Japan is working to have at least one luxury resort hotel in each of its 35 national parks by fiscal 2031 in a bid to make national parks more attractive to affluent inbound visitors, a core market in the country’s latest tourism plans. The country’s national parks, which extend from the northernmost tip of Hokkaido to the southernmost islands of Okinawa, are already home to some high-end properties thanks to both public and private sector efforts, including The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, which opened in Nikko National Park in 2020. Still, the environment ministry wants to ensure every national park can accommodate affluent visitors, not only to increase the number of visitors but also their length of stay and level of engagement with nature. “We aim to implement projects to increase the attractiveness of national parks using private-sector resources,” said environment minister Shintaro Ito of the plan, adding that the government’s goal is “world-class national parks based on the understanding of local communities and the idea of environmental conservation”. As part of efforts, the environment ministry is running a pilot project to attract luxury hotels in four national parks including Towada-Hachimantai National Park, which stretches across Aomori, Akita and Iwate prefectures in northern Honshu, and Chubusangaku National Park, which covers Gifu, Nagano and Toyama prefectures in central Honshu. National Parks have long been part of the government’s tourism growth plan, first a pillar in its Tourism Vision To Support Tomorrow’s Japan, launched in 2008, and now a core element of policies to increase the number of inbound visitors to 60 million annually by 2030. Seafront stays and heritage charm at Penang Marriott Hotel Is Your Business Listed On TTGmice Planner Online? HACHIMANTAI, Iwate — About 30 men and women in white marched in snowy weather in the Hirakasa district of Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture, on Wednesday, as part of a traditional event to wish for good health and a good harvest. To use this site, please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page. This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content, and analyzing our website traffic. By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies. Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. The event is called Hirakasa Hadaka Mairi (Hirakasa naked walk). It is believed to have started about 300 years ago when Mt. Iwate erupted and local men prayed naked to calm the anger of the god of the mountain. During World War II, wives and mothers of men enlisted in the military took part in the procession and the event became what it is today, with both men and women walking in white clothes. The procession started from the district’s Miyata Shrine after participants purified themselves both physically and spiritually by bathing in cold water early in the morning. They walked for about 8 kilometers to Yasaka Shrine, each carrying a two-meter long stick called kenzao and holding in their mouths a piece of paper believed to fend off sickness. “I walked while praying for good health for the year,” said a 64-year-old woman from Hachimantai, who has been taking part in the march over 30 years. “Young people came to join the event as well. I’m glad they are taking over the event.” Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting, readable fomat. © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun scientists and hot-spring owners in Towada-Hachimantai National Park and Keramashoto National Park Murakami had grown up with the woods and wide open spaces of Hokkaido But being in the presence of beech trees felt different The trees’ white-ish bark seemed to give off their own magical light “The entire forest had this gentle feel to it,” he said He is no less in awe of the 211,000-acre (85,534-hectare) park’s beech trees “I tell visitors that the beech forest plays a role in the water cycle here,” he said “Beech leaves that fall to the ground take time to decompose They filter the rainwater that gradually spills into Lake Towada Beech trees are one reason the lake water is so clear.” Murakami is a first-rate storyteller, a local bard of the wilderness. He is one of the many people whose lives and livelihoods are intertwined with Japan’s 34 national parks – and there are more like him than you would expect When the government created the first parks in 1934 it didn’t have the luxury of drawing borders around only the uninhabited and remote – the virgin forests Some of what was included as parkland had been settled for generations There were restaurants and old-fashioned ryokan inns Roughly a quarter of Japan’s national parkland is privately owned and hundreds of thousands of people live within the parks’ borders Mizuki Yamasaki (R) and Iwao Ando (L) work closely with local officials nature guides and hotels to promote the park.Photograph by Kohei TakeThis mix of the untamed and lived-on – and everything in between – is one of the distinguishing features of Japan’s national parks And where the park is determines how the people you find there adapt to their natural surroundings: the indigenous Ainu culture in Hokkaido or the practice of dipping in hot springs to treat ailments in the northeastern Tohoku region It might seem odd to anyone who is familiar with the undeveloped wilderness of nature isn’t only thought of as untouched and untrammeled areas “People in Japan grow up feeling close to nature We don’t think of nature as a separate place from where we spend our daily lives,” said Yamasaki who researched Australia’s national parks system while earning a PhD at the University of Tasmania “We worship volcanoes as sacred and hear about people who stay in the mountains as part of their religious training.” protecting the environment and even preventing traffic jams The people who live and work in the national parks double as caretakers and cultural custodians of these outdoor spaces. Yoshimi Kobayashi’s dual role is rather unusual: He is a Lake Towada fisherman who breeds fish to stock the lake. His most prized catch – the Japanese kokanee salmon (himemasu) a relative of the sockeye salmon – is the same species that he raises The kokanee lures gourmets to the area’s inns gastropubs and restaurants year-round and fishing enthusiasts to the lake in summer Yoshimi Kobayashi heads the Lake Towada Fishery Propagation Cooperative Union whose hatchery releases 700,000 kokanee fry into the lake every year.Photograph by Kohei TakeAs head of the Lake Towada Fishery Propagation Cooperative Union who has worked as a fisherman for six decades is responsible for the hatchery’s release of 700,000 kokanee fry every year (He is also in charge of issuing recreational fishing permits for kokanee carp and crucian carp.) He carries on a practice that began in 1903 when Sadayuki Wainai brought and successfully bred kokanee from Hokkaido you’d want to eat kokanee when it’s at its fattiest so the kokanee can swim in 7 degree C (45 F) water year round,” says Kobayashi Tsuru-no-yu traces its roots to the 17th century when a regional lord visited to treat his gout They would come after the hard labor of planting and harvesting which are filled from four separate hot spring sources,” said Kazushi Sato traditional wooden architecture and tatami mat rooms simple meals of regional fare and old-fashioned hospitality have made it a popular destination for vacationers The coral in Keramashoto represent about 60% of the entire country’s reef-building species These organisms are so intertwined with village life that students plant coral seeds and seedlings in the sea as part of an environmental study before leaving the islands for high school the leaves of the Japanese beech trees begin to change color Photo: Hachimantai City Tourism Association The nature-rich Appi Kogen (Appi Plateau) surrounds the city of Hachimantai in northwestern Iwate Prefecture which is located in the northeastern region of the Japanese archipelago Appi Kogen is situated at an altitude of 800 to 900 meters above sea level and extends across a vast area of about 2,000 hectares The plateau is home to an expansive area of beech forest that displays spectacular colors in autumn TAKAHASHI Misato of the Hachimantai City Tourism Association introduced us about how to enjoy this forest during the autumn foliage season “Horses graze in an area of natural grassland at Appi Kogen called Naka-no-Makiba (means “A grazing land in the middle” in Japanese) and a secondary forest of beech enclosing the area has been cultivated,” explains TAKAHASHI Secondary forests are forests that originally stood on the land but were lost due to natural disasters or logging This secondary Japanese beech forest in Appi Kogen took about 80 years to regenerate most of the Japanese beech trees in Appi Kogen were cut down by the locals to make charcoal some large trees that could not be cut down remained as parent trees The result was a regeneration into a beautiful beech forest of trees of uniform height You can still observe the remaining giant parent Japanese beech trees which are said to be 200 to 300 years old.” there is a 2.3-kilometer walking path that starts at the Buna no Eki (“Beech Station”) rest facility where you can enjoy a walk on a trail cleared of underbrush There are several routes through the forest such as Haato no Komichi (“Path of the Heart”) These paths let you navigate the entire forest in about 50-minutes “The Japanese beech forest is also called a ‘green dam’ due to its high water-retaining capacity and you’ll be enveloped by air that will moisten your skin A mere stroll through a forest like this is sure to be very invigorating.” Signage marks the walking paths every 20 meters so you can enjoy forest bathing without worrying about getting lost in the woods The Hachimantai City Tourism Association will also introduce a guide upon request “The colors of the leaves in the secondary beech forest begin to change in early October and you can move along the walking paths while enjoying very close-up views of the yellow-colored Japanese beech trees the trails become carpets of fallen leaves today’s Appi Kogen is a modern resort area lined with fashionable lodging facilities that offer you a comfortable and relaxing stay “Some of the hotels in the area provide guided tours that explain the area’s nature to let you enjoy an even more rewarding walk with safety.” We invite you to enjoy walking and forest bathing to your heart’s content in the beautiful beech forests of Appi Kogen By MOROHASHI KumikoPhoto: Hachimantai City Tourism Association; PIXTA If you have any feedback or comments on this content please enter them in the space provided below Your valuable feedback and commnents will be referenced for our future operations Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter for receiving monthly updates You will be redirected to an external website Would you like to proceed?If you wish to continue President and CEO: Tatsuo Yasunaga) is engaged in a geothermal resource exploration project in the Matsuo-Hachimantai area of Iwate Prefecture through Iwate Geothermal Power Co. President & CEO: Mitsuo Hidaka) holds a 28.86% stake This project has now been selected for a liability guarantee by Japan Oil Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) which covers finance raised for future development activities MOECO will proceed with this project toward the commercialization of a 7,000 kW geothermal power generation scheme in collaboration with the other shareholders of Iwate Geothermal COPYRIGHT © 1996-2025 MITSUI & CO. Please sign in with your Snow-Forecast account details