided by evils in the ancient times), I stepped into the emerald-green Yunuma Pond with vapor rising from its surface. Its mysterious atmosphere made me reluctant to leave so soon, but I finally forced myself to head for the summit. (I highly recommend visiting here in late June, when the cliff is covered by pink schizocodon soldanelloides flowers.) I then descended toward the west – which was in the opposite direction of my climb through the beech forest – while overlooking Mt. Moriyoshi. Then I finally arrived at Tamagawa Hot Spring, which boasts the largest amount of gushing acidulous water in the nation. to Goshogake Hot Spring to National Highway341, Tamagawa Hot Spring rse tie in Kazuno City na etheral na t Sring 4 h 20 m Per Plant ● 0 500m 1km Sek ity ● ▼ ▼ ▼ achiantai isitr enter 341 ec Sa 28 Entrance to Goshogake Hot Spring nsaa rse WC P ● shgake ● t Sring atch t 989m r the vlcanic gas and ● reain catis r the vlcanic an ity rer Lake Tazawa, ertin inratin trekking to National Highway46 starting int Entrance to niga in Sakeisaa agri 90 aagaa Tamagawa ⬅ yna Hot Spring 5 in idge na akeyaa sgari niidai t Sring ⬅15 ⬅ dge 1359 ● in ● ● Pnd ● ▲ ● ⬅40 ● 30 in ⬅30 in to Obuka iyaia in ⬅ ● ● P ● 30 in Sakeisaa WC Hot Spring, ● ⬅ nctin WC akeaa sen idge Hachimantai ● ⬅20 sgari Plateu Summit rek starting int Mountain in 751m 1366.1 servatin St iyaisaa

● Take the National Route 341 either from Kazuno or Lake Tazawa to get to Hachimantai Aspite ACCESS Line. The trekking departure point is located nearby Goshogake Hot Spring. *The regular bus service requires you to check the timetable beforehand.

16 Kazuno City Office, Industry Revitalization Division TEL 0186-30-0248 Contact Info. Semboku City Office, Tourism Division TEL 0187-43-3352 ■ Location: Semboku City ▲ ■ Trek Length: 11.0 km 15 Ojiromori ■ A spacious marsh with a great view, situated at Trek Altitude: 577.5 m ■ the summit of a mountain. Topographical Map (1/25,000): Height: 1,215.5 m Akita Komagatake Mountain / Mt. Magarizaki

grade Physical 3 Skill B Strength level

2 1 Spacious land at the summit 2 Lush beech trees

to iroori Ojiromori rse tie Though I was thinking to climb during the spring, 1215.5 Lodge lie down on the eriophorum vaginatum blooming all 0 6500 h m30 m1km kita ➡ ▼ ▼ ▼ over the marsh, and crop bamboo shoots on my agatake ntain in in way back, I decided to try trekking in late October t ate cand 50

60 a ﬁne view. ⬅ e carel to enjoy the autumn foliage. r the ddy and Sek ity sliery laces Turning left at the shrine near Tsurunoyu Hot Spring, irriyaa ●▲ 114 4 ntain Shikishi n I reached the trail after descending the slope, ⬅45 40 in ate Preectre which led me to the trekking route from both sides. in ➡ Emergeing from the cedar forest, I was completely surrounded by the yellow color of the Japanese nctin ● larch, acer pictum, and beech trees. Further away ➡

in in from Kojiromori, I encountered bamboo bushes and 25 40 ⬅ snow, and also witnessed the footsteps of a serow. An Observation Spot Kintorizaka ● The steeper the slope became, the muddier the Slope ● trail was, which made my shoes dirty. e ania nctin aare shes ➡ I managed to arrive at the autumn-colored marsh, in to in blanketed with a light layer of snow. It was large 60 Tashirotai, 70 ⬅ Mt.Nyuto 638m enough to engulf multiple baseball parks, and was rek starting ● closely surrounded by Mt. Iwate, Akita Komagatake int P ania rek starting int kaa agrk Shin Tsurunoyu P Mountain, and Hachimantai Plateau. The sight was trail ● t Sring t Sring srny so fascinating that it washed the exhaustion away t sring aeny t Sring ry from its visitors, who had already forgotten the Entrance of Tsurunoyu 194 Hot Spring bus stop, ykara yt to Tazawako Plateau to Tazawako Plateu t Srings illage hardships of the climb.

Starting Lake Tazawa, Akita Prefectural Road 127 and 194 lead you to Tsurunoyu Hot Spring in ACCESS the Nyuto Hot Springs Village. You can see the starting points, both along the Shintsurunoyu Trail running beside this hot spring resort, and nearby Tsurunoyu Hot Spring Parking.

