More enjoyable trip to Hachimantai and Appi, Iwate Prefecture, Japan

Agritourism Hachimantai

Agritourism Hachimantai; a theme park of food and agriculture nurtured by the purest of waters and rich volcanic soil located at the foot of Mt. Iwate.

Enjoy the various attractions that Hachimantai Onsenkyo in Hachimantai city, Iwate pref. and its surrounding areas have to offer. There are many experiences where you can enjoy the magnificent landscape centered around Mt. Iwate and the locally grown ingredients from natural waters of Hachimantai. Why not visit and experience something like never before? Here, we’ll introduce you to driving routes that will take you on unforgettable tours of the most attractive areas of Hachimantai!

Drive Route
Recommended Spots

Hachimantai Onsen-kyo" in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture, and the surrounding area are home to forests and parks where you can feel the scale and power of nature, and where animals, birds, plants and flowers soothe both body and soul. The area is also home to galleries where you can experience the art born from the area and enjoy the rich blessings and landscapes nurtured by Mount Iwate.
There are a variety of options, from year-round activities to those that allow you to fully enjoy the changing seasons, such as skiing, hiking, and leaf peeping. There is no shortage of excitement for long stays.
A place where Mount Iwate and the Hachimantai mountains will always gently watch over you. Why not find a place to start your journey?

Driving Routes Recommended Routes and Spots

Driving Course around Hachimantai Onsenkyo

Hachimantai Aspite Line

This 27 km long driving course straddles Iwate and Akita Prefectures in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. It is characterized by its ability to traverse the Hachimantai Mountains while enjoying the continuous beautiful mountain scenery.
The mountains of Hachimantai change from fresh green to dark green, and finally to red and orange autumn leaves, creating a spectacular "aspite landscape" any time of year. From the Migatake Pass at the prefectural border, you can look over the Ura-Iwate mountain range from Mt.
During the spring opening season, a "snow corridor" appears on both sides of the road, the longest in Japan, with a snow wall of 7 to 8 meters at its highest point. It attracts many visitors every year.
*Winter road closure: early November to mid-April →Real-time road information is being sent out! Hachimantai City Tourism Association HP

Hachimantai Jukai Line

The 17 km drive course between the summit of Hachimantai Mountain and Matsukawa Onsen Hot Springs takes you through a deep sea of trees.
You will feel the depth of nature in the endless mountain scenery and the way the trees in the forest sway and wave in the wind.
Starting from the summit of Hachimantai Mountain, you can see steam rising from the surface of the mountain in various parts of the virgin forest that you can see up close on the winding road to Toshichi Onsen, located on the highest peak in Tohoku. It is famous as a hidden hot spring where you can experience the breath of the mountains.
There are several observation points along the route, so you can enjoy the panoramic view of Mount Iwate, Mount Akakura and Mount Mokkodake and enjoy the silence of the forest for a while. At Matsukawa Onsen, the last stop on the route, you will hear the murmuring of the valley.
During the spring opening season, the longest "snow corridor" in Japan appears on both sides of the road. The view of snow walls up to 7 to 8 meters high is spectacular. Be sure not to miss it.
*Winter road closure: early November to mid-April →Real-time road information is being sent out! Hachimantai City Tourism Association HP

Mt. Iwate Panorama Line

A 9-km drive on City Road Iwateyama Route 1 connecting the Yakiori Lava Flow and Hachimantai Onsenkyo Hot Spring Village.
The recommended route is to enter the "Mt. Iwate Panorama Line" from the Nishine IC and head toward Hachimantai Onsen-kyo, where you can see the Ura-Iwate mountain range, Chausudake, Abiko Plateau, Mt. Another feature of this route is that there are no traffic lights along the way.
There are also many photogenic spots! Sightseeing spots during the drive include "Yakezuri Lava Flow" where you can feel the great nature, "Iwateyama Yakezuri International Exchange Village" and "Iwate Kenmin-no Mori", etc. If you are hungry for lunch or a bite to eat, take a breather at "Salad Farm Village" and "Iwateyama Yakezuri no Yu".
The few ups and downs and curves make it a good place for cycling as well as driving.
*Winter road closures (in some surrounding areas): early November to mid-April →Real-time road information is being sent out! Iwate Yakebori International Exchange Village Official HP