Mountains of the Tohoku Region

The Ou mountain range (Ohu-sanmyaku) runs north to south through the central part of the Tohoku area for approximately 500 kilometers.

Many of the mountains are active volcanos, which include, Mt. Hakkoda (Hakkoda-san) located in Aomori prefecture and consist of many composite volcanos; Hachimantai located on the prefectural border of Akita and Iwate has many gently-sloping summits and beautiful wetlands and ponds; and Mt. Iwate (Iwate-san) located in Iwate prefecture boasts beautiful mountain shape, which is also established as the Towada-Hachimantai National Park.

The grand range of mountains continues on further south, including Mt. Kurikoma (Kurikoma-yama), famous for its beautiful autumn foliage, located on the prefectural border of Miyagi, Akita and Iwate; Mt. Zao (Zao-san), known for the frost-covered trees during January and February located on the border of Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures; Mt. Azuma (Azuma-yama),a group of active volcanos located on the border of Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures, and Mt. Adatara (Adatara-yama) and Mt. Bandai (Bandai-san) located in Fukushima prefecture.

Other peaks include the Asahi mountain range (Asahi-renpo) located on the border of Yamagata and Niigata prefectures; the Iide mountain range (Iide-renpo) located across the prefectures of Fukushima, Yamagata and Niigata; and the Kitakami Mountain System located in Iwate prefecture, with Mt. Hayachine (Hayachine-zan) as the highest peak.

The area also includes many independent peaks created by volcanic activity, such as Mt. Iwaki (Iwaki-san) located in Aomori prefecture, Mt. Chokai (Choukai-san) located on the border of Akita and Yamagata prefectures, and Mt. Gassan located in Yamagata prefecture.

The Shirakami mountains area, located on the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures, is known for its beautiful virgin beech forest, and is registered as , a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

• Traverse of Mt. Iwate from Yakehashiri to Nana-taki Falls Enjoy the signs and scars of volcanic activity on this still-active volcano.
• Japan’s Own Long Trail: A 50 km Route Traversing Mt. Iwate, the Mt. Hachimantai, and Appi Highlands A trail offering a variety of enjoyable sights such as highlands, wetlands, and volcanic peaks.
• Traverse of Mt. Kurikoma from Iwakagami-daira to Sukawa Onsen (hot spring) From the scenic ridgeline, towards beautiful wetland and secret hot spring.
• Mt. Chokai: Round Trip from Hokotate A Splendid Solitary Peak and its Ethereal Mountain Lake.
• Mt. Aizu-Komagatake: Round Trip from the Takizawa Trailhead A Superb Summit View of Wetlands and Ponds.
• Mt. Gassan: Round Trip from Ubasawa One-day hike to the peak of a sacred mountain amidst flowers of the Tohoku Region.
• Traverse of Mt. Hakkoda from Ropeway to Sukayu Onsen (hot spring) Descend from the gently sloping summit towards the wetland.
• Round Trip Hike to Mt. Hayachine via the Odakoshi Trail Hike along a short trail to a mountain peak famed for its flowers.
• Traverse on Mt. Zao, Mt. Jizo, Mt. Kumano and Mt. Katta Tour around the magnificent volcanic landform and crater lakes.