2009/10/07 - Autumn Color Report: Hachimantai
Tamagawa Onsen surrounded by some colorful trees
Our report on the Tohoku Region's koyo (fall colors) continued today in the Hachimantai area of Towada-Hachimantai National Park. We began at Tamagawa Onsen, which is famous for its exteremly acidic hot spring water. There was a decent amount of color surrounding the onsen, but the peak is still a few days away. We walked around the onsen, where the combination of koyo and the onsen's sulfurous streams and hot steam vents made for some interesting views.
Hot steam vents and colorful trees
Soon after we came across what was probably the day's koyo highlight at Onuma Pond. The parking lot was almost completely full, with both regular cars and a few tour buses. The popularity of the pond was for good reason, as the colorful trees and grass provided fantastic views, which were easily appreciated in the 30 minute walk around the pond. The koyo was almost at its peak, but the colors should still improve into next week.
The entrance to Onuma Pond
Koyo at the water's edge
Koyo and Onuma Pond, seen through trees along the path around the lake
Next we drove to Goshogake Onsen, and found that we were able to find many nice examples of koyo along the way. Goshogake Onsen is similar to Tamagawa Onsen or Hokkaido's Noboribetsu Onsen in having dramatic volcanic geological features, such as sulfurous streams and steam vents.
Goshogake Onsen had a larger area to explore than Tamagagawa Onsen, and its fall colors were also at a more advanced state. A section of the main path was damaged and closed off, but a temporary path has been made, allowing visitors to see the entire area. We didn't have time to stop, but we saw from the road that Fukenoyu also had a significant amount of attractive koyo.
The road winds through colorful trees between Onuma Pond and Goshogake Onsen
The small mud volcanoes of Oyunuma Pond at Goshogake
The walking route at Oshogake, with Mount Nyuto visible in the background
Koyo at Fukenoyu
Our last destination was the area around Mount Hachimantai's summit, which straddles Akita Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture. A path leads around the mountain's peak and passes a number of caldera lakes. Unfortunately, the koyo season has peaked at the top, and in fact it did not seem like there was much vegetation that would provide good koyo colors even at its peak. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable walk, and the views down from the mountain area showed a significant amount of color in the forests. We continued into Iwate and finished the day at Morioka, from where we began our journey yesterday.
Koyo has passed at Hachimantai Pond
Koyo visible in the forests below Mount Hachimantai
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