Niigata trip #2 Mount Yahiko in Autumn – Hiking to the Summit, Sunset Views & Strange Surprises
Hello everyone! In Part 1, we explored the breathtaking views of Yahiko’s Sky City through three unique rides. Now in Part 2, we’ll hike to the summit on foot, a refreshing walk through nature. And in the second-half, I’ll introduce a special sunset spot you won’t want to miss. The area reached by ropeway, or the Ya hiko Skyline Road, isn’t actually the summit. It’s the 9th Station, just below the peak at 634 meters. From this Sky City Machu Picchu, where you’ll find a Panorama Tower, shops, and restaurants, it’s just a 15-minute walk to the top. It’s not a steep climb, more like a pleasant hike. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the scent of fresh trees, glimpses of stunning views through the branches, and even a few quirky surprises. Let’s go!The summit is about 700 meters ahead, a 15-minute hike through lush greenery. The vibrant leaves are beautiful, and in autumn, Yahiko is famous for its stunning fall colors. I’ll show you that in another video. At the base of the ropeway lies Yahiko Shrine, one of Niigata’s most prestigious Shinto Shrines. Yahiko Shrine is the spiritual heart of Niigata, a sacred place where the god of agriculture, fishing, and sake brewing is enshrined. Known as the First Shrine of Echigo, it honors Ameno-Kaguyama-no- Mikoto, a legendary figure who brought prosperity to this region. Nestled at the foot of Mount Yahiko and surrounded by ancient cedar trees, the shrine blends divine tradition with natural beauty. Festivals, cultural treasures, and a mountaintop sanctuary make this one of Japan’s most revered Shinto sites. Now something unexpected appears, a cluster of tall metal towers that seem out of place in this natural setting. These are broadcast towers for TV and radio. Because Yahiko is located in the center of Niigata Prefecture, it’s been used as a transmission base since the 1950s. You can even hear the hum of machinery as you approach. Isn’t it fascinating to see this futuristic-looking antenna forest rising from mountains? Just before reaching the summit, there’s another curious sight, an extremely old toilet. Please take a close look. There are three stalls and a men’s urinal, but the urinal is literally just a wall. The stalls use the traditional squat style, and they’re not flush toilets, they’re pit style. No toilet paper is provided either. Just a wall and a hole, a truly primitive experience. If you visit, it’s worth taking a peek. It’s rare to see something like this nowadays. No flush, no paper, just a wall and a hole. This might be Japan’s most primitive toilet you can experience now, and it’s right here at the summit. Next door, there’s a small shrine shop, though it was closed when I filmed in the evening. During the day, you can buy items like “Goshuin”, traditional stamp seals collected at shrines across Japan. This practice has become popular among international visitors in recent years. This is an “Ema”, a tiny charm with a mighty promise. Does it work?Who knows?But writing your wish and hanging it here feels oddly satisfying. Plus, it looks great on Instagram. Love charm? Still single?But hopeful. Anyway, give it a try. Now we’ve reached the summit. At the summit of Mount Yahiko stands the sacred “Okumiya”, the inner shrine of Yahiko Shrine. Here, the deities of creation and harvest are enshrined, watching over Niigata’s vast rice fields and the Sea of Japan. This mountaintop sanctuary is a place of prayer, peace, and panoramic beauty. Don’t forget to take a commemorative photo with Sado Island floating in the Sea of Japan behind you. And now, it’s almost time for sunset. Let’s head to the perfect viewing spot. Let me show you one of my favorite spots. Before heading to the Sunset Spot, enjoy the scenic ride down on the ropeway. In Yahiko Village, there’s a massive replica of a shrine “Torii” gate, and it actually spans the road. It’s the symbol of Yahiko Shrine. Can you spot the red “Torii”?A “T orii” gate marks the entrance to a sacred space. It separates the everyday world from the divine. Try driving through it with a rental car. It’s a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else. After descending the mountain and driving for a short while, we arrive at ” Komeguri-no-Sato” Park, a stunning seaside location. Japan’s western coast offers beautiful sunsets over the Sea of Japan, but Niigata is especially unique. Here, the sun sets behind Sado Island, Japan’s second largest island and a World Heritage Site. (Okinawa is the largest.) It’s a truly magical scene. Let’s enjoy the highlight, the moment the sun disappears. This park is known as a fishing marina by day, but in the evening, it transforms into a perfect sunset spot. And even after the sun goes down, the sky glows with a magical afterlight. Whether you’re alone with a partner or with family, it’s a peaceful place to unwind and take in the beauty. And here’s a bonus. Niigata isn’t just great for sunsets, it’s also perfect for plane spotting. The skies above Niigata are part of the flight path for aircraft traveling from East Asia to North America and from Tokyo to Europe. On clear days, you can see many planes flying overhead. Try using “FlightRadar 24” while gazing at the sky. It’s a fun way to track aircraft in real time. I’ll show you a few examples. My camera isn’t the best, so the images aren’t very sharp, but I hope you’ll enjoy spotting them with your own eyes and your own camera. By the way, my favorites are Boeing 787 and Airbus A380. They are so beautiful. You can see almost all major aircraft types here. What’s your favorite? This plane just departed from Niigata, wishing them a smooth journey. And hey, try not to spill your coffee. Thank you for watching my channel. Your likes and subscriptions help me bring you even more beautiful footage. Thank you for your support. In the next video, the full version, I’ll share the entire journey in a cinematic, narration-free format. Stay tuned.
#MountYahiko #JapanTravel #AutumnInJapan
Join me on a quirky autumn journey to the summit of Mount Yahiko — no climbing gear needed!
We hike through cedar forests, pass mysterious broadcast towers, and discover one of Japan’s most primitive toilets (yes, really).
At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the Sea of Japan and Sado Island, followed by a magical sunset at Komeguri-no-Sato Park.
Bonus: Watch planes soaring overhead on their way to Europe and North America — Niigata’s skies are surprisingly busy!
0:00 Overview
0:53 Hiking to the summit
2:10 Extremely unique toilet
3:33 Summit (Shrine & Observatory)
4:42 Sunset viewing🌅
6:19 [Bonus]Plane Spotting✈
🎥 Part 1: Ropeway & Skyline Views → https://youtu.be/-fiqzN8WnSQ
📍 Location: Yahiko Village, Niigata, Japan
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#MountYahiko #JapanTravel #NiigataJapan #AutumnInJapan #ScenicHike #SunsetSpot #PlaneSpottingJapan #StrangeToilet #BroadcastTowers #YahikoSeries #HiddenJapan #JapaneseShrine #NoClimbingNeeded #AboveTheClouds
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