(岩手山) Mt. Iwate Hike

A towering sight in Morioka, Mt. Iwate is a gorgeous mountain up north, but a very difficult one to get to. 

Budget: JPY2,320 (~USD22) from Morioka
  • JPY1,160. Bus, Morioka Station to Trailhead - Matsumoto Onsen.
  • JPY1,160. Bus, Matsumoto Onsen to Morioka Station.

Hike Date / Difficulty (Elevation: 2,038m / 6,686ft)
  • Target Hike: 2020
  • Difficulty: 5 out 5
  • Route below is around 13.3kilometers, with an elevation change of ▲1,653m/ ▽1,653m
  • Map Link
When to Go
Based on this blog, April to November. I would say that this area gets a lot of snow, so I am personally leaning towards June to October.
 
Special Notes
  • Hike with Hachimantai. The trail is actually linked with Hachimantai, so if you plan to do Hachimantai too then consider staying in the free mountain huts. 
  • Trailheads. Quite a lot of;
    • Omisaka (御神坂駐車場). No public transportation as buses have been stopped since 2018/2019 it seems. google maps pin.
      • Backtrail: ~ 13.3km, ▲1,653m/ ▽1,653m (6h40m)
    • Umagaeshi (馬返し). No public transportation. google maps pin
      • Backtrail: ~ 10.9km, ▲1,472m/ ▽1,472m (8h06m)
    • Yakehashiri (焼走り). No public transportation. google maps pin
      • Backtrail: ~ 14.3km, ▲1,661m/ ▽1,661m (7h37m)
    • Uwabo (上坊登山口). No public transportation.
      • Backtrail: ~ 11.3km, ▲1,502m/ ▽1,502m (7h17m)
    • Amihari Onsen (網張温泉). Bus stop: 網張温泉. 
      • There should be a bus running, but based on this website, it is stopped on March 2019. As a new schedule is not posted, I am not sure if it is running. There is a shuttle for a hotel, see here.
    • Nanataki (七滝登山口). Bus stop: 県民の森入口バス. 
      • Backtrail: ~ 19.5km, ▲1,606m/ ▽1,606m (7h37m)
      • There's a bus coming to Matsukawa-onsen (松川温泉) from Morioka Station (盛岡駅), East exit (東口), bus stop 3. Bus schedule here, or the official but confusing website. There are three buses in a day, JPY1,160, 117 minutes one way


Itinerary



    Comments