HIGASHIDAI-TEN
Peak in the centre of the Azuma Renpo known for its lookouts, alpine vegetation, onsen (hot springs), and one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls in Namegawa Falls.
Higashidai-ten (Mt. Higashidaiten) is a mountain on the borders of Yonezawa City and Inawashiro Town in Fukushima Prefecture. The mountain lies in the middle of the Azuma Renpo. The summit is covered in coniferous trees, and there are large number of lookouts and marshes to check out. Both of the trailheads have an onsen (hot spring) nearby. This means you can easily bathe the aches and pains of your hike when done.
Azuma-san also along the Azuma Renpo that Higashidai-ten is located on, is an active volcano. As of writing this, the volcano is at alert level 1. This means you need to be aware that it is a volcano. For more, check the Japan Meteorological Agency website.
The Tengendai Trailhead is located at Hokuhodai, accessible from the Tengendai Ropeway. From the trail, you can see the Iroha marshes and other meadows. Near the Yahei-daira wetlands, many alpine flowers such as chinguruma (Aleutian avens) and Yatasuge (hare's-tail cottongrass, tussock cottongrass, or sheathed cottonsedge) bloom throughout the year. To the north of the summit there is an unmanned emergency hut called the Yahei-Daira Emergency Hut (formerly the Meigetsu-so).
The Namegawa Onsen Trailhead is located a little to the south of Toge Station (on the JR Ou Honsen line). The trail takes you via Takakura Shindo to Iegata-yama, Nise’eboshi-yama, Eboshi-yama, and Shogen-zan to the summit of Higashidai-ten. At the summit lies the Yahei-Daira Emergency Hut. There are also marshes and lakes to check out nearby making it a great place to take a break. Since there is a large change in elevation and long distance to cover, you must make proper preparations. Lastly, Namegawa Falls, one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan, lies near Namegawa Onsen.
東大巓 | ひがしだいてん
Higashidai-ten (Mt. Higashidaiten, 東大巓, ひがしだいてん) is a 1928m (6325 ft.) peak in the Okitama Region of Yamagata prefecture best climbed from June to October. Higashidai-ten is a level 2 in terms of physical demand, which means it is relatively easy to hike, has a A technical grade, which means it requires little expertise, and you want to allow at least 5 hours for a climb.
Mountain Range
Azuma Renpo
Region
Okitama
Elevation
1928m (6325 ft.)
Technical Demand
A (requires little expertise)
Physical Demand
2 (relatively easy to hike)
Trails
Two: 1) Tengendai Trail (2 hours 30 one-way), 2) Namegawa Onsen Trail (6 hours 50 one-way, for intermediate and above hikers)
Best time to climb
June to October
Day trip possible?
Yes
Minimum Time Required
5 hours return
PDF Maps by TheHokkaidoCartographer and JapanWilds.org. See all here.
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