Iegata-yama lies in the east of the Azuma Renpo. The mountain sits to the north of the currently active volcano Issaikyo-zan. Iegata-yama, lit. house-shape mountain, gets its name from the fact its eastern side resembles a house.

From the summit you can see Azuma no Hitomi ‘the eye of Azuma’ or Majo no Hitomi ‘witch’s eye’, a cobalt blue alpine lake lying to the south. Then, far off in the north lies the Zao Renpo.

Iegata-yama is part of the Azuma Renpo. Azuma-yama in Fukushima Prefecture is a volcano currently at alert level 1. This means you need to take note that it is an active volcano. See the Japan Meterological Bureau website for more.

Namegawa Onsen Trail (4 hours)

Head south from JR Ouhonsen Toge Station to Namegawa Onsen and you’ll find the trailhead near there. The trail takes you along the Takakura Shindo via Kasumi-no-daira. Pass the Bukkeniwa rock with its good views, then where the trail splits towards [Higashidai-ten] take a left. Before long you’ll find yourself at the summit.

Right near Namegawa Onsen there lies one of the 100 Famous Waterfalls of Japan, the Namegawa Otaki Falls.

Tengendai Trail (6.5 hours one-way)

The Tengendai trail starts in Shirabu Onsen. Take the cable car (ropeway in Japanese) from Yugen Station all the way up to the northern lookout at 1820m. You will need to switch lifts three times, and this takes about 35 minutes in total. Along the trail you will get spectacular views of the expansive meadows and wetlands called Iroha-numa. Also, near the Yahei-daira (plateau) there are incredible alpine plants that change with the season such as chinguruma (Geum pentapetalum), and Watasuge Hare’s tail cottongrass. Take a right at the fork once you cross Higashidai-ten, Shogen-zan, Karasuboshi-yama, and Nisekarasuboshi-yama, and you will reach the summit.