Mt. Moriyoshi (森吉山, 1,454 m) in Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture, is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
Its gentle summit dome is rich in alpine flowers such as chinguruma and day lilies, earning it a place among the 100 Famous Flower Mountains, and in winter it is famous as one of Japan’s three great “snow monster” (frost-rime) sites. Because the Ani Gondola carries you up to 1,167 m, it is a beginner-to-intermediate mountain that can be climbed in about an hour from the top station.
From Aniai Station on the Akita Inland Railway, take a shared sightseeing taxi to the Ani Ski Resort, then the gondola to the trailhead.
The trailhead is the Ani Gondola top station (1,167 m). From there the trail passes Ishimori, the Ani emergency hut and Chigodaira to the summit (1,454 m): about 1 to 1.5 hours up and 2 to 3 hours round trip, a beginner-to-intermediate course. Chigodaira, just below the summit, is known for its fields of chinguruma, which bloom from early to midsummer.
As there is no regular bus service around Mt. Moriyoshi, access from the stations relies on the reservation-based shared sightseeing taxi (usable from one passenger; reservation required).
The gondola’s summer (green-season) operation usually runs from around June to October; always check the official site for exact dates. Operating hours are 8:45–16:00 (last up 15:30, last down 16:00). In the lingering-snow season or in bad weather, check trail conditions in advance for both safety and the protection of the alpine plants.
How to access the trailhead
1. [Outbound & Return] Aniai / Takanosu Station → Ani Ski Resort → Ani Gondola
As there is no regular bus to the Ani Ski Resort, use the reservation-based Moriyoshi shared sightseeing taxi. The starting point is Aniai Station on the Akita Inland Railway (connect via the Inland Railway from JR Kakunodate Station on the Akita Shinkansen, or from Takanosu Station on the JR Ōu Main Line).
① Aniai Station → Ani Ski Resort (shared taxi, Route B)
About 25 min, ¥1,500 (half price for children) per person. Operated by Ani Taxi; a reservation is required by 30 minutes before departure for both outbound and return. Web booking is also available from the Akita Inland Railway stations.
– Reservations: Ani Taxi 0186-82-3115
② JR Takanosu Station / Odate-Noshiro Airport → Ani Ski Resort (shared taxi, Route A; year-round)
About 1 hour 25 min, ¥2,200–3,700 (half price for children) per person. Reserve by 15 minutes before for the outbound trip and 2 hours before for the return.
– Takanosu Hikari Taxi 0186-62-1411 / Marumiya Taxi 0186-62-2030 / Kankō Hire 0186-62-1313
③ Ani Ski Resort → Ani Gondola top station
About 20 min one way from the base to the top station (1,167 m). Round trip ¥1,800 (¥1,600 with the Akita Inland Railway discount). Hours 8:45–16:00, last up 15:30, last down 16:00.
※The shared taxi runs on set times, but these are not published, so confirm and book your times with each taxi company. Booking the return in advance to match your descent time is recommended.
Source: [Akita Inland Railway, Moriyoshi sightseeing taxi] / [Ani Ski Resort, gondola]
Route and safety notes
Route: Ani Gondola top station → Ishimori → Ani emergency hut → Chigodaira → summit. About 1 to 1.5 hours up, 2 to 3 hours round trip. The trail from the top station to the summit is well maintained and suits beginner-to-intermediate hikers.
Flowers and views: Around Chigodaira, chinguruma, day lilies and iwakagami bloom, with the best flowers from early to midsummer. The summit gives wide views of Mt. Iwate, Mt. Chōkai and more.
Snow monsters (winter): Mt. Moriyoshi ranks with Zaō and Hakkōda among Japan’s three great frost-rime sites, and in winter the gondola serves rime-viewing. Winter climbing, however, needs separate gear and planning.
Bears and equipment: Asian black bears live in the area, so carry a bear bell and submit a climbing plan. There are no shops on the mountain, so bring your own water and food.
In an emergency: Call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Ani Ski Resort (gondola operation) 0186-82-3311 / Kitaakita City Hall 0186-62-1111
Photo by Marho / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments