Admire Spring Azaleas in Full Bloom Atop Scenic Mt. Tokusenjo

Enjoy Mother Nature in all her beauty on a leisurely hike up this mountain in Kesennuma

Along the northeastern coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island, is Kesennuma, a small yet vibrant city that is home to one of the Tohoku region's liveliest fish markets.

To the south of the city is the charming Mt. Tokusenjo. The mountain is about 711 meters tall, making for a refreshing and not-too-taxing hike at only two hours 30 minutes  to the summit and back. With hiking sticks available for rent, the trail is suitable for beginners and veterans alike. The mountain is home to the first two treehouses in the Tohoku 100 Treehouses project, which makes it a great hike for families.

But what makes this mountain so special is the azaleas. With over 500,000 bushes planted on the mountain, it bursts to dazzlingly colorful life in spring, transforming into a veritable tapestry of pink. Two varieties are featured: the mountain azalea and the Japanese azalea, with the former particularly in abundance. If you’re a flower lover visiting in mid- to late-May, Mt. Tokusenjo is not to be missed!

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train to Ichinoseki Station (about two hours 30 minutes), then transfer to the local Kesennuma Line train for Kesennuma Station (about one hour 20 minutes). The trailhead is about 20 minutes by car from the station.

Mt. Tokusenjo