This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
"Let's Go See Natural Akita Cedar [1]," we introduced some representative ancient Akita cedar trees and the natural forests where they grow. Here, we've focused on natural forests where you can easily enjoy forest bathing, as walking trails and other facilities are well-maintained.
Shichizayama has been carefully protected since the Edo period as a direct mountain of the Kubota domain
"Nanakura-san" is the collective name for seven mountains lined up in a row on a landform that juts out into the Yoneshiro River, located in Futatsui-cho, Noshiro City, where the Yoneshiro River makes a large meander. The main peak, Gongen-kura, is the highest, but even so it is a low mountain with an elevation of 287m. It is said that Kobo Daishi Kukai (774-835) also visited it, and it has been a mountain of faith since ancient times where Shugendo practitioners (mountain ascetics) practiced their training.
"Nanaza-san" consists ofseven peaks, from the top: Matsukura(159.1m),Okura(163.6m),Sanbonsugikura153.7m),Shibakura(173.1m),Minokura192.4m),Eboshikura229.6m),Scatteredthroughout the mountain are lion heads said to have been carved by Jikaku Daishi Ennin (794-864), as well as shrines that serve as evidence of his ascetic training.
During the Edo period, "Nanazayama" was carefully protected as a "directly managedmountain(Akita Domain). The surrounding cedar trees were sold in large quantities, mainly to Edo, and the mountain became so barren that there were no more trees left to cut. However, the cedar trees on "Nanazayama" remained untouched, and miraculously, a forest of natural Akita cedar trees survived.
The Edo period travel writer Sugae Masumi also visited Shichizayama in 1802 and painted a picture of the scenery from the opposite bank
Shichizayama, as depicted by Sugae Masumi in his book "Ani no Sawamizu" (Waters of Ani). Collection: Akita Prefectural Museum manuscript
A natural Akita cedar forest protected as the "Shichizayama Nature Observation Education Forest"
Of the forests on Mt. Nanazayama, 99 hectares that are recognized as natural forest are protected as the "Nanazayama Nature Observation and Education Forest." Walking trails are maintained within the protected forest, allowing visitors to stroll through the lush forest, mainly composed of natural Akita cedar trees.
For a base for your walk, theformer Tenjinso siteis convenient as it has a parking lot. Also, although it is a little further from the Nanazayama Nature Observation and Education Forest, the well-equippedroadside station Futatsuiis also available for use.
on the opposite bank of the Yoneshiro River known for its beautiful seasonal flowers,"Kimimachizaka," an Akita Prefectural Parkis one of the representative tourist spots along the Yoneshiro River.
Shichizayama Information
Name: Mt.Nanaza
Location: Futatsuicho, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
Contact: Yoneshiro Western Forest Management Office
Phone number: 0185-54-5511
Free to wander around
Beware of animals such as bears and deer
Futatsui Roadside Station Information
Facility name: Futatsui Roadside Station
Address: 51 Kotsunagiizumi, Futatsui-cho, Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture
Public transportation: Get off at Futatsui Station on the JR Ou Main Line, take the Futatsui Community Bus for about 9 minutes, then take the Futatsui Roadside Station bus stop (community buses do not operate on Sundays and holidays), or take a taxi for about 5 minutes
By car: Approximately 10 minutes from Futatsui Shirakami IC on the Akita Expressway, or approximately 15 minutes from Odate Noshiro Airport IC on the Akita Expressway
Google Map
Yatate Pass is located on the border between Akita and Aomori prefectures, and was the site of a long-running border dispute during the Edo period
YatatePassis a mountain pass located on the border between Odate City in Akita Prefecture and Hirakawa City in Aomori Prefecture. Although it is not particularly high at an altitude of 258m, the pass, surrounded by a dense forest of Akita cedar trees, was the site of constant conflict during the Edo period over the boundary between the Kubota Domain and the Tsugaru Domain (Aomori Prefecture).
designated during the Heian period asYatate Cedara place where arrows shot from the pass would hit. The Yatate Cedar is located a little way into the Tsugaru domain from the top of the pass, but the Tsugaru domain insisted that "the boundary is not at the Yatate Cedar, but at the top of the pass," which led to a dispute with the Kubota domain.
The feudal domain boundary continued to be disputed for 150 years, and it was not until 1746 that the Edo Shogunate finally decided that Yatatesugi was the boundary
That decision is still observed today, and the border between Akita and Aomori prefectures passes near Yatate Cedar. The Yatate Cedar trees have been broken or cut down since the Edo period. Now, the third generation has been planted near the stump of the second generation, counting from the Edo period. The Yatate Cedar is located in Akita prefecture
The few remaining natural Akita cedar forests at Yatate Pass are protected as the Yatate Pass Recreation Forest
The old Ushu Kaido road passed through Yatate Pass,Tadataka(1745-1818)Masumi(1754-1829),Yoshida Shoin(1830-1859) also crossed the pass. At that time, the area around the pass was a forest of natural Akita cedar, and Isabella Lucy Bird (1831-1904), a British female traveler and writer who came to Japan in 1878 (Meiji 11)Unbeaten Tracks in Japan.", praised its grandeur and beauty in
Since the Meiji era, most of the natural Akita cedar trees at Yatate Pass have been cut down and replaced with planted artificial forests. However, the remaining 10 hectares of natural forestYatate Scenic Protection Forestwere designated asYatate Pass Scenic Forest for Recreationhave since been protected asForest of Tranquility," with guide maps, signposts, explanatory boards, and gazebos installed, creating a safe trekking course called the "Historical Path: Yatate Pass Walking Trailhave been developed
For a base camp, the "Michi-no-Eki Yatate-toge/Odate Yatate Heights" on National Route 7 is convenient. The roadside station's parking lot can be used for walks, and there are guide pamphlets for the walking trails inside the building. There are also staff members who are familiar with the area, so it's a good idea to gather information before you start walking.