below Create a free account to receive instant Snow-Alerts and save your favourite resorts on your personal MySnow page Hachimantai Panorama Ski Area Weather (Next 3 days): The snow forecast for Hachimantai Panorama Ski Area is: Moderate rain (total 15.0mm) Hachimantai Panorama Ski Area Weather (Days 4-6): Heavy rain (total 47.0mm) Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Fri afternoon Latest snow reports near Hachimantai Panorama Ski Area: Several North American ski areas that are still open plan to celebrate the unofficial Star Wars Day tomorrow The above table gives the weather forecast for Hachimantai Panorama Ski Area at the specific elevation of 770 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Hachimantai Panorama Ski Area. To access the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table. For a wider view of the weather, check out the Weather Map of Japan Click here to read further information on freezing levels and how we forecast our temperatures Be the first to write a review! View detailed snow forecast for Hachimantai Panorama Ski Area at:snow-forecast.com The gentle slopes of Mount Hachimantai rise to an elevation of 1,613 meters from a plateau spanning the border between Akita and Iwate Prefectures in northern Honshū The forested area around the summit is dotted with numerous bodies of water the pond’s covering of ice and snow starts to thaw and a ring of open water forms around the edge a pool of water gathers in the center of the white disk making the pond look rather like a huge eye This is the source of the name given to this striking seasonal feature: Hachimantai Dragon Eye It can generally be seen from late May through early June Created in cooperation with Cable Networks Akita.) On the border between Iwate and Akita prefectures in the north of Honshu the Hachimantai region is a little piece of paradise for those who enjoy hiking in the mountains making it the third highest mountain in Japan is situated in the heart of Towada-Hachimantai National Park This carefully protected natural area is now known for its wild bird population It is the ideal location for hikes through virgin forests populated by beech trees or marshy areas where many different varieties of flowers and plants grow visitors can hurtle down the volcano’s snowy slopes with thirteen different ski pistes More information about the Hachimantai region can be found on the Japan National Tourism Office website Culture and Food Highlights in Eastern Hokkaido Getting Closer to the Ocean to Sustain Life Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos The series 'Hysteric Ten' by photographer Sawatari Hajime revisits one of the most sulphurous relationships in Japanese art Nagisa Oshima made Sada Abe the heroine of his film defying the codes of 'pinku eiga' that make men the focus of attention This rice soup seasoned with miso is served by a monk to Ashitaka one of the heroes in Hayao Miyazaki's film we interviewed its founder and chief representative Hachimantai in Iwate Prefecture is kind of like a mini Japan Not only does the city boast plenty of traditional and modern culture four ski resorts and even its very own revered mountain Mount Iwate may not be as imposing as Mount Fuji but Locals will chuckle as they point out the mountain’s wife They’ll tell you how invigorating it is to climb to the top and describe how when spring arrives and the snow begins to melt the peak starts to resemble an eagle Approximately three hours from Tokyo Station on the shinkansen Hachimantai lies to the north of Iwate Prefecture Parts of the city are included in the scenic Towada-Hachimantai National Park and the climate here will never leave you struggling to breathe through a sauna-like summer based on a recent trip we took to explore the area… Washinoo is not only famous for its history but also for being the sole sake brewery left in Hachimantai Its name means eagle’s tail and is inspired by the fact that the brewery is located at the foot of Mount Iwate which is also called Mount Ganju (giant eagle) the brewery still retains part of its original façade and its interior now incorporates the owner’s former family home which gives visitors the added bonus of experiencing Edo period architecture and ambiance we were lucky enough to be taken on a tour of the brewery by eighth generation owner Kudo Tomo He took care to show and explain each step of the production process letting us peek inside the sake barrels and even taste the end byproduct called sakekasu (sake lees) Washinoo uses nine different types of rice They even produce one of the rice brands themselves ensuring it’s grown free from pesticides and chemicals it’s not only the rice that impacts the quality of the sake – in fact it all begins with the superb quality of the pure and mineral-rich groundwater that’s sourced directly from nearby Mount Iwate here’s a fun fact for visitors: The koji mold used to make sake is so sensitive that you shouldn’t eat strong fermented foods such as natto before taking a tour because the yeast will overpower it and affect the flavor of the sake we stopped off at Sawaguchi sake shop where you can shop for a variety of brands including Washinoo Even if you’ve already stocked up on your sake is worth a visit just to see its traditional Japanese décor to compare your hand size with the sumo wrestler hand prints that line one wall and to pet the adorable resident Shiba inu named Momo you can enjoy a light lunch and sake tasting here More info at www.washinoo.co.jp/english and www.sawaguti-saketen.com It’s not too hard to figure out why Hachimantai – and Iwate Prefecture in general – is blessed with an abundance of delicious local food One only has to breathe in the fresh mountain air and taste the pure spring water from Mount Iwate to realize that conditions are ideal for producing organic cuisine But Hachimantai has a few other tricks up its gastronomic sleeve We stopped by Geo-farm Hachimantai to learn more about its efforts to create a more sustainable way of living and eating Established five years ago by former equestrian Funahashi Yoshinobu the farm is home to several racehorses (Iwate has a long history of horse racing that stretches back to the Edo era) The horse manure is cleverly utilized to produce a compost fertilizer which is then used to grow mushrooms they have effectively created a system of circular agriculture We also visited Kanazawa Shimizu Trout Farm is just a few meters away from the famed Kanazawa Spring It’s astounding to watch the power of the spring water as it gushes up out of the ground and if you walk a little way up through the forest you can view the marvelously crystal-clear blue-green hues that saw this spring being voted one of Japan’s 100 most remarkable waters the farm benefits from being able to raise its trout in such pure water and as a result is able to provide delicious high quality sashimi to residents and local restaurants you’ll be pleased to know you can sample all of it – including Washinoo’s sake – at our recommended accommodation Our dinner here was a feast of local Iwate food paired with a variety of Washinoo sake The main dish included Hachimantai beef and pork paired with a rare 13-year-old sake that was served in lacquerware made in Morioka (a neighboring town also known for its top quality spring water and sake) also treated us to a demonstration of Tamawari which is the process of adding water incrementally to sake to reduce and optimize the alcohol percentage Brewers use this technique to perfect the flavor of each product they sell putting the sake through extensive testing to decide on the ideal percentage of alcohol Washinoo uses the very spring water that filters through from Mount Iwate for this process with their average percentage of alcohol being 15% (the average percentage for most Japanese sake is 14%) Tomo lined up a few cups of sake and added water to each one taking care to only adjust the alcohol percentage by 1% at a time This meant that we got to compare how adding more or less water impacts the flavor of the sake sweet and floral; at 16% its sweetness became more pronounced; and then at 17% it took on an acidic Hachimantai Mountain Hotel & Spa is situated at the foot of Mount Iwate While most powder hounds tend to head straight for Hakuba or Niseko the quality of snow in Hachimantai is good enough to satisfy most avid snowboarders – with the added bonus being that the ski resorts here are not overrun with tourists with our guide taking us on a two-kilometer trail around the resort Crunching your way through fresh powder snow and absorbing spectacular views of Mount Iwate and surrounds is a surefire way to make you fall in love with this region soothing soak in the resort’s outdoor onsen while overlooking the surrounding mountains will undoubtedly seal the deal More info at hachimantai-mountainhotel.com Visitors admire the natural phenomenon known as the “Hachimantai Dragon Eye” at Kagaminuma pond located near the summit of 1,613-meter-high Mt which straddles the border of Iwate and Akita prefectures please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent When the snow on the edge of the 50-meter-wide pond begins to melt it forms a ring around the remaining mass in the center the water takes on the blue color of the sky — as if a massive dragon’s eye has opened said: “I was born in the year of the dragon I was very happy that I could see the mysterious dragon blue on a day with no clouds and no wind.” Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Area Weather (Next 3 days): The snow forecast for Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Area is: Moderate rain (total 15.0mm) Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Wed night Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Area Weather (Days 4-6): Heavy rain (total 45.0mm) Latest snow reports near Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Area: The above table gives the weather forecast for Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Area at the specific elevation of 1200 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Area. To access the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table. For a wider view of the weather, check out the Weather Map of Japan Be the first to write a review! View detailed snow forecast for Hachimantai Shimokura Ski Area at:snow-forecast.com Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Akita Hachimantai Weather (Next 3 days): The snow forecast for Akita Hachimantai is: Moderate rain (total 14.0mm) Akita Hachimantai Weather (Days 4-6): Heavy rain (total 43.0mm) Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Fri afternoon Latest snow reports near Akita Hachimantai: The above table gives the weather forecast for Akita Hachimantai at the specific elevation of 1075 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Akita Hachimantai. To access the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table. For a wider view of the weather, check out the Weather Map of Japan Be the first to write a review! View detailed snow forecast for Akita Hachimantai at:snow-forecast.com Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. Japanese version With so much snowfall over the course of one season in Japan, fresh tracks are easy to come by. Photo: Hachimantai Snow Resort Editor’s Note: This feature is presented by our partners at Hachimantai Snow Resort For those unfamiliar with Japan’s rich skiing heritage, the history of riding snow in Japan dates back to the early 1900s. It’s said that skiing was introduced to present-day Hachimantai City more than a century ago – around 1918 – in the mountainous area of northern Honshu, Japan’s main