The Ultimate Travel Guide to Mount Iwaki — “Tsugaru Fuji” of Aomori: Scenic Drives & Hiking Tips

Mount Iwaki—a dual‑crater volcano rising 1,625 m to the west of the Tsugaru Plain—is Aomori Prefecture’s highest peak. Its perfect conical shape has earned it the nicknames “Tsugaru Fuji” and “O‑Iwaki,” and it has been cherished by the people of Tsugaru for centuries. Long revered as an object of mountain worship and selected as one of the “100 Famous Japanese Mountains,” Mount Iwaki never fails to draw climbers aiming for its summit. Here’s everything you need to know to explore this symbol of Tsugaru!

1. What Is the Sacred Peak “Mount Iwaki”?

Dubbed “a beauty so translucent it seems ethereal” by writer Dazai Osamu, Mount Iwaki’s distinctive silhouette stands out from anywhere on the Tsugaru Plain. Since ancient times it has been worshiped in yamabushi mountain‑faith rituals.

At the summit lies the Oku‑no‑miya (inner shrine) of Iwaki‑yama Shrine, said to date back over 1,200 years to the late Nara period. Each year on the lunar calendar’s August 1, believers undertake the “O‑yama Mōde” pilgrimage, climbing through the night to greet the sunrise—just as pilgrims do on Mount Fuji on New Year’s Day.

From the top you can see Lake Jūsan, Cape Gongen, and even Hokkaido on clear days. And if you’d rather not hike all the way up, you can drive to the 8th station via the Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline.

2. Iwaki‑yama Shrine

The summit shrine is called the Oku‑no‑miya, while the historic hiba‑wood main hall and worship hall lie along the Kurasuke River on the mountain’s southeast flank. Rebuilt in 1694 by Tsugaru Nobumasa, the shrine’s main hall, worship hall, inner gate, and tower gate are all designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

Be sure to admire the lavish carvings and paintings—so ornate the site is nicknamed “Oku‑Nikko.” A tranquil cedar forest lines the approach from the torii gate to the main hall, creating a reverent atmosphere worthy of its nickname.

3. Drive the Apple Road to Iwaki‑yama Orchard

From the Ōwani‑Hirosaki IC on the Tōhoku Expressway to the foot of Iwaki‑yama Shrine runs the 20 km “Apple Road” along the Tsugaru Plain’s edge. A leisurely drive of under an hour brings you past apple orchards that blossom pink and white in spring and hang heavy with red fruit in autumn.

Near the road’s end lies the Iwaki‑yama Tourist Orchard, where fruit picking dovetails with your mountain sightseeing. Spanning about 10,000 tsubo (33,000 m²), it grows some 2,000 apple trees of around 40 varieties, plus peaches, plums, and pears. Fruit‑picking runs from late July through mid‑November.

4. Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline

The Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline links the mountain’s southwest flank to the 8th station, traversing 69 continuous switchbacks before revealing a 360° panorama. The beech‑forest roadway enchants drivers who love winding roads and nature lovers alike.

From Dake Onsen at the base, a “Skyline Shuttle Bus” also runs—so you can explore without a car. Note: the road closes for winter from mid‑November to early April.

5. Ride the Lift to Chokai Crater, Then Hike to the Summit!

From the Skyline’s 8th station terminus, you can board a two‑person lift to the 9th station near Chokai Crater. Operated by the Iwaki Skyline company, it’s about 500 m long and takes ten minutes—enough time to drink in views of the Sea of Japan below.

From the 9th station, a 30‑minute mountain‑trail leads the final “one station” to the summit. In July watch for the delicate blossoms of the endemic Michinoku alpine cherry. The rocky path demands proper gear and caution, even if you’re fresh from the lift ride.

6. Dake Onsen

Dake Onsen—near the Skyline entrance—was discovered around 350 years ago in the early Edo period. Legend says woodcutters chasing a rice‑bundle‑carrying fox found steam rising from a hole in the snowy fields.

The milky white, sulfur‑scented waters—rich in alum and sulfides—are said to soothe skin ailments and fungal infections. Today six inns and hotels operate, from rustic irori hearth lodgings serving matagi (hunter) fare to modern spa hotels. Nearby fields yield the famed “Dake‑kimi” corn, prized for its sweetness.

7. The World’s Longest Cherry‑Blossom Avenue

From near Iwaki‑yama Shrine’s gate past the Skyline entrance to Karekidaira stretches what’s billed as the world’s longest cherry‑blossom avenue. Between 1985 and 1995, 6,500 wild‑mountain cherry trees were planted along 20 km of roadway.

Peak bloom runs late April to early May, when Iwaki’s foothills turn pink. Combine this spectacle with apple blossoms along the Apple Road for an unforgettable spring tour.

8. Activities & Hot Springs at Aomori Spring Resort

Aomori Spring Resort sprawls on Mount Iwaki’s northern slopes. In green season, enjoy golf, cycling, and hiking; winter turns it into a ski resort.

With 14 courses up to 3.5 km long and a vertical drop of 545 m, skiing through ancient beech forests under sacred Mount Iwaki is exhilarating—3,000 m long runs are possible even for beginners.

On clear days you’ll also see the Tsugaru Plain and Sea of Japan. The resort features restaurants, cafes, and a hotel—ideal for day trips or multi‑day ski vacations.

◎ Finally: Challenge the Mount Iwaki Hill Climb!

Each early summer, the Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline closes to cars and hosts a cycling hill‑climb to the 8th station. Conquering 69 hairpin turns on a road usually reserved for cars is a dream course for road‑bike enthusiasts. Beyond driving or hiking, why not experience Iwaki’s full challenge and scenery?

Search

Customer Support

Manage Reservation(s)

Search

Customer Support

Manage Reservation(s)

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Mount Iwaki — “Tsugaru Fuji” of Aomori: Scenic Drives & Hiking Tips