1-day Guided hiking on Mount Adatara in Tohoku, Japan
Kaori, a JMGA-certified hiking guide, takes you on a 1-day hike to Mount Adatara, in Fukushima, a great opportunity to discover the stunning natural beauty, delicious food and relaxing hot springs of the Tohoku region.
Private
1 Day
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Open to everyone
Beginner
Highlights
- Reach the summit of Mount Adatara and get the view of an amazing volcanic crater
- Discover the natural beauty of the wild Tohoku region in northern Honshu
- Relax after the hike at one of the many natural hot springs in the area
Description
Tohoku is a region of stunning natural beauty located at the northeastern tip of the main island of Honshu, well known for its beautiful mountains, forests, lakes and many natural hot springs (onsen). I’d like to invite you to discover this unique destination in Japan, with a 1-day guided hike to Mount Adatara (1700m), in the Fukushima Prefecture.
This stratovolcano is located about 15 kilometres southwest of the city of Fukushima. It is a challenging but enjoyable and safe hike, that is well worth the effort! It is suitable for beginners and for families as well. We will enjoy great panoramic views along the way, and once at the summit you will get a unique view of a volcanic crater and the mountains beyond.
The Adatara mountain range belongs to the Nasu volcanic belt, and it is located at the southern end of the Bandai Asahi National Park. It runs for over approximately 9 km from the south to north, including Mt. Osho, Mt. Adatara, Mt. Tetsu, Mt. Minowa and Mt. Onigatsura. Mount Adatara is the main peak of the range, and due to the mountain shape it is called “nipple mountain” (Chichikubiyama).
Mount Adatara is one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan, a favorite of mountaineers through the four seasons: it has new foliage in spring, azalea and rhododendron in early summer, and colored leaves in autumn, and snow-covered mountain in winter. The best season to climb it is from April to November. The autumn leaves are truly beautiful in October.
We will take the easiest hiking trail, starting with the Mount Adatara cable car, located at the Adatara Kogen Ski Area in Oku Dake (947m). After 10 minutes we will get to the summit station (1353m) and from there it is a short walk to Mount Yakushi, where there is a very popular viewpoint.
Then we continue to Senyo Daira junction all the way until we reach Mount Adatara summit (1700m). The final part of the ascent is quite exposed and on a rugged trail, but it is very safe. The summit offers spectacular panoramic views of of the Adatara mountain range, Mt Bandai, Iide mountain range, Nasu mountain range, and numerous lakes and swamps including Inawashiro lake.
From the summit, we will hike along the Iwa ridge to the north and once we pass the Umanose col, you’ll have the view of Numano daira. You can appreciate the ferocious scenery of a volcanic mountain. It’s possible to stop by an onsen (hot spring) on the way back (with an extra cost for entry). It is also possible to utilise the cable car for the descent. It is a 510m ascent and 510m descent, with a total walking time of 3 hours.The Kurogane mountain hut, at the foot of the mountain, is a rare mountain hut, with a natural onsen. It is quite old and it will be taken down in 2019 so this is the last chance to visit and experience the traditional mountain ambience! Please note it is also possible to arrange a 2-day mountain traverse itinerary, staying overnight at Kurogane mountain hut.
The Tohoku region consists of six prefectures: Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Fukushima, Miyagi and Yamagata. A devastating earthquake and a tsunami struck the region in 2011. Today the resilient nature of Tohoku’s people is putting the area back on its feet with pride and passion.
Tohoku is a perfect place to explore the remote and lush countryside of rural Japan, enjoying amazing hikes, with breathtaking scenery every season, not to mention its delicious food, timeless art, crafts and rich cultural heritage. You could also discover here the mythical history of samurai warriors. This region used to be a samurai stronghold, and there are many ancient castles and old residences to visit.
Tohoku is a world apart from the crowded and busy south of the Honshu island. This beautiful and sometimes overlooked region is waiting for you to discover its wild untouched scenery, unique traditions and great food.
If you want to join me on this 1-day hike to Mount Adatara and discover the beautiful Tohoku region, just send me a request! I will be happy to guide you and tell you the secrets of this amazing destination in Japan.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Transportation start and back
- Mountain guide expenses
Price details
The price includes guiding fee, transportation from pick up poinit to trailhead. The price does not include onw way gondola ticket (1000 JPY) and lunch.
Details
More info HOW TO GET THERE There are JR Shinkansen stations in each prefecture. You can reach JR Fukushima Station from Tokyo in a high-speed train along the JR Tohoku Shinkansen. The trip takes around 1,5 hour and there are departures every 10-30 minutes. You could also take a domestic flight from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) and easily get to Tohoku. |
Meeting point At 9.00 am at JR Fukushima Station or at your nearby accommodation in Dake-onsen, Fukushima city, Nihonmatsu city or Tsuchiyu Onsen, etc. |
About the guide
I am a JMGA hiking guide (stage II) based in the city of Fukushima in Tohoku.
Thanks to my parents’ passion for mountains, I’ve been hiking a lot of mountains in Tohoku like Mt Azuma, Mt Adatara, Oze, Zao and Gassan, since childhood.
Having graduated university with a major in Education, I worked for a travel agency in Tokyo. As I travelled all over the world with clients as a tour conductor, I found myself naturally attracted to the nature and in mountains in particular. So I moved to a travel company focused on hiking and mountain trips.
I worked for 20 years as a tour conductor, leading people to mountains all over the world like Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Nepalese Himalaya, European Alps, the Americas, Scandinavia and Africa.
At the same time, I climbed a lot in Japanese mountains and obtained my hiking guide qualification.
As I hiked the mountains outside of Japan, I came to realise the beauty and richness of Japanese mountains, the nature, and the lifestyle of people, and I wanted to share this gift with the visitors from abroad.
Since the earthquake in Tohoku, travellers to Tohoku has reduced dramatically and I had felt very sad. After the quake, I returned to Fukushima and started guiding mainly in the mountains of Tohoku.
Fukushima is only 1.5hrs on Shinkansen from Tokyo! Let’s go climbing and hiking in the beautiful mountains of Tohoku!
About Tohoku:
Tohoku region occupies 18% of the total landmass of Japan. It is a large region consisting of 6 prefectures, and there is the Oku mountain range that runs 410km in total length from the north to the south.
There are also other long mountain ranges, and stand alone mountains, and it thus houses a lot of unique terrains.
Not only that, there are 11 national parks and is also home to 15 of the 100 most famous Japanese mountains and 22 of the 100 most famous floral mountains of Japan.
My other passion is food. I would love to introduce you to the delicious gourmet of Tohoku.
There are numerous onsen at the base of these mountains and the flat land is very well known for producing high quality rice, vegetables and fruits.
Good rice and water, inevitably means that there is good Sake! There are also a few farmers these days producing wine as well.
Tohoku is a major rice producer and so we also have a lot of great food originating from rice like mocha and kiritampo and other dishes and snacks made from rice.
I would love for you to taste and experience the amazing local food and onsen that the abundant nature of Tohoku brings on your trip here.
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