Contact Info. Semboku City Office, Tourism Division TEL 0187-43-3352 17 ■ Location: Kazuno City ▲ ■ Trek Length: 2.8 km 16 Hachimantai Plateau ■ An easy trek, starting at the Aspite Line Trek Altitude: 73.3 m ■ Motorway. Topographical Map (1/25,000): Height: 1,613.3 m Hachimantai Plateau

grade Physical 1 Skill A Strength level

2 1 The long ridgeline binding Mokkodake Mountain with Akita Komagatake Mountain 2 Hachimantai Marsh filled with alpine plants, from spring through summer 1 I’ve visited Hachimantai Plateau many times, enticed by its alpine flowers, autumn foliage, and the “Dragon Eye”: a mystical phenomen occurring at the end of every winter on its summit. This is an easy mountain to trek due to having parking nearby, but I tried out a course that would require a one-night stay. After watching the sunset at the parking lot, I stayed at Ryoun Lodge. Early the next morning. I was able to watch the sunrise from the Hachimannuma Observation Platform. I have no words to express how moved I was by that beautiful sight. From the observation spot on the summit, I saw the nation’s biggest cluster of abies mariesli. I felt as if I were in the shoes of Mr. Kyuya Fukada, a famous essayist and

to Tashiro Marsh, to Genta Forest, alpinist in Japan, who Hachiantaiachiantai ity Chausudake Mountain Fukenoyu ate Preectre ands agana Pateau says that the appeal of arsh rse 1613.3 a vie a rld nsaa Hachimantain lies in leisurely heritage area 15 yns rse ● ⬅ 15 WC strolling. Lastly, I circled nctin in achian arsh in ➡ aa arsh servatin St achian arsh around Hachiman Marsh to Tashiro Marsh, ● National Highway 341 clockwise, where the scenery

egane arsh aa arsh20 of gold-glistening leaves and

in ● isge a silver-reflecting trail could agai Pnd agai Pnd ➡ streets have rivaled heaven. From ⬅ 15 WC in ● Mikaeri Ridge, I was also entrance to Gosyougake Hot Springs 23 Hachimantai ikaeri fascinated by the view of Mt. Aspite Line idge nctin● Iwate among floating clouds, Chausuguchi Sek ity 23 Bus Stop, Mt. Hayachine just behind 1540m to Matsuo Hachimantai IC it, and Mt. Chokai sitting Hachimantai Plateu Summit ● rek starting int P Sit Parking alongside the Sea of Japan. to Toshichi WC rse tie Hot Spring, 0 250m 500m Next year too, I think I’ll be Mokkodake 318 ▼ ▼ ▼ 1 h 5 m Mountain coming many times…

achiantai Plate achianTake arsh the National Route 341 either from Kazuno or Lake Tazawa to get to Hachimantai Aspite ACCESSagaiLine. Pnd The parking is located next to the Hachimantai Summit Restaurant. It takes about 60 min. egane arsh ikaerifrom idge Kazuno City, and about 100 min. from Lake Tazawa, both of which are by car. yns achian arshaa arsh servatin St achiantai Plate Sit 18 rek startingContact int Info. Sit Parking Kazuno City Office, Industry Revitalization Division TEL 0186-30-0248 achiantai Plate achiantai site ine hasgchi s Stt ats achiantai t enta resthasdake ntain ashir arshatinal ighay t shichi t Sringskkdake ntain ashir arshkeny Senk ity achiantai ity ate Preectre nctin nsaa rse agana arsh rse aa arsh isge streets ■ Location: Kazuno City / Semboku City ▲ ■ Trek Length: 24.0 km 17 Obukadake Mountain ■ A recommended hike that spans Akita and Trek Altitude: 111.8 m ■ Iwate Prefecture. Topographical Map (1/25,000): Height: 1,541.3 m Hachimantai Plateau / Matsukawa Hot Spring

grade Physical 4 Skill B Strength level

1 Onuma, to Hachimantai Plateau Hachimantai to National ●ikaeri idge Aspite Line Highway 341 1540m 23 Hachimantai Plateau Summit ● achiantai Sit Parking ands 15 P WC a vie a rld ⬅ heritage area 30 in in ➡ Toshichi Hot Springs 2

rek starting int

⬅ ●40

20 1 Nearby Ishinuma in in Mt.Iwate standing tall, as if protecting the trail ➡ shichi rai arsh 2 kkdake t Sring ntain ● 1577.8 ●▲ kkdake nctin 70 ⬅ 50 in A one-day round-trip trekking course, spanning the great in ➡ about 24 km. Firstly, Mokkodake Mountain: a degree entrance to Gosyougake Hot Springs vie landmark when looking for Hachimantai Plateau from the summits of other mountains, where you achiantai ity ate Preectre can overlook trails running through Iwate, as well as Mt. Chokai in the distance. Behind Hachimantai ●▲ ridake ntain 318 1516 Plateau and its bountiful abies mariesli, the Hachimantai dynamic Mt. Iwate straddles, where I was Sek ity 60 Jukai Line ⬅ 60 gradually approaching. After passing through in shina arsh in ➡ Morobidake Mountain – full of pinus pumila – and Ishi Swamp, with the blue sky reflected on its surface, I arrived at the lush Kensomori raiwate traverse road e aare arren Forest. Wow, what a view! Turning right at ridge the junction near Obuka Lodge led me to the summit, and just a bit down from the summit, I ens rest ●▲ 1448.1 discovered the best view of Mt. Moriyoshi, Akita agai Pnd Komagatake Mountain, Lake Tazawa, and Mt. 70 to Matsukawa ⬅ Chokai. On my way back, I took a short detour 60 in Hot Spring in ➡ ka towards Gentadake Mountain, which took around dge WC 5 minutes longer than the straight route, but I e aare wanted to catch a sight of Mt. Iwate. I highly rken ath recommend this trekking course.

