Yakemori-yama Day Hike (16Apr2017)

in a colony of 'Mitsumata' — Mt. Yakemori (焼森山): 423 meters and Mt. Keisoku (鶏足山): 420 meters, Tochigi prefecture

Hiking

We planned a Yakemori-yama hike to see ‘Mitsumata’ at its best. But, it was postponed from the original plan. We wondered if it was still good for viewing.

Ropeway

“Look at the TV news. Small yellow flowers are so beautiful.”

“Let’s go to see them. Why don’t we go next weekend? It should be still in full bloom.”

“Dad, I wanna see it, too. Take me to see the cute flowers.”

We planned a trip but it was postponed because of rain with strong wind. We planned it again as a hike but. according to local information, it was the closing stages of the viewing. We wondered if it was still good for viewing…

Before hiking, we stopped by Iisato Sasagawa-kan to have the latest information as well as to confirm the parking place. They gave us a map that shows parking lot, hiking route and a colony of ‘Mitsumata’. They said “The color ‘Mitsumata’ becomes white but it is still worth to see”.

on the mountain path — The mountain path to Mt. Yakemori started with a gentle slope.

crossing a stream in accordance with a sign

After passing the branch to Iisaka Sasagawa-kan, the mountain path is on the ridge.

hike to Yakemori-yama — There are ups and downs after passing the branch.

typical countenance of the countryside in japan form the peak

We then headed to Keisoku-san.
After a short walk, I saw many people were taking a break at the next peak. As there were sign boards and tables for rest, we thought it was the peak of Keisoku-san. But, it was wrong. When we were about to head to the ‘Mitsumata’ colony, we finally noticed it was the peak of Akasawa-yama, not keisoku-san.

peak of Akasawa-san — Peak of Akasawa-yama. If conditions are fine, Mt. Fuji view is expected from here.

Then, we headed to the ‘Mitsumata’ colony.

Mitsumata along with the mountain path — We found ‘Mitsumata’ on the way to the colony. (we thought it was the colony, for the first time.)

a tunnel of 'Mitsumata' — It was like in a tunnel of ‘Mitsumata’.

still yellow — Unfortunately, the color of ‘Mitsumata’ turned to white. So, yellow ones were precious.

It was a bit late to visit the ‘Mitsumata’ colony but it was beautiful even though most of them turned to white. We will come back here in the best season to see ‘Mitsumata’ again.

On the way back to the parking lot, we noticed cherry trees on the mountain was about to bloom. The high season of ‘Mitsumata’ ended but people could enjoy cherry blossoms instead. We thought it was a great place to visit.

Route & Time

Hike date: April 16, 2017
Members: Family (farther and 9-year-old daughter)
Course time:
7:48 parking lot – 7:56 trailhead – 8:42 Yakemori-yama – 9:01 Akasawa-yama 9:11 – 9:18 Keisoku-san – 9:31 branch to the ‘Mitsumata’ colony – 9:54 Entrance of ‘Mitsumata’ colony – 10:30 parking lot [2 hours and 47 minutes]

hiking route of 16Apr2017 — 「国土地理院の電子地形図にマーカー及び歩行ルートを追記して掲載」

Iisato-Sasagawa-kan — [1] Iisato Sasagawa-kan. You can buy fresh vegetable here. Hand-made soba is popular for visitors as well as for local people.

route from the parking lot — [2] In front of a parking lot, there is a sign for ‘Mitsumata’ colony.

branch to Iisato-Sasagawa-kan — [3] the point where paths from Iisat Sasagawa-kan and from the parking lot join

sign showing the way to 'Mitsumata' colony — [4] A sign showing the way to ‘Mitsumata’ colony.

Mt. Akasawa — [5] The peak of Akasawa-yama. Do not confused with the peak of Keisoku-san as we did.

a board showing 'Mitsumata colony' — [6] A board showing ‘Mitsumata’ colony is set up at the entrance of a walk at ‘Mitsumata’ colony.

Access using public transportation

Links

Tsukuba Express
Kanto Railway
Moka Railway
JR Joban Line
JR Mito Line
Ibaraki Kotsu highway bus

Area Information

Hot bath after hiking

No hot bath
is available
in this area

Sights

Moka Railway
a steam locomotive
is running sometimes

Steam locomotive

“Mitsumata” hike can planned together with getting on a steam locomotive on the way to Yakemori-yama. For information of timmetable/charge of a steam locomotive, please check the official website of Moka Railway. Such information on the site is only available in Japanese, though.

Category: 2017

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