Mt. Issaikyo

Mt. Issaikyo

One of the mountains climbable from the Jododaira Plateau, Mt. Issaikyo is a robust several-hour hike suitable for intermediate-level hikers.

In addition to spectacular views of the surrounding area, the mountain is also one of the main pathways to, and viewpoints for, the ‘Witch’s Eye’ lake at Goshikinuma, which stretches out in a valley visible from the Issaikyo summit. (The lake is reachable from the summit, although the terrain is relatively steep.)

Visitors to the area typically park at the Jododaira Visitor Center, from which they have a choice of options: Kamanuma lake due west, Okenuma Pond to the south, and the Azuma-Kofuji crater with its panoramic views over Fukushima City to the east.

To the north, however, stands Mt. Issaikyo. With a summit of 1,949m and rugged terrain on the climb, it may not be suitable for absolute beginner hikers, but nor is it a whole-day slog like climbing Mt. Fuji. Views from the top of the mountain are spectacular and well worth the climb – a blanket of immaculate white clouds spreads out in all directions. Likewise, the ascent gives great views of the Azuma-Kofuji crater with its iconic inverted shape.

The Jododaira Plateau is typically best accessed by car, a journey which takes travellers from Fukushima City up the Bandai-Azuma Skyline sightseeing road and offers fantastic views, especially in autumn.

Please be aware that the Mt. Issaikyo trail, and the Jododaira Plateau in general, is closed to visitors during winter due to heavy snowfall.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Best Season
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
Estimated Visit Time4h
Opening Hours

Closed in winter.

Parking500 yen
Entrance FeeFree
Access Details
AccessWashikurayama Tsuchiyuonsenmachi, Fukushima, 960-2157
View directions
Getting there

By Car: 1 hour drive from the Fukushima-Nishi I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway

Then walk roughly 1h30m to the summit of Mt. Issaikyo

(Witch's Eye lake is a further 30-40 minutes descent from the summit)

Useful Links

Jododaira Visitor Center

Mt. Azuma-Kofuji

Climbing Mt. Issaikyo

Nearby

The World Glassware Hall
Hot Springs

Takayu Onsen

This famous hot spring area is located at an altitude of approximately 750 meters, which is why it’s called 'taka-yu' ('taka' means 'high-up' and 'yu' means 'hot spring'). Located on the slopes of the Azuma mountain range, Takayu Onsen area was once known as “Shinobu Takayu” and, together with Zao Takayu and Shirabu Takayu, prospered as one of three Takayu in what was once known as the northern Ou region. The waters of Takayu Onsen are a bluish milky color and are thought to have healing properties. Most of the resort facilities of the area neither add water nor adjust the temperature in order to maintain the natural allure of the hot spring waters. After bathing in the waters of this spring, your skin becomes almost slippery from the high acidic and hydrogen sulfide makeup. In the Takayu Onsen area, there are 10 natural hot spring sources, with names such as 'Takinoyu', 'Netsuyu', and 'Senkinoyu'. These sources are named after old public baths. In the olden days, bathtubs were built right next to or directly above the hot spring source. Today, the bathing facilities still receive their water flowing directly from the same source. Nowadays, Takayu Onsen consists of about a dozen ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), all offering their unique charm to travelers. You’ll be pleased to note that many of the ryokan open their hot spring baths to non-staying guests for a small fee. The most famous hot spring facility in Takayu Onsen is Tamagoyu, a wooden bathhouse with a traditional feel. There’s even a foot bath in the center of the town open to the public. If public bathing isn’t something you feel comfortable with, many of the onsen facilities in the area also offer private onsen rooms with a rotenburo (open-air bath) available for your own use. It is a relaxing experience unlike any other to soak in the hot waters and feel your worries melt away.

The World Glassware Hall
Nature & Scenery

Miharu Takizakura

Miharu is a small town in central Fukushima Prefecture. The town’s name means “three springs” and it is easy to see how it got such a name. With cherry, plum, and peach trees blossoming in spectacular displays every spring, it is almost as if spring has tripled! But the most famous of the trees in Miharu is the Miharu Takizakura tree, which is a nationally recognized Natural Monument.Over ten centuries old, the beautiful Miharu Takizakura is a flowering cherry tree that spreads out in all directions and makes for a breathtaking vista. The cascading blankets of blossoms are how this tree got the name takizakura, or “waterfall cherry tree.” It is even one of the “three great cherry trees” of Japan (along with Usuzumizakura in Gifu and the Jindaizakura in Yamanashi Prefecture).Miharu Takizakura sits in a sakura hollow in order to protect it from the elements while providing excellent drainage. The heavy boughs of the tree are supported by wooden beams and lend to its elegant form. The Miharu Takizakura begins blooming from mid-April. During the day the sight is whimsical, but visit in the evening and you’ll be treated to an almost haunting beauty as the tree is illuminated.Aside from this huge cherry tree (over 12 meters tall and 18 to 22 meters in spread), the area is also blessed with various wildflowers, including cherry and rapeseed flowers. But, of course, the Miharu Takizakura is what the annual 200,000 visitors are there to see. The view from the base of the sakura is considered to be the most beautiful and the Miharu Takizakura often ranks as the best sakura tree in all of Japan.
The World Glassware Hall
Nature & Scenery

Kassenba's Weeping Cherry Tree

These two weeping cherry trees are said to be the grandchildren of the great Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in nearby Miharu Town. They bloom with fantastic pink flowers. When they are in full bloom, the trees are if a waterfall of blossoms is cascading from their branches. These trees are estimated to be around 170 years old. We recommend taking photographs from the bottom of the slope, so you can capture the pink of the blossoms, together with the blue of the sky, and yellow of the canola flowers.

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