nctin● * The large trail, which runs through Yasemori, Ojiromori, Mt. 0 500m 1km ▼ ▼ ▼ bukadake Nyuto, and Akita Komagatake Mountain, starts from the Mountain Kantomori Junction shortly after Obukadake Mountain. It 1541.3 rse tie to offers you an amusing trip spanning about four days within Mitsuishisan 7 h 55 m to Yasemori, Ojiromori Mountain the mountain that features the nature of Tohoku region.

Take the National Route 341 either from Kazuno or Lake Tazawa to reach Hachimantai Aspite ACCESS Line. The trekking course starts just below the Akita Prefectural Road 318, a.k.a. Hachimantai Jukai Line.

Kazuno City Office, Industry Revitalization Division TEL 0186-30-0248 19 Contact Info. Semboku City Office, Tourism Division TEL 0187-43-3352 ■ Location: Semboku City ▲ ■ Trek Length: 11.4 km 18 Mt. Nyuto ■ Popular among hikers in combination with the Trek Altitude: 626.0m ■ hidden hot spring, Nyuto Hot Springs Village. Topographical Map (1/25,000): Height: 1,478.0 m Akita Komagatake Mountain

grade Physical 2 Skill B Strength level

1 Tashirotai Plateau, Ojiromori, and Mt. Moriyoshi observed from the summit 2 Great view from the summit, with a sheer cliff on the 2 southeastern side.

Seen from the Akita side, the mountain is referred to as Mt. Nyuto for resembling a breast and nipple. From the Iwate side, it is referred to as Eboshidake Mountain, eboshi meaning headgear. In mid autumn, I trekked the course running from Kuroyu Hot Spring through Kuroyu, shortly leading to Ipponmatsu Natural 1 Hot Spring - I felt relaxed from soaking just my hands in it. Following the wooden trail, I climbed up the stairs. Meanwhile, I was entranced by the beautiful mountain ridge lining the path from the down up, comprised of Lake Tazawa, Akita Komagatake Mountain, and Zarumori. I looked back many times. Facing north, I saw Ojiromori and Tashirotai Lodge on the return path. Soon after Kuroyu Junction, I finally arrived at the top of the mountain, where its sheer cliffs were filled with cracked rocks. From there, I looked over the trekking route that runs towards Mt. Iwate and Mt. Moriyoshi, as well as the surrounding ponds and marshes, all of which located around the mountain. On my way back, I took Magoroku Course, and stopped by Tashirotai Lodge – which was surrounded by abies mariesli – to have lunch. I strolled my way down, rustling the fallen leaves as I went. * There are three trekking courses headed to Mt. Nyuto available: the Kuroyu Course, the Magoroku Course, and the Kaniba Course. to Ojiromori rse tie 5 h 0 250m 500m ● ▼ ▼ ▼ ania nctin ⬅70 Shikishi n in ate Preectre Sek ity

in 60 ashirtai dge ⬅ ashirtai WC ntain Kaniba Course ● ● agrk akine rse nctin 60 ⬅ ania 30 in Nyuto Kaniba 80 ➡ in ➡ Hot Spring in atch Nyuto Hot Spring Magoroku Course yr ste ● 1478.0 852m ● kaa ● 852m t ry nctin t Sring agrk t Sring Mt Nuto In front of aeny the Taenoyu Stheast side t Sring P ● rynats shidake ntain Hot Spring ● ry t Sring is a cli atch agrk rse 194 P yr ste In front of the Kyukamura ● ● ry he nats degree ykara yt t Srings illage t Sring Site anraic vie to National Highway 341, Tazawako Station

⬅ 852m 15分 10 ➡ ⬅10分分 Take the Akita➡ Prefectural Road 127 and 194 to get to Nyuto Hot Springs Village. The following ACCESS ashirtai ntain three hot springs, Kuroyu, Magoroku,nats and t Kaniba, Sring Site hold the trekking starts respectively. agrk nctin ania crssing ry nctin ashirtai dge 20 Contact Info.theSemboku degree Cityanraic Office, vie Tourism Division TEL 0187-43-3352 yka ilagge yt t Srings illage ry t Srings aeny t Srings kaa t Srings ania agrk t Srings agrk ry

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