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Let's climb Zao! A quick traverse of Kumano-dake, the highest peak in the Zao mountain range, and Karita-dake, the highest peak in the Miyagi side [Miyagi/Yamagata]
Let's climb Zao! A quick traverse of Kumano-dake, the highest peak in the Zao mountain range, and Karita-dake, the highest peak in the Miyagi side [Miyagi/Yamagata]
Zao, which spans Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures, is a famous mountain known nationwide, with its symbol "Okama", winter sports, and ice trees.
Although it is surprisingly unknown, there is no single mountain called Zao, and it is called the Zao Mountain Range as a general term for multiple mountains, including Kumano-dake and Karita-dake.
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.
Zao Sancho Rest House, the starting point for sightseeing in Okama, is located at the end of the Zao High Line (toll road), about a5-minute walk from the parking lot.
There are restrooms, a souvenir shop, and a free rest area on thefirstthe secondfloor. Located at the top of the Zao Mountain Range, this rest house offers a panoramic view of the magnificent mountains.
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Okama, a symbol of the Zao Mountains, is a famous spot that attracts many climbers and tourists with its unique shape and mysterious atmosphere.
The "Okama" is a crater lake with water accumulated in the crater , and is circular, about 27 meters deep and about 1 kilometer circumference, with a beautiful emerald green surface. The water is acidic and you can observe the volcanic gas coming out.
Karita-dake summit and Karita-rei Shrine
Looking at the kettle in front, head to the right and you will arrive at the summit of Mt. Karita in about 10 minutes. The trail to Mt. Karita is laid with cobblestones, making it easy to walk in, so sneakers are also OK. From the summit, which is 1,758m above sea level, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Zao mountain range, and you can also see the kettle up close.
Karitamine Shrine which is located on the summit , once housed Zao Daigongen Shrine, which was the center of Zao faith.
During the Zao pilgrimage, which was popular in the late Edo period, the purpose was to visit Zao Daigongen. However, following the order to separate Shinto and Buddhas in the early Meiji period, they united with Takenobo and were renamed "Mikumari Jinja." It was later changed to the Okumiya of Zao Karita Mining Shrine, and has continued to this day.
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.
Kumano-dake 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 most famous mountains.
From the summit, you can enjoy a stunning 360-degree view that overlooks the Zao Plateau and the famous peaks of Tohoku. However, the weather changes easily, so you need to be very careful about gas and strong winds.
Zaosan Shrine which is located on the summit , was enshrined as Susanoo no Mikoto, and was previously known as Kumano Shrine. It is said that Yanakaku enshrineed Kongo Zao Daigongen on Mt. Kinpu. The torii gate at the summit has been collapsed in the past due to lightning strikes, but it has now been successfully rebuilt.
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 trail to the summit of Karita-dake is well maintained and the distance is not very long, so even casual clothes can be enjoyed. However, the route to the summit of Kumano-dake takes about an hour and a half to fly, and the weather changes easily, so clothes are required for mountain climbing. Especially high altitudes, it can get quite cold even in the middle of summer, so cold protection is 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.
![Monument in the swan](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "Karitamin Shrine in Zao Town, the center of "swan faith" that is passed down in the southern part of the prefecture [Miyagi Prefecture]")
![Monument in the swan](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_0975-EDIT-1-150x150.jpg.webp "Karitamin Shrine in Zao Town, the center of "swan faith" that is passed down in the southern part of the prefecture [Miyagi Prefecture]")
