Approximately 67% of Japan's land area is forested (as of March 31, 2022, Forestry Agency and Prefectural Forest Area Ratio). Akita Prefecture is higher than the national average, with approximately 72% of its land covered by forests, and approximately 53% of that is national forest.
On a whim, I decided to visit the Azuma Mountain Range in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, on October 21st. My mountaineering friends had been recommending it to me, saying things like, "Azuma Kofuji is great, and Issaikyozan is great, too.".
Odate, a city plagued by feudal domain disputes during the first half of the Edo period, is known for its Akita dogs, Hinai chicken, and kiritanpo (simmered rice balls). During the Edo period, Odate was located at the easternmost point of the Kubota Domain (also known as the Akita Domain).
Mount Adatara is one of Japan's 100 famous mountains, and is a famous mountain in Fukushima Prefecture, rivaling Mount Bandai. Using the ropeway, you can reach the summit in about an hour and a half from the summit station, making it a great choice for beginners and families.
Mount Kurikoma is a 1,626m-high volcano located on the border between Miyagi, Iwate, and Akita prefectures. In Iwate Prefecture, it is also known as Mount Sukawa. It is part of the Nasu volcanic belt...
Mount Chokai is a rare mountain with two peaks (East Chokai-san Shinzan and West Chokai-san Nabemori) that rise from 0m above sea level on the Sea of Japan to a summit at 2,236m. Its beautiful appearance...
Zao, which straddles Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures, is a famous mountain known nationwide for its symbolic "Okama" crater, winter sports, and frost-covered trees. Surprisingly, it's not widely known that a standalone mountain called Zao exists...
Mount Gassan, Mount Haguro, and Mount Yudono are known as the "Three Mountains of Dewa" and are known as mountains of mountain worship. Mount Gassan is considered a place of prayer for happiness in the past, Mount Haguro for the present, and Mount Yudono for the next...
Mount Tokusenjo, towering over Kesennuma City in northeastern Miyagi Prefecture, is a 711m-high mountain renowned as Japan's best azalea spot. The area is home to an astounding 50,000 acres of wild mountain azalea and Renge azalea, roughly the size of 10 Tokyo Domes.
Funaoka Castle Ruins Park in Shibata Town in southern Miyagi Prefecture is one of Miyagi's most beautiful cherry blossom sights, with approximately 1,000 cherry trees within the park and the "Hitome Senbonzakura" cherry blossom trees lining the banks of the Shiroishi River that runs through the castle grounds.
