Mt. Kurikoma

A hike amongst the splendor of autumn

By Laura Welch

Community writer

It's fun to climb as a group, and around this time of year especially you'll see other hikers there, too

The top car park is a popular choice as a starting point. There is a shuttle bus from the lower car park if you don't fancy the extra walk.

There are different routes to the top - this one involves crossing the stream. Make sure you wear good shoes!

The view from the rest stop is already quite breath-taking

The rest stop at the top car park, where you can eat, drink, keep warm and use the toilet. It's open from 9:30 to 16:30.

In the autumn, the leaves show their beautiful array of colors

On a cloudy day, your walk will take you through them. It's a bit chilly!

The autumn leaves are usually around from September to October

On one of the routes is this stone mound

Even through the misty clouds, the scenery is beautiful

Nearer the top, visibility (and temperature) decreases quite a bit. A jacket is highly recommended.

The corridor of flora guides you down the mountain (and protects you from the wind)

Below the clouds, the view presents itself

Parts of the path can be a little steep, and possibly slippery, particularly when the leaves start falling

Back at the rest stop, sun-dappled Miyagi stretches out before us

Found on the border between Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, Mt. Kurikoma (栗駒山) is a volcano that is 1626 meters at its peak. Part of the Ou Mountain Range, it was chosen as one of 200 mountains that represent Japan. It was named after a horse-shaped collection of snow that can be seen on the west side of the peak around early summer (the "koma" of Kurikoma means horse). Mt. Kurikoma has a crater lake called Lake Showa, which is a beautiful emerald color. In autumn, the fiery leaves are an amazing sight.

There are ten courses to the top, although some have been closed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The length and difficulty of the courses vary, the shortest taking about 1 hour and a half, and the longest over 5 hours. Even in May there is still quite a lot of snow, and in autumn it can be wet and slippery, so appropriate hiking gear is highly recommended. Since access is only really by car, you can easily bring everything you need.