island. The origin of today’s Hachimantai and Appi Kogen Snow Resorts is the Matsuo Mine which was called “the best sulfur mine in the East.” At its peak about 15,000 people lived in a huge apartment complex built at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level making it famous as a paradise above the clouds The prosperity of the mine brought prosperity to the area and laid the foundation for the snow resorts that followed and have made powder dreams come true for visitors to the area since Before the massive skiing boom in Japan in the 1950s which was one of the strongest teams in the country There were no commercial resorts in the Matsuo Mine area at that time so the team honed its skills at a private practice resort in the mountains The first commercial resort (still without lifts) opened in the Matsuo Mine area on January 27 The new Ryugamori Ski Resort attracted many creating a colorful international atmosphere the prosperous Matsuo Mine began to decline as the demand for sulfur ore disappeared and around 1955 the company decided to diversify its revenue and build a new recreation center in anticipation of increased tourism demand in the future they drilled boreholes in the Matsukawa Hot Spring area but only one of the four drilled holes produced hot spring water The remaining three boreholes would only produce steam Glory. Photo: Hachimantai Snow Resort Japan was in a period of rapid economic growth and the demand for a stable supply of electricity was increasing Realizing that the steam could be used for power generation research and construction began to build Japan’s first geothermal power plant and in 1966 the Matsukawa Geothermal Power Station Japan’s first that included cutting-edge tech at the time geothermal energy from the Earth’s steam today As a part of this massive infrastructure boom in 1962 the Hachimantai National Ski Resort was opened as the first resort in Iwate Prefecture with lifts The Hachimantai Kanko Hotel was built the same year and the number of tourists began to increase as they could now stay overnight after skiing the decline of the mining business continued the curtain came down on the history of the Matsuo Mine taking advantage of the hot spring water that had been forgotten in the energy boom giving birth to the tourist resort known as Hachimantai Hot Spring Resort Photo: Hachimantai Snow Resort the Higashi Hachimantai Ski Resort was born and became known throughout the country for its skiing as well as the strange and wonderful beauty of the hot springs But one of the decisive factors that made this area famous throughout Japan was the opening of the Appi Kogen Resort in 1981 which turned the area into a mega-resort on the scale of destinations in the U.S During the heyday of Japan’s bubble economy in the 1980s (which it became a trend to put the “APPI” sticker of Appi Kogen on one’s car many winter sports enthusiasts from Japan and abroad gather here It’s rare in the world to be blessed with such large snowfall totals as in Japan and the snow in Hachimantai and Appi is powder of the highest quality New snow in the peak season is so smooth and light that making snowballs is literally impossible So you can imagine what it feels like underfoot as you rip through it on skis or a snowboard Japow! The stuff that dreams are made of. Photo: Hachimantai Ski Resort Hachimantai is a city that’s embracing the sustainable lifestyle utilizing geothermal energy not only for power but also for industry and agriculture the resort area is attracting worldwide attention as a place where one can feel the unity of nature and life It is surely one of the best examples of Japan’s outdoor riches despite holding the record for world’s longest ski parade – downhill skiing conga line if you will – on February 27 has yet to land on the majority of western skiers’ radars Hachimantai offers two distinct resorts whose base areas are 2km apart connected not by trails but by a 10-minute free bus and joint lift ticket The main attraction is Hachimantai Shimokura which offers more and much steeper terrain than next door Panorama ski area At Shimokura there’s enough skiing to entertain for perhaps 2-3 days if you’re an advanced tree skier empty intermediate slopes strike your fancy One of numerous Iwate prefecture resorts Hachimantai is hidden in the metaphorical shadow of nearby Appi Kogen and beneath the real-life shadow of 2043m Mt But it offers a great opportunity for those on a resort hopping road trip through a prefecture full of snow and largely devoid of foreign skiers While there are two resorts to choose from at Hachimantai Hachimantai Shimokura is the pick with more terrain to choose from and steeper pitches the greatest a not inconsiderable 37 degrees This can be contrasted with next door beginner Panorama ski area where the average pitch is only 12 degrees advanced riders will want to spend the majority of their day lapping the top two lifts (though there are only three all up) and  accessing the three new (as of 2019) off-piste powder tree zones you’ll need to declare those intentions at the base of the resort and sign in to collect an arm band You’ll also be required to wear a helmet so be sure to bring one or be prepared to rent there is ample terrain for ski touring beyond the resort and surrounding Mt and a number of guiding operations willing to take you there Hachimantai (Shimokura and Panorama) ski resort is 15km west of Hachimantai town in the Iwate prefecture The main point of access is through Morioka a major city just shy of 50km away from the resorts You can board a shinkansen (the Hyabusa shinkansen from Tokyo travels 320kph) from either Tokyo station travelling north wihich will take roughly 146 minutes or if you’re coming down from Hokkaido as is perfectly possiblee for a dual island ski mission you can board the shinkansen in Hakkodate and be at Morioka in 135 minutes there are buses to take you to Hachimantai which take around 60 – 85 minutes depending on whether your accomodation provides one While taxis will get you there in 45 minutes arguably the best way to get the most out of the Iwate resorts is to rent your own vehicle and be prepared to pick and choose from surrounding resorts as you and the weather provides The roads themselves are generally pretty quiet and you’ll feel like true powderhounds If humble ryokans or airbnb’s are your accomodation preference Instead there is no on-mountain accomodation but rather an assortment of large all-encompassing hotels nearby We stayed at Daiwa Royal Hotel – Active Resorts Iwate Hachimantai and basically had the place to ourselves buffet dinner and all you could drink hour put us in good stead to ski hard and karaoke harder As you could probably deduce from the above the restaurant and après scene in Hachimantai is rather lacking when it comes to variety But that is not to say it can’t be found within the hotels themselves At the Active Resorts Iwate Hachimantai one can make the most of the all you can drink hour and DIY cocktail bar as well as games rooms We personally enjoyed a pretty scintillating game of Jenga with vending machine beers in the lobby There’s not much to do here other than hang out at the hotel or on the hill so don’t expect much in the way of shopping the Onsen is always calling and all surrounding hotels have one or another to enjoy light snow only found in the coldest parts of central Hokkaido.. Once I bought baby formula from my local supermarket in Kutchan the most popular resorts in Japan tend to be the ones with the m.. Introducing the inaugural 'Snow Chasers Pass'.. The Mountainwatch.com team is as passionate and dedicated about the mountains as you are everything about those huge piles of dirt and rock keep our blood flowing Our team strives to provide you with detailed weather conditions and vision of our most used mountain areas in Australia If for some reason you’re incredibly well versed in 2011 Guinness World Records, you would have heard of Japan’s Hachimantai Shimokura and Panorama ski resort It hosted the world record ski parade – downhill skiing conga line if you will – on February 27 If you’re like the rest of us, Hachimantai is yet to penetrate the Western ski world’s consciousness and make it onto skiing itineraries, being one of Japan’s countless peripheral resorts, hidden in the metaphorical shadow of nearby Appi Kogen and beneath the real-life shadow of 2043m Mt I visited Hachimantai in February 2020 during the now notorious “worst season in decades” winter of 2019/20  and while ski parades were sadly lacking the snow was not – at least when contrasted with the rest of Japan – and I discovered two resorts that could cater to all-comers Off the back of a week in freeride focused Hakkoda Hachimantai was admittedly a very different animal replaced with an orderly off-piste gate and registration system more typical of Japan’s burgeoning official off-piste ski experience As you would expect from the reigning ski parade record holder flat and well-groomed slopes perfect for beginners but beyond that level of skill you’ll be left wanting For reference the steepest point of the ‘steepest’ run is only 20 degrees with the resorts average around 12 degrees All up Panorama has 7 courses and 4 lifts servicing the 460m of vertical fanning out above the resort is a peak boasting considerably more vert and some very attractive tree skiing if you have the touring know-how to access it Hachimantai Shimokura ski area is where you want to be on any jaunt through the Iwate prefecture With still enough variety and low incline slopes for the whole family the 2019 season saw the introduction of three new designated off-piste tree runs The first powder day of my stay in Hachimantai Shimokura coincided with a national public holiday celebrating the Emperor’s birthday meaning everyone had a long weekend and many locals where intent on spending it skiing the most people encountered in a line was six so it was more than possible to find fresh tracks all day if so inclined – most of the locals were not I spent the day lapping the same runs and sharing them only with the stoic old growth beech and birch trees One of the most persuasive reasons to visit Hachimantai is its sheer reliability While official annual snowfall stats are hard to come by 7-10 metres is no stretch of the imagination You can couple the favourable north to northeast aspect for snowfall with a tendency to stay open despite any wind Where other Japanese resorts will suspend operations – sometimes at the drop of a hat – Hachimantai will rarely the official lift operating rate from the last four seasons is an astonishing 96.8% A trait I can personally attest to on my last day there where winds where approaching 80-100km/hr+ in the valley but felt relatively protected on the safety bar-less double chair where I spent lapping the day away Hachimantai Shimokura is perfect for a single day strike mission from the likes of nearby Appi Kogen (18km away) as it’s guaranteed to be open even when Appi’s top gondola suspends operations as part of a larger Iwate resort-hopping road trip there’s enough terrain to keep you entertained in resort for 2 days and plenty more if interested in joining a backcountry tour or spending a day with Hachimantai cat skiing Other ski resorts nearby include (distance from Hachimantai): Appi Kogen – 18km north Shizukuishi – 45km south one could base oneself in the city of Morioka Hachimantai Shimokura – 41km northwest Appi Kogen – 47km northwest Shizukuishi – 28km northwest Tazawako (in Akita prefecture) – 53km west For more on Hachimantai; how to get there, accommodation options and non-skiing activities see our Hachimantai resort page. another big