Historical Road Yatate Pass Promenade Information
Location: Historical Road, Yatate Pass Promenade
Free to wander around
Beware of animals such as bears and deer
Facility name: Roadside Station "Yatate Toge" / Odate Yatate Heights
Address: 311 Jinba, Nagahashiri, Odate City, Akita Prefecture
Phone number: 0186-51-2311
Please check the accommodation fees and other information on the website or travel site
<Day trip hot spring>
Usage hours: 10:00-15:00
Price (including shared room break): 700 yen for junior high school students and above, 400 yen for elementary school students
Public transportation: Approximately 25 minutes by taxi from Odate Station on the JR Ou Main Line
By car: Approximately 7 minutes from Ikarugaseki IC on the Tohoku Expressway, approximately 20 minutes from Odate Kita IC on the Akita Expressway
Google Map
The natural forest where old tales are passed down and the Thirty-three Kannon stone statues remain: "Fusazumiyama Nature Observation and Education Forest"
MountBojuzan isTownof MitaneKotookaandFutatsui district of Noshiro City, with an elevation of approximately 409m. Within a 5km radius are the "Nifuna Mizusawa Cedar Plant Community Protection Forest" and the "Kobu Cedar Nature Observation and Education Forest," making it an area where many natural Akita cedar trees remain.
The dense forest has been designated as the "Fusumiyama Nature Observation and Education Forest," and it is a natural forest with many giant Akita cedar trees over 200 years old, mixed with broad-leaved trees such as beech.
Mount Fusazumi is a mountain of faith,Sakanoue no Tamuramaro(758-811) andthe three Nagatsura brothers, a local clan.It has also flourished as a center of mountain Buddhism since ancient times, and 33 stone statues of Kannon, erected during the Edo period, still exist along the hiking trails.
The story of the three long-faced brothers is a folktale that Sugae Masumi heard from the village elders andTales of the Old Bosumi Mountainsrecorded in his collection of "Fusumiyama Mukashimonogatari" (Aketomaru,Akerumaru, andAkeshimaru. The story describes the three brothers as giants with long faces about 70 cm in diameter, and all over 3 meters tall, with the eldest, Aketomaru, being over 5 meters tall.
According to historical fact, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro never came to Akita, so it is not known when this story began to be told
The trek from the trailhead to the summit takes about two hours. From the summit, you can enjoy panoramic viewsMt. Moriyoshi(1454m above sea level) to the east, and to the west,Ogata Village(formerly Lake Hachirogata), the Oga Peninsula, and the Sea of Japan.
Fusumiyama Nature Observation Education Forest Information
Facility name: Mt. Fusatsuyama Nature Observation and Education Forest
Public transportation: Approximately 20 minutes by car from Shikado Station on the JR Ou Main Line, then walk from the parking lot at "Bojukan" or the Ido Shimoda trailhead (near Fusazumi Shrine)
By car: From Kotooka Moritake IC on the Akita Expressway, take the Kotooka-Kamikoani Prefectural Road towards Kamikoani Village for about 20 minutes, then walk from the parking lot at "Bojukan" or the Ido Shimoda trailhead (near Fusazumi Shrine)
Google Map
Hirataki Nature Observation and Education Forest - Forest of Interaction - is a recreational forest developed in a natural Akita cedar forest
"Hirataki Nature Observation and Education Forest - A Forest of Interaction, which rises in the border area between Akita Prefecture and Aomori Prefecture in Odate City, inMt. Tashirodakenorthern Akita Prefecture.
The educational forest includes a grove of natural Akita cedar trees over 150 years old, a broadleaf forest of Mongolian oak, horse chestnut, and chestnut trees, and a forest plaza.The area is equipped with walking paths (total length approximately 1,167m), a gazebo, field athletics, toilets, outdoor tables, drinking fountains, signs, and a multilingual audio guide system (Univoice), so anyone can freely explore the area
Hirataki Nature Observation and Education Forest - Forest of Communication - Information
Location: Hirataki Nature Observation Education Forest - Forest of Communication
Location: Hayakuchi Hirataki, Odate City, Akita Prefecture
Contact: Odate City Tashiro General Branch Office, Regional Development Section
KinpoShrinehas 41 trees on the left side of the approach to the shrine and 39 on the right side. Many of the trees are giants reaching about 30 meters in height, and their estimated age is said to be between 100 and 400 years. The cedars lining the approach to the shrine are said to be an artificial forest, but the trees are spaced haphazardly and there are many still small trees, leading some to believe that it may be a natural forest.
Kinpu Shrine is a historic shrine said to have been founded 1,300 years ago, with the worship hall built before the Edo period and the Niomon Gate built towards the end of the Edo period. The Niomon Gate houses two Nio statues carved from a single giant cedar tree. The "Cedar Row at Kinpu Shrine" is a designated natural monument of Akita Prefecture, and the worship hall, Niomon Gate, Nio statues and Chikaramochi statues of Kinpu Shrine are designated tangible cultural properties of Senboku
My love of travel led me to work for a travel magazine some time ago, and now I work as a travel writer for an online publication. I have visited all 47 prefectures in Japan, focusing on the Tohoku region, and I enjoy soaking in hot springs and experiencing traditional Japanese culture, including old townscapes, lifestyles, and performing arts and crafts
