Hiking in Akita Komagatake (Late June) - A Slideshow

Here is a slideshow with pictures taken late June in Akita Komagatake （秋田駒ケ岳)

The video shows you the types of alpine flowers seen in the early hiking season. Now it is mid-July, when the Mountain of Flowers is showing us many different types of flowers. Hope you get inspired to come visit to hike up in our beautiful area!

A Hotel with 3 Meals and a Foot Massage – A Great Deal for Hikers!

Now we are in the best season for hikers to see the greenness in the Akita Komagatake and Mt. Nyuto area! The popular hiking route – out and back between the 8th station and the flowery summit area – takes only about 3 hours. Staying at a nearby hotel can give you more time to enjoy the surrounding area, since you do not want to miss the beautiful Lake Tazawa, historic Nyuto Onsen hotsprings, and enjoy delicious craft beers!

Tazawako Kogen Hotel's Hot Spring Bath

 

Tazawa Kogen Hotel offers you an ideal package of an accommodation with 3 meals (dinner, breakfast, and a to-go lunch for your hiking trip) plus a foot massage to get ready for the hiking on the following day!

They give you a lunch for the hiking trip -- very convenient since there is no conbini (convenient stores) or grocer in the area! Also, the package includes a foot massage, whose regular prices are at 2,100 yen – A great deal!

Moreover, the hotel is located within a walking distance from Arupa Komakusa, where you will be taking a bus to the 8th station of Akita Komagatake.

One adult price is at 10,000 Yen (Sunday-Friday) or 12,000 Yen (Saturday and a day before holiday). This is a special deal that is available for only one pair or a single person. Please make a reservation at Tabiyori, Semboku City Touist Information Center.

Sign Up for Guided Trekking Tour to Akita Komagatake

Here is a great package tour for beginning hikers who want to explore the Moutain of Flowers, Akita Komagatake! This is a package tour with a professional mountain guide, who has a thorough knowledge about the surrounding environment. He will tell you a lot about the plants and routes, so you can make your hiking trip more memorable!

Akita Komagatake Trekking "Hana-Pack" Guided Tour

秋田駒ケ岳トレッキング「花パック」

ROUTE:

Arupa Komakusa (8:49) – The 8th Station –

Katakurayama Tenbodai (Mt. Katakura Viewpoint) – The Amida Pond (Lunch) --

 Mt. Oname (1,637m) – Yakimori – The 8th Station (14:40)

– Arupa Komakusa (15:30)

*Duration: 6 Hours (Includes Lunch and Break)

*The difference in Elevation: 330m (About 1082 feet) Suitable for beginning hikers.

 

WHEN:

Every Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays between June 1 and October 31st.

Everyday from June 21st to August 19th.

FEE:

It is available for a group of 2 to 10 people.

 Fee varies depending on how many people are in your group.

For a group of more than 4 people, one adult is 3,500 Yen.

If your group is 2 or 3 people, one adult is 5,000 Yen.

It includes the guide and a hot spring entrance fee at Arupa Komakusa.

To Sign Up:

Call Arupa Komakusa (TEL 0187-46-2101) or

Yama-no-Annainin Guide Office (Tel 0187-43-1740)

untill 2 days before your scheduled date.

 On the day, please meet with the guide at Arupa Komakusa at 8:20 A.M.

Opening Event of Akita Komagatake! Green Season Has Begun!

Mt. Akita Komagatake has become available for the hikers on June 1st. On the opening day, a hiking event was held to mark the beginning of long-awaited Green Season!

Before entering the mountain, which was once worshiped as a sacred place, about 120 people gathered in a Shinto ceremony held at the 8th point station. They were members of local hiker’s club and the Semboku City workers. The ceremony was held to wish for the safety of the hikers in the season.

After the ceremony, the commemoration hike was held, in which 100 hikers joined to hike up to the summit area. On this sunny day, the hikers enjoyed every step on the remaining snow and the beautiful panoramic of mountain ridges and Lake Tazawa!

Banzai Sansho to celebrate the opening of Mt. Akita Komagatake!