storm was due and with over one metre in the forecast.. showcase of spectacular big mountain freeriding from some of the world’s best.. he Snow Australia Awards have allowed us to reflect on another amazing season.. we see higher than average pressure to the southeast of New Zealand Snow Australia Awards recognise the achievements of athletes across the 2024/25.. While visitors come to Japan all year round it is worth knowing that temperatures can be very hot in the summer Enjoy the events below that are indoors or take place at night and keep off the sun by wearing a hat or using a parasol When melting snow enters Kagami Pond on Mount Hachimantai during the late spring thaw so a circle of water surrounds an island of ice This ice then begins to melt from the center and the whole thing appears like the eye of a giant creature earning it the name Hachimantai Dragon Eye This mysterious natural phenomenon can only be seen for a brief period from late May to early June through a combination of weather and other conditions which is on the border of Iwate and Akita Prefectures It is a 20-minute walk from the summit parking lot Observation videos and photographs (explanatory text in Japanese only) The Hachimantai Dragon Eye is revealed Great swords were valuable treasures to samurai not only for their excellence as weapons but also for their associations with famous warriors This exhibition at The Tokugawa Art Museum showcases the world of celebrated swords and their luxurious mountings Official poster for Celebrated Swords Across the Ages The architect Fujimoto Sōsuke (Sou) has offices in Tokyo, Paris, and Shenzhen, and has overseen projects including residences, universities, commercial facilities, hotels, and multipurpose complexes, as well as the design for this year’s Osaka Expo A new exhibition at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo is the first major survey of his work covering the past 25 years of his career and thinking Official website Photograph of Fujimoto Sōsuke (© David Vintiner; courtesy Sou Fujimoto Architects); model of the Grand Ring Japan (rendering of an installation displaying the Grand Ring design) The Yoshida Trail giving access to Japan’s highest peak from the Yamanashi Prefecture side opens on July 1 while trails from Shizuoka Prefecture open on July 10 As a symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji is highly popular, so to counter major crowding on the mountain this year, there will be an entrance fee of ¥4,000 for all climbers during the season, following an introduction of a ¥2,000 fee in Yamanashi in 2024 Gates installed at the fifth station of all four trails will be closed from two in the afternoon until three in the morning as a safety measure to prevent attempts at “bullet climbing” through the night There will also be a limit of 4,000 climbers from the Yamanashi side although there is no limit for the Shizuoka side Entrance fees can be paid in advance online or at the gates Shizuoka continues its program of asking climbers to complete an e-learning course on climbing rules and etiquette Official website Approaching the summit of Mount Fuji While there are sunflower events across Japan in summer with 2 million blooms across 23 hectares presenting a brilliant contrast of yellow petals and blue skies A field of sunflowers in Hokuryū The major new theme park Junglia Okinawa spreads across 60 hectares in the north of Okinawa Island Its 22 attractions include Dinosaur Safari for encounters with re-creations of the fearsome prehistoric creatures where visitors can enjoy stunning scenery from hot-air balloons 200 meters up The team behind Junglia is led by Morioka Tsuyoshi who is known for his revamping of Universal Studios Japan A one-day ticket costs ¥8,800 for international visitors (¥5,940 for children) or ¥6,930 for Japan residents (¥4,950 for children) Official website Artist’s rendering of Junglia Okinawa (Courtesy Japan Entertainment; © Jiji) Some 20,000 fireworks light up the sky at Tokyo’s famous festival which is held on the last Saturday of July each year and was held with occasional interruptions until 1961 and it is once again a fixture on the Tokyo calendar Tokyo Skytree and fireworks from the Sumida festival This major annual festival in the northern region of Tōhoku is thought to combine local customs with elements of the Tanabata star festival introduced from China in the eighth century representing historical and legendary figures chanting haneto dancers dressed in colorful costumes Official website A float at the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri in August 2024 The Osaka Expo kicked off in April and will continue throughout the summer of 2025. There are 84 pavilions including areas introducing countries from around the world, set around the massive wooden Grand Ring which is some 2 kilometers in circumference Official website A spot for taking pictures with Myaku-Myaku the official character for Osaka Expo 2025 This is a short video of Tamagawa Onsen, located in Towada Hachimantai National Park, which is a very famous hot spring and many people visit here to heal their bodies. You can enjoy three health benefits in one place: natural bedrock bathing, natural radiation, and Japan’s strongest acidic hot spring. By Futoshi Mori / Japan News Senior Writer This is a short video of Tamagawa Onsen, located in Towada Hachimantai National Park. It is a very famous hot spring where many people visit to heal their bodies. You can enjoy three health benefits in one place: natural bedrock bathing, natural radiation, and Japan’s strongest acidic hot spring. Japan has captivated the hearts and minds of people worldwide. It is easy to see why, considering its rich culture and diverse geography. What some may not know however, is that Japan’s national parks are where you can go to experience both Japan’s land-scarce topography made it necessary for their National Park System to combine state-owned land The system is unique because it allows visitors to take an intimate look at nature and the residents’ customs This is done without disrupting their daily lives All of Japan’s national parks host unique sights that are worth visiting Akan is home to the Ainu people an indigenous community that has a deeply-rooted reverence for nature watch traditional performances dedicated to their worship of animal spirits and get a glimpse of their unique arts and crafts There were a number Ainu dialects in the past This makes those who still speak the Ainu language an extremely rare and special breed When you go to Towada-Hachimantai you would do yourself a disservice if you didn't enjoy one of the multiple hot springs in the area that exist The location of the park's main attractions allows you to take a side trip for a rejuvenating Onsen experience Those who want to visit Mount Hakkoda in the northwest can stop by Sukayu Onsen Visitors to the famous Oirase-Keiryu mountain stream in the east can go to Tsuta Onsen Travellers who want to head south to see the 2,038-metre-high Mount Iwate Ise-Shima is unique because 96% of the park is on private land that has a large residential population which allows visitors a special glance into daily lives of the locals Culture revolves around the sun and sea in this area and fishing has been a very important vocation for residents The most important shrine related to sun worship it is actually a collection of shrines that centre themselves on two shrines: Naiku and Geku It is said that at least one in ten Japanese made a pilgrimage to this sacred site during the Edo Period fishermen and female divers that live in the area are known to praise the gods for a bountiful harvest Fortunate visitors may be able to witness events like the Shiokake festival where people spend the entire day splashing each other with water to celebrate the goddess of the sea returning There was great reverence for the Mountain God in ancient Japanese culture, and the park’s most memorable site, Mount Daisen was the centre of mountain worship for the entire country with buildings scattered across the slopes which is an ancient tribute to the mountain gods The park also holds the former axis of the Izumo an ancient culture that have been depicted in mythological tales such as Kunibiki Shinwa Nikko is another mountainous area whose culture was shaped by the nature around it Most of the area is in the Nasu Volcanic Belt The volcanoes created most of the stunning scenery in the area and this is why they are intertwined with local faith and the peaks of Mount Nasudake were once a hub for mountain worship The Shrines and Temples of Nikko and the nature around them have also been classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites The park is home to the mountainous region known as the Five Peaks of Mount Aso The area has become affectionately known as the Reclining Buddha as the Five Peaks are said to resemble Buddha resting Curious visitors who want to get a glimpse can head to the Nakadake Central Crater Fire Ceremony at Aso Shrine around Aso Caldera, Aso-Kuju National Park.Photograph Courtesy Ministry of the Environment, Japan.Kirishima-Kinkowan: The Mighty SakurajimaSakura-jima is the enduring talisman of Kirishima-Kinkowan It counts itself among the most active volcanoes in Japan necessitating a ban on anyone coming too close to its crater this could mean staying as far away as 2 kilometres Its minor eruptions can be viewed from multiple surrounding observation points making the mountain one of the area’s biggest tourist attractions Those interested in Japanese mythology should know the significance of the mountains of Kirishima This is where the deity named Ninigi no Mikoto was sent to rule over the planet and establish the imperial lineage Sea lovers shouldn’t skip Keramashoto. It is where one can witness why Japan is blessed to be surrounded by the sea. At this national park, families and couples can spend time under the sun at the striking beaches, or explore the treasures of the ocean by snorkelling and scuba diving. Reefs beneath the waters of Keramashoto National Park.Photograph Courtesy Ministry of the Environment, Japan.Additionally, those who want to watch humpback whales can visit Inazaki Observatory, located in Zamami-jima island, or join boat tours that take visitors close to the majestic creatures. and I’ll be sharing insights on skiing in the Tohoku area this season I grew up skiing in Northeastern America from the age of four Skiing has always been a central topic in my family My early skiing experiences shaped my style thanks to the boilerplate slopes of northeastern America I quickly became a regular at a local sushi restaurant where I was introduced to the local ski club With some old gear shipped from home and a few second-hand finds I’m excited to share some of my favoured resorts and the types of skis I bring to each stands out among Hachimantai City’s many ski options and reliable snowfall from early season which is skiable until May it caters to everyone from families to powder enthusiasts The resort boasts the most skiable terrain in Iwate well-groomed runs that allow skiers of all levels to enjoy the mountain together Image: Appi Kogen Ski Resort Appi’s tree skiing off the main gondola offers a thrilling mix of terrain accessible only to Black Pass holders by snowcat remains largely untouched throughout the season which invite skiers to carve sweeping turns on fresh corduroy in the mornings A medium-radius ski like the Nordica GSR excels here because these runs allow you to really get some wind in your face there’s room to let longer skis like these perform at their best Appi’s consistent snow and ideal grooming make it the perfect