那須岳 - Nasudake - 11/4&5/2022

About: Mount Nasu (那須岳, Nasu-dake) is a group of complex volcanoes located in the northeast part of Nikkō National Park, Japan. The tallest peak is Sanbonyari Peak at a height of 1,916.9 m (6,289 ft). Mount Nasu is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. (Source Wikipedia)

The Nasudake volcanic group consists of a N-S-trending cluster of stratovolcanoes and lava domes at the north end of the Kanto Plain. Volcanic activity dates back about 500,000 years. Growth of three large basaltic-to-dacitic stratovolcanoes with life spans of about 200,000 years was followed by construction of three smaller andesitic stratovolcanoes, Asahidake, Futamatayama, and Chausudake. Activity during the last 55,000 years included the collapse of Asahidake volcano about 30-40,000 years ago producing the massive Ofujisan debris-avalanche deposit, which blankets a broad area SE of the volcano. The youngest volcano, Chausudake, began forming about 16,000 years ago. Six magmatic eruptions took place since then, the latest in 1408-1410, when the youngest summit lava dome, Chausudake, was formed. These eruptions produced block-and-ash flows and concluded with the extrusion of lava flows. Smaller phreatic eruptions have occurred every few hundred years during the past 5000 years. (Source: Global Volcanism Program)

Nasudake (Mount Nasu. Chasudake) are located on the Nasukogen area which also contains many, many onsen and ryokan. Nasudake is located just north of Takaharayama and midway between Koriyama and Utsunomiya. See Google Earth Link here.

Getting Started: After a few days off and departing from my home base in Takasaki (Gunma), I took the Shinkansen from Takasaki to Shin-Shirakawa station in Tochigi Prefecture. From there I had already made a reservation with Toyota Rent-a-car for that station (I have pre-populated the rental location in the link) and simply picked up my car. I had an excellent experience with the TRC personnel, I was always treated with open arms. 

After picking up my rental car, I drove another hour to the Toge no Chaya Parking Lot 峠の茶屋駐車場...but the weather was changing quickly so I rushed to start the climb. On November 4th the first day I arrived the weather turned bad quickly. I made it to the lodge and start to go to Chasudake summit but decided to turn back, stay the night and try again in the morning which turned out to be the right choice

I stayed the night finding last minute availability at Oriental Garden オリエンタルガーデン which is part of a suite of hotels by the same owner company. The room was small and felt a bit older with no shower however I was just happy for a place to sleep, rest, and enjoy onsen at while I rested for the next hiking day. Although the room felt a bit older, the bedding is always clean and the onsen (public bath area) was more than enough for the last minute booking I was able to make.

AllTrails: I used AllTrails following the Sancho Station - Mount Chausu, Mount Asahi Loop here.

AllTrails 2D Image

AllTrails 3D Satellite Image and Trail Overlay

AllTrails 3D Satellite and Trail Overlay View

Start of Trail, 1st Torii,

Day 2

Morning of Day 2, facing east (waiting on breakfast to open)

Immediately following breakfast, weather clearing up.

Chasudake (Nasudake) looking from Mount Asahi

Top of Mount Asahi

Top of Chasudake (Nasudake)

Shrine on Chasudake (Nasudake)

Took the Ropeway down. I essentially hiked this place twice so did not feel guilty for taking the ropeway down.

I am ultra happy I stayed a second day for what turned out to be a magnificent hiking day, views, and experience. I