Hachimantai Plateau八幡平

The emerald-green Hachiman-numa Marsh surrounded by alpine plants. Hot springs with views of Mt. Iwate-san.

Hachimantai is a plateau-like volcanic terrace, 1,400-1,600 meters above sea level, extending over Iwate Prefecture and Akita Prefecture in the west, and is a part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. A swamp near the top of Hachimantai is a treasure trove of over 160 kinds of alpine and swamp plants, and visitors can enjoy the mizubasho (Japanese skunk cabbage) and nikko-kisuge (yellow alpine lilies) in full bloom from spring through autumn. The beech forest also contains the radiant emerald green Hachiman-numa Marsh as well as Gama-numa Marsh and Kagami-numa Marsh.

Hachimantai-onsen Hot Spring is a scenic hot spring with views of the Ou Mountain Range, which run across the Akita Prefecture border, and the magnificent Mt. Iwate-san. Nearby are the Gozaisho-en Garden, filled with the flowers of alpine plants, and Goshiki (five-color)-numa Marsh, where the water changes color according to the sunlight. Together they offer an ideal route for walking. Visitors can also enjoy skiing at Hachimantai Ski Resort in winter that operates up to May.

Spectacular views of Hachimantai, such as marshes in the forest and the virgin forest of Aomori white fir, can be enjoyed from the window of the bus that travels along the Asupite-Line Road connecting the Hachimantai-onsen Hot Spring and the Toroko-onsen Hot Spring in Akita Prefecture that crosses Hachimantai.