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【Trail entrance】 Iwakagami-daira(Numakura, Kurikoma, Miygagi Pref.)
【Distance】 approximately 3.7km
【Altitude of trail entrance】 1,113m
【Altitude difference】 513m
【Total altitude difference】 approximately 539m
【Difficulty level】 physical endurance ★☆☆☆☆  technique ★☆☆☆☆  risk ★☆☆☆☆
【Other information】 No drinking water available on trail  No dangerous places
【Phone reception】 Docomo strong signals  au and Softbank weak signals

【General guide】
Higashi Kurikoma trail starts from Iwakagami-daira, very close to the start of the Central (Chuo) trail. The trail is very popular and it is one of the most amazing hiking trails on Mt Kurikoma.
When enjoying the beautiful mountain stream Shin-yuzawa and the superb view on the ridge of Higashi Kurikoma, it’s not hard to see why this is a favourite trail! You can see a large spread of Miyamakinbai flowers (Cinquefoil) on Mt Higashi Kurikoma in May. This trail retains water for several days after rain, so it is best to hike it when the weather is fine.
Although many people use the Higashi Kurikoma trail the whole way around Mt Kurikoma, is another goal option taking the Higashi Kurikoma trail for your ascent and the Central (Chuo) trail for descent.
It’s often very windy and cold on the ridges of Higashi Kurikoma. Be aware of hypothermia’s signs, symptoms and treatment when hiking in the mountains. Hypothermia is the dominant cause of death in hiking.

【Time】 Ascent 2 hours Descent 90 minutes
Ascent(Descent)
1.Iwakagami-daira ~40min.(30min.)~ 2.Shin-yuzawa (mountain stream) ~20min.(15min.)~ 3.Higashi Kurikoma ~ 30min.(25min.)~ 4.Trail junction, Higashi Kurikoma and Uragake (Shin-yu) trail~ 20min.(13min.)~ 5.Trail junction, Central (Chuo) and Higashi Kurikoma trail ~ 10min.(7min.)~ 6.Summit

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Iwakagami-daira Trail Entrance
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Iwakagami-daira parking lot from an altitude of 1,113 meters
Iwakagami-daira parking lot from an altitude of 1,113 meters
The road to the parking lot is opened to traffic around Golden Week
The road to the parking lot is opened to traffic around Golden Week
There are 3 parking lots at Iwakagami-daira
There are 3 parking lots at Iwakagami-daira
You can see a wonderful view from Iwakagamidaira
You can see a wonderful view from Iwakagamidaira
Public restrooms on the left, evacuation huts on the right
Public restrooms on the left, evacuation huts on the right
The Higashi Kurikoma trail entrance is in front of the Central (Chuo) trail entrance
The Higashi Kurikoma trail entrance is in front of the Central (Chuo) trail entrance
The Higashi Kurikoma trail entrance. The trail is not paved.
The Higashi Kurikoma trail entrance. The trail is not paved.
The parking lots may be full in the early morning during peak season
The parking lots may be full in the early morning during peak season
You can get food and take a rest at the mountain hut
You can get food and take a rest at the mountain hut
Don't forget to post your hiking plan
Don’t forget to post your hiking plan

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1.Iwakagami-daira trail entrance ~ 40min.(30min.)~ 2.Crossing point of the Shin-yuzawa mountain stream
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The trail is like a mountain stream after raining
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It is difficult to hike on the trail after rain
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There are some steep rocks to climb
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The first part of the trail is lined with bushes
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The trail with beautiful autumn leaves in peak season
Looking backwards, you can see the beautiful Ou Mountains
Looking backwards, you can see the beautiful Ou Mountains
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Fringed galax (Schizocodon soldanelloides)
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Anise magnolia

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2.Crossing point of the Shin-yuzawa mountain stream ~ 20min.(15min.)~ 3.Mt Higashi Kurikoma
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After 40 minutes, you can reach the Shin-yuzawa mountain stream
After 40 minutes, you can reach the Shin-yuzawa mountain stream
Walk up along side the stream at this point
Walk up along side the stream at this point
Hike up along the mountain stream according to the signs
Hike up along the mountain stream according to the signs
After about 100m, rejoin the trail on the right hand side
After about 100m, rejoin the trail on the right hand side
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There is still some unmelted snow in early summer
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Crossing point of the Shin-yuzawa mountain stream
After taking the trail for a while, there are good views you can see
After taking the trail for a while, there are good views you can see
The trail is easy to hike and it's slippery here so please be careful
The trail is easy to hike and it’s slippery here so please be careful
After a short while, you can see Mt Kurikoma
After a short while, you can see Mt Kurikoma
There is a small bell. Feel free to ring the bell, donated by Wakayanagi High School
There is a small bell. Feel free to ring the bell
You can enjoy a superb view on the mountain ridge from here
You can enjoy a superb view on the mountain ridge from here
A nice trail
A nice trail
It’s often very windy on the ridges of Higashi Kurikoma
It’s often very windy on the ridges of Higashi Kurikoma
You can see a magnificent view of the Ou Mountains
You can see a magnificent view of the Ou Mountains

