[Miyagi Prefecture/Yamagata Prefecture] Let's climb Zao! A short walk through the highest peak of the Zao Mountain Range, Kumanodake, and the highest peak on the Miyagi side, Karitadake.

Zao, which straddles Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures, is a famous mountain known nationwide for its symbol ``Okama'', winter sports, and frost-covered trees.

Although it is surprisingly unknown,There is no single mountain called Zao; the Zao mountain range is a collective term for multiple mountains such as Kumanodake and Kattadake.

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

Although it is called a vertical route, it is an easy route for even beginners to climb, so please be sure to stretch your legs and take a look when you go to Okama.

Traverse route reference link

YAMAP: Mt. Zao-Mt. Katta loop course　 https://yamap.com/model-courses/25423

Zao Mountaintop Rest House

Zao Sancho Rest House, the starting point for sightseeing in Okama, is located at the end of the Zao High Line (toll road), about a 5- minute walk from the parking lot.

There are restrooms, a souvenir shop, and a free rest area on the first the second floor. Located at the top of the Zao Mountain Range, this rest house offers a panoramic view of the magnificent mountains.

pot

Okama, a symbol of the Zao Mountains, is a famous spot that attracts many climbers and tourists with its unique shape and mysterious atmosphere.

``Okama'' is a crater lake filled with water in a crater. It is circular in shape, approximately 27 meters deep and approximately 1 kilometer in circumference, and its water surface is a beautiful emerald green. The water quality is acidic, and you can observe volcanic gas gushing out.

Kartadake Summit and Kattadake Toshogu Shrine

If you look at the pot in front of you and go to the right,It takes about 10 minutes to reach the summit of Mt. Kattadake.The trail to Mt. Katadake is paved with cobblestones and is easy to walk on, so you can even wear sneakers. From the top of the mountain, which is 1,758m above sea level, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Zao Mountain Range, and you can also see the pot up close.

sit on the mountaintopKatadake Shrinewas once home to Zao Daigongensha, the center of Zao worship.

The purpose of the pilgrimage to Zao, which was popular in the late Edo period, was to visit Zao Daigongen. However, following the ordinance to separate Shinto and Buddhism at the beginning of the Meiji period, it was merged with Takenobo and renamed Mikumari Shrine. After that, it was further renamed Zao Kattadake Shrine Okumiya, and it still remains today.

Kumanodake summit

The route to the summit of Mt. Kumanodake will take you back to the Zao summit rest house. We recommend taking a break here before proceeding to the next route.

Start again from the rest house, look at the cauldron in front of you, and proceed to your left. A well-maintained cobblestone road continues until the "Kattadake West Branch". There is a wooden path between the "Katadake West Branch" and "Kumanodake Branch" sections, but from this point onwards it becomes a normal mountain road with some steep climbs, but if you do your best and cross the slope, you will be able to reach Kumanodake in no time. Arrive at the top of the mountain.

Kumanodake is the main peak of the Zao mountain range, with an altitude of 1,841m and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains.

From the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of the highlands of Zao and the famous peaks of Tohoku. however, The weather can change easily, so you need to be careful about gas and strong winds.

sit on the mountaintopZaoyama ShrineThe deity enshrined here is Susanoo-no-Mikoto, and in ancient times it was called Kumano Shrine. It is said that this shrine was the place where Yakuzanozu enshrined the Kongo Zao Daigongen of Mt.Kinpusan. The torii gate at the top of the mountain was once destroyed by lightning, but has now been rebuilt safely.

There is a Kumanodake evacuation hut on the grounds of the shrine where you can take a break. There is no running water or toilets, but you can start a fire to stay warm.

At Zaoyama Shrine, a regular festival is held at the main shrine at the summit on the second Sunday of July. On this day, the Sansha Ichinomiya Festival is held together with Takiyama in Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, and Sugawa Shrine in Zao Onsen, and people visit to pray for prosperous business and safe travels.

Clothes and precautions

The path to the summit of Mt. Katadake is well-maintained and the distance is not very long, so you can fully enjoy it even if you wear casual clothes. but, The route to the summit of Mt. Kumanodake takes about an hour and a half round trip, and the weather can change easily, so clothing appropriate for mountain climbing is required.In particular, due to the high altitude, it can get quite cold even in midsummer, so measures against the cold are essential.

Additionally, in order to protect the natural environment, collecting wild animals and plants and leaving garbage behind is strictly prohibited. Please enjoy the wonderful nature while observing the manners of a mountaineer.

INFORMATION

Zao Mountaintop Rest House

• access:
  • A short walk from the end of Zao High Line (toll road)
  • 5 minutes walk from Katadake Lift Sancho Station
• Parking: Yes.
• Toilet: Available on the first floor.
• Souvenir shop: Located on the first floor.
• Free rest area: There is a rest area on the 1st floor.
• Restaurant: There is a restaurant on the second floor. Enjoy food and drinks.
• Business period: From Golden Week to early November (subject to change depending on weather and snow conditions)
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00

GOOGLE MAP