 (Photo/Sakigake On The Web)

At the summit of Odake (1623m), the Akita group met with another group of 60 people who hiked from Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture. Together in a ceremony, they shouted “Banzai” three times (as is a Japanese custom of Banzai-Sansho) and celebrated the opening of Mt. Akita Komagatake.

Access to Akita Komagatake/ Bus Schedule

Access and Bus Schedule to Akita Komagatake (2011)

Click to see a bigger image

① One-Way Fare to the 8th Station:

From JR Tazawako Station : 1,000 yen

From Tazawako-han (at Lake Tazawa) : 910 yen

From Tazawako Kogen Onsen (Plateau Onsen Area) : 600 yen

②　 Komagatake-sen Bus Schedule:

The buses are available only on the days shown in pink above. Those are the days when private vehicles are not allowed to access to the 8th Station (“Hachigome”) It is every Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays between June 1st to October 31st as well as the weekdays between June 21st and August 19th, 2011.

The bus service may become suspended due to the weather condition.

◎ Not operated on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays in October.

★ Operated on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays in October.


The names of the bus stops are as follows:

　(From left)

　Tazawako-eki-mae 田沢湖駅前

　Tazawakohan 田沢湖畔発

　Kogen Onsen 高原温泉

　Arupa Komakusa アルパこまくさ

　Kogen Onsen 高原温泉

　Komagatake Hachigome 駒ケ岳八合目


③ Komagatake Flowers Calender

The chart shows when the flowers are predicted to bloom. The

(From top)

Shirane-Aoi　シラネアオイ

Komakusa　コマクサ

Miyama Daikonsou　ミヤマダイコンソウ

Miyama Kinbai　ミヤマキンバイ

Minezuou　ミネズオウ

Chinguruma　チングルマ

Benibanaichigo　メニバナイチゴ

Ezotsutsuji　エゾツツジ

Miyama Usuyukisou　ミヤマウスユキソウ

Nikkoukisuge　ニッコウキスゲ

Kobaikeisou　コバイケイソウ

Miyamarindou　ミヤマリンドウ

Ezo-Oyama-Rindou　エゾオヤマリンドウ


(From left to right at the top)

June, July, August, and September.

④ TAXI 

Obonai Kanko Hire : TEL 0187-43-1221

Tazawako Kanko Taxi : TEL 0187-43-1331

How the Horse Shape First Appered on "Mountain of Horse," Akita Komagatake

April seems to be a special month of the year, since the long-awaited spring has finally arrived. We have been finding more signs of its arrival on fresh greens of butterbur sprout, mizubasho flowers, and soon cherry blossoms! Here is another sign of spring's arrival!

Akita Komagatake Seen from Akita Side

Jihei Chiba （千葉治平） is a nationally-awarded writer from Tazawa Area who wrote one of the best reference books on the history of Tazawako, Akita Komagatake, and Hachimantai. In his book, Tazawako Hakubutsushi　（ふるさと博物誌）, he introduces a local belief  about how a horse shape appeared on a  mountain that is now called "Mountain of Horse in Akita."

Long time ago, a feudal lord from Kanto area visited the Akita Clan territory. When he and his subordinates were passing through the Sengan-toge pass, one of the horses they had bought in Akita had suddenly disappeared. Despite the thorough search by the subordinates, they couldn’t find the horse anymore. So they gave up and returned home. That is when the shape of a horse started to appear on the face of Akita Komagatake.

The horse faces to the direction of Iwate and eats up the greens: Its back faces to the direction of Akita, bringing manure and make the soil more fertile. This is what people had believed to confirm Akita’s rich crops.  (Chiba, 169)

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When you are on route 46 towards Iwate Prefecture, Sashimaki Area would be a perfect place for you to catch a glimpse of the shape! So, when you come visit Mizubasho (Japanese Skunk Cabbages) event, do not forget to take a look.

When driving on Route 46 towards Iwate Pref. Akita Komagatake is straight ahead. (Picture: Late March)

Here is one from last year: What does it look like to you?

Click the picture to find out!

