Hachimantai is a plateau-like volcanic terrace, 1,400-1,600 meters above sea level.
Hachimantai is a plateau-like volcanic terrace, 1,400-
1,600 meters above sea level, extending over
Iwate Prefecture and Akita Prefecture in the west,
and part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park.
A swamp near the top of Hachimantai is a treasure
trove of over 160 kinds of alpine and swamp
plants, and visitors can enjoy mizubasho (Japanese
skunk cabbage) and nikko-kisuge (yellow alpine
lilies) in full bloom from spring through autumn.
The beech forest also contains the radiant emerald
green Hachiman-numa Marsh as well as Gama-numa
Marsh and Kagami-numa Marsh.
Hachimantai-onsen Hot Spring is a scenic hot
spring with views of the Ou Mountain Range, which
runs across the Akita Prefecture border, and the
magnificent Mt. Iwate-san. Nearby are Gozaisho-
shitsugen Marsh Garden, filled with the flowers of
alpine plants, and Goshiki (five-color)-numa
Marsh, where the water changes color according to
the sunlight. Together they offer an ideal route
for walking. Visitors can also enjoy skiing at
Hachimantai Resort in winter which operates up to
early April.
Spectacular views of
Hachimantai, such as marshes in the forest and the
virgin forest of Aomori white fir, can be enjoyed
from the windows of the buses that travel along
the Asupite-Line Road connecting the Hachimantai-
onsen Hot Spring and the Toroko-onsen Hot Spring
in Akita Prefecture, and crossing Hachimantai.
