Hachimantai is gaining popularity in Thailand!
A well-known Thai blogger recently wrote an extensive article featuring their favorite areas of Hachimantai and Kazuno. They listed 16 areas they found impressive. I don’t read any Thai, but in this era of Google Translate it’s actually possible to see what it is that stuck out to them about our beloved Hachimantai. There are also some rather excellent photographs included as well.
Hachimantai Aspite Line and Jukai Line Closing for the Winter
The Hachimantai Aspite and Jukai Lines are closing for the winter from 5pm on Tuesday, November 5th. The Hachimantai Aspite Line will reopen at 10 a.m. on April 15th and the Hachimantai Jukai Line will reopen at 10 a.m. on April 24th.
In April when it reopens we’ll again be able to enjoy the Hachimantai Snow Corridor at the same time as the cherry blossoms begin to bloom, all along the same road!
But first, winter is coming! It’s almost time for us to start enjoying the dreamy powder snow that some have started calling, Hachipow!
Hachimantai Aspite Line and Jukai Line Fall Hours
The Hachimantai Aspite and Jukai Lines have begun their fall schedule. They will now be closed from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Additionally, on days with poor weather they may be closed all day. Please check back here for any announcements of closings!
The fall is a beautiful time to hike around the summit of Hachimantai. The mountainsides are alive with color, and the crisp cool air is invigorating!
Winter is coming!
Hachimantai Aspite Line Bus Access April 17th – April 25th
Bus access to the Hachimantai Aspite Line Snow Corridor!
(We know you want it…!)
The Sansaku bus that will take you round trip with time to hike starts up on April 26th this year. Until then, you need to take a normal Iwate Kenpoku Bus. There are three options for getting there and three return options. (Each way one is direct and the others require a transfer.)
From Morioka Station East Exit Bus stop #3
9:42 a.m. departure – arrives 10:32 a.m. at the summit area.
10:42 a.m. departure – arrives at last stop (Kozan Shiryokan) at 12:04.. get off and wait for the next bus at 12:10, then arrive at the summit at 12:50 p.m.
12:12 a.m. departure – arrives at last stop (Kozan Shiryokan) at 1:30 p.m… get off and wait for the next bus at 1:40 p.m. – then arrive at the summit area at 2:20 p.m.
Returning from the summit bus stop to Morioka Station:
12:50 p.m. – transfer at the Kozan Shiryokan 1:30 arrival, 1:40 p.m. departure, arriving at Morioka Station at 2:58 p.m.
2:30 p.m. – transfer at the Kozan Shiryokan 3:10 p.m. arrival, 3:15 p.m. departure, arriving at Morioka Station at 4:29 p.m.
3:35 p.m. direct to Morioka Station arriving at 5:28 p.m.
The fare is 1,360 yen each way.
DO IT!
The Hachimantai Aspite Line is open at last!
As of today, the Hachimantai Aspite Line is now open for travel! (But please check the road conditions in the morning before you leave as it closes when conditions are dangerous.) We will announce on the trip8 facebook page every morning around 9 a.m. Japanese time whether the road is open that day or not throughout the snow corridor season. 
The Aspite Line is a long transit road between Iwate and Akita that will take you to and over the summit of Mt. Hachimantai. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this morning to commemorate the event, featuring the city mayor and regional mascots.
However, while the road is now generally open for the season, there may be some days when it’s closed, primarily due to weather. Unfortunately, today is one of those days!
There are two main ways you can check the status of the Aspite Line. There’s an electric sign posted above its entrance that will say whether it’s closed. The sign is only in Japanese, but if the message is in red you should check with the nearby Visitor Center! Additionally, you can check the homepage of the Hachimantai Tourism Association. Up-to-date transit information for the Aspite Line is available at the top of the page each day, in both English and Japanese. Look for a blue box!
Coming on April 15….
Escape from the lingering summer heat, and get the comfortable breeze of autumn with amazing views.