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3.Mt Higashi Kurikoma ~ 30min.(25min.)~ 4.Trail junction of Higashi Kurikoma and Uragake trail
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You can see Miyamakinbai flowers on Higashi Kurikoma in May
It takes 20 minutes from the Shin-yuzawa to the Higashi Kurikoma summit
It takes 20 minutes from the Shin-yuzawa to the Higashi Kurikoma summit
It is one of the most impressive views from Mt Higashi Kurikoma
It is one of the most impressive views from Mt Higashi Kurikoma
View from peak of the Higashi Kurikoma trail
View from peak of the Higashi Kurikoma trail
View from the Higashi Kurikoma trail, the Central trail and mountains
View from the Higashi Kurikoma trail, the Central trail and mountains
The trail is a gentle slope. It’s often very windy here
The trail is a gentle slope. It’s often very windy here
The trail is a gentle slope. It’s often very windy here
The trail is a gentle slope. It’s often very windy here
There are some large rocks on the ridges of Higashi Kurikoma
There are some large rocks on the ridges of Higashi Kurikoma
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Hikers on the Higashi Kurikoma trail
View from on the ridges of Higashi Kurikoma in autumn
View from on the ridges of Higashi Kurikoma in autumn
View of Mt Higashi Kurikoma on the Higashi Kurikoma trail
View of Mt Higashi Kurikoma on the Higashi Kurikoma trail
Hiking up enjoying view of Mt Kurikoma and Kitakami Mountains
Hiking up enjoying view of Mt Kurikoma and Kitakami Mountains
Japanese alpine cherry and Rhododendron albrechtii
Japanese alpine cherry and Rhododendron albrechtii
Melting snow creates a lot of puddles on the trails, waterproof boots are essential
Melting snow creates a lot of puddles on the trails, waterproof boots are essential
There is still some unmelted snow around June
There is still some unmelted snow around June
Japanese alpine Cherry (Prunus nipponica)
Japanese alpine Cherry (Prunus nipponica)
Rhododendron albrechtii
Rhododendron albrechtii
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Miyamakinbai (Cinquefoil)

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4.Trail junction of Higashi Kurikoma and Uragake trail ~ 20min.(13min.)~ 5.Trail junction of Central and Higashi Kurikoma trail
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It takes 30 minutes from Mt Higashi Kurikoma to the next trail junction
It takes 30 minutes from Mt Higashi Kurikoma to the next trail junction
You walk on a gentle slope from the trail junction
You walk on a gentle slope from the trail junction
There is still some unmelted snow around June
There is still some unmelted snow around June
Some unmelted snow at the headstream of Shin-yuzawa in June
Some unmelted snow at the headstream of Shin-yuzawa in June
From the headstream of Shin-yuzawa
From the headstream of Shin-yuzawa
Shelter here in case of weather change
Shelter here in case of weather change
It is steep to the junction of the Central and the Higashi Kurikoma trail
It is steep to the junction of the Central and the Higashi Kurikoma trail
There is a beautiful grassland at the headstream of Shin-yuzawa
There is a beautiful grassland at the headstream of Shin-yuzawa
Don’t forget to rest as you go!
Don’t forget to rest as you go!
You can enjoy a beautiful view of Iwate and Kitakami Mountains
You can enjoy a beautiful view of Iwate and Kitakami Mountains

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5.Trail junction of the Central and the Higashi Kurikoma trail ~ 10min.(7min.)~ 6.Summit
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Trail junction, the Central (Chuo) and the Higashi Kurikoma trail
Trail junction, the Central (Chuo) and the Higashi Kurikoma trail
Trail junction of the Central and the Higashi Kurikoma trail
Trail junction of the Central and the Higashi Kurikoma trail
You can see some mountains from the summit
You can see some mountains from the summit
There is still some unmelted snow until June
There is still some unmelted snow until June
View of a grassland around the Shin Yuzawa
View of a grassland around the Shin Yuzawa
Please stay on established trails so as not to damage the flora here
Please stay on established trails so as not to damage the flora here
The trail is narrow and steep
The trail is narrow and steep
After climbing a steep slope, you can reach the summit
After climbing a steep slope, you can reach the summit
Nephrophyllidium (Nephrophyllidium crista-galli)
Nephrophyllidium (Nephrophyllidium crista-galli)
Dactylorhiza (Dactylorhiza aristata)
Dactylorhiza (Dactylorhiza aristata)

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6.Summit
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The summit of Mt Kurikoma with the pole
The summit of Mt Kurikoma with the markers
A stone triangulation marker
A stone triangulation marker
View of east (Iwate and Miyagi) from the summit
View of east (Iwate and Miyagi) from the summit
View of west (Akita and Yamagata, Mt Chokai) from the summit
View of west (Akita and Yamagata, Mt Chokai) from the summit
View of south (Kurihara, Miyagi) from the summit
View of south (Kurihara, Miyagi) from the summit
View of north (Ichinoseki Iwate, Mt Yakeishi) from the summit
View of north (Ichinoseki Iwate, Mt Yakeishi) from the summit
The summit is popular with a lot of hikers in high season
The summit is popular with a lot of hikers in high season
The summit just before hiking season
The summit just before hiking season