Visited 16.10.2016 (Fri)
Sequel. Sighted Hakodate mountain from its base during the autumn trekking course organised by Oirase Keiryu Hotel 奥入瀬渓流ホテル the day before. Decided to visit Hakkoda mountain again on the following day, by riding a ropeway to the summit of Mount Tamoyachidake this time round. Hakkoda mountain refers to the mountain range spanning the north of Towada Hachimantai National Park 十和田八幡平国立公園 which comprised of more than ten peaks around the main peak named Mount Odake (1,585 m). Mount Tamayachidake area is a rich nature reserve dotted with wetlands and an ecosystem for less commonly seen alpine thriving vegetation.
Colour transformation. On Day 8 morning, we boarded the JR Bus Tohoku heading for the base ropeway station (Hakkoda Ropeway) from the bus terminal in front of Aomori Station 青森駅. At the base, we were excited to see the various shades of autumn colours already decorating the vegetation on the mountain slope. Bought the round trip ticket and queued for our turn to board the ropeway. During the ascend, we witnessed the fascinating colour transformation of surrounding vegetation from orange, to red and then to brown and eventually turned back to lush green when the carriage approached the summit park station.
Breathtaking scenery. We headed to the observatory of the summit park station to admire the mountainous landscape. After being captivated by the perfect mirror image on the waters of Tsutanuma 蔦沼 a day ago, this was another breathtaking scenery that left us speechless. Being able to stand at an altitude with a commanding view of nature's work of creation was unprecedented for me. We stood at the observatory, marveling at the panoramic scenery for quite some time before we had to leave reluctantly to carry on with our trekking course. Be prepared to wear warmly to protect yourselves against the colder temperatures and chilly winds experienced here if you plan to visit the place during autumn.
Embracing nature. The nature trail is shaped like a gourd and hence the name - Hakkoda Gourd Line 八甲田ゴードライン. The full course takes about 60 minutes to complete and there are multiple observation decks and lookout points to stop by to observe nature along the way. Due to time constraint, we could only cover half of the gourd line unfortunately. Walked carefully along the pathway and arrived at the first observation deck where three mountains of Northern Hakkoda mountain range - Mount Akakuradake 赤倉岳 (1,548 m), Mount Idodake 硫黄岳 (1,550 m) and Mount Odake, were sighted. At the halfway mark, we stopped by at the next observation deck overlooking at Tamoyachi Wetlands 田茂萢湿原 and Northern Hakkoda mountain range. The calm waters of the pond in the center was a natural mirror for the surrounding vegetation and mountain range. Overall, the route is not physically taxing and is an excellent way to uncover the hidden wetlands of Hakkoda mountains. Though we all felt tired with all the walking coming to the end of our trip, we felt it was worthwhile and the outcome was way more rewarding than we thought.
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Hakkoda Ropeway 八甲田ロープウェイ, Tamoyachidake Nature Trail 田茂萢岳自然研究路
Operating hours: 0900 - 1620 hrs (Mar - Early Nov), 0900 - 1540 hrs (Mid Nov - Feb)
Round trip ticket = 2,000 yen
One way ticket = 1,250 yen
http://www.hakkoda-ropeway.jp/
How to get there?
By JR Bus Tohoku and walk.
From Aomori Ekimae Bus Terminal Bus Stop 11 or Shin Aomori JR Station East Exit Bus Stop 1, board JR Bus Tohoku Mizumi-go みずうみ号 heading for Hakkoda Ropeway, Oirase Keiryu and Towada-ko. Alight at Ropeway Ekimae ロープウェー駅前.
Bus fare = 1,100 yen
JR Bus Tohoku: https://www.jrbustohoku.co.jp/route/detail.php?r=45&rc=11
* Note that the bus fare is covered by nationwide JR pass and JR East rail passes.
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Commemorative stamp:
Sequel. Sighted Hakodate mountain from its base during the autumn trekking course organised by Oirase Keiryu Hotel 奥入瀬渓流ホテル the day before. Decided to visit Hakkoda mountain again on the following day, by riding a ropeway to the summit of Mount Tamoyachidake this time round. Hakkoda mountain refers to the mountain range spanning the north of Towada Hachimantai National Park 十和田八幡平国立公園 which comprised of more than ten peaks around the main peak named Mount Odake (1,585 m). Mount Tamayachidake area is a rich nature reserve dotted with wetlands and an ecosystem for less commonly seen alpine thriving vegetation.
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| Can you spot a winding road in the photo? |
Colour transformation. On Day 8 morning, we boarded the JR Bus Tohoku heading for the base ropeway station (Hakkoda Ropeway) from the bus terminal in front of Aomori Station 青森駅. At the base, we were excited to see the various shades of autumn colours already decorating the vegetation on the mountain slope. Bought the round trip ticket and queued for our turn to board the ropeway. During the ascend, we witnessed the fascinating colour transformation of surrounding vegetation from orange, to red and then to brown and eventually turned back to lush green when the carriage approached the summit park station.
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| What a wonderful sight to behold at the summit park station! |
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| Observatory located on the top deck of summit park station. |
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| Starting point for nature trail. |
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| Standing at the observation deck overlooking Mount Akakuradake, Mount Idodake and Mount Odake. |
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| Surrounded by nature. |
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| Scenic lookout point for Tamoyachi Wetlands and Northern Hakkoda mountain range. |
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Hakkoda Ropeway 八甲田ロープウェイ, Tamoyachidake Nature Trail 田茂萢岳自然研究路
Operating hours: 0900 - 1620 hrs (Mar - Early Nov), 0900 - 1540 hrs (Mid Nov - Feb)
Round trip ticket = 2,000 yen
One way ticket = 1,250 yen
http://www.hakkoda-ropeway.jp/
How to get there?
By JR Bus Tohoku and walk.
From Aomori Ekimae Bus Terminal Bus Stop 11 or Shin Aomori JR Station East Exit Bus Stop 1, board JR Bus Tohoku Mizumi-go みずうみ号 heading for Hakkoda Ropeway, Oirase Keiryu and Towada-ko. Alight at Ropeway Ekimae ロープウェー駅前.
Bus fare = 1,100 yen
JR Bus Tohoku: https://www.jrbustohoku.co.jp/route/detail.php?r=45&rc=11
* Note that the bus fare is covered by nationwide JR pass and JR East rail passes.
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Commemorative stamp:
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