Experience

Climb Mt. Zao! A short traverse of Mt. Kumano, the highest peak in the Zao mountain range, and Mt. Katta, the highest peak on the Miyagi side [Miyagi/Yamagata]

  • Fitzroy Fitzroy
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which straddles Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures,Mount Zao,is a famous mountain known throughout Japan for its symbolic "Okama" crater lake, winter sports, and snow monsters.

Surprisingly, it's not widely known, butthere isn't a single mountain called Zao; rather, the Zao mountain rangeis a collective name for several mountains, including Kumano-dake and Karita-dake.

This time, we will introduce a short traverse route from Kattadake Rest House, the starting point for Zao sightseeing, to Kattadake, the highest peak on the Miyagi side, and Kumanodake, the highest peak in the Zao mountain range

Although it is a traverse, it is an easy route even for beginners, so if you go to Okama, be sure to stretch your legs and take a look

Reference links for traverse routes

YAMAP: Zao-san - Karita-dake Loop Course　https://yamap.com/model-courses/25423

Zao Summit Rest House

The Zao Summit Rest House, the starting point for sightseeing around the Okama crater lake, is located at the end of the Zao Highline (a toll road) anda 5-is

The firstfloor has restrooms, a souvenir shop, and a free rest area,the secondfloor has a restaurant. Located at the top of the Zao mountain range, this rest house offers magnificent panoramic views of the mountains.

Kettle

Okama, a symbol of the Zao mountain range, is a famous spot that attracts many climbers and tourists with its unique shape and mystical atmosphere

"Okama"isa crater lake formed by water accumulating in the crater.It is approximately 27 meters deep, with a circular shape and a circumference of about 1 kilometer. Its surface is a beautiful emerald green. The water is acidic, and visitors can observe volcanic gases rising from it.

Mount Karita summit andKarita-mine Shrine

If you head to the right with the crater lake in front of you,you will reach the summit of Mount Katta in about 10 minutes.The hiking trail to Mount Katta is paved with cobblestones and is easy to walk on, so sneakers are fine. From the summit at an altitude of 1,758m, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Zao mountain range and see the crater lake up close.

located at the summit of the mountainThe Karita-mine Shrine, was once home to the Zao Daigongen Shrine, which was the center of Zao worship.

Pilgrimages to Zao, which became popular in the late Edo period, were aimed at worshiping Zao Daigongen. However, following the Shinto-Buddhist separation order in the early Meiji period, the shrine was merged with Takenobo and renamed Mikumarijinja. It was later renamed Zao Kattaminejinja Okumiya, and remains so to this day

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
Is there a sacred object that keeps moving between the mountaintop and the hot spring town at the foot of the mountain? Kattamine Shrine in Miyagi Zao [Miyagi Prefecture]
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/34453
The Zao Mountain Range, part of the Ou Mountain Range, straddles Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures. Did you know that on the Miyagi side of the Zao Mountain Range, there is a shrine whose deity repeatedly moves between summer and winter? Kattamine Shrine, located at the summit of Mt. Katta and Togatta Onsen, is a shrine located in the hot spring town of Togatta Onsen, at the eastern foot of Mt. Katta, on the Miyagi side of the Zao Mountain Range. Kattamine Shrine is paired with the "Kattamine Shrine" of the same name at the summit of Mt. Katta, with the mountaintop side called "Okumiya" and the Togatta Onsen side called "Satomiya." Incidentally, there is another shrine in Zao Town called Kattamine Shrine (also known as Shiratori Daimyojin), but this one has a slightly different origin...
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Mount Kumano summit

The route to the summit of Mt. Kumano will take you back to the Zao Summit Rest House. We recommend taking a break here before continuing on to the next route

Starting again from the rest house, head left with the Okama crater in front of you. A well-maintained stone-paved path continues until you reach the "Karita-dake West Fork." A boardwalk is laid between the "Karita-dake West Fork" and the "Kumano-dake Fork," but from here on the path becomes a regular mountain path with some steep climbs, but if you persevere and overcome the slopes you will soon reach the summit of Kumano-dake

Mount Kumanois the main peak of the Zao mountain range, with an elevation of 1,841m, and is also selected as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains.

From the summit, you can enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of the Zao plateau and the famous peaks of Tohoku. However, the weather is changeable, so you should be careful of fog and strong winds

situated at the summit of the mountainThe Zaōzan Shrine, enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto as its deity and was formerly known as Kumano Shrine. It is said that En no Ozunu invited the Kongō Zaō Daigongen from Kinpusen to this shrine. The torii gate at the summit was destroyed by lightning in the past, but has since been safely rebuilt.

There is a Kumanodake refuge hut within the shrine grounds where you can rest. There are no water or toilets, but you can make a fire and stay warm

Zaosan Shrine holds its annual festival at the main shrine on the mountaintop on the second Sunday of July. On this day, festivals are held at the three shrines and Ichinomiya shrines, along with Takiyama and Sukawa Shrine in Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, and people visit to pray for prosperous business and safe travels

Dress Code and Precautions

The trail to the summit of Mount Karita is well-maintained and not very long, so you can enjoy it even in casual clothing. However,the route to the summit of Mount Kumano takes about an hour and a half round trip, and the weather can change quickly, so you need appropriate hiking attire.In particular, because of the high altitude, it can get quite cold even in the middle of summer, so warm clothing is essential.

In order to protect the natural environment, it is strictly forbidden to collect wild animals and plants, or to leave trash behind. Please enjoy the beautiful nature while observing proper mountaineering etiquette

Zao Mountaintop Rest House <Information>

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