Immerse yourself in Fall colors at the Hakkoda Mountains inAomori prefecture ofJapan.The stunning vistas from your cable car and mountain peak will take your breath away.
A Great Spot for Nature-Lovers
Amazing ways to immerse yourself in fall colors are: slow and easy hikes, challenging hikes, and going up a mountain with no hiking from start to end. At this mountain you can choose from all of the above. A cable car will take you right to the top of the mountain, and you can decide what to do from there. Chosen as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, Fall is a great season to enjoy the Hakkoda mountains in Aomori prefecture, Japan.
The Hakkoda Mountains or “Mount Hakkoda”, is a volcanic mountain range that lies in the middle of Aomori prefecture. The mountains are separated into two main areas: The northern Hakkoda, which consists of 10 mountains, and the southern Hakkoda, which consists of 6 mountains.
At 1,585 meters (5,200 feet), Mount Odake is the highest mountain in the range (located in northern Hakkoda), and is a famous hiking spot. Every winter the mountain is covered with at least 4 meters (13 feet) of powdered snow. With both groomed and ungroomed trails available, it’s a popular destination for both adventurous skiers/snowboarders and beginners of the like.
Enjoy Mount Hakkoda’s Scenic Views
Hiking is an activity to look forward to at Mount Hakkoda. Popular courses begin from the summit of Mount Tamoyachidake (northern Hakkoda), a mountain with an elevation of 1,320 meters (4,330 feet). In order to get there, you ride the Hakkoda Ropeway’s cable car for 10 minutes. Take in the beauty in front of you-- the cable car will show you one of the most breathtaking vistas in the country.
It’s especially amazing in Autumn, when you can see a bunch of trees such as Japanese maple and beech trees in yellow, orange and red. Mount Hakkoda is actually one of the first places in Tohoku region, or northern area of Japan’s largest island, to develop Autumn colors. Usually the first hint of fall color begins at the highest vistas of Mount Hakkoda in late September, and gradually reaches lower elevations by mid October. October is therefore the best time to visit for fall foliage.
After your cable car ride to the top, you can enjoy the views until your next ride back- or you can hike. From the Summit Park Station where you get off, you can trek around a circular shaped hiking trail called the Hakkoda Gourd Line. One trail is 1 km (3,280 feet) and takes about 30 minutes to complete, and the other is 1.8km (5,906 feet) and takes about 60 minutes to complete. Both of these trails are smooth and maintained well, so you’ll see young children and the elderly enjoying the walk in sneakers too. You don’t have to be a regular hiker or be extremely fit for the walk. Just remember to bring a jacket because it’s cooler at the top. During the walk, you’ll encounter amazing alpine vegetation, several ponds, marshes and wetlands. If it’s a sunny day, take a visit to the observation decks to enjoy a great view of Aomori city, Aomori’s Mutsu Bay, and Tsugaru Peninsula. If you look far ahead, maybe you can even see Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan’s four main islands.
There are two moderate hiking trails available to those who want a more challenging hike. One is Mount Odake hiking trail—a 4 hour-hike that starts from the Summit Park Station and goes all the way to the top of Mount Odake. It’s a rewarding hike, as the spectacular view from the top of Mount Odake will surely blow your mind.
The other hiking trail is the Kenashi Paradise Line-- a 2.5 hour-hike that starts from the Summit Park Station and ends at the foot of the mountain, where Sukayu hot spring is located. It’s a good exercise, a nice way to enjoy lots of alpine plants, marshes and the foliage, and relax in a hot spring in the end.
If you are comfortable dipping into co-ed public baths, Sukayu hot spring is actually a great spot to relax. It has a 300-year history and was the first national government-designated “hot spring health resort”. Their signature bath, Senninburo, or bath that contains 1000 people, is a large mixed-gender traditional wooden bath with sulfur-rich water. Most people just stop by for the bath but you can also spend a night.
Appreciate the Nature
So enjoy Mount Hakkoda’s crisp air, the chirping birds, the autumn colors, the scenic views, the alpine vegetation, and to those who feel like it, a good hike and a soothing hot spring. It’s relaxation at it's maximum- what more could you ask for?
How to Visit?
Take the plane from Tokyo (Haneda) to Aomori airport (75 min). Then take the car from Aomori airport to Hakkoda ropeway (40 min). Otherwise, take the bullet train from Tokyo station to Shin-Aomori station (3 hours). Ride the JR Towada line to the Hakkoda Ropeway station (1 hour 2 min). Address: 1-12, Kansuizawa, Arakawa, Aomori city, Aomori prefecture 030- 0188
TEL:81-(0)17-738-0343
Reference List
http://www.hakkoda-ropeway.jp/english/english_p
https://www.en-aomori.com/scenery-004.html
