Skip to main content.

林野庁

メニュー
  • Yamatsutsuji (Kaempferi azaleas (Rhododendron kaempferi)) blooming on Mt. Goyo
    img img
  • Hinode Iwa (sunrise rocks) at the summit of Mt. Goyo
    img img
  • View of Mt. Goyo from Goyo Onsen
    img img
  • Kometsuga forest (northern Japanese hemlock (Tsuga diversifolia))
    img img
  • Overlooking the Tako Dam from near the third station of Mt. Goyo
    img img
  • Hie Shrine near the summit of Mt. Goyo
    img img
  • View of the Kuroiwa Peak from Mt. Goyo
    img img

Goyozan Recreation Forest

1,280.96ha

Elevation Lowest : 560m / Overall : 780―1,351m / Highest : 1,351m (Mt.Goyo Summit)

Forest with a superb view of the Sanriku Coast and beautiful seasonal flowers

Forest with a superb view of the Sanriku Coast and beautiful seasonal flowers

Newest information
CHECK
Please visit official tourism websites for the latest updates and information.
Area
Tohoku
Activities
Flower-viewing (Tsutsuji / Shakunage) (Includes surrounding area) Autumn leaf viewing (Includes surrounding area) Waterfall viewing : Namiita Fudo Falls (Outside the forest) Birdwatching (Includes surrounding area) Picnics (lawn area/park) (Includes surrounding area) Mountain climbing (Includes surrounding area) River/sea fishing (Outside the forest) Hot Spring : Goyo Onsen (Outside the forest) Michinoku Coastal Trail (from the Otsuchi Section to the Rikuzentakata Section) (Outside the forest)
Overview
Geographical/topographical features
Mt. Goyo lies in the southern part of the Kitakami Mountains. It extends over Ofunato City, Kamaishi City and Sumita Town and is the nearest of the mountains to the sea. The area near the summit is flat and commands an extensive view of the ria coast of the Sanriku region as well as Mt. Hayachine and Mt. Iwate.
Historical/cultural features
Mt. Goyo, rich in forestry resources such as Hinoki (Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtuse)) and Tsuga (Japanese hemlock (Tsuga sieboldii)), was an important mountain under the direct control of the Date Domain in the Edo period (early 17th century to late 19th century), so it was called "Goyozan" (literally, an official mountain). The name was later changed to "Goyozan" (Mt. Goyo; literally, a five-needle mountain) after the Goyo Matsu trees (five-needle pine (Pinus parviflora Siebold et Zucc.)) that abounds on this mountain.
In 1966, it was designated as an Iwate prefectural natural park.
Climate, flora and fauna
Mt. Goyo has a diverse mix of tree species. The upper half of the mountain is covered with trees such as Dakekanba (Erman’s birch (Betula ermanii)), Mizunara (Japanese oak mizu-nara (Quercus crispula Blume)), Hinoki Asunaro, (Thujopsis dolabrata (L.f.) Siebold et Zucc. var. hondae Makino), five-needle pine and Kometsuga (northern Japanese hemlock (Tsuga diversifolia)). Also, seasonal flowers can be seen, including Tsutsuji (Rhododendron subgen. tsutsusi), Shakunage (Rhododendron subgen. hymenanthes), Gankou Ran (Empetrum nigrum L. Var. Japonicum K. Koch) and Kokemomo (lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.)). The mountain is home to various animals, such as Nihonjika (shika deer (Cervus nippon)), Kamoshika (Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus)), Tsukinowaguma (Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus)), Nihon Zaru (Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata)), Inuwashi (Japanese golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos japonica)) and Fukuro (Ural owl (Strix uralensis)), and is also designated as a wildlife sanctuary.
Attractions
The hike to the summit is relatively easy, requiring approximately two hours.
Flowers like Tsutsuji and Shakunage and autumn leaves can be viewed depending on the time of year.
The mountain’s proximity to the sea offers a grand view of the rias coastline of the Sanriku Coast from its summit.
Other
The recommended trekking course, particularly for beginners, is the route from the Akasaka Pass Trailhead. Other courses may be blocked by fallen trees or other dangerous conditions, and there is a risk of getting lost.
Latest Information
Regular events
Opening of Mt. Goyo to climbers (April 29 every year)
Tsutsuji viewing (early June every year)
