House-shape mountain: IEGATA-YAMA

いえがたやま 

Hiking Guide to the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture

家形山

IEGATA-YAMA

Iegata-yama is a house-shaped peak at the eastern edge of the Azuma Renpo.

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.

IEGATA-YAMA

家形山いえがたやま 

Mt. Iegata, Iegatayama, Mt. Iegatayama, Mt. Iegata-yama

Iegata-yama is a house-shaped peak at the eastern edge of the Azuma Renpo.

Iegata-yama (家形山いえがたやま) is a 1877m (6158 ft.) peak in the Okitama Region of Yamagata prefecture best climbed from June to October. Iegata-yama is a level 3 in terms of physical demand, which means it is moderate to hike, has a B technical grade, which means it doesn't require too much expertise. Allow at least 4 hours one-way for a climb.

Mountain Range

Azuma Renpo

Region

Okitama

Elevation

1877m (6158 ft.)

Technical Demand

B (requires some expertise)

Physical Demand

3 (tough at parts)

Trails

Two: 1) Namegawa Onsen Trail (4 hours), 2) Tengendai Trail (6.5 hours one-way)

Best time to climb

June to October

Day trip possible?

Yes

Minimum Time Required

4 hours one-way on the Namegawa Onsen Trail

Google Map with trailheads and summit.

PDF Maps by TheHokkaidoCartographer and JapanWilds.org. See all here.

FROM THE REGION

Mt. Yudono Shrine Gates during the autumn
The Dewa Sanzan’s Mountain of Rebirth: Yudono-san (Mt. Yudono)
The Autumn Leaves of Mount Taizo
The Epitome of Autumn Leaves in North Japan: Taizo-san (Mt. Taizo)
A Jizo statue at the top of Mt. Kyogakura in Sakata
Womb Passes and Monkey Crossings: Kyogakura-san “The Shugendo Peak of Sutras” (Mt. Kyogakura)

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Exploring The Yamabushi Trails of Kinbo-zan (Mt. Kinbo)
Sign on the Nakanomata Trail up Mt. Nihonkoku
This is How I Conquered Japan!
A Ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn) at Semi Onsen Hot Spring Resort
Turtles, Tigers, and a Legendary Japanese Character: Kamewari-yama (Mt. Kamewari)

YAMABUSHI NEWSLETTER

KIWI YAMABUSHI

Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

TIM BUNTING - KIWI YAMABUSHI

OFFICIAL DEWA SANZAN YAMABUSHI NAME:

RYOSEN - SPREADER OF TRUTH

Get In Touch

Share this:

Like this:

Like Loading...
Scroll to Top
%d