Matsukawa Valley

Yahatanuma

Arrived at the Hachimantai summit at an altitude of 1,613m. What you can see below from the observation deck is Hachimanuma, which has a circumference of 1.5 km. It is the only crater lake of Aspite Volcano in Japan, and is the largest of all the ponds and marshes in Hachimantai. If you look closely, you can see that the colors differ slightly depending on the depth. From the observation deck, you can see famous peaks in Tohoku such as Mt. Iwate, Mt. Hakkoda, Mt. Iwaki, and Mt. Chokai. There is a mountain hut called Ryounso on the west side of the swamp, where you can stay overnight during stormy weather. It takes about an hour to go around the swamp along the wooden path. From summer to early fall, you can see daylilies, pygmy lilies, chinese lilies, cotton lilies, and cotton lilies as the seasons change.

Hachimantai Dragon Eye (Kagami-numa)

Kagami-numa is located on the Hachimantai mountaintop promenade. It is said that the appearance of the melting snow in spring resembles the eye of a dragon, hence the name ``Hachimantai Dragon Eye.'' If you are lucky, you can see it from mid-May to mid-June.

Gozaishoenchi

If you follow the promenade from near the Hachimantai Aspite Line Gate exit, you will arrive at Gozaishoenchi. The area around Gozaisho-numa and Akanuma is a treasure trove of alpine plants with pretty flowers in full bloom. Let's take a walk along the wetland path while paying attention to the wetland plants that color the seasons: spring, summer, and autumn. The two swamps have fantastic colors, but Akanuma in particular is also called ``Goshikinuma'' because the color of the lake changes due to iron oxide, and it is an ice-free lake that does not freeze even at -30 degrees Celsius. be. You can walk around the two swamps once along the wooden path in 90 minutes. I'm looking forward to encountering alpine plants such as daylilies and daisies.