Ozegahara is a high moor that occupies a basin ranging in elevation from approximately 1,400 to 1,700 meters. It's surrounded by high-mountains, including Mt. Hiuchigatake and Mt. Shibutsu (Shibutsu-san). The area as a whole has been designated Oze National Park, spanning Gunma, Fukushima, and Niigata Prefectures. The wetland is dotted with ponds of various sizes and is home to numerous rare alpine plants. Gallery forests grow along the rivers around the wetland, forming some memorable scenery.
Ozegahara From Numayama Pass to Hatomachi Pass
A full traverse of a stunning high moor.
-
- Duration
- 2Days / 7.5Hours
- Highest Point
- 1781m
- Elevation Gain
- 377m
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- Skill Level
- Fitness Level
- Gear Level
Taking the stairs and the boardwalk from Numayama Pass (Numayama-toge), you come to the Numayama-toge Observatory. It's the highest point on this hike, with views of Lake Ozenuma and Mt. Shibutsu. Going down the wooden stairs until the boardwalk becomes flatter.
Then you arrive at Oe (Ohe) Wetlands. It's gorgeous in summer when the day lilies come into bloom. When you reach Ozenuma, turn right in front of the visitor center and follow the boardwalk. Mt. Hiuchigatake will be visible to the right and Lake Ozenuma on the left as you pass through alternating woods and wetlands. There is a toilet and rest area at Nushiri, and from there you leave Lake Ozenuma behind.
Walking through forest, you go over Shirasuna Pass (Shirasuna-toge) and descend towards Shimotashiro. There are six mountain huts at Miharashi-jujiro trail junction just in front of Shimotashiro that all offer accommodation. You'll spend the night here.
On the next day, cross the boardwalk through the Shimotashiro wetland. Passing over the Nushiri River, you come to the Ryugu-jujiro trail junction. From Ryugu you pass Ushikubi and traverse an easy boardwalk through Nakatashiro and Kamitashiro. These areas burst into bloom with day lilies in early summer. Mt. Shibutsu is visible before you until you reach Yamanohana. It has a visitor center and a toilet and is a good place for a break. From there you stroll the boardwalk through the forest, take the stairs, and arrive at Hatomachi Pass.
Gallery
Wetlands and a wooden walkway with Mt. Shibutsu in the background
Springtime Asian skunk cabbage in Oze National Park
Ears of the wetland's tussock cottongrass
Oze National Park has a number of mountain huts, including Harano-koya as seen here
You won't see morning fog like this unless you stay in a mountain hut
Other Info
Oze is a treasure trove of alpine plants, with gorgeous colored leaves in autumn. The splendid hues of the wetland plants and trees during that season offer another not-to-miss side to Oze apart from the flowers of summer.
High Season:June to September
Notes
Almost all sections of Ozegahara feature double-track boardwalks. Park rules include keeping to the right on the walkways and not straying from them into the marsh. If you have a trekking pole, use a rubber tip so as not to damage the boardwalk.
Route Map
Elevation Map
Height (m)
Horizontal Distance (km)
Spec
- Duration
- 2Days / 7.5Hours
- Highest Point
- 1781m
- Elevation Gain
- 377m
- Horizontal Distance
- 18.7Km
- Skill Level
- Fitness Level
- Gear Level
On the Trail
- Sleeping
Harano-koya, Hiuchi-goya, Hinoemata-goya, Yashiro-goya, Oze-goya, Daini-chozo-goya
- Eating
Light meals are available at Yamano-eki Numayama-toge at the start of the trail, or the Hatomachi-toge Rest Area at the end
- Hot-Springs
Tokurano-Yu (a day-use hot spring facility)
