If you want to enjoy the short Tohoku summer, go to Towada-Hachimantai National Park, one of Japan's most unexplored areas!
- Iwate
- Sightseeing
To get to Towada-Hachimantai National Park, called an unexplored region, it takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes from Tokyo Station to Morioka Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line, then another 1 hour on a local train from Morioka Station to Ohara Station, from where you can change to a bus for about 1 hour.
It is only in Iwate Prefecture, which boasts the largest area in Honshu, that the travel time within Iwate Prefecture is about the same as the time required to travel to the prefectural border by the Tohoku Shinkansen.
That is why you can see precious and spectacular scenery wherever you go.
You will surely encounter unexpected scenery on a slow and leisurely local train and bus trip.
*Please pay attention to the number of trains in operation and local traffic conditions.
Trekking in Towada-Hachimantai National Park!
The best way to spend summer is trekking.
Towada-Hachimantai National Park covers an area of 85,409 hectares.
This is about the same size as Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture!
Within this vast area, there are various attractive trekking courses that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced trekkers alike.
Head to the bus stop in front of the Hachimantai Summit Rest House at the top of Hachimantai, and you will find Kuroyachi (Kuroyachi) and Chasuuguchi (Chasuuguchi) bus stops along the trail.
You can take the bus back along the course you trekked, or cut out a little early and head for the hot springs or a restaurant at the foot of the mountain.
Another photogenic spot is Goshikinuma, not far from the bus stop at Gozaisho, where the colors of the swamp change with the seasons.
The summer season is especially recommended, when the surface of the lake changes to a cobalt blue.
Please be sure to visit in conjunction with the tour.
For details on transportation information, please visit the Hachimantai Nature Walking Bus and Hachimantai Summit Area Bus Special Site.
Refresh your body and soul in a secluded hot spring in an unexplored area after you work up a sweat!
Located 1,400 meters above sea level, Toshichi Onsen Saiunso boasts the highest elevation in Tohoku and is a mountain lodge full of natural beauty.
The vast 360-degree expanse of nature without even electric wires, where the only sounds are the hot springs and the sound of the wind, offers the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The hot spring water is a mud bath that spouts itself out at the foot of your feet.
You can feel the power of the mud spouting out from the soles of your feet.
The mud is also plentiful at the bottom of the baths!
This is a spa where you can polish your skin with a mud pack, making it a great place for beauty treatments.
Toshichi Onsen Saiunso
Open from April to late October
Bathing hours: General bath: 8:00-18:00 / Open-air bath: 8:00-18:00
Fee: Adults 650 yen, elementary school students 350 yen
*Only for use in the mixed bathing open-air baths. Women may wear bath towels (available for purchase inside the building).
*Women-only indoor and outdoor baths and men-only indoor baths are available for overnight guests only. (bathing is available 24 hours a day)
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Location Kitanomata, Matsuo Yoriki, Hachimantai, Iwate 028-7302
Access: Short walk from "Toshichi Onsen" bus stop on the Hachimantai Nature Walk Bus bound for Gozaisho
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
Leave the exploring of unexplored areas to our guides!
In such cases, please leave it to our reliable local guides!
Whether you are a first-time climber, someone who hasn't climbed in a while, or someone who wants to try a more difficult climb, they will be able to meet your various requests and offer advice.
Also popular are programs in which you go with a guide.
In this issue, we introduce "Hachimantai Mountain Hotel" and "Iwate-Hachimantai Mountain Guide Association.
We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.
Hachimantai Mountain Hotel
The hotel has a nature guide station next to the lobby, a feature not found in other hotels.
At the concierge desk, they can suggest various ways to enjoy the mountains.
The hotel also offers a wide variety of trekking programs in Hachimantai's nature with guides.
There is a beginner course that can be enjoyed casually, as well as intermediate to advanced courses for a real mountain climbing experience, all of which are available for small groups.
Advance reservations are required. For details, please contact Hachimantai Mountain Hotel.
Iwate-Hachimantai Mountain Guides Association
They will consult with you on the number of people and itinerary, and give you advice.
Local guides will explain seasonal highlights so that you can enjoy Towada-Hachimantai National Park to the fullest.
Advance reservations are required. For details, please contact the Iwate Hachimantai Mountain Guides Association.
You can't get there in a day, and you can't fully appreciate the area, so a medium to long stay is recommended.
Check out the Hachimantai Onsenkyo Portal Site for information on Hachimantai's many attractions!
We hope you will visit Hachimantai City in Iwate Prefecture this summer!