Hakkoda in Aomori Prefecture is one of the three most famous places in Japan for Snow Monsters. (The other two are Zao in Miyagi and Mt. Moriyoshi in Akita.) Hakkoda is also something of a Mecca for backcountry skiing! Most of the people that I saw today were backcountry skiing, not snowshoeing. But I’m not quite good enough at backcountry to do it alone. I only go in groups still.
I didn’t include the little map animation in this video. (To be honest, I spaced it.) But if you’re curious to see the little map of the exact route I took, it’s here: https://youtu.be/CIEzfuPd-fQ
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#hakkoda #SnowMonsters #Aomori
Gear:
GoPro Hero 9 Black (https://amzn.to/3ldrIao)
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom (https://amzn.to/3aDiqSW)
Music used in this video was licensed from Epidemic Sound (https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/2cffwm/).
39 Comments
God I'm jealous every time I watch your videos. My favourite peak in Hakkoda is Kushi-ga-mine, third highest peak in Aomori. When the road opens in spring you can park at Suiren Numa, head directly South up to the ridge (there is a pink tape route), then traverse West till you reach the top – to enjoy the view of North Hakkoda, South Hakkoda, and the extensive wilderness stretching out to Towada Lake.
You have the perfect voice for narration.
I have much respect for your snow hiking abilities. We just got hammered by a snow and ice storm here in the PNW. Walking the dogs through the snowy woods in my neighborhood is quite the workout for ME, I canโt imagine the energy one has to have hiking mountains in Japan with all that snow! ๐ Beautiful footage as usual. Loving the fox stories!
Another awesome video dude!
Nice :>
So beautiful! I thought Odake sounded familiar and was going to ask if you had taken us there before but you saved me the trouble ๐
Watching this video and looking at new Danner boots for hiking while I'm at it:)
Looks like you survived the earthquake OK. Thanks for another magical video!
For the next Q & A: what are your 'go to' meals and snacks to take to your hikes?
To the end of the legend: 'and she never dreamt again'.
Thank you for the legend, it really adds to the videos.
Your videos are so beautiful and calming, great with some snacks and tea, keep up the good work!
Beautiful, thanks for sharing!
Is that cabin staffed? Can't imagine going to and from work everyday.
Beautiful scenery, usually stories have a moral to it to teach young people but can't imagine the moral to this one.
It's stunning. I'm glad I'll be able to climb it next winter.
Wholesome
Wonderful…
Fantastic Q
When you said those were the tops of the snow monsters I actually said "what?!" out loud. Just imagining how incredibly deep that snow is. Wow. It truly is beautiful up there.
And loved the story time again. Interesting to imagine us all being foxes out there while dreaming.
The hikes look so lovely! Are snow shoes something that can be hired in Japan if travelling? Iโve the day off tomorrow so Iโm off hiking too but we plan to leave early to avoid the heat ๐ฅต
I'm hesitant to say, but you're narrating and hikes seem like a genius that, to my knowledge, only Bob Ross has.
Wandering around with snow monsters ๐โ๏ธ โ๏ธ
Thank you for this video! I really liked the legend, it is very interesting to hear those stories ๐ Btw I LOVE you hiking videos
Hey can't believe I actually found this video right now! My wife and I are planning on going to Aomori in around two weeks and we were thinking about hitting up the mountains but I was wondering if there would be snow there as I heard they were melting recently. What do you think, will there still be enough snow in around two weeks to make it worth going out there or will there be no snow monsters left? Appreciate it ๐
Thank you again Quinland for treating us with these beautiful hikes and views, I also really enjoy the stories.
I will ad Hakkoda to my must visit list, since I go to Iwate most of the time it will most likely get a nice check-mark ๐
Did the woman never have her fox self for dreams again? You mentioned that the melt of the snow monsters is occurring earlier than normal. Is this climate related? Beautiful videography, Quinlan!
Thank you for the video. ๐ I've been stuck in my apartment in Canada since the pandemic started, and I so appreciate the chance to go on these hiking adventures.
It's snowing heavily outside my window, I should probably want to watch videos of some tropical paradise, but here I am.
I would love to go hiking with you one day! I love watching these videos
๐ what a story!! i wonder if she could still dream after that
Aomori <3
Thanks for sharing the story <3
wonder what the meaning behind it is~
Otherworldly landscapes.
I love your channel. Very inspiring. I'm not a bot ๐
Stunning! Already planning my next trip to Japan and I really want to go north! Something to look forward in lockdown! ๐
Thank you very much for sharing yr vids. I truly enjoy watching all of them. Relaxing, beautifully filmed & helpful. Especially this one. Even though mostly white still quite soothing. Stay healthy & safe.๐๐๐โ
According to Japanese/Korean/Chinese Myth, Kitsune or Mystical Foxes aren't that cute & innocent, they are tricksters, dopplegangers and they siphon off energies from humans killing them eventually.
Love your hiking videos, this one with these snow monsters and completely white landscapes is simply amazing. Loved the story about the fox.
Your videos bring me a sense of awe and anticipation for when travel becomes possible again. Thank you for sharing your wonderland.