Shakunage viewing (early July every year)
Warnings (Flora and fauna)
Asian black bear: Tsukinowaguma (Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus)) may be present during the period from May to November. When entering the forest, please carry a bear bell and stay in a group. Check for local information on bear sightings and warnings and follow instructions.
Ticks: Please note that ticks are present in bamboo grass areas. Wearing long sleeves and long trousers is essential.
Warnings (Other )
Some trekking courses may not be in good condition, so caution is required to avoid fallen trees and other obstacles and to avoid becoming lost.
Usage Guide
Entrance fee
Free of charge
Opening seasons and hours
Basically accessible 24 hours a day. However, the Recreation Forest is closed during the winter (December through early April) as Pref. Route 193 becomes impassable.
Accommodation options
[Inside the forest] Trail shelter (Shakunageso) (a drinking fountain and toilet available)
[Outside the forest] Hotels and inns in Ofunato City, Kamaishi City, and Sumita Town (all accessible in about 1 hour by car)
Facility
Toilets and drinking fountains (Includes surrounding area) (3 locations) Footpath / walking trail / nature trail (Includes surrounding area) Parking lot (1 location) (Outside the forest) Shop (Outside the forest) Restaurant (Outside the forest) Free public wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) (Outside the forest) World Camellia Hall Goishi (Payment required) (Outside the forest) Kamaishi City Municipal Iron and Steel Museum (Payment required) (Outside the forest) UNESCO World Heritage Site: Hashino Iron Mining and Smelting Site (Outside the forest) Accommodation facilities (Hotels/Japanese inns) (Outside the forest) Trail shelters at 2 locations
Map
pdf
Address
Ofunato City / Kamaishi City / Sumita Town, Kesen County, Iwate Prefecture
Access
(Distances and times are provided as a guide only)
By public transport
<Access from nearest railway station / bus stop>
  • Use of a taxi from JR Sakari Station or Sanriku Railway Toni Station is recommended to get to the main trailhead (Akasaka Pass Trailhead). Rental cars are also available at JR Sakari Station.
  • There is a fixed-route bus traveling from JR Sakari Station to Goyo Onsen, but it only makes three round trips a day.
<Access from major transport hubs to nearest railway station / bus stop>
  • JR Tokyo Station → (Tohoku Shinkansen: about 130 minutes) → JR Ichinoseki Station → (Ofunato Line: about 90 minutes) → JR Kesennuma Station (the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on the Ofunato Line: about 80 minutes) → get off at JR Sakari Station → (taxi: about 30 minutes) → trailhead
  • JR Tokyo Station → (Tohoku Shinkansen: about 180 minutes) → change trains at JR Shin-Hanamaki Station (Kamaishi Line: about 110 minutes) → change trains at JR Kamaishi Station (Sanriku Railway Minami-Riasu Line: about 10 minutes) → get off at Sanriku Railway Toni Station → (taxi (reservation required): about 30 minutes) → trailhead
By car
<Access to the main trailhead (Akasaka Pass Trailhead)>
  • Tohoku Expressway Hanamaki JCT → Kamaishi Expressway Miyamori IC → public road (large vehicles are not allowed to travel the Pref. Route 193 Toni Hikoroichi Line beyond Goyo Onsen) → Akasaka Pass Trailhead (about 80 km / 90 minutes from Hanamaki JCT)
<Car parking capacity / parking charges>

Free parking for approximately 50 vehicles

Nearby tourist facilities
  • Hashino Iron Mining and Smelting Site, Kamaishi Daikannon Statue, Goishi Coast, Rokando Cave
Management office contact details
Sanriku Chubu District Forest Office
Information on Other Local Tourist Attractions
Official Tourist Information
Ofunato City Tourism and Products Association [External link]
Sumita Town Tourism Association [External link]
Recreation Forest Management Committee
Goyozan Nature Conservation Committee
Commerce and Tourism Division, Industry Promotion Department, Kamaishi Municipal Office
CTourism Promotion Office, Commerce, Industry and Ports Department, Ofunato Municipal Office
Agricultural Policy Group, Sumita Town
Supporters
Other

PDF形式のファイルをご覧いただく場合には、Adobe Readerが必要です。
Adobe Readerをお持ちでない方は、バナーのリンク先からダウンロードしてください。

Get Adobe Reader