Mt. Goyosan and Mt. Katabayama
Mt. Goyosan, 1,341m, is the highest peak in Sanriku after Mt. Hayachine in the Kitakami Mountains. It is one of Japan’s 300 famous mountains, also one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Flowers. You can overlook the rias coast from the summit, designated as Goyosan Prefectural Natural Park. Azaleas bloom in spring, and rhododendrons bloom in early summer, loved by climbers and citizens. About 100 people can stay at “Shakunage Sanso” on the summit.
Mt. Katabayama (1,313m) makes twin peaks, called Odake marked with a triangular point and Meidake in the south. If the conditions are right, you can see Mt. Chokai from Odake. Tono Monogatari 32nd episode has it that Mt. Senban is the mountain where the white hunters stayed for a thousand nights chasing deer and that Mt. Katabayama is the mountain where the hunted deer broke one limb and escaped.”
【Note】
・ There are two ways to climb Mt. Goyosan. (1) Arakawaguchi course from Tonicho Arakawa (two hours to the summit). (2) Nara no Kidaira course from Kasshicho Ohata (two hours 20 minutes to the top).
・ The entrance to Mt. Katabayama (two hours and 30 minutes to the summit) is accessible from Aonogi on Prefectural Road 35.