[2025 Hirosaki Attraction] Travel Guide for Mount Iwaki (Updated Jul)

Unknown location 🤭🤭!! Somewhere two hours local bus ride from hirosaki train station . I was sitting in cafe before go back to hotel , one of Japanese aunty ask me for spare seat in my table and start to have body language and some google translate conversation. Then she told me that , she want to go and see this place for beautiful Sakura lane . I ask her , how far , she said almost to the mountain base 😆😆 and she dare not to go alone . Then I agreed to accompany her to go !! There you are!! Those beautiful cherry trees line up and sooo beautiful near to mount Iwaki ( so called look a like Mount Fuji ) . And we waited two hours for the bus at Hirosaki bus stop No.6 and two hours each journey , to and fro enjoy the bus ride and feel those beautiful Sakura . But the bus ride was enjoyable as well and we can see mount Iwaki all the way . End up , I don’t regret going there and such a beautiful cherry lane at all !! Hope you all enjoy beautiful Sakura like me !! See you all on the other side of the world 🌎🤭🤭!!! #naturelover #japan #solotravel

#summervacay ## **Why Climb Mt. Iwaki?** ✅ **Sacred Mountain** - Known as "Tsugaru Fuji" for its perfect conical shape ✅ **Less Touristy** - Escape the crowds of more famous Japanese peaks ✅ **Spiritual Vibes** - Ancient shrines dot the hiking trails ✅ **4-Season Beauty** - Summer greens, autumn colors, winter snowscapes ## **Budget Tips for Solo Travelers** 💴 ✔ **Free to climb** - No entrance fees for the mountain ✔ **Local buses** from Hirosaki (~¥1000 roundtrip) ✔ **Convenience store meals** - Stock up at 7-11 in Hirosaki ✔ **Capsule hotels** in Hirosaki from ¥3000/night ## **The Solo Hiking Experience** 🥾 ### **Trail Options:** 1. **Omote Trail** (6-7 hours RT) - Most popular route 2. **Ura Trail** (8-9 hours) - More challenging, better views 3. **Shrine Route** - Connects multiple sacred sites ### **Must-See Spots:** - **Iwaki Shrine** at the base - **Fukiage Onsen** - Natural foot bath halfway up - **Summit Views** - See Hakkoda Mountains and Tsugaru Plain ## **Cultural Highlights** ⛩️ - Morning **sunrise prayers** at the shrine (5am in summer) - Local **apple products** (Aomori is Japan's apple capital) - **Tsugaru shamisen** performances in Hirosaki ## **Safety Tips** ⚠️ - Start early (aim for 5am departure) - Pack layers - summit can be 15°C colder - Bring ¥100 coins for the mountain hut toilets - Check weather - clouds often roll in by afternoon ## **Budget Accommodation** 🏠 - **Hirosaki Guesthouse** (¥2800/night) - **Michi-no-Eki** roadside stations (free parking if driving) - **24-hour manga cafes** for ultra-budget stays ## **Perfect 2-Day Itinerary** 📅 **Day 1:** - Arrive Hirosaki evening - Explore Hirosaki Castle grounds - Sleep early **Day 2:** - 4:30am Bus to trailhead - Hike up for sunrise - Return by 2pm, soak at local onsen ## **Instagram Hashtags** #️⃣ #SoloJapanHike #MtIwaki #HiddenJapan #AomoriTravel #BudgetJapan #SacredMountains #JapanAlps #OffTheBeatenPath **Pro Tip:** Visit in late September for both hiking and Hirosaki's famous apple harvest! 🍎 The mountain's autumn colors peak in early October.

Chartered Car to Explore Stunning Cherry Blossom Spots + Secret Hiking Routes 🚗 [Trip Highlights] 🌟Japan's last cherry blossom frontier + the mossy wonderland of Oirase Gorge 🌟4,000 cherry blossoms at Hirosaki Castle + a cruise on Lake Towada 🌟Hassle-free chartered car throughout + local driver's secret photo spot recommendations DAY 1️⃣ First Sight of Aomori ✈️Tokyo Haneda → Aomori Airport (1.5 hrs) 🍎Must-eats at the airport: Aomori apple pie + apple sparkling wine 🏨Recommended accommodation near JR station, 3-minute walk to the shopping street DAY 2️⃣ Cherry Blossom Extravaganza 🚗Chartered car route: Hirosaki Park → Mount Iwaki → Ashino Park 🌸Hirosaki Park: Take a moat boat tour through a pink tunnel (Arrive before 8:00 am to avoid crowds!) ⛰️Mount Iwaki Shrine: A stunning photo spot with cherry blossoms and snow-capped mountains in the same frame 🚂Ashino Park: The prototype for the seaside train in Spirited Away! A wide-angle lens is recommended. DAY 3️⃣ Hiking in the Emerald Wonderland 🌿Hakkoda Ropeway: A cloud-walking experience with views of the remaining snow 💧Oirase Gorge: Mossy forest + photo guide to 14 consecutive waterfalls 🚤Lake Towada: Swan boat ride on the lake + visit the lakeside Hakkoda Shrine DAY 4️⃣ Souvenir Guide 🍙Aomori Gyosai Center: DIY seafood bowl experience 🍎A-FACTORY: Apple pie/fruit wine/limited-edition cherry blossom-flavored snacks 🎁Furukawa Market: Vacuum-packed scallops/Hinai-jidori chicken cans ⚠️Hard-earned tips: 1️⃣Choose the 10-hour chartered car package, as Aomori's attractions are far apart. 2️⃣Bring a light down jacket in early May! The temperature difference in Oirase Gorge is extreme. 3️⃣Cherry blossom forecast times vary each year, so it is recommended to check the official "Sakura Zensen" website before departure. 4️⃣Permission must be obtained in advance for railway photography at Ashino Park. This spring, bring this guide and step into the world of Hayao Miyazaki's manga! The moment the cherry blossom petals fall on your hair, it's truly a memory that will last a lifetime 💮

Mount Iwaki, the highest peak in Aomori Prefecture, is affectionately known as Tsugaru Fuji! ︎ The Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline is complete up to the 8th station, so you can go there by car! In addition, you can take a lift up to the 9th station, so you can reach the summit in about 40 minutes of trekking. Even those who are not used to mountain climbing can climb it at an affordable price! There are also five hiking trails to the peak. A wide range of people from beginners to advanced climbers can enjoy it. You can also enjoy the mountain by combining the lift on the way there and the hiking trail on the way back. ◆Hyakuzawa Trail: 5-hour course (for intermediate and advanced climbers) ◆Dake Trail: 4-hour course (for general and beginners) ◆Akakura Trail: 4 hours 30 minutes course ◆Yayoi Trail: 5 hours course ◆Choudaira Trail: 4 hours 30 minutes course #0 Yen Travel Autumn

Dinner course

Iwakisan: A volcano with an altitude of 1,625 m located in Hirosaki City and Ajigasawa Town, Nishitsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture. It is called Tsugaru Fuji and has been selected as one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan and the new 100 famous mountains in Japan. I was able to see a beautiful snowy landscape from the sky.