Lake Tazawa Mirroring the Image of Mt. Akita Komagatake



Photo Courtesy of Sakigake On-the-Web

On a sunny day, a beautiful view of Lake Tazawa mirroring the image of Mt. Akita Komagatake is enjoyed at the eastern shore of Lake Tazawa. The mountains are mirrored upside-down, so it is called “Sakasa-koma” (upside-down koma) after “sakasa-fuji”, the similar image of Mt. Fuji.

Sakasa-koma can be observed on some sunny days also in summer and fall; however, it is said that the reflection makes a clearer image in early spring (February and March) because of the calmer seasonal winds!

Many tourists have been looking forward to catching this rare view of Lake Tazawa and Mt. Akita Komagatake, two of Akita’s most recognized landmarks! Try your luck!

Hiking Routes to Akita Komagatake

Here is a simplified map of hiking route from Hachigome, the 8th Station, to the Amida Pond, a popular destination near the summit area!

More detailed maps and guide books are available for sale at Folake Tazawako Tourist Information Center at JR Tazawako Station. The Japanese materials include maps with contour lines and other routes.

Download

Akita Komagatake 101: Accsess to the 8th Station and Basic Routes to Amida Pond

Akita Komagatake is the highest mountain in Akita Prefecture and popular for the diversity of alpine plants through the green season. The area welcomes 50,000 hikers each year!

6 Trailheads to the Amida Pond:

Akita Komagatake is a large area that stretches over two Prefectures, Akita Prefecture and  Iwate Prefecture.

From Akita side, there are mainly 5 trailheads for Komagatake: Hachigome Guchi (八合目), Nakaobonai Guchi (中生保内口), Mizusawa Onsen Guchi (水沢温泉口), Nyuto Onsen Guchi (乳頭温泉口）, and Nyutosan Juso Course （乳頭山縦走コース）.

From Iwate side, a trailhead called Kunimi Onsen Guchi （国見温泉口）is available.

All the routes reach up to a pond called the Amida Pond（阿弥陀池）, which is situated at the summit area.

Routes from the 8th Station Trailhead:

All the routes -- except for the ones from Hachigome Trailhead -- are strenuous, more suitable for the experienced hikers. Some parts might be deteriorated, so we recommend you to check with the local mountain guide in advance. (or Folake)

On the other hand, routes from Hachigome (the 8th Station) is suitable and enjoyeable for all-level hikers. Some parts are rocky and steep but easy enough  for children as well. It takes about 3 hours out and back. Ideal for a pleasant day-trip for your family!

Three Routes from Hachigome, the 8th Station Trailhead:

1. Shindo Course (新道コース), or the ‘New Route’ Course
2. Yakemori Course (焼森コース), or the “Shakunage Course” (シャクナゲコース)
3. Kyudo Course （旧道コース）,or the ‘Old Route’ Course

Shindo Course is known for the diversity of alpine plants and the panoramic view of Lake Tazawa. The trail goes through Katakura-dake Viewpoint, (片倉岳展望台)  and it loopes around the Mt. Onamedake (女男岳), and eventually becomes gentle uphill. It takes about 60 minutes to the Amida Pond.

Yakemori Course is known for the colony of Shakunage (Rhododendron subg. Hymenanthes). That is why it is called “Shakunage Course”. You will cross a stream and continue hiking up to the summit of the Mt.Yakemori (1,551m): That is where you will find clusters of Komakusa (Dicentra peregrine) and Takane-sumire (Viola Crassa Makino). After you pass by Mt. Yokodake (1,583m), the Amida Pond appears very soon. About 70 minutes.

Kyudo Course is not recommended for beginning hikers. It is very steep and partially deteriorated. In recent years, many hikers have witnessed a pair of bears, apparently dwelling near the hiking route. This route is CURRENTLY CLOSED. We are mentioning it here just so you can avoid  the confusion at the diverging point.

Extending Your Hike:

(Only) If you have plenty of time, you might want to consider extending your hike  to the summits of Mt. Odake（男岳）or Mt. Onamadake (男女岳) - each takes another 20 minutes to the top.

Hiking Back to the Trailhead:

You can go back on the same route, or take an alternative route to go back to the 8th Station. Make sure you arrive before the last bus leaves! Plan ahead and check the schedule.

Access from JR Station to the Trailhead:

To access to the 8th Station trailhead, it is recommended to take a bus. A bus line called Komagatake-sen (駒ケ岳線）takes you directly from JR Tazawako Station.

The buses are available only on the days shown in pink below. Those are the days when private vehicles are not allowed to access to the 8th Station (“Hachigome”)  If you wish to access on days shown in white, you can access by a taxi.

To see the 2011 version, click here.

Opening of Mt. Komagatake

June 1st marked an important day for the hikers who had been long waiting for the opening of Mt. Komagatake.


Mt. Komagatake is stretched over the bordering area between two prefectures, Akita and Iwate. On this day, teams of climbers from each prefectures hiked up to meet, performed a Shinto ceremony, and mingled to wish the safety of all the hikers to this area.

Here are some photos, courtesy of  Folake Tazawako Tourist Information Center.

Climbing up from Akita side.

Look at the patches of snow!

About 100 participants enjoyed the hike this day.

Some alpine plants-- one of the earlier ones-- are found.

Long awaited the end of winter, these alpine plants are finally out.

Walking on the deck towards Amida Ike, a pond near the summit area.

At the top of Odake (1623 m) there is a small shrine. There a ceremony to wish the hiker's safety was performed.

Groups from Akita and Iwate exchanged pickels to commemorate the opening day.

You can download the access map with bus and parkin information from the side bar on your right (Available only in Japanese). If you have any further questions, please inquire Folake (folake@tazawako.org) or Sasaki (sasaki@tazawako.org).

Akita Komagatake With a Shape of... What?

Komagatake is a common name for a mountain in Japan. It means “Mountain of Horse”. The derivation of its name come from different beliefs. One of the most known beliefs is that the shape of remaining snow on the faca of mountain resembles a shape of horse.

Green Season in Semboku City is still a few weeks away, which will begin with an opening ceremony in June 1st.

Meanwhile, we can at least enjoy the impressions of snow on Akita Komagatake!

Some people insist that Sashimaki area - along route 46 in between Tazawako and Kakundoate - is the best spot from where you can see the shape on Akita Komagatake.  The impression changes and fades away as the snow melts.  On a clear day,  you try your luck to catch a glimpse of the beautiful impression.

What do you think this shape looks like...?

 

The white shape is supposed to look like a horse, according to the name of mountain.

But, to us.. it looks more ike a Dachshund (Dog)!!

Guided Hiking Tour to Mt. Komagatake

Mt. Komagatake is known as Great Mountain of Flowers. The mountain is going to be open for the hikers on June 1st. The mountain has ever-changing scenery of wilderness in all seasons, so it is never too early to start planning your trip.

Mt. Komagatake in June

Yama-No-Annainin Jimusho is a mountain guide agency whose members consist of certified guides and instructors in the field of climbing mountains and nature observations. They guide you to any mountainous areas in this region including Dakigaeri Gorge and Mt. Iwate.
Hiking is, of course, enjoyable enough without a guide, but with one you will have a better understanding and enhances appreciation in the nature! The guides can tell you about the wild lives, derivation of the names, folklores, and so many stories about the local culture. Enthusiastic hikers tend to be curious about pretty much everything relating to nature, so consider these guides as the more profound experts, because at times knowing or not knowing would make a difference in some vulnerable situations.

Patches of snow still remains in June.

We are not trying to scare you here, no! But accidents do happen, so the guides with who a thorough knowledge and experience in the mountain is trustworthy. Plus, they are just inspiring! We bet, by the end of your hiking trip, you will grow more appreciation in nature and simple things that we take for granted in our civilized life.

Mr. Ono represents the guide agency, who had been also an experienced instructor for the #1 high school climbing team in Japan. He is best known as the mountain man and a successful business owner. He and his associates are contributors to Japan’s #1 outdoor sports magazine, Yama-To-Keikoku. (Scroll down to find 山の案内人ガイド事務所 ) You can check out the magazine’s website with up-to-date information and photos of Mt. Komagatake provided by Yama-No-Annainin. This is just a proof of how acclaimed and trustworthy their professional expertise is!

Yama-No-Annainin Staffs

Mr. Ono from Yama-No-Annainin Guide Agency

A flower bed spread around the summit area

Now, are you interested in hiking in Mt. Komagatake?
Try Hana Pack! It is a hiking tour guided by a Yama-No-Annainin agency.
This 5-hours tour is designed for beginners and takes you to Amida-ike Pond and Mt. Onamedake, which is the summit area of Mt. Komagatake. The tour ends at Arupa Komakusa, a bus terminal and popular stop-over for hikers, where you can enjoy a soak in an outdoor Onsen with a beautiful view of Lake Tazawa.

Title: Hana Pack
Itinerary: Meet in Arupa Komakusa (8:49)

                  ---Hachigome (8th Station)

              --- Amida-ike Pond

              --- Onamedaeke

             --- Yakimori

                                          ---Hachigome (8th Station)

                                               --- Arupa Komakusa (15:05)

Duration: Approximately 5 hours

Level: Beginners
Prices Per Person*: 3,500 Yen (In case of 4 participants in a group)

                                  5,000 Yen (In case of 2- 3 participants in a group)

                              *Price includes guides and an entrance to Arupa Komakusa Onsen

Reservation: It must be made at least 2 days prior to the reserved date.
Inquire: Arupa Komakusa 0187-46-2101(Tel)

              Yama-No-Annainin Jimusho 0187-43-1740 (Tel)

Available: June 1st to October 31st, 2010 (Saturdays and Sundays)

                  June 20th to August 19th, 2010 (Everyday)

Note:
1. Please meet up at Arupa Komakusa at 8:20a.m. (Please be on time!)

2. Guides are available in Japanese.

Que? Ke? New Tazawako Posters!

“Ke” (け) is a common dialect of Tohoku region, which has various meanings depending on the context of conversation. In our region, “Ke” can be used as a second person imperative form with two meanings of “to eat” and also “to come”, as in “Kore ke” meaning “(You) eat this” and “(Koko) sa ke” meaning “You come here.”


I know. It’s so easy, isn’t it? This is only one of the many examples of one-word expression in our Akita dialect. Try this classic example: “Ne ne ne ne” (We have to go to sleep, don’t we?) Lol

Here, in the latest version of Tazawako's posters, the meanings of “Ke” are explained with photos of what you can “come” to see and “eat” in Tazawako!

Left: “Ke” (Come) and see the beautiful alpine flowers in Mt.Komagatake!

Right: “Ke” (Eat) these delicious specialties from Tazawako Area!

Mt. Komagatake is dubbed as Hana-No-Meisan, Great Mountain of Flowers.There you can enjoy a wide variety of alpine flowers! Green season is still a bit away, but be prepared! June 1st is the opening day ;)

This second one was shot at Kata-Bunko, a former elementary school branch in Kata Area.

Takko-chan, our local character  and Ms. Yuko Chiba, the keeper of Kata-Bunko. The building is open for public for free, but 300 yen donation is greatly welcomed! The site is 2-3 minutes drive from the lakeside. The wooden building looks as if it was a film set. In the moment you step in, the building will evoke the sense of nostalgia!

Scanning down..

An array of delicious food on the table:

Tazawako Beer

Kohan-No-Mori Beer

Yama-No-Imo Nabe

Ajara Nabe

Hanjuro's Mochi (Rice Cakes)

Tazawako B-Men (Thick Rice Noodle)

Miso-Tanpo (Broiled Rice Paste on Cedar Skewer with Sweet Miso)

Pickles of Various Kinds

Soba-Goro's Cold Soba (Buckwheat Noodle)

Jindai Curry

Bee Skep's Honey Pudding, Cream Puffs, and Castella

Zengoro-Dofu's Tofu

Kawauo-No-Chaya's Yaki-Iwana-No-Sakura-Zushi 

(Pressed Sushi with Japanese Char garnished with Cherry Blossoms)

Niji-No-Buta (Rainbow Pork)

Iwana (Japanese Char) Simmered in Sweet Soy Sauce

Tazawako Nijimasu (Raibow Trout) Chips

The posters are distributed to be displayed in Tokyo and the neighboring prefectures. The posters (especially the second one) have unique looks, so hopefully they will catch many people's attention!

A Landmark of Akita : Mt. Akita Komagatake

What is the landmark in your hometown? These are our landmarks in Akita Prefecture.

Photo courtesy of Kazuo Nanba. Our landmarks: Lake Tazawa, Statue of Tatsuko, and Mt. Komagatake.

Mt. Akita Komagatake is a  landmark to many people in Semboku Area of Akita Prefecture. It is part of the Ou Mountain Range and one of the most popular hiking mountains in Tohoku. The area is a part of Towada-Hachimantai National Park.

“Komagatake”　(駒ケ岳） is a common name for a mountain in Japan. Mountains have been worshipped as a spiritual site where the gods of Shinto,  the traditional animism of Japan, reside. Like many other Komagatake in Japan, women were prohibited to enter Akita Komagatake. It is because the mountain was considered as a place of inviolable sanctity and masculine beauty. That is how the people have admired it as a landmark in our lives.

The summit is made of three peaks, Odake (男岳“Mt. Man”), Medake (女岳“Mt. Woman”), and Onamedake (男女岳“Mt. Man-and-Woman”). Onamedake has its highest point above the sea level, 1,637m (5,370 ft), which is about the same altitude as City of Denver, Colorado in the United States. 

Akita Komagatake is home to a large variety of alpine plants of Japan! The mountain is abundant of many beautiful wild flowers throughout the Green Seasons (May through October), which is why it is dubbed as the Great Mountain of Flowers ("Hana-No-Meisan")

It is an active volcano whose most recent eruption occurred in 1970. It gathered spectators and geologists who want to catch a rare glimpse of magma eruptions! Many locals still remember it as if it was an once-in-a-lifetime festival!

Courtesy of Kazuo Nanba.  Komakusa is the symbolic flower of this Mountain of Flowers.

It co-exists with  another species, yellow Takane-sumire, which blooms right before this pink carpet.

A colony of Nikko-kisuge (Daylily)  Photo courtesy of Semboku City.

Amida-Ike Pond on the summit area (Photo courtesy of Semboku City)

Before hiking in Akita Komagatake, you are recommended to obtain permission at the local police department. (It is for your own safety and in case you are missing, for it does happen more often than you would think!)

The most popular routes are  from 8th station (“Hachigome”) to Amida Pond (“Amida-ike”) area. If you are taking a hike on one of the most popular routes, so you won’t need a permission. However, you are required to if you are taking other routes. Remember that you are not allowed to go off the trails.

Hiking with a mountain guide,Yama-no-Annainin, could give  you more fun experience!


Accessing Mt. Komagatake from the 8th station:

Driving to the 8th Station:

First, check your scheduled date in the calendar below.

If your dates shows in pink, that means you are not allowed to take your vehicle to the 8th station. This applies to all the private vehicles except for the regular bus service and taxies between 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. You can park your car at Arupa Komakusa, and take the local bus line, Komagatake-sen (駒ケ岳線).

Taking the Local Bus:

Take Komagatake-sen, which takes you directly to the 8th station. Fare between JR Tazawako Station to the 8th Station is 1,000yen.  You can also take a taxi.

You can download it as a PDF file. 

For more information and assistance in English, write to us (sasaki@tazawako.org).

Takko's Debut in a Music Video!

Our official character, Takkochan --- named after the heroine from a local legend, whose beauty was widely known and ultimately turned her into the guardian dragon of the lake Tazawa --- had her debut in a music video! In her background is our divine mountain, Akita Komagatake. Enjoy!

"Yurukyara Ondo" sung by Yukio Hashi