Azuma Mountains

What to know

The Azuma Mountains (Azumayama or Azumasan) are a volcanic range rising to about 2000 meters, located northeast of Mount Bandai along the border of Fukushima and Yamagata prefectures. Well-marked hiking trails lead to various peaks and across a dramatic volcanic landscape featuring craters, marshlands, and ponds.

The most popular trails lie in the eastern part of the range. The star attraction is Azuma-Kofuji (1707 meters), a perfectly shaped miniature version of Mount Fuji, which draws many climbers from spring to autumn each year. Its crater can be reached in a ten-minute walk from the parking lot and circled in a panoramic 45-minute loop.

To reach the base of Azuma-Kofuji, you travel along the Bandai Azuma Skyline, one of Japan's most scenic mountain roads. This former toll road starts in Fukushima City and winds up into the high elevations of the eastern Azuma Mountains before descending toward the Urabandai region. It offers outstanding views and is especially popular during the autumn foliage season, typically from early to mid October. The road is closed from mid November to mid April.

The trailhead for Azuma-Kofuji is right next to the Jododaira Marshlands, where the parking lot is located and several other trails begin. Northwest across the marshlands lies Issaikyo peak (1949 meters), reachable via an 80-minute hike from the trailhead. The ascent rewards climbers with aerial views of Azuma-Kofuji and Goshikinuma, a large pond with brilliant turquoise water (not to be confused with the one at Urabandai).

Picturesque Kamanuma Pond is another attractive hiking destination, which can be visited on its own or combined with a climb to Issaikyo. The trail passes through grasslands and marshlands, circles the west bank of Kamanuma, and returns to the parking lot via an alternate route. The entire circular trip takes about 90 minutes without climbing Issaikyo.

From Kamanuma Pond, hikers can also climb the 1975-meter Higashi Azuma peak. The ascent from the pond takes about 45 minutes, but the trail is notably more challenging and uncomfortable, especially in wet weather. Those who reach the top are rewarded with excellent views of Mount Bandai and the Urabandai area.