Azuma Range Traverse - hiking Bandai-Asahi National Park's Volcano Trail

This is a challenging yet spectacular traverse of the Azuma Range from Shirabu Onsen to Jododaira. You can expect panoramic views, magnificent volcanic scenery and some beautiful alpine flowers. In the latter stages, you are treated to glorious views of Azuma-Kofuji, often cited as being a miniature Mt. Fuji.

This is a very strenuous hike covering 24.4 kilometres (15 mi) of mountainous ground with 1,670 metres (5,479 feet) of ascent. To make it more manageable, you could stay at the Nishi-azuma Hut near the summit of Mt. Nishi-Azuma. This comes after the long ascent from Shirabu Onsen, saving the traverse for the next day.

From Shirabu Onsen, follow the path south, picking up the obvious ridgeline and steadily making your way up the mountain. By the time you reach the 2,035-metre (6,676 ft) summit, you’ll have earned a rest. Drink in the views from the Azuma-jinja Shrine, before starting the undulating traverse of the range.

You pass over several green, volcanic summits, as you arc across the range’s broad ridge crest. Just before you reach Mt. Higashi-Daiten, there’s a short detour to the scenic Yaheidaira marshes. After venturing across a few more conical peaks, you arrive above the stunning water-filled caldera of the Witch’s Eye. It’s an incredibly verdant spot, with colourful marsh flowers forming the perfect foreground to the crater lake.

You continue your traverse across the active Mt. Issaikyo and its fumaroles, with astonishing views down onto Azuma-Kofuji’s perfect caldera. The end point of Jododaira is now close and you can explore these beguiling surroundings in more detail during the next stage of the Volcano Trail.

There are a few accommodation options around Jododaira. Close to the Kamanuma Marshes is the Sugadaira Refuge, while there’s also the Azumagoya Lodge and a campsite to the south of the visitor centre.