match for skis that like a little space to let free Hachimantai Resort offers two distinct ski areas: Panorama and Shimokura both accessible with a shared lift ticket and shuttle service Shimokura is designed with challenging terrain making it an enticing choice for experienced skiers and backcountry enthusiasts looking for adventure Panorama is designed with families and beginners in mind featuring gentle slopes and a variety of family-friendly activities to ensure an enjoyable day on the mountain for all Image: Hachimantai Resort Panorama forgiving terrain is perfect for those learning to ski or those who prefer a more relaxed day on the slopes The main super-quad lift efficiently whisks skiers up the hill granting quick access to expansive areas where they can explore at a leisurely pace Hachimantai Resort Panorama is great for families and beginners which also means that there aren’t any particularly steep areas You don’t need long skis or high speeds here; instead responsive nature of short skis ideal for the area’s mellow Geto Kogen is famous for having the most snowfall in Tohoku with storms hitting almost weekly from November to February This consistent accumulation transforms the resort into a powder paradise drawing skiers and snowboarders from near and far The resort’s deep powder and ungroomed runs make it a haven for powder hounds while its steep slopes add an adrenaline rush that seasoned skiers crave Unlike the more crowded resorts in Hokkaido Geto Kogen offers a more intimate experience with untracked snow and minimal competition for lifts or fresh powder Image: Geto Kogen Ski Resort The unique terrain features a mix of steep Intermediate skiers can enjoy wide-open trails while advanced skiers can seek out hidden stashes of powder in the trees allowing you to take your time and savor the exhilarating experience of skiing in deep snow If you’re really after “Japow,” then Geto Kogen Ski Resort is an essential stop on your journey through Tohoku with frequent fresh snowfall and plenty of ungroomed terrain Whether you’re blasting through fresh powder or tackling chopped-up snow later in the day the ski’s versatility helps you make the most of the mountain Geto’s abundant snowfall demands a ski that can navigate powder but also handle whatever conditions arise after a big storm Skiing in Tohoku offers an authentic experience away from Japan’s crowded resorts Whether it’s carving groomers at Appi Kogen enjoying family-friendly slopes at Hachimantai the diverse terrain accommodates any ski choice This region is perfect for anyone looking to explore and enjoy the beauty of Japan’s winter landscapes After nearly a decade of skiing these slopes I can confidently say there is much more to discover Keep an eye on Ski Asia for insider tips and guides to Tohoku’s hidden gems These resorts truly deserve a spot on your next ski itinerary Voting is now open – your chance to support the resorts accommodation and service providers that have delivered the best experiences to their guests You’ll also have the chance to win a $150 eGift voucher from backcountry.com VOTE NOW Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Ski Asia’s bi-monthly newsletter with the latest news Lake Towada’s clear waters flow into the Oirase Gorge The site is especially popular with visitors during the autumn foliage season (Courtesy Aomori Prefectural Tourism Federation) Towada-Hachimantai National Park spans the Towada and Hakkōda regions in Aomori Prefecture and the Hachimantai area which straddles the border of Iwate and Akita Prefectures Its verdant mountains and clear lakes and mountain streams offer splendid panoramas from spring to autumn with snow and rime-covered vegetation an added attraction in winter The Hakkōda Mountains are a volcanic range running through the middle of Aomori The tallest peak to the north is 1,585-meter Ō-dake and to the south is 1,517-meter Kushigamine The trails in the northern part of the range are well maintained and a ropeway runs to the top of 1,324-meter Tamoyachi-dake providing convenient access for hiking and skiing is less well-developed and geared more to experienced climbers Hakkōda Ō-dake with the gate of Yakushi Shrine in the foreground The Hakkōda Ropeway glides past strangely shaped juhyō trees transformed into alpine creatures by deposits of snow and ice (Courtesy Tōhoku Tourism Promotion Organization) on the border between Aomori and Akita Prefectures is a massive caldera lake some 46 kilometers in circumference turning the surface a mysterious indigo shade together with the 14-kilometer-long Oirase Gorge flowing out of it has been designated a place of special scenic beauty and a natural monument Visitors to Lake Towada can enjoy the scenic beauty along walking trails as well as aboard sightseeing vessels that ply the waters Shimmering spring greenery along the Oirase Gorge 1,614 meters above sea level at the highest point are dotted with numerous lakes and marshes The area is a popular trekking spot where visitors can observe varied ecosystems the Hachimantai Aspite Line and other roads re-open threading through walls of snow several meters high The Hachimantai area includes Akita-Komagatake the southernmost point and a treasure trove of highland vegetation A scenic view of the Hachimantai volcanic plateau features amenities such as a walking trail along the shore and scenic observation points Nōgōichigo wild strawberries bloom along a climbing trail on Akita-Komagatake (Courtesy Akita Prefectural Tourism Federation) In early spring the Hachimantai Aspite Line winds through snow corridors up to eight meters tall Hot springs are plentiful in both regions. Nestled in the western foothills of Hakkōda Ō-dake is Sukayu Onsen and its senninburo, “bath of a thousand bathers.” In the city of Senboku in neighboring Akita Prefecture, Nyūtō Onsenkyō consists of several hot spring inns strung along a gorge visitors can enjoy rejuvenating hot spring waters after a day of hiking or mountain climbing The mixed-bathing senninburo at Sukayu Onsen Many users are long-term guests who come for the waters’ therapeutic effects At Jōdogahama in Iwate Prefecture rugged sea cliffs topped by pine trees jut out into the ocean Aomori Prefecture’s Tanesashi Kaigan and Hashikami-dake Prefectural Nature Park was incorporated into the Rikuchū Kaigan National Park as a way to promote reconstruction efforts after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake The park was further expanded with the addition in 2015 of Miyagi Prefecture’s Minami Sanriku Kinkasan Quasi-National Park forming the newly-named Sanriku Fukkō National Park which stretches 250 kilometers along the Pacific coastline The park’s northernmost point is Kabushima is a breeding ground for black-tailed gulls with its eroded sea cliffs and strange rock formations which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean A flock of black-tailed gulls over Kabushima Shrine The former Rikuchū Kaigan National Park consists of a northern area stretching from Kuji in Iwate Prefecture to the rich marine life of Miyako Bay work gathering shellfish from the ocean floor The coast is lined with cliffs 50 to 200 meters high earning the spot the name “the Alps of the ocean.” The southern portion of the park presents a varied panorama featuring a long coastline of deep troughs separated by prominent ridges Inland along the highly indented coast are the major fishing ports of Kamaishi Kuji’s Kosode Kaigan is the site of reefs and interesting rock formations like Tsuriganedō (pictured) and Kabutoiwa The cliffs at Kitayamazaki in Iwate Prefecture tower up to 200 meters above the sea Kesennuma Ōshima now accessible by car thanks to a recently erected bridge designated a natural treasure for its “singing sands,” the Kodanohama swimming beach Visitors to Sanriku Fukkō National Park can enjoy splendid panoramas and delicious seafood while also viewing the progress made in rebuilding the region since 2011 Many of its newer attractions focus on disaster preparedness The view from Gobansho Park on the Oshika Peninsula The remnants of the Rikuzen-Takata Youth Hostel and the “Miracle Pine,” the lone surviving tree out of thousands that grew along the shore Mount Gassan visible beyond Mount Haguro’s torii shrine gate Bandai-Asahi National Park encompasses a huge expanse of territory including the three sacred mountains of Dewa in Yamagata Prefecture and the flora- and fauna-rich Asahi Mountains to the west It is also home to the picturesque Iide Mountains the Azuma Mountains with their popular recreation spots and scenic Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima Prefecture Dewa Sanzan is the collective name for three shrines: Gassan Shrine atop 1,984-meter Mount Gassan; Ideha Shrine at the top of 414-meter Mount Haguro; and Yudono Shrine These sites are centers for the ascetic mountain practice of shugendō The area attracts worshippers and history buffs to the shrines and visitors also come to enjoy scenic sites like Midagahara a volcanic plateau on the north side of Mount Gassan The five-storied pagoda at Mount Haguro a huge Japanese cedar estimated to be a thousand years old The gigantic torii at Mount Yudono The Midagahara wetlands at the eighth station of Mount Gassan and their high-altitude wetlands and grasslands are home to rare species of plants and insects that have managed to survive the harsh winter conditions the prefecture’s best-known landmark The Azuma Mountains include 1,707-meter Mount Azumakofuji Other attractions include the Goshikinuma volcanic lakes in Ura-Bandai north of Mount Bandai and the hot spring spas at Tsuchiyu and Takayu Ōasahi-dake (center) is the highest peak of the Asahi Mountains The beech forest at Nukumidaira in the foothills of the Iide Mountains Lake Inawashiro and snow-capped Mount Bandai in the distance (Courtesy Fukushima Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Association) Autumn colors on Mount Adatara Banner photo: A view of Mount Bandai from one of the five Goshikinuma lakes Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Iwate Prefecture--A prestigious British public school has used a ski resort area here to open its first affiliated international school in Japan which has attracted students and teachers from around the world teaches classes in English and offers lessons in winter sports on the Appi Plateau Hachimantai municipal officials hope the name recognition of the school can revitalize the region and serve as a hub for international exchanges Harrow Appi is located less-than-hour drive north of central Morioka A road from the Tohoku Expressway leads through the mountains to the plateau where the school gate with a large emblem stands The school grounds boast a total space of about 100,000 square meters The education facility includes the main school building was established in 1572 and is one of the nine independent elite schools in Britain The Appi academy is the 10th member of the Harrow family of schools The first nine affiliated schools are all located in big cities and nearly 80 percent of its area is forested said the rich natural environment is ideal for a boarding school and that he hopes pupils will grow both mentally and physically in a safe environment away from the hustle-bustle of city life the school teaches seventh- to 13th-graders (equivalent to sixth-graders to third-year high schoolers in Japan) Harrow Appi received about 180 students ranging from seventh- to 10th-graders (sixth-graders to third-year junior high schoolers) from 12 countries Most of them are from Japan and other Asian nations The school intends to welcome 900 students over the next couple of years Harrow Appi’s curriculum