Akita is a mountainous prefecture in the north of Japan, offering lots of opportunities for outdoor activities in every season. The highest mountain in Akita is Mount Akita-Komagatake, part of the sprawling Towada Hachimantai National Park which straddles the border between Akita, Aomori and Iwate.
Between June and October, to access the trailhead you must take a bus to the eighth station, at 1305 metres. An easy hiking trail leads you through eerie moonlike scenery and past the volcanic Amida Pond. Climb the wooden steps to the summit, and on a clear day you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramas of the surrounding mountains and Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan.
The hike from the bus station to the summit and back can be done in just a couple of hours, with the option to join onto other trails.
From June to August, the mountain is covered in beautiful alpine flowers. It is arguably in late autumn, however, that the scenery is at its most breathtaking. The walking trail rises above the tree line, offering spectacular views of colourful foliage blanketing the lower slopes.
