Driving up by the Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline to the 8th station of Mt Iwaki, it was a rather short hike. Had I waited one more day, the hike would have been even shorter as the lift would have opened for the season then. Before May, one would have to hike all the way up to the top from Dake Onsen, but the skyline to the 8th station opens on 5/1.
I cramponed up right at the edge of the carpark at the start of the trail head. Microspikes would have probably worked just as well. Right after the start is a traverse with a long run off that I think would honestly entail using an ice axe for safety, but these days everyone gets by with just trekking poles. Around the hut the snow mostly disappears, and in one section the melted ice resulted in a waterlogged path.
The wind also really started picking up from here, but it is not far from the top. From the top, staring at the mountain ranges around that I knew little of was a spectacular experience.
Getting there
Drive up the Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline to the 8th station.
YAMAP track: https://yamap.com/activities/39632832
Lets Walk There 