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Drive Hachimantai
Hachimantai is a great destination for a driving holiday: With your own wheels you can wander off the beaten path and explore this natural wonderland at your own pace. We’ve brought together four of Hachimantai’s best driving routes so you can lose yourself in the gorgeous mountain scenery and friendly locales.
Hachimantai Aspite Line
Wander off the beaten path in Towada-Hachimantai National Park while driving the Hachimantai Aspite Line. You’ll be treated to impressive views of Mt. Iwate and the Ou mountain range as well as a range of hiking trails to suit all abilities for when you need to stretch your legs.
Why go? The Hachimantai Aspite Line boasts some amazing natural sight-seeing options: from the annual phenomenon of the snow corridor (mid-April to early May) and the famous Hachimantai Dragon Eye (mid-May to mid-June), to the ever-changing Goshiki Pond or unique alpine plants blooming around the many caldera lakes and alpine marshes found here.
Pit stop: Start your journey at Hachimantai-Matsuo Visitor Center next to the entrance to Hachimantai Aspite Line. Here you can pick up tourist brochures, as well as souvenirs and fresh local produce at the on-site farmers’ market. There’s also a stand selling coffee brewed with pure spring water from one of Japan’s 100 famous springs located nearby.
The Hachimantai Summit Rest House at the border of Iwate and Akita prefectures also provides a range of visitor services including information boards, rest areas, light meals and a souvenir shop.
Spring:
Each year when it reopens after winter, a snow corridor is created along the Hachimantai Aspite Line connecting Iwate and Akita prefectures. At approximately 27 kilometers long, this is the longest snow corridor in Japan and some years reaches as high as 8 meters. A leisurely drive to Hachimantai Summit allows you to fully appreciate this incredible sight.
One of Hachimantai’s most iconic attractions, the annual phenomenon of the Dragon Eye is a must-see in spring. Near Hachimantai Summit, the snow melting on Kagami-numa Pond resembles a giant eye staring back at you. It’s about a 20-minute hike from Hachimantai Summit Rest House parking lot.
Summer:
The remarkably flat mountaintop of Hachimantai Summit blooms with unique alpine flowers. Summer is also peak hiking and mountain climbing season with a range of trails accessible from Hachimantai Aspite Line.
Please note that the Hachimantai Aspite Line is closed over winter (early November to mid-April) between Midorigaoka gate in Iwate Prefecture and Fuke-no-yu hot spring gate in Akita Prefecture. In 2024, it is scheduled to reopen at 10:00 a.m. on Monday 15th April.
Where to next? Either return to Hachimantai City via the Hachimantai Jukai Line or continue into Akita Prefecture where you could visit Nyuto Onsen, Lake Tazawa or Kakunodate.
Hachimantai Jukai Line
Winding 25.5 kilometers from Hachimantai Onsen-kyo (lit. hot spring village) to Mikaeri Pass near Hachimantai Summit, the Hachimantai Jukai Line offers sweeping views of Hachimantai City in the valley below as you climb ever higher.
Why go? Onsens (hot springs) set amongst awe-inspiring natural scenery – volcanic activity formed these mountains and the Earth’s power bubbles to the surface today as natural hot spring water.
Pit stop: Just downhill from the end of the Jukai Line at Mikaeri Pass is hot spring inn Toshichi Onsen Saiunso. It boasts the highest elevation of any outdoor bath in the Tohoku region (lit. north-east) at 1,400 meters above sea level. The baths are mostly mixed-gender and some are visible to the road so a bath here is not for the shy of heart (you’re allowed to wrap yourself in a towel if you wish), but the experience of soaking in the milky-white sulfur-rich waters surrounded by mountain peaks is sure to be a highlight of your trip.
Tucked in at the base of the mountains is Matsukawa Onsen: a collection of historic hot spring inns dotted around the Matsukawa River. You can choose from both indoor and outdoor baths with accommodation and day visitor options also available. Personally, we think the outdoor baths with seasonal views of the rich autumn colors and piling snow in winter are the best.
Best time to visit: The mountains and valleys come alight with autumn colors around October. Local autumn hot-spots, Mori-no-Ohashi Bridge and Matsukawa Valley Genbuiwa are both accessible from the Hachimantai Jukai Line.
Please note that the Hachimantai Jukai Line is closed over winter (early November to late April) between Matsukawa gate and Mikaeri Pass. In 2024, it is scheduled to reopen at 10:00 a.m. on Friday 26th April.
