Hachimantai (八幡平) is a pretty short hike where you can drive up most of the way. In the spring, the road only opens at 8:30am. Having very little driving experience, I wasn’t quite sure what that meant in terms of where the road would actually be opened/closed. I was able to drive most of the way up until there was a gate and line of a few cars waiting. There is a toilet and parking area near the gate. Shortly before 8:30am, someone came and opened up the gate.
As the name might suggest, the hike is mostly walking on flat ground. It’s more of a tourist attraction where people come and see the Dragon’s Eye, which is what the lake looks like in spring as the ice thaws from the outer edge inwards. It was still too early in the season when I visited. There wasn’t much elevation change and I was able to finish the hike in under an hour.
Getting there
Stayed the previous night at Morioka. Drive up the Hachimantai Aspite Line (八幡平アスピーテライン) to Mikaeritoge carpark (見返峠無料駐車場) which is free or the visitor carpark slight up ahead that has a small parking fee.
YAMAP track: https://yamap.com/activities/39627810
Lets Walk There 