Japan Trip: Feeling One with Nature at Ginsendai, Hokkaido 13

Visitors to Hokkaido who enjoy hiking may wish to visit Daisetsuzan (大雪山), Hokkaido’s largest national park. The park is a mountainous area of virtually unspoiled wilderness. The size of the park is quite large as it is larger than some of Japan’s smaller prefectures. Hikers and nature lovers will find this paradise to the deer and brown bear of Hokkaido enjoyable. In addition to the all the natural delights, Daisetsuzan is one of the first places in Japan to see the changing colors of autumn leaves as well as snow every year.

Ginsendai (銀泉台) is one of multiple trailheads visitors can take into Daisetsuzan National Park. Ginsendai is known as one of the first places within Daisetsuzan National Park to see the autumn colors.

Located on the eastern side of the national park, Ginsendai is around 1500 meters above sea level. It is connected to the main road by a 15 kilometer long, unpaved road. The area contains a parking lot, a toilet and the trailhead. Every year, around mid September (the peak the autumn foliage), the road to Ginsendai is closed to regular traffic. Visitors need to use the shuttle buses during this time to go to Ginsendai.

From Ginsendai, there is only one hiking trial. This trail leads to the peak of Mount Akadake.
Though the hike will take roughly 3 hours one way and it is a rather steep ascent, the views along the trail are very beautiful. Hikers do not need any advanced mountaineering skills or equipment for this trial.

Hikers will arrive at a famous slope about 20 to 30 minutes after they begin the trail. The slope is almost completely covered by nanakamado bushes (Japanese Rowan). These beautiful bushes together with the local vegetation transform into vibrant autumn colors around mid September each year, making this slope one of the first places in all of Japan to see autumn colors each year.

Though there are hikers who return to the parking lot after viewing the colorful slope, the trail continues to offer breathtaking views even after the nanakamado bush slope. From a spot further up the mountain, across the bush land, hikers are rewarded with views of the forest covering the hills below and up the volcanic slopes. After arriving at Mount Akadake (2078 meters), one of multiple peaks of the Daisetsuzan Mountains, hikers with the proper equipment can continue further into the national park.

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