Mt. Hakkōda (八甲田山)

Mt. Hakkōda (八甲田山, 1,585 m at Mt. Ōdake) rises in the center of Aomori City and is counted among the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan. It is not a single peak but a complex of 18 volcanoes — North and South Hakkōda — centred on Mt. Ōdake. The Hakkōda Ropeway lifts hikers up to 1,300 m on Mt. Tamoyachi, so even beginners can start the walk from the Tamoyachi Highland Wetland. The expansive marsh of Kenashitai with its autumn colours (late September – early October) is one of Japan’s most spectacular sights, and a soak in Sukayu Onsen (the famous “Hiba 1,000-person bath”) at the trailhead-end caps off the day perfectly.

From JR Aomori Station, JR Bus Tōhoku operates the “Mizuumi-gō” (summer) or “Hakkōda-gō” (winter) line bus direct to Hakkōda Ropeway Station and Sukayu Onsen.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Aomori Station → Hakkōda Ropeway Station (JR Bus Tōhoku Mizuumi-gō)
2. [Return] Sukayu Onsen → Aomori Station (JR Bus Tōhoku Mizuumi-gō)
3. [Return] Hakkōda Ropeway Station → Aomori Station (JR Bus Tōhoku Mizuumi-gō)

Map of Mt. Hakkōda

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Course Times (Ropeway-aided traverse, approx. 4 h 30 min)

Hakkōda Ropeway Summit Station → (0:30) → Tamoyachi Wetland → (0:50) → Mt. Akakuradake → (0:30) → Mt. Idodake → (0:30) → Mt. Ōdake (1,585 m) → (0:30) → Ōdake Hut → (0:40) → Upper Kenashitai → (0:30) → Lower Kenashitai → (0:30) → Sukayu Onsen

1. [Outbound] Aomori Station → Hakkōda Ropeway Station (JR Bus Tōhoku Mizuumi-gō)

From JR Aomori Station Platform 11, board the JR Bus Tōhoku line bus “Mizuumi-gō” (Aomori – Sukayu – Lake Towada) and alight at Hakkōda Ropeway Station. After alighting, take the ropeway up to the summit station on Mt. Tamoyachi (1,324 m, approx. 10 min ride), then traverse via Mt. Ōdake to Sukayu Onsen as a one-way loop. In winter (mid-November to late March) the service is renamed “Hakkōda-gō” and terminates at Sukayu Onsen (the road beyond is closed).

Operating period: Summer Mizuumi-gō typically April 1 – November 10 (varies by year) | Winter Hakkōda-gō typically November 11 – March 31 of the following year
Travel time: approx. 54 min (Aomori Stn → Hakkōda Ropeway Stn)
Fare: Aomori Stn → Hakkōda Ropeway Stn one-way adult approx. ¥1,290 | → Sukayu Onsen one-way adult approx. ¥1,400 | Hakkōda Ropeway round-trip adult ¥2,000 (separate)

Reference: JR Bus Tōhoku “Mizuumi-gō” / “Hakkōda-gō”

Bus TimetableAomori Station → Hakkōda Ropeway Station (Mizuumi-gō)

The bus continues to Sukayu Onsen approximately 10–15 minutes after Hakkōda Ropeway Station. For exact arrival times at Sukayu Onsen, please confirm with JR Bus Tōhoku before travel.

Reference: [NAVITIME Mizuumi-gō] | [JR Bus Tōhoku (official)]

2. [Return] Sukayu Onsen → Aomori Station (JR Bus Tōhoku Mizuumi-gō)

After the traverse, board the JR Bus Tōhoku “Mizuumi-gō” (or “Hakkōda-gō” in winter) at the Sukayu Onsen stop to return to Aomori Station. Soaking in the famous Hiba 1,000-person bath at Sukayu Onsen (entry fee ¥1,000) before boarding is part of the standard itinerary.

Operating period: Same as Mizuumi-gō outbound
Travel time: approx. 60 min (Sukayu Onsen → Aomori Stn)
Fare: Sukayu Onsen → Aomori Stn one-way adult approx. ¥1,400

Bus TimetableSukayu Onsen → Aomori Station (Mizuumi-gō, from Hakkōda Ropeway Station departures)

Buses leave Sukayu Onsen approximately 10 minutes before the Hakkōda Ropeway Station departures. Please confirm exact times with JR Bus Tōhoku.

3. [Return] Hakkōda Ropeway Station → Aomori Station (JR Bus Tōhoku Mizuumi-gō)

For an out-and-back hike, board the return bus from Hakkōda Ropeway Station back to Aomori Station.

Operating period: Same as Mizuumi-gō
Travel time: approx. 48 min (Hakkōda Ropeway Stn → Aomori Stn)
Fare: Hakkōda Ropeway Stn → Aomori Stn one-way adult approx. ¥1,290

(Refer to the timetable shown in section 2.)

Featured image: 掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0