Aizu-Higashiyama Recreation Forest：Forestry Agency

JAPANESE

Azalea blooming on Mt. Seaburi
View of Mt. Bandai from the mountaintop
Okei's grave
Eggs of marsh-dwelling forest green tree frogs
People enjoying a walk in the forest
Aizu-Higashiyama Recreation Forest Enchi Park
Overlooking Lake Inawashiro and Mt. Bandai from Mt. Seaburi
Vast park

Aizu-Higashiyama Recreation Forest

500.28ha

Elevation Lowest: 300 m / Average: 500–800 m / Highest: 823 m

Mt. Seaburi: site of the ancient Seaburi Pass,
and where Kanpaku-daira offers panoramic views of the Aizu Basin

―a sylvan place of retreat for historical city Aizuwakamatsu―

Mt. Seaburi: site of the ancient Seaburi Pass,
and where Kanpaku-daira offers panoramic views of the Aizu Basin

―a sylvan place of retreat for historical city Aizuwakamatsu―

Newest information
Area
Activities
Overview
Latest Information
Usage Guide
Facility
Map
Location
Access
(Distances and times are
provided as a guide only)
Management office
contact details
Information on Other Local
Tourist Attractions
Official Tourist Information
Recreation Forest
Management Committee
Supporters
Other

Newest information: CHECK
Please visit official tourism websites for the latest updates and information.

Area: Kanto

Activities: Flower-viewing (Cherry (Prunus)) (Includes surrounding area) Autumn leaf viewing (Includes surrounding area) Birdwatching (Includes surrounding area) (Payment required) Picnics (lawn area/park) (Includes surrounding area) (Payment required) Paddling / fishing / boating (pond / lake / river) : Lake Inawashiro (Outside the forest) Bicycle rental (Outside the forest) Shrine / Temple (Outside the forest) (Payment required for use of facilities and participation in activities)

Overview

Geographical/topographical features: The Aizu-Higashiyama Recreation Forest, with a total area of 500 ha, spreads across 840 m-high Mt. Seaburi, which divides the Aizu Basin and Lake Inawashiro. The summit of Mt. Seaburi offers sweeping views of the Aizu Basin from Mt. Iide in the north, across Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro in the northeast, and finally the Nasu Mountain Range to the south.
Historical/cultural features: Mt. Seaburi is located along the Shirakawa Kaido Route between Wakamatsu and Shirakawa. The name "Seaburi" (literally "scorching the back") is said to have been given by local people who walked over the mountain to peddle their wares or do forestry work during the Edo period (early 17th century to late 19th century CE). In so doing they felt the morning sun on their backs when going in one direction and the evening sun when returning. The summit area is named "Kanpaku-daira." Long ago, Toyotomi Hideyoshi held the post of Kanpaku (chief adviser to the Emperor) and came to conquer Aizu. According to legend, he was fascinated by the view from the summit and held a tea ceremony there. Also, a grave has been built in one corner of the summit for Okei―the first Japanese female immigrant to the United States, who died at the young age of 19 in San Francisco―to bring her closer to her hometown, Aizuwakamatsu.
Climate, flora and fauna: The Aizu-Higashiyama Recreation Forest has been selected as one of Japan's 100 best forests for forest therapy. It is rich in vegetation; not only trees, such as Sugi (Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)) and Akamatsu (Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora)), but also seasonal plants and flowers, including Rengetsutsuji (Japanese azalea (Rhododendron molle subsp. japonicum)), Yukitsubaki (Camellia rusticana Honda) and Nirinso (Anemone flaccida). The forest provides a habitat for a large variety of wild birds, such as Kibitaki (narcissus flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina)) and Shijukara (great tit (Parus major)), and a treasure trove of other flora and fauna rarely seen in cities today.
Attractions: Yamazakura (Japanese mountain cherry (Cerasus jamasakura)) and Fuji (wisteria (Wisteria floribunda)) blossoms peak in May, and thousands of azalea bushes bloom around early June. Walking along the footpath, you can encounter various precious animals and plants such as Kamoshika (Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus)) and Tamagodake (slender caesar (Amanita caesareoides Lj.N. Vassiljeva)) and view refreshing waterfalls. The panoramic view of the Aizu Basin, Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro from the summit is also a must-see.
Seaburiyama Park near the summit has a rest house, an observation platform and facilities for field athletics and camping. You can observe rare plants such as Okinagusa (Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Spreng.) in the park’s wild plant zone and borrow tents and blankets for free at the campsite (reservation required).
Meanwhile, Higashiyama Onsen―discovered by distinguished Buddhist priest Gyoki about 1,300 years ago―has been known as one of the top three onsen resorts in the Tohoku region and was also a favorite of noted painter Takehisa Yumeji and poet Yosano Akiko. You can enjoy sulfate spring water that makes your skin feel smooth and silky amid the natural beauty of the changing seasons.

Latest Information

Warnings (Flora and fauna): Bears may be present. 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.

Usage Guide

Entrance fee: Free
Operating hours and seasons: Accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
However, the prefectural road leading to the summit of Mt. Seaburi is closed during the winter from December through late April. The rest house (staffed) has a section with explanatory nature displays.
Accommodation options: Mt. Seaburi Campsite, Aizu Higashiyama Onsen (about 20 Japanese inns and hotels)

Facility: Toilets and drinking fountains (Includes surrounding area) Walking trail (Includes surrounding area) Parking lot (Outside the forest) Visitor center (staffed only) (Outside the forest) Vending machine (Outside the forest) Shop : Higashiyama Onsen resort (Outside the forest) Restaurant : Higashiyama Onsen resort (Outside the forest) Campsite and/or cabins (Outside the forest) (Payment required for use of facilities and participation in activities) Resource center/Museum : Fukushima Museum (Outside the forest) Cultural asset (nationally designated) : Tsurugajo Castle, etc. (Outside the forest) Accommodation facilities (Hotels/Japanese inns) : Higashiyama Onsen resort (Outside the forest) Hot Spring : Higashiyama Onsen resort (Outside the forest) (Payment required for use of facilities and participation in activities)

Map: pdf

Location: Higashiyama Ishiyama, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

Access (Distances and times are provided as a guide only)

Parking lot capacity / parking charges

Free parking for 20 vehicles

Nearby tourism facilities

・Higashiyama Onsen (hot spring) (15 minutes by car)
・Tsurugajo Castle (20 minutes by car)
・Mt. Iimori (20 minutes by car)

Google Map

Management office contact details: Aizu District Forest Office

TEL：0242-27-3270
https://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/kanto/aizu/index.html

Information on Other Local Tourist Attractions: ー

Official Tourist Information: General Foundation Aizuwakamatsu Park Green Space Society [External link]

http://aizu-sportspark.jp/facilities/e_seaburi.html

Recreation Forest Management Committee: Aizu-Higashiyama Recreation Forest Management Committee
Secretariat: Agriculture and Forestry Division, Aizuwakamatsu Municipal Office
TEL : 0242-39-1254
FAX：0242-39-1440

Supporters: ー

Other: ー

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