Mount Gassan

Gassan Shrine is located at the top of the mountain, and worshippers have been visiting the place of mountain worship since ancient times. From the mountain top, enjoy a 360-degree view that extends from the Shonai Plain to Mount Chokai and the Asahi Mountain Range, and to as far as Mount Iwaki and Mount Hachimantai. Up to the eight station of the trail can be reached by car or bus (departure from Shonai Kotsu Tsuruoka S-mall Bus Terminal). From the eighth station, where the Gassan Rest House is located, there is a trail to the summit about 4.3 kilometers long, approximately a three-hour climb. If you are hiking to the summit, be sure to come prepared with climbing gear such as mountaineering boots, cold insulated clothing and a raincoat.

The area around the summit of Mount Gassan is known to have up to 15 meters of snow during winter. The perpetual snow remains all year, even in the summer. Careful measures for climbing the snowy mountain should be taken until late July. While the Mount Gassan Ski Resort located around 1,600 meters above sea level cannot accommodate skiing in the winter due to extremely heavy snow, it opens in April when other ski slopes are closing. You can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the fresh greenery until July.