Where to next? Either return to Hachimantai City via the Hachimantai Aspite Line or treat yourself to a night of delicious regional cuisine and wonderful mountain hospitality at one of these traditional hot spring inns:
Toshichi Onsen Saiunso: https://www.toshichi.com/ENG/index.html
Matsukawa Onsen Kyounso (Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/cJt2gSEdQSCZ6ZhLA
Matsukawa Onsen Matsukawaso (Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/LnqzhKRLeUNhrSkn7
Mt. Iwate Panorama Line
The Mt. Iwate Panorama Line stretches 8.8 kilometers through a mostly forested rural valley from the volcanic landscape of Mt. Iwate Yakehashiri Lava Flow to where geothermal springs emerge at Hachimantai Onsen-kyo.
Why go? As the name suggests, this drive offers panoramic views of Mt. Iwate and the Ou mountain range. At one end stands Yakehashiri Lava Flow, an enduring natural monument to a volcanic eruption of Mt. Iwate in the 1700s. The almost apocalyptic landscape which sustains very little plant life is approximately 4 kilometers long and 1.5 kilometers wide and is best viewed from an observation platform that’s approximately 20 minutes’ walk from the parking lot.
At the Hachimantai Onsen-kyo end of the road is Iwate Prefectural Citizens’ Forest, a 360 hectare forest park that backs onto the Matsukawa River. There are several trails to explore here with seasonal guide maps available from the Forestry Museum. The Forestry Museum also houses an excellent indoor children’s play space including a range of wooden toys and an adventure slide perfect for little ones who might be constantly asking “are we there yet?” from the back seat.
If you prefer two wheels, the relatively gentle slopes of the Panorama Line also make it an excellent option for cyclists.
Pit stop: Owned and operated by a husband and wife team, restaurant La Mia Mamma (Google Maps) serves delicious Italian-style cuisine in a quaint forest setting. When the weather is fine, you can bask in the sunlight filtering through the trees on the outdoor terrace. Bookings essential for the dinner service.
Best time to visit: This road is accessible year-round, however, due care should be taken in winter when snow and ice can cover the road. The summer green season or early autumn when the surrounding rice fields are ripe for harvest are our favorite times to drive this route.
Where to next? From Iwate Prefectural Citizens’ Forest cross the Mori-no-Ohashi Bridge and continue up the Hachimantai Jukai Line. Alternatively, spend more time relaxing in the great outdoors by pitching a tent in the campground of either Iwate Yakehashiri International Exchange Village or Iwate Prefectural Citizens’ Forest. If camping isn’t quite your style, a range of hotel and bed & breakfast-style accommodation can be found in Hachimantai Onsen-kyo.
Gourmet Ashiro
Take a drive into the mountains and experience the quality cuisine and rural hospitality of the Ashiro area in Hachimantai City’s north-east.
Why go? Here you can taste local ingredients at their source, learn about centuries old traditions and breathe in the fresh country air.
Pit stop: There are several family businesses and local producers with on-site direct produce stores in this area. For more detailed information on local restaurants and points of interest (including opening hours and Google Maps links), please see this blog post.
Best time to visit: The Ashiro area is accessible year-round, however, this region experiences heavy snowfall and winter tires are mandatory. If you are traveling here during the colder months, you should make sure that you are suitably prepared for driving in snow and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Please note that some local businesses may close or reduce trading hours during winter.
Personally, we think early autumn is the best time to visit Ashiro. At this time, the purple rindo flowers (a Hachimantai city icon) are in full bloom, and fields of flowering soba (buckwheat) and almost-ready-to-harvest rice plants line the roads.
Renting a car
Many visitors to Hachimantai rent a car from Morioka Station where several rental car companies have offices. Most have English-speaking staff and can also switch the in-car navigation systems to English for you. Hachimantai City is about a 30-60 minute drive from Morioka Station depending on your route and final destination. Alternatively, rental cars can also be booked from airports within the Tohoku region.
Helpful links:
- Things to know when renting a car (JNTO): https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/getting-around/cars/
- Hachimantai Aspite Line (Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/4ShK24JoKEJ8zCzQ6
- Hachimantai Jukai Line (Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/d4vjAUBC2tsYpbfj9
- Mt. Iwate Panorama Line (Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/i9NMeeiuXQbD5YXr6
All information listed was confirmed at the time of publication. No responsibility is taken for changes made by third parties after this time.