Mt. Akita Komagatake: Hiking & Skiing

Mt. Akita Komagatake, the highest mountain in Akita Prefecture, is the generic name for three peaks: Odake (Male Peak), Medake (Female Peak) and Onamedake (Male & Female Peak). At the mountaintop, visitors will be rewarded with a diverse range of landscapes including volcanic geography and alpine flora, as well as a superb view. The bus ride from JR Tazawako Station takes 1 hour 15 minutes to Komagatake 8th Station, where the rest station doubles as a shelter. The path to Onamedake takes 1 hour 30 minutes, and 1 hour 20 minutes to Odake. There is also a path to Medake, but the footing is bad. There is a beautiful view of Tazawako Lake from Onamedake. In winter, visitors can enjoy skiing at the Tazawako Skiing Area, which offers accommodation packages in nearby hot spring villages. Alpa Komakusa is a base facility for Mt. Akita Komagatake, equipped with hot springs, a disaster prevention station and an information center. First-time visitors will most likely use this facility, which includes comprehensive displays of local flora and fauna.

April 30, 2016