[Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture] Plateau, wetland, valley, waterfall. The foothills of Mt. Chokai are a treasure trove of nature. Coexistence with nature brought about by the wisdom of our ancestors - Mt. Chokai/Tobishima Geopark [Nikaho Area ②]

In the Mt. Chokai/Tobishima Geopark [Nikaho Area ①], we introduced geosites along the Sea of ​​Japan coast, such as Kujukushima (Shogata) and Misaki Coast We will introduce geosites and the wisdom of our ancestors to coexist with the global environment.

A wetland where large beech and oak trees and rare moss grow. Nakajimadai/Shishigahana Wetland

Nakajimadai is a forest/wetland area located at the foot of Mt. Chokai from 450m to 830m, and has been designated as Chokai Natural Recreation Forest It is approximately 942 hectares in area (approximately 200 Tokyo Domes), and is home to Mt. Chokai, including Shishigahana Wetland The rich nature brought to us is spreading.

Nakajimadai/Shishigahana Wetland has a walking course with a wooden path that is approximately 5km in length. Along the walking course, giant beech trees called Agariko creating a mysterious landscape along with Agariko Daio which has been selected as one of the Giants of the Forest I am.

Shishigahana Wetland is located at an altitude of 550m and is nourished by abundant spring water, where a variety of aquatic and hygrophytes grow. Among them, Handelsoloigoke and Hilaurokogoke are rare mosses worldwide, and the ball-shaped moss that grows together is commonly called ``Choriumi marimo''. In addition, the wetland includes a spring called `` Detsubo '' and a cliff at the end of a lava flow from Mt. Chokai, which has been designated as a national natural monument.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Nakajimadai/Shishigahana Wetland
• Location: Nakashimatai National Forest, Yokooka, Nakajima-tai, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0184-43-6608 (Nikaho City Tourism Association)
• access:
  • Public transportation: Approximately 20 minutes by car or walk from JR Uetsu Main Line Kurogata Station
  • Car: Approximately 15 minutes from Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway Zogata IC

GOOGLE MAP

``Naso Valley'' is a 500m vertical wall made of mille-feuille-like lava that has flowed out from numerous eruptions.

Naso Valley is a valley located near the 6th station of Mt. Chokai, and is approximately 300m to 500m deep. The river has carved out the lava layer over many years, creating a V-shaped valley. The sheer cliffs are piled up with lava from Mt. Chokai, which has erupted repeatedly since about 600,000 years ago, creating a mille-feuille-like appearance. The lava at the bottom of the gorge is said to be 400,000 to 450,000 years old, and the top is said to be around 100,000 years old.

The Naso Valley is impressive just looking up from below, but from the Hokotate Observation Deck at the 5th station of Mt. Chokai, you can see the Naso Valley from above. The valley that can be seen below Hokodate Observation Deck is 337m deep, and Tokyo Tower (333m) can fit completely inside. You can reach the Hokodate Observation Deck by taking the Chokai Blue Line (closed in winter from early November to late April), which runs halfway up Mt. Chokai. From the Hokodate Observation Deck, you can see Tobishima and the Oga Peninsula below, and it is a spectacular view point that competes for number 1 or 2 in the Nikaho area.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Naso Valley (Hokodate Observation Deck)
• Location: Kotaki (Hokodate), Zogata-cho, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 090-2021-0270 (Hokodate Visitor Center)
• access:
  • Public transportation: Approximately 35 minutes by reservation-only shared mountain climbing bus, Chokai Blue Liner, or approximately 30 minutes by car from JR Uetsu Main Line Zogata Station.
    • *Chokai Blue Liner operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from June to early October.
      • *Mountain highway “Chokai Blue Line” is closed in winter from early November to late April.
• Car: Approximately 15 minutes from Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway Zogata IC

GOOGLE MAP

Shirataki Falls in Naso, a famous waterfall where Yamabushi trained, and Kinmine Shrine

Naso Shirataki is a famous waterfall located near the starting point of the Chokai Blue Line on the Akita Prefecture side. Kinpo Shrine, which was a base for Shugenja (Yamabushi) who used Mt. Chokai for their training , and go up and down a long staircase to reach the waterfall. It is 26m high and 11m wide, and has been designated as a national scenic spot. In addition to being able to go down to the basin of the waterfall, you can enjoy the waterfall from various angles such as the observation deck, the temple grounds, and the suspension bridge.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Naso Shirataki/Kinmine Shrine
• Location: Kotaki, Nasozawadaihido, Zogata-cho, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0184-43-6608 (Nikaho City Tourism Association)
• access:
  • Public transportation: Approximately 15 minutes by car or walk from JR Uetsu Main Line Zogata Station
  • Car: Approximately 6 minutes from Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway Zogata IC

GOOGLE MAP

Comfortable mountain highway “Chokai Blue Line”

is a mountain sightseeing road approximately 34.9 km long from - Nikaho City Fukiura in Yuza-cho, Yamagata Prefecture Fukiura, Yuza Town, where the tourist attraction Rakan Rock Hokodate (Naso Valley Hokodate Observation Deck) at 1,150m.The difference in elevation is more than 1,000m. Above, the route runs through grasslands on the Akita Prefecture side and through beech forests on the Yamagata Prefecture side.From the Akita Prefecture side, the Sea of ​​Japan spreads out to the sea, and on the opposite mountain side there is a magnificent view of the Naso Valley. It's coming.

The Chokai Blue Line is closed from early November to late April due to heavy snowfall. There is no toll toll, but it is a famous place for bicycle touring, so please be careful when driving.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Chokai Blue Line
• section:
  • Akita Prefecture side/Prefectural Route 131 Chokai Park Kotaki Line From Kotaki (prefectural border) to Kotaki (Naso Shirataki) 18.1km
  • Yamagata Prefecture side/Prefectural Route 210/Chokai Park Fukiura Line From Fukiura (prefectural border) to Fukiura (Juroku Rakan Rock) 16.8km
• Toll fee: Free
• Passable period: Late April to early November (closed in winter)
  • *The passable period varies depending on the weather conditions each year.
• Information on closures, regulations, etc.:
  • Akita Prefecture/ Akita road information
  • Yamagata Prefecture/ Yamagata Prefecture traffic regulation information
  • Japan Road Traffic Information Center/ Japan Road Traffic Information Center

GOOGLE MAP

``Nigaho Plateau'' is located at an altitude of 500 meters, where the earth and sand that washed down from the collapse of Mt. Chokai accumulated at the foot of the mountain.

Nikaho Plateau is a hilly area about 500 meters above sea level that was made of rocks that fell like an avalanche from the collapse of Mt. Chokai. The grasslands include large and small lakes, wetlands, and large-scale wind power generation facilities. Hibari-so, a base facility on the Nikaho Highlands , you can see not only the majestic Mt. Chokai, but also the Sea of ​​Japan, and the 360-degree panoramic view is a must-see.

There are also ranches and campgrounds scattered throughout the area, as well as cycling roads. Tsuchida Farm , milk, yogurt, and cheese made using raw milk from Jersey cows are very popular. Sausages are also popular.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Nikaho Kogen
• Location: Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, Baba Aza Kushigoya, etc.
• access:
  • Public transportation: Approximately 20 minutes by car from Nikaho Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line, or by shared taxi (reservation required, minimum of 2 people)
  • Car: Approximately 20 minutes from Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway Nikaho IC

• *Shared taxi
• Phone number: 0184-43-2030 (Shogata Joint Transportation)
• Business period: July 1st to November 30th
• Reservation: Reservation required / Minimum of 2 people
• URL: Nikaho city shared taxi

• Facility name: Hibarisou/Nigaho Kogen Observation Deck
• Location: 4-5 Baba Ajikushigoya, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0184-43-3230 (Nikaho City Tourism Division)
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (campsite reception hours)
• Business period: May to end of November

• Facility name: Tsuchida Farm
• Location: 4-6 Toushiyama Baba, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0184-36-2348
• business hours:
  • March-December/9:00-17:00
  • January/February/9:30-17:00
• Regular holidays: Irregular holidays (please inquire in advance)
• URL: Tsuchida Farm

GOOGLE MAP

Japan's largest wind power plant "Shin-Nigaho Kogen Wind Power Plant"

Nikaho Kogen Wind Power Plant which has been in operation since 2001, the Nikaho Daini Wind Farm, which started commercial operation in 2020 (18 wind turbines/output 41,400kW). The "Nigaho Kogen Wind Power Plant" has been under replacement construction since 2021.

Construction was completed in March 2024, and commercial operation began as the completely new "Shinikaho Kogen Wind Power Plant." The Shin-Nikabo Kogen Wind Power Plant originally had five wind turbines (single output 1,650 kW), but has been upgraded to six 4,300 kW wind turbines, one of the largest in Japan. The output has not changed from before the replacement (reduced operation was carried out within the previous output of 24,750kW), and the total power generation at Nikaho Plateau is 66,150kW.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Shin-Nikaho Kogen Wind Power Plant
• Location: Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
• Operating company: J-Wind Co., Ltd. (J-Power Group)
• *J-Power is the communication name of Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.

GOOGLE MAP

Kamigo's warm water channels raise cold snowmelt water to a temperature suitable for rice cultivation

Kamigo's warm canals were invented by farmers who used the cold snowmelt water of Mt. Chokai for rice cultivation, in order to somehow warm up the extremely cold water to a temperature suitable for rice cultivation. The snowmelt water on Mt. Chokai is around 10 degrees Celsius even in summer, which is too cold for rice cultivation, making it difficult for rice to grow well. Therefore, a method was devised to make the waterway wider, shallower, and with steps to warm the melted snow water by exposing it to sunlight. Thanks to this, the water temperature rose by 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, and rice yields increased dramatically.

