Higashi-Taisetsu VR video
Discover Higashi-Taisetsu
1. Higashi-Taisetsu, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, is a landscape of steep, soaring peaks and untouched wilderness.
2. The area covers the southeastern part of Daisetsuzan National Park and encompasses the majestic Ishikari mountain range and the dense forests of the Tokachi-Mitsumata Caldera.
3. Its mountainous, volcanic terrain makes it an ideal base for hiking and mountaineering. The 2,013-meter Mt. Nipesotsu, with its sharp, spear-like peak, is one of many that climbers hope to scale.
4. The challenging climb has many ups and downs, requiring both stamina and technical skill. It takes over 7 hours to reach the summit.
5. Delicate alpine flowers bloom along the trail from late June to August. At the peak, hikers are rewarded with panoramas of Daisetsuzan.
6. Avid hikers can tackle the two-day traverse of Mt. Uni-Ishikari, Mt. Otofuke, and Mt. Ishikari. Along the way, they will get spectacular views and see rocky ridges, and in summer, meadows filled with flowers.
7. The Higashi-Taisetsu area has no modern conveniences like cable cars or shelters. With hikers few and far between, it is the perfect place for immersion in remote, untouched wilderness.
8. Mt. Maruyama, a lava dome, is the only active volcano in Higashi-Taisetsu. Steaming fumaroles and calcareous sinter cones cover its slopes.
9. Mt. Upepesanke’s name means “the one that delivers abundant snowmelt” in the language of Hokkaido’s Indigenous people, the Ainu. Hikers enjoy its long, narrow ridgeline, which stretches several kilometers. From its peak at 1,848 meters, the mountain offers unobstructed views of Lake Shikaribetsu and Lake Nukabira.
10. An eruption that took place about one million years ago formed the massive Tokachi-Mitsumata Caldera. Today, a dense forest of conifers covers the 140-square-kilometer depression, created by a collapsed volcano.
11. Sakhalin fir and Yezo spruce are among the evergreen trees that grow in the rich volcanic soil at the headwaters of the Tokachi River. The area is one of only five wilderness conservation areas in Japan.
12. Higashi-Taisetsu is dotted with many lakes and marshes, making it home to a rich variety of wildlife.
13. Lake Shikaribetsu was formed by volcanic activity tens of thousands of years ago. It is the highest lake in Hokkaido, located at 800 meters above sea level. The lake’s calm, clear waters are ideal for a relaxing canoe or kayak excursion.
14. A hike around the lake provides visitors with stunning views of the natural scenery.
15. The forests of Higashi-Taisetsu burst with autumn colors from mid-September. Mikuni Pass, with its spectacular views of the fall foliage, is a popular place for a scenic drive.
16. The region was once home to a thriving logging industry. Relics of the Shihoro Line National Railway, such as train tracks and arched bridges, remain today. The railway line is designated a Hokkaido Heritage site.
17. Winter brings a thick blanket of snow to Higashi-Taisetsu. Visitors can choose from a range of cold-weather activities, including ice fishing and snowshoe treks. The arched Taushubetsu River Bridge, a relic of the Shihoro Line railway, appears in Lake Nukabira. It is known as the “phantom bridge,” only visible when the water levels in the lake drop from winter through spring.
18. With untouched nature, soaring mountains, and abundant wildlife, Higashi-Taisetsu is the ultimate outdoor destination for adventure-seekers.
