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【Trail entrance】 Sukawa Kogen Onsen(46 Matsurubeyama, Genbicho, Ichinoseki-shi, Iwate Pref.)
【Distance】 approximately 3.7km
【Altitude of trail entrance】 1,126m
【Altitude difference】 528m
【Total altitude difference】 approximately 530m
【Difficulty level】 physical endurance ★☆☆☆☆  technique ★☆☆☆☆  risk ★☆☆☆☆
【Other information】 No drinking water available on trail  No dangerous places except volcano
【Phone reception】 Docomo strong signals  au and Softbank weak signals

【General guide】
There are nine trails that lead to the summit of Mt Kurikoma. The Sukawa trail is one of the most popular trail. The trail is in good condition, and well-marked. It is easy for beginner hikers, children, and families.
There is a great hot spring at the trail entrance. You can see an abundance of alpine flowers at Nagorigahara (moorland). You can also enjoy the beautiful scenery created by the old active volcano, including Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and Lake Showa – which is actually one of the volcano’s craters! There are some fantastic views of the landscape and autumn leaves here, too.
Mt Kurikoma is an active volcano. It has lain dormant since its last eruption in 1944. There are some craters around the Sukawa trail. Please note that high concentrations of toxic volcanic gases may accumulate in places of lower altitude such as recesses and valleys. If you realize that there is something wrong with the volcano, such as a bad smell, earthquakes or unusual changes, make sure to evacuate to a place of safety as soon as possible.
Be aware that strong cold winds on the ridges of Mt Kurikoma. Make sure to be careful on the narrow edge from Tengu-iwa to the summit particularly in times of low visibility due to fog or wind.

【Time】 Ascent 90 minutes Descent 70 minutes
Ascent(Descent)
1.Sukawa Kogen Onsen ~20min.(20min.)~ 2.Taikadai (Trail junction of nature observation trail) ~ 30min.(20min.)~ 3.Lake Showa ~ 40min.(30min.)~ 4.Tengu-daira (Trail junction of Sukawa) ~ 20min.(15min.)~ 5.Summit

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Sukawa Kogen Onsen Trail Entrance
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Trail entrance is located at the border between Iwate and Akita Pre.
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The parking lots may be full in the early morning during peak season
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Mt Kurikoma behind the Sukawa Kogen Onsen
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The entrance of the Sukawa Kogen Onsen hotel with hiking plan log
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Don’t forget to complete your hiking plan here before hiking
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A famous outdoor hot spring (Dainichi-yu) and huge rock
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The hot spring stream is always popular with visitors
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The Sukawa trail along the hot spring stream
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The trail is paved around the Sukawa Kogen Onsen
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It springs 6,000 liters every minute, the second largest in Japan
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You can see good views along the trail
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Another trail entrance which is on the border of Iwate and Akita Pref.

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1.Sukawa Kogen Onsen Trail Entrance ~20min.(20min.)~ Taikadai (Trail junction of nature observation trail)
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The first part of the trail is paved and easy to hike
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This wooden house is actually a sauna bathhouse
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You can see the whole Sukawa Kogen Onsen along the trail
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There are three trails to reach the Nagorigahara (moorland)
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The trail is covered with snow in early spring
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Mt Kurikoma, Mt Yuge and Tsurugidake from the Nagorigahara
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Sunrise from the Nagorigahara. Steam is spurting from the ground here
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View of the Nagorigahara (moorland) in summer
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View of the Nagorigahara (moorland) in autumn
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Mt Chokai over Sukawa Kogen
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Yakeishi Mountains from Nagorigahara (moorland)
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The entrance of Nagorigahara (moorland)
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Nagorigahara (moorland) in early spring
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Narthecium fields at Nagorigahara (moorland)
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Nagorigahara (moorland) in summer
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Nagorigahara (moorland) in peak autumn season
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At the south of Nagorigahara (moorland)
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The real hiking trail starts from Nagorigahara (moorland)
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Tateyama gentian (Gentiana thunbergii var. minor)
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There is an abundance of alpine flowers at Nagorigahara

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2.Taikadai (Trail junction of nature observation trail) ~30min.(20min.)~ Lake Showa
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It takes about 5 minutes from Nagorigahara to Taikadai
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There is a lot of greenery both sides of the trail
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Nagorigahara (moorland) and Taikadai trail junction in early spring
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The trail is very popular with a lot of hikers in peak season
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The Sukawa trail is easy to hike
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There is still some unmelted snow in early spring
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Crossing point of the Zetta mountain stream
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You can cross the stream
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Jigokudani (Hell Valley) emits toxic volcanic gases
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DO NOT STOP around Jigokudani (Hell Valley)  Keep walking!
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Be careful at Jigokudani as it is covered with snow in early spring
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There are no plants at Jigokudani (Hell Valley)
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Looking back, the Yakeishi mountains are beautiful
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View from near Lake Showa in early spring

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3.Lake Showa ~ 40min.(30min.)~ Tengu-daira (Trail junction of Sukawa)
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The Lake Showa is one of the craters that erupted in 1944
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The lake is known to change colour due to volcano activities
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There are a few benches and public restrooms
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The lake is covered with snow in early spring
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Take the trail to the summit on the left
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The trail is narrow and steep from Lake Showa
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This trail retains water for several days after rain
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You can see the summit nearby the Tengu-daira (Trail junction of Sukawa)
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There are some great views to see here
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The trail is covered with snow in early spring
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Autumn leaves on the north face is also beautiful
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The Yakeishi mountains in early spring
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Give way to other hikers in peak season
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You will soon arrive at the Tengu-daira

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4.Tengu-daira (Trail junction of Sukawa) ~ 20min.(15min.)~ Summit
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Tengu-daira (trail junction of Sukawa) is a crossroads of 5 trails
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There is open space at the Tengu-daira
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View of the east (the summit) from the Tengu-daira
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View of the west (Tenmaone trail) from the Tengu-daira
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View of the south (Omotegake, Daichimori,Yubama)
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View of the north (Sukawa trail) from the Tengu-daira
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There is a sign at the Tengu-daira
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The trail is in good condition near the summit
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Tengu-iwa, there are 2 big rocks
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View of the south (Omuro) from the Tengu-iwa
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View of the west from the Tengu-iwa, Mt Chokai, Gassan
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The trail is easy to hike
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View from near the summit, Tenmaone and Magusadake
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View from nearby the summit, Lake Showa and Sukawa Kogen Onsen
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You can see panoramic views of the Ou mountains
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Autumn leaves on west face
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View of the south east (The summit and Kurihara City)
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View of the west (The Tenmaone and Mt Chokai)
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The south face and Iwakagami-daira
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The north face and Yakeishi mountains
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The summit in late autumn
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It’s often very windy near the summit
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The mountain’s south side is a sheer cliff, so please be careful
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Looking backwards, the trail near the summit
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There is an abundants of alpine flowers both sides of the trail
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Japanese alpine Cherry (Prunus nipponica)

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5.Summit
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The summit of Mt Kurikoma with the pole
The summit of Mt Kurikoma with markers
A stone triangulation marker
A stone triangulation marker
View of the east (Iwate and Miyagi) from the summit
View of the east (Iwate and Miyagi) from the summit
View of the west (Akita and Yamagata, Mt Chokai) from the summit
View of the west (Akita and Yamagata, Mt Chokai) from the summit
View of the south (Kurihara, Miyagi) from the summit
View of the south (Kurihara, Miyagi) from the summit
View of the north (Ichinoseki Iwate, Mt Yakeishi) from the summit
View of the 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 peak season
The summit just before hiking season
The summit just before hiking season