The heated waterway was built in 1927 (Showa 2), with a length of 648m, and was the first heated waterway in Japan. Since then, many hot waterways have been completed, including Omori Onsen Waterway and Mizuoka Onsen Waterway, with a total length of 6.28km.

`` Kamigo Warm Canals '' is one of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' `` Top 100 Canals '' and a tangible cultural property (building) designated by Akita Prefecture .

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Kamigo warm water channels
• Location: Yokooka, Kogatacho, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, etc.
• Phone number: 0184-43-3230 (Nikaho City Tourism Division)
• access:
  • Public transportation: Approximately 5 minutes by taxi from JR Uetsu Main Line Zogata Station
  • Car: Approximately 5 minutes from Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway Zogata IC

GOOGLE MAP

“Yuri Coast Wave Prevention Stone Wall” protected houses and farmland from big waves and winds

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Yuri coast wave stone wall
• Location: Hi, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, Serita, Nikaho City
• Phone number: 0184-43-3230 (Nikaho City Tourism Division)
• access:
  • Public transportation: (Hi) 4 minutes by taxi from Kanaura Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line, (Serita) approximately 6 minutes by taxi from Nikaho Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line
  • Car: (Flight) Approximately 5 minutes from Kanaura IC on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway (Serita) Approximately 7 minutes from Nikaho IC on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway

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The “Innai Oil Field” once boasted one of the highest production volumes in Japan.

The Innai Oil Field (Innai, Nikaho City) was once one of the largest oil fields in Japan, and its former site was selected by the Economy, Trade and Industry Award as part of the Modern Industrial Heritage Group 33, ``Japan's modern oil industry that began in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region, including Niigata.'' It has been preserved as a "modernization industrial heritage site that tells the story of the history of the world."

Japan's oil industry began with mining in Echigo (Niigata Prefecture) in the late 16th century. It began in earnest in the early Meiji period, when engineers were invited from the United States to investigate oil reserves mainly in Koshinetsu and northern Japan.

The first oil produced after the Meiji era was Sagara Town in Shizuoka Prefecture (Sagara, Makinohara City) in 1873. Later, oil fields with large reserves were discovered on the Sea of ​​Japan side of Niigata Prefecture, and Japan's oil industry boomed.

At the end of the Meiji era, the wave of oil development reached not only Niigata Prefecture but also Akita Prefecture. An oil field discovered in Akita City in 1914 (Taisho 3) produced a large amount of crude oil gushing out. Many oil companies took notice of this, and an oil development boom began in Akita Prefecture.

It seems that it was discovered in the late Meiji period that there was an oil field within Nikaho City, but trial drilling began in earnest in 1922 (Taisho 11), and oil was successfully extracted the following year in 1923. In 1932 (Showa 7), Asahi Oil (the predecessor company of Showa Sekiyu [Gendemitsu Kosan]) succeeded in extracting 8 kiloliters of oil per day.

The in-house oil field reached its peak in 1935 (Showa 10), with a total annual production of 110,000 kiloliters, making it one of the largest oil fields in Japan. After that, oil production gradually decreased due to resource depletion and decline in international competitiveness, and the mine was closed in 1995.

Modernization Industrial Heritage Group 33 ``Modernization Industrial Heritage Sites that tell the history of Japan's modern oil industry that began in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region such as Niigata'' includes the ``Internal Oil Field Related Heritage'' and the `` Toyokawa Oil Related Heritage '' (Katagami, Akita Prefecture). City), `` Kanazu Oil Field Related Heritage (Oil no Sato Park)'' ( Akiba Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture), ``Amase Oil Field Related Heritage '' (Izumozaki Town, Niigata Prefecture), and `` Sagara Oil Field Related Heritage '' (Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture). Selected.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: In-hospital oil field site
• Location: Innai, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0184-62-9777 (Mt. Chokai/Tobishima Geopark)
• Visit: Possible
• access:
  • Public transportation: Approximately 16 minutes by taxi from JR Uetsu Main Line Nikaho Station
  • Car: Approximately 15 minutes from Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway Nikaho IC

GOOGLE MAP

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INFORMATON

• Mt. Chokai/Tobishima Geopark Nikaho Area
• URL: Mt. Chokai/Tobishima Geopark Nikaho Area

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• History , Akita Prefecture , folklore and customs , Tohoku mysteries
• Naso Valley , Kinmine Shrine , Chokai Blue Line , Naso Shirataki , Mt. Chokai , Shin Nikaho Kogen Wind Power Plant , Akita Prefecture , Innai , Shishigahana Wetland , Nikaho City , Nikaho Kogen