Usukiyama

Twelve Gods Nature Observation Education Forest

A virgin forest left in its natural state at the eastern foot of Mt. It is a natural broadleaf forest of 150 to 300 years old, mainly composed of beech and suzutake mushroom communities, and is said to be the most natural forest in the area, with a mixture of oak, sawagurumi, zelkova trees over 1 meter in diameter, and giant horse chestnut trees. The forest is home to many plants and animals. The "beech-suzu bamboo community" of Mt. Junigamiyama is the only one of its kind in Japan as an old-growth forest representative of the cool-temperate zone of the Pacific coast type. This fact makes it meaningful in contrast to the Shirakami Mountains, which are known for their virgin forests of beech and chishimazasa bamboo communities, which represent the cool-temperate zone along the coast of the Sea of Japan. The park was closed due to Typhoon No. 19 in 2011, but the first park area was opened to visitors in July 2024. The road from the Shigemo side leading to the first park site has been restored, but the remote road and forest road beyond the first park site have not been restored and are therefore off-limits.

Hayachine Mountain

Hayachimine, the highest peak in the Kitakami Mountains, rises 1,917 meters above sea level. Of the three trails, the Kawarabo Course and the Odagoe Course are the most common. Although the slopes are steep, even beginners can reach the summit in about 3 hours. Hayachimine, famous for its alpine flora, also offers beautiful autumn foliage in the forest zone, and the vivid autumn colors at the foot of Hayachimine, composed of serpentine rock, make for a magnificent panoramic view from the fifth station as well as from the base of the mountain. Hayachimine was designated as a national quasi-national park in 1982. The trail is closed for the time being because part of the Kawarabo trail collapsed due to heavy rains on May 26, 2008, making it impassable. To preserve the natural environment of Mt. 　 Hayachibe for more information.