follows Harrow School’s emphasis on language learning and 80 percent of its about 40 teachers are from Britain In addition to offering winter sports classes two subjects that are considered extracurricular activities in Japan or “houses,” for male students and two for female students They are all encouraged to foster teamwork regardless of their academic year Teachers take turns staying at the dorms to help students with their studies Its school life is reminiscent of the world of “Harry Potter.” Harrow Appi is categorized as a “miscellaneous school” under the School Education Law Students who complete the curriculum are not qualified for a Japanese high school diploma but they can obtain the British equivalent totals more than 8 million yen ($56,000) a year subsidies from the prefectural government are not available Morioka-based Iwate Hotel & Resort Inc. which operates a ski resort on the Appi Plateau came up with the idea of using the prestigious institution to help revitalize the community In a bid to enhance its international brand power The two sides agreed to open the academy using a plot of land and school buildings prepared by the company and leased to Harrow Appi Iwate Hotel & Resort envisions it will also attract medical institutions and commercial facilities eventually bring in immigrants from around the world and increase the number of permanent residents to 10,000 90 percent of the 200 school staff members live in Appi “The opening of the school has stimulated exchanges in the community and also made it more international,” said Penny Luo general manager of the company’s urban planning business and future development division The prefectural and city governments also have high hopes for Harrow Appi Iwate Prefecture has appointed its local development office to serve as a liaison with Harrow Appi not its academic affairs promotion division The prefecture also decided to include 164 million yen in its annual budgets for the next five years starting from April 1 this year to provide subsidies for the stable management of the school The Hachimantai city government is providing 164 million yen in subsidies to the school this fiscal year The two local governments and Harrow Appi signed a partnership deal on Aug 1 to encourage community revitalization and promote exchanges with residents The officials believe the students will be given opportunities to interact with local children through sports and learn about Japanese traditions “We expect it will improve the educational environment in Iwate (Prefecture) and promote the understanding of multicultural inclusiveness,” Governor Takuya Tasso said during the signing ceremony “I’m sure that it will help raise the profile (of Hachimantai) as an international city British schools coming to Japan offer top learning in English Students lose out on usual science experiments during pandemic Ruling coalition: Changing start of school year is unworkable City works with orchestra in new El Sistema music program for kids Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission Today's print edition Home Delivery The revised active volcano law has taken effect in the hopes of helping residents such as those around Mount Iwate in the Tohoku region prepare for the worst the highest in the Ou Mountains that straddle the cities of Hachimantai and Takizawa and the town of Shizukuishi in Iwate Prefecture experienced an "eruption crisis" 26 years ago with increased volcanic activity the local economy was dealt a major blow.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); But memories of the crisis are fading with time and the local community faces the need to better prepare for possible eruptions after long intervals of quiet In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division can tick all your travel boxes – no matter when you visit In the brisk northern reaches of Honshu, far from the urban sprawls and madding crowds, is Aomori Prefecture. A land renowned for its sugar-pumped apples and locally-brewed nihonshu for its harsh winters and thick-as-paint dialect and for an aggressively beautiful coastline matched in grandeur by the volcanically active Towada-Hachimantai National Park which is just three hours from Tokyo by shinkansen Towada-Hachimantai National Park and its surrounding areas are pretty good places to start From admiring the daring modern art centerpieces at the Towada Art Center to walking under a cosmic blanket of stars in the park’s forest by nightfall here are some recommendations to get your trip to Aomori underway As part of a project designed to reinvigorate the city of Towada through art the Towada Art Center opened its doors in 2008 The neo-urbanist complex is impossible to miss with its distinct main building in the shape of a large glass-paneled corridors; and 16 spacious pavilions Dotted around the perimeter is a series of even more ostentatious works including a galloping horse covered in psychedelic flowers and a polka-dotted pumpkin and mushroom sculpture set that bears the unmistakable artistic signature of Yayoi Kusama The current lineup inside is equally impressive featuring artists whose work has been lauded both in Japan and internationally The ‘Standing Women,’ from Australian-born artist Ron Mueck This sculpture of a buxom old woman stands almost four-meters tall yet it is the realism of her steely gaze and bulging veiny skin – a specialty of Mueck’s work – which leaves the most lasting impression Another piece that gives its viewers plenty of food for thought is ‘Cause and Effect’ by Do Ho Suh: tens of thousands of miniature resin humanoids straddling each other’s shoulders which dangle from the ceiling to form a giant reddish-orange stalactite feeding into the museum’s concept of art being opened up to the city The ‘Bridge of Light,’ a hexagon tunnel of lights by Ana Laura Alaez a blacked-out American diner accompanied by a swinging 50s soundtrack from Hans Op De Beeck are among the other quality works on display Learn more about the Towada Art Center here Approximately one hour by car from the gallery is Towada-Hachimantai National Park which covers an area of over 320 square miles and straddles three different prefectures The dynamic landscape is marked by several impressive geographical features a large body of silky-smooth water set within a caldera formed around 200,000 years ago the only major water channel to run through the park scythes through mossy forestscapes and tumbles down frothy waterfalls providing great shots for photography enthusiasts While the park is also home to several mountain ranges including the Hakkoda range in central Aomori Prefecture One of the best ways to experience as much of Towada-Hachimantai National Park as possible is via a guided hike Under the tutelage of an expert guide you can trek through the park while learning about its rich biodiversity and rare flowers such as the komakusa (horse plant) Learn more about Towada-Hachimantai National Park here In the colder months of the year – which is much of the year in Aomori – why not finish off your day with a kaiseki dinner made with seasonal ingredients and a stroll beneath the stars before sinking into an onsen bath a traditional ryokan located within the park’s boundaries is an excellent option to experience all of the above you can expect scenery here that changes quite vividly with the seasons; when autumn segues into fall and the fiery leaves are accompanied by the season’s first signs of snowfall The kaiseki meal components will also change with the season but as Aomori is Japan’s unofficial home of the apple you can expect to see these fruits entering the fray in some shape or form seafood and meat served in elegant kaiseki fashion are also likely to appear be sure to sample Tsuta Onsen’s original nihonshu with your evening repast Forest bathing is a vogue term in the world of wellness travel One of the factors setting Aomori apart from many other areas of Japan is its relative isolation When you have such isolation from the artificial glow of the cities the cosmos opens up like a snap from the Hubble Space Telescope you can walk through the forest by torchlight Your senses will enliven as every distant sound is amplified through the corridors of beech trees as you become aware of every snapping twig underfoot and as each drifting smell carries with it a million questions The walking path from the ryokan leads to the shores of Tsutanuma (Tsuta swamp) where you can turn off your torches for the star-spangled firmament to slowly reveal itself as your eyes adjust On clear nights you can see the Andromeda galaxy in all its glory the iconic Subaru star constellation (which is painted on the Japanese car manufacturer’s emblem) and even Mars piercing the sky like a faded ruby For help with organizing the activities above, Deneb a Japan-based destination management company They focus on customized trips that accommodate guests’ specific needs while supplying trained local guides and private transport services in which steam heated by underground magma drives turbines Development of geothermal power in the country has long stalled partly because many resources lie beneath national and quasi-national parks which are protected for wildlife conservation a new power plant began operations in Iwate Prefecture marking the latest in a series of initiatives to harness geothermal energy.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Geothermal power generation emits minimal carbon dioxide Japan's potential to make greater use of this renewable energy source in its push for decarbonization is now drawing attention the melting snow has revealed the “Hachimantai dragon eye” at Kagaminuma swamp near the top of Mount Hachimantai Snow remains near the peak of the 1,613-meter-high mountain is said to look like a huge “dragon eye” when seen from above When the snow over the center of the swamp melts in a doughnut shape the dragon eye “opens.” This year the dragon eye opened on June 7 Many tourists came from neighboring prefectures to see the naturally occurring phenomenon during the balmy weather on June 9 they climbed a cobbled hiking route to reach the swamp “I am happy to have seen the dragon eye this year,” said Tadao Fujine “I would like to post the photos on my Facebook account,” he added Train’s eternal flame design honors founder of Enryakuji Towering snow walls ready to open to tourists on June 1 Fuji will close this season due to the virus There is a lot for visitors to discover in Iwate Prefecture – the land known to some as Japan's last frontier A detour to Japan’s northeastern prefecture of Iwate is simply the travel experience that sends you on a path of self-discovery stunning you silently with its dramatic coastline Inked in history for its legacy of ironwork, it’s the Iwate people who match the steel with their will, which one recognizes after witnessing the ramped-up restoration post the 2011 Tohuku disaster Iwate’s primary industries now range from dairy a significant step closer to green tourism you get a chance to travel back in time on a steam-hauled train at a different pace exploring Iwate’s sustainable traditions Come along on a three-day journey to exploring three of Iwate’s most pronounced cities covering Hachimantai let’s start from where all good stories begin – on a short two-and-a-half-hour shinkansen ride to Morioka from Tokyo we drive up for about 45 minutes to the northeastern slope of Mount Iwate for a scenic Yakehashiri lava flow walk Yakehashiri is the cooled hardened lava from Mount Iwate’s eruption dating back to 1723 A stark contrast of flora and fauna as the primitive lava soil lies barren with only komakusa (Dicentra peregrina) clusters blooming in summer months For lunch, we are led to Natsukashi-no-ie restaurant in Hachimantai This quaint local dining room also doubles as a venue for senior citizens living alone to gather together for a meal we head over for a session of mindful meditation to Soto Buddhism Matsuosan Jurenji Temple and chant the profound “Heart Sutra” in his company The Heart Sutra provides us with an insight to discard any preconceptions doubts and worries we have in this material world to achieve higher clarity and happiness in just being alive this alone is reason enough to visit Iwate Hitomi-san indulges us in a local specialty called adzuki-batto which we dip in the sweet harmony of adzuki bean soup set in the foothills of the mountain scenery And don’t forget to spot the stuffed glaring bear in the adjacent room We start the second day with a walk around Tono city learning about the fascinating realm of Tono’s folk history pausing at the famous folklorist Kunio Yanagita’s statue A short hike through the torii gates and the Nanbu Shrine and we reach the Nabekura observatory on a hill overlooking a panoramic view of Tono city surrounded by rice paddies and mountain ranges all while raising cows and growing his produce Tono Furusato Village is our next stop where time has frozen; thatched roof magariya houses built in the latter half of the Edo period straw figures and horses – the very air you breathe makes you yearn to live a more bucolic way of life A stroll around the white sands of the Nebama Beach and the enchanting moon road you can glance at the moon glow straight from Horaikan Inn and is the place to feast on local seasonal Sanriku cuisine and stories from the amiable owner Akiko Iwasaki We begin our last day with a visit to the Kamaishi Memorial Park, built in remembrance of the lives lost after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, an architecture that invites you to learn about the unforgettable history of the people of Kamaishi A tsunami monument stands 11 meters tall as a demarcation of the Tsunami’s height Alongside is the citizen’s charter of disaster prevention a pledge written to guide during earthquakes for the future generations and spend the afternoon spotting starfish and gallons of fresh scallops being treated live straight from the clear waters The primary livelihood of these fishing towns being scallops Takizawa shrine on the Sawahi River banks is our next stop where we hike down to the main shrine to an atmospheric stream of waterfalls and ripples we head to the Arahabaki megalith at Tannaisan shrine The Tannaisan shrine here is 1,300 years old A few steps upward is the legendary Arahabaki rock which enshrines the mysterious Arahabaki god we break for lunch with our bags packed at an outdoor cabana in the valley And as I sat waiting for my train at the station I recognized” that Iwate is more than its exemplary craftmanship of Nambu Tekki and a noodle eating competition What goes unseen is the region’s spirit and its dynamics with nature Travel to Iwate is nothing short of a powerful cultural antidote Learn more about Iwate at  https://lastfrontier.travel/ It was once called a “paradise above the clouds.” The makeshift town was built to house the working population of the Matsuo sulfur mines The concrete apartment complex sheltered over 15,000 people and was considered luxurious at the time for its central heating The “clouds” referred to the opaque fog that often surrounds the town Japan had a rapid economic boom which was accompanied by serious environmental issues including the outbreak of Yokkaichi asthma It was caused by the emission of sulfur dioxide so the Japanese government mandated petroleum refineries to install desulfurization equipment resulting in the vitalization of sulfur production the mining of sulfur eventually went out of demand leaving the town with no residents or purpose The eleven buildings have since been left to decay giving the town the ambience of a post-apocalyptic setting over which emptiness reigns The commonplace objects in the apartments and school communicate a rapid departure and an eerie sense of normalcy in this ghost town which once clamored with people and machinery at odds with the physical presence they command.  Hachimentai Exit then follow the Matsuo signs By train follow: Tokyo – JR Shinkansen Hayate 25 (2.5hrs) Morioka – IGR Iwate Ginga Tetsudo (50min) Kitamori – walk to Matsuo Hachimantai An isolated early 20th-century gold mine in the remote Pine Forest Range contains much preserved equipment An abandoned guano-mining city in the South Pacific An old abandoned mining town in The Adirondacks where Theodore Roosevelt first learned of the shooting of President William McKinley Large-scale operations in these mines ceased in the 1960s leaving behind crumbling processing facilities and deserted living quarters This site contains preserved ruins and industrial remnants of Western Australia's mining heritage iron excavated from this mine was used to make swords An abandoned mining complex in Serra do Gerês The graffitied ruins stand hidden within the Pennsylvania woods Iwate — Snowboarders have reportedly disrupted a natural phenomenon at Kagaminuma pond in Hachimantai The circular pond located at the top of Mt which is 1,613 meters high and straddles Iwate and Akita prefectures is nicknamed “Dragon Eye” as it resembles the eye of a massive dragon when the snow at the edge of the pond begins to melt it was learned that snowboarders reportedly disturbed the still-frozen pond by sliding across the surface in May According to the city’s tourist association An official of the association saw snowboarders cross the rope surrounding the pond The snowboarders went toward the center of the pond started hitting the snow with their boards and slid down the slope It was reported to the association that snowboarders were seen sliding down the nearby Gamanuma pond the same morning Both ponds are designated by the Environment Ministry as special conservation areas the association reported the cases to the ministry the snow on the edge of the pond was starting to melt and the dragon eye was about to “open.” A spokesperson for the association said: “Many people are looking forward to seeing the dragon eye so it’s regrettable that the phenomenon was artificially disturbed Such actions are dangerous and could have led to an accident Japanese version Looking for the entire ski and snowboard experience in Japan or looking to unwind with some retail therapy Furano and Hakuba will lend a helping hand The Grasshopper has wrapped up his weekly Japan forecasts for for the 2024/25 season He’s having a couple of months R&R and will be back in June with his Australian and New Zealand  forecasts Japan’s best snow forecasts will resume in December 2025 it leaves the climate open to be more impacted by sub-seasonal mid-scale drivers.. Snowfall also ramps up and spreads southwards over the Canadian Rockies on Satur.. colder winds from the northwest will bring another sizeable dump of powder to th.. A storm will then reach the Pacific coast Saturday night before ballooning out.. You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image Cashmere took down the Iwate under-17s 33-12 The contest was part of their tour of Japan which has seen them take in cities like Tokyo The opening day saw them explore Tokyo before they took the bullet train to Iwate on the north-eastern coast The team was welcomed by the mayor of the host city Hachimantai and the Iwate players before the teams watched Japan’s Rugby World Cup triumph over Ireland The Cashmere coaching staff of Aaron Kemp and AJ Flynn ran a training camp for both the Cashmere and Iwate teams prior to their match Iwate scored first through their forward-pack but tries to Jaxon Lange Jordan Quigley and Nathan Weyer ensured Cashmere always had control of the game the Cashmere players presented their Iwate counterparts with Sydenham rugby jerseys The team then travelled to Rugby World Cup host city Kamaishi They were given a guided tour of the Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium They then went to the Kamaichi High School and shared their story of living through the February 22 They also had a combined training session with 13 local high school players Japanese version Munyabagisha Valens having a warm handshake after signing the MoU A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by the Rwanda Olympic Committee and the Japanese City of Hachimantai-which will allow the former to use sports facilities in build-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Ministry of Sports and Culture in Remera the agreement covers the provision of and access to facilities for the Rwanda Olympic team His Excellency Takayuki Miyashita and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Culture John Ntigengwa are among dignitaries who attended the signing ceremony Both Hachimantai City and the Rwanda Olympic Committee agreed to work cooperatively on the Rwandan Olympic athletes’ training camp and to implement mutually beneficial projects so that the Rwandan athletes can perform in the best possible way during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Valens Munyabagisha said that the program started about five months ago and managed to pay a visit to Hachamantai City in March 2018 Munyabagisha had a fruitful exchange with the Mayor of the City and took a look on the good sports and accommodation facilities which will play host to the Rwandan athletes during their stay in Hachimantai City “We have agreed with Hachimantai City to take care of the expenses including accommodation as well as provide training facilities for the Rwanda Olympic Team before and during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics RNOSC will take care of travel expenses from Rwanda to Japan and the health insurances for the athletes,” Amb The Mayor of the Hachimantai City of Japan “We have good relations with Rwanda in a floriculture project but we believe hosting Rwanda’s Olympic team in Hachimantai City during the preliminaries of the Olympics Games will be a good opportunity for us Signing this MoU is a pleasure and honor to us,” Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda who also witnessed the signing of the MoU noted that his mission was to oversee that government to government cooperation continues to develop far “People to People relations is also good when it is strengthened both parties will meet to exchange strengthen cooperation to promote more between Rwanda and Japan I will be in the Hachimantai City to fully support Team Rwanda and I wish them to win many Olympic medals,” H.E Ntigengwa said that signing the MoU was an added value to the existing relations and partnership between Rwanda and Japan Japan has made an immeasurable contribution to the Olympic Movement Sapporo 1972 and Nagano 1998 provided the stage for some of the most memorable Olympic moments The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will take place from July 24 to August 9 Must-Visit National Parks in Japan for Fall Colors and nowhere is that more evident than in the country’s stunning national parks forests across Japan explode into vibrant shades of red attracting both locals and travelers eager to witness this seasonal transformation national parks offer a front-row seat to nature’s spectacular show Regardless of seeking a peaceful retreat or an invigorating hike Japan’s parks provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable autumn experience This time of year not only highlights the beauty of the changing leaves but also allows visitors to appreciate Japan’s diverse landscapes ranging from volcanic highlands to tranquil coastal views one of the most magical times to explore the parks making it hard to choose just one destination to enjoy the foliage See also: Japan Autumn Leaves Forecast Towada-Hachimantai National Park (十和田八幡平国立公園) has one of the most stunning autumn experiences in Japan One of the highlights during autumn is the area around Lake Towada (十和田湖) where the vibrant foliage reflects off the water creating an otherworldly atmosphere.  The Oirase Gorge (奥入瀬渓流) with its waterfalls surrounded by fiery red and golden leaves Mount Hachimantai (八幡平) provides trails with panoramic views of the autumn-colored mountains and valleys and volcanic terrain makes this park a prime destination for those looking to fully immerse themselves in nature.  Setonaikai National Park (瀬戸内海国立公園) spanning several prefectures and covering the vast Seto Inland Sea is remarkable for its mix of gorgeous coastal scenery with colorful autumn foliage; so while the park is mainly known for its picturesque islands and peaceful waters autumn brings a surprising splash of color to its hills and mountains The park’s many hiking trails offer viewpoints where visitors can see the contrast of autumn leaves against the sparkling blue sea the cooler weather makes Autumn a great season to take on the cycling route of the Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道) is also one of the top spots to visit in the fall with maple trees light up the island’s forests in fiery hues that enhance the already breathtaking views of the sea and the iconic torii gate Oze National Park (尾瀬国立公園) is a hidden gem for autumn leaf viewing Oze transforms into a sea of striking colors in autumn with the golden grasses complementing the fiery red leaves of the surrounding forests.  Tashiro (田代山) is a popular hiking spot that is particularly stunning in late September to early October when its trails offer sweeping views of the changing foliage against the backdrop of the park’s iconic marshlands And a small perk for botanical enthusiasts: this season is a good chance to spot the rare Komakusa (Dicentra peregrina) a delicate wildflower that grows in the area.  Joshinetsu Kogen National Park (上信越高原国立公園) is a prime destination for autumn foliage particularly Shiga Kogen (志賀高原) a highland area which is famous for its ski resorts in winter becomes a spectacular display of colors during the fall season creating stunning mirror-like images.  offer panoramic views of the colorful landscape below and the area is also home to several natural hot springs where you can relax after a day of leaf viewing Joshinetsu’s refreshing atmosphere is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore Japan’s natural beauty during this vibrant season Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園) is Japan’s largest national park and one of the first places in the country to witness the changing autumn colors each year Known for its rugged mountains and vast wilderness the early autumn foliage experience usually starts in mid-September.  As you ascend the park’s volcanic peaks, like Mt. Asahidake (旭岳) you’ll encounter vibrant hues of red and orange sweeping across the alpine landscape Daisetsuzan is also home to numerous hiking trails that weave through forests The park’s untouched nature and vast size make it ideal for those seeking a more remote and tranquil autumn adventure Bandai Asahi National Park (磐梯朝日国立公園) is a vast and diverse park that stretches across multiple prefectures an active volcano that becomes the centerpiece of a spectacular autumn landscape The park’s forests come alive with rich hues of red and gold particularly in the areas surrounding Lake Inawashiro (猪苗代湖) and the Urabandai region (裏磐梯) both of which offer stunning reflections of the foliage on their clear waters.  with numerous trails leading through forests and up to mountain viewpoints that showcase the vibrant autumn colors If you’re eager to experience a diverse range of landscapes you’ll definitely love the contrast between the volcanic terrain and the peaceful Chubusangaku National Park (中部山岳国立公園) often referred to as the “Northern Japanese Alps,” is a spectacular destination for autumn leaf viewing the park features dramatic alpine landscapes with golden larches and fiery maples lining the trails The Kamikochi (上高地) area is particularly popular in the fall offering stunning views of the Azusa River (梓川) reflecting the surrounding colors Chubusangaku is perfect for those seeking an active leaf-viewing experience from gentle walks through valleys to challenging ascents up the jagged peaks and vibrant foliage makes Chubusangaku a bucket-list destination for any nature enthusiast during Japan’s autumn season Aso-Kuju National Park (阿蘇くじゅう国立公園) is home to one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas and an impressive display of autumn foliage and the Kuju Mountain Range (くじゅう連山) both of which become a festival of golden hues during the autumn months.  The rolling grasslands and volcanic landscapes are transformed by yellow and red leaves offering a unique contrast to the park’s rugged terrain The Kuju Highlands (くじゅう高原) are particularly famous for their autumn beauty with wide vistas that allow visitors to take in the expansive views of the surrounding mountains Aso-Kuju is also one of the best spots for natural hot springs make sure to stop by to unwind after a hiking day Minami Alps National Park (南アルプス国立公園) is a prized haven for both mountain enthusiasts and autumn leaf seekers Known for its rugged terrain and towering peaks the park’s stunning views of autumn foliage against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps is a sight to behold.  The high elevation means the autumn colors start early typically peaking in late September to early October and dense forests are transformed into a vivid stream of reds especially around the Nishizawa Gorge (西沢渓谷) and Narada Falls (奈良田の滝) Minami Alps is less crowded compared to other parks so it can be tremendously rewarding to enjoy these breathtaking autumn views in peace Yoshino-Kumano National Park (吉野熊野国立公園) is famous for its ancient pilgrimage routes and sacred mountains but it also offers some of Japan’s most beautiful autumn landscapes The Yoshino area (吉野山) is particularly famous for its autumn leaves Yoshino (吉野山) covered in a dense forest that turns into a stunning palette of red known for its mystical shrines and lush forests offering a peaceful yet awe-inspiring environment for leaf viewing Hiking along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails (熊野古道) in autumn adds an extra layer of beauty and spirituality to the experience.  I was born in Caracas and lived for 14 years in Barcelona before moving to Tokyo Currently working towards my goal of visiting every prefecture in Japan I hope to share with readers the everlasting joy of discovery and the neverending urge to keep exploring From historical spots of Hiraizumi to rich-nature scenery: best things to do in Iwate which is the second largest prefecture in Japan is located in the north of Japan’s main island There are many tourist attractions with rich nature and its long history all over Iwate You receive lots of benefits including Onsen and spectacular scenery of nature from the mountain area Iwate is also blessed with important cultural properties like temples and other historical buildings I’d like to introduce 10 best things to do in Iwate for everyone to enjoy traveling there which enables you to access from Tokyo to Iwate within a few hours With this Tohoku Region Bucket List, let’s also check out the surrounding tourist attractions: Best Things to Do in Tohoku *Please note that this article contains affiliate links is the best place to visit for historical properties Hiraizumi is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites as Hiraizumi-Temples Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land The Fujiwara clan moved to Hiraizumi around 1,100 and developed some culture like Buddhism and the whole town prospered Numerous important cultural properties such as Chusonji Temple (中尊寺) and the garden of Motsuji Temple (毛越寺) still remain there For traveling around Hiraizumi smoothly and comfortably Enjoy the nature and history for within only 3 hours the mountainous area stretching from Iwate to its neighbor prefecture Akita is what you shouldn’t miss for nature spots some Onsen towns around there receive benefits One of the highlights in Hachimantai is Towada-Hachimantai National Park where you can see various animals and unusual natural phenomena Summer and autumn is the best season to visit the national park It is highly recommended to take this easy tour to travel to Hachimantai including English-guided tour and round-trip bus from/to Morioka Station Iwate is famous for its deeply indented coastline on the east side and Jodogahama Beach (浄土ヶ浜) is a popular tourist site in the Sanriku Coast area The beach consisting of tiny white rocks and deep blue sea is listed on 100 Best Beaches in Japan There are numerous popular Onsen towns and facilities in Iwate and Hanamaki Onsen (花巻温泉) is a long-established Onsen town the most famous one recommended to visit for first time visitors It is strongly recommended for travelers in Iwate to stay at nice Ryokan (Japanese style hotels) with Onsen facilities ▽Hanamaki Onsen Kashoen is one of the most renowned and gorgeous Ryokan in Hanamaki Onsen.▽ ▽For more affordable hotels, Hanamaki Onsen Hotel Hanamaki is more recommended for you!▽ Koiwai Farm (小岩井農場まきば園) You can play with animals including horses and sheeps and experience various fun activities at Koiwai Farm Not only horse riding and shepherd experiencing but also butter making and mini-golf and archery are available Copyright: Gribeco beautiful cherry blossoms bloom all around Iwate Prefecture The one and only cherry tree standing at the vast Koiwai Farm is famous Kitakami Tenshochi (北上展勝地) is visited by tourists all over the country and overseas which has about 10,000 cherry blossom trees with 150 kinds The long pink tunnels are formed over the street there https://jw-webmagazine.com/enjoy-over-10-000-cherry-blossoms-till-may-kitakami-tenshochi-768b255d2507/ which is located in the Sanriku Coast area is known one of three greatest limestone caves in Japan The limestone cave is over 4,000 meters long as far as we know The mysterious world is formed by the natural limestones and blue underground lakes Genbikei Gorge (厳美渓) in the south-western Iwate is one of the best nature spots where you can see views of the 2 kilo meters long canyon surrounded rich greenery which changes its face every season you can take a bread at a unique spot where a “flying” dango (rice dumpling) and a cup of tea are served Iwate offers a lot of chances to experience and learn Japanese traditional cultures You can also wear Japanese style clothes Kimono and enjoy traditional dances It will be your unforgettable memory to take a photo of you in Kimono © 釜石鵜住居復興スタジアム Iwate is the prefecture that has one of the largest Rugby stadiums in Japan: Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium The stadium is home to the local rugby team Kamaishi Seawaves R.F.C. and a venue hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan Two matches (Fiji v Uruguay/Namibia v Canada) are scheduled to be held ▽Here are the attractions you should experience across Japan with this Japan Bucket List!▽ ▽Check more things to do in Tohoku Region!▽ Tohoku Region (the northern part of Japan’s main island) including Iwate is less known by foreign visitors and numerous hidden gems have been undiscovered yet How about taking a trip to the north of Japan For more info about Tohoku Region and hidden gems in Japan