Hachimantai in Autumn
Hachimantai 八幡平 is part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. It is a mountainous region in Akita and Iwate prefectures in Tohoku, or northern region of Japan. It has four very distinct seasons and is noted for its spectacular fall colors in the month of October.
Waterfall in Hachimantai in Autumn
The winter is extremely cold and snowy, so many roads in the interior are closed from November to the middle of April, limiting access to many areas. The area is far from major cities, so attracts those interested in hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.
Sunset on Hachimantai (photo: jasonhill/flickr)
Hachimantai is also noted for its excellent, rustic onsens collectively called Nyuto Onsen, which make a great base for exploring the area, and provide relaxation after hiking the many trails through the volcanic landscape.
Hachimantai in Autumn (photo: jasohill/flickr)
The three major stations which provide access points to Hachimantai are Tazawako Station on the JR Akita Shinkansen line, the Morioka Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line, and the Kazuno-Hanawa Station on the JR Hanawa line. There are buses to many of the major areas, but they run infrequently, so it is advisable to travel by rental car if possible. The Tazawako Station can be reached from Tokyo in about 3 hours, and the JR Akita Shinkansen runs once an hour. Though a trip to Hachimantai requires some planning, it is a beautiful, natural environment sure to appeal to the outdoor enthusiast.
photo by: yisris
