Experience

The 2025 autumn foliage season has arrived! Autumn foliage and nature in the Agatsuma Mountain Range in Fukushima Prefecture! Please enjoy lots of photos!

On a whim, I decided to visit the Azuma Mountains in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture on October 21st

My friends who enjoy mountain climbing have always recommended that I go to Azuma Kofuji and Issaikyozan, but I have never been there

Autumn in Tohoku is getting shorter every year, and the autumn foliage season passes by in the blink of an eye

I thought I had no choice but to go with the flow and decided to visit

This time we will provide a brief introduction to the Azuma mountain range (Azuma Kofuji and Jododaira Wetlands) with lots of photos

Don't complain that the photos aren't great, I hope you enjoy the photos of the Azuma Mountain Range taken in mid-October, when the weather was perfect

Azuma Mountain Range - Azuma Kofuji and Jododaira

The Azuma mountain range, towering west of Fukushima City, is one of Tohoku's premier mountainous regions, offering breathtaking scenery throughout the seasons. Particularly popular areAzuma-Kofujiand its gateway,Jododaira.
Jododaira is a plateau at an altitude of approximately 1,600m,Bandai-Azuma Skylinelocated midway along the
Adjacent to it is Azuma-Kofuji, an easily accessible peak whose summit can be reached in just 20 minutes from the trailhead. From the crater-circling course, known as the "Ohachi Meguri," you can enjoy panoramic views of Fukushima City and the surrounding mountain range. From
spring to autumn, it's a great place for hiking, and in winter, a snow-covered landscape unfolds—a true "paradise in the sky." It's a healing spot where you can feel the breath of nature all around you.

Azuma Kofuji

Elevation 1,707 m , this relatively easy-to-climb stratovolcano rises to the east of Jododaira. It takes about 10-20 minutes to reach the crater wall from the trailhead, and the crater diameter is about 500 m. Including the crater rim walk, the course takes about 40-60 minutes.

From the summit, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Fukushima Basin, the Jododaira marshes, and the mountain ranges, and it is also a popular spot for viewing seas of clouds and starry skies, especially on clear days

Azuma Kofuji
Azuma Kofuji trailhead
Azuma Kofuji
Once you reach the top of the stairs, you will come across a spot piled with lava rocks
Azuma Kofuji
As the sign says, if you go around clockwise you will come across a large rock blocking the path
Azuma Kofuji
If you look to the right, you will see the crater of Azuma-Kofuji, which is about 500-600m in diameter and 70m deep
Azuma Kofuji
The leaves inside the crater are also turning red
Azuma Kofuji
If you turn around, you will see the impressive Mount Issaikyo
Azuma Kofuji
When you reach the highest point of the crater, you can see the magnificent view of Fukushima City below. Fukushima Station is probably on the right side of the center of the photo
Azuma Kofuji
After enjoying the spectacular view, you can see the entire Jododaira Rest House on the way back down. Even though it was a weekday, the parking lot was full and there were many bikers around
Azuma Kofuji
The entire view of Azuma Kofuji is in great shape

Google Map

Jododaira Marshland

an altitude of approximately 1,600m, this is a tourist spot developed as a plateau area of ​​the Azuma mountain range. With parking lots, a visitor center, and walking trails, it is a suitable area for those who want to enjoy a light mountain atmosphere, as well as families.

The surrounding area is home to alpine plant communities, marshes, and volcanic terrain with steam rising from it, allowing you to experience the changing nature as you stroll around

Well-maintained walking trails
During your walk, you will come across an unnamed stream that flows gently through the marshland, collecting spring water and rainwater from the areas around Azuma Kofuji and Okenuma
Mount Issaikyo stands before you, and the steam coming out from the mountainside is called the "Oana Crater," and it constantly spews out sulfurous gas (volcanic gas) and steam
This zoomed-in photo shows the Oana crater of Issaikyozan. On this day, more steam was coming out than usual, and it was apparently a very lucky day
Spectacular views...flowing water, greenery, and Mount Issaikyo
Azuma Kofuji seen from the Jododaira Marsh

Google Map

When heading to the Azuma Mountain Range, you will pass through the Bandai Azuma Skyline, a mountain tourist road approximately 29km long that connects Takayu Onsen in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture to Tsuchiyu Pass

There are some car barriers along the way and some small photo spots, but on this day all of the photo spots were extremely crowded, and we couldn't park on the street, so we gave up on taking photos

I was very satisfied with my first visit to Azuma Kofuji and the Jododaira Marsh

I'll come back next summer and also try climbing Mt. Issaikyo, which I haven't been able to do yet

Tsubakuro Valley Parking Lot, Fukushima City as seen from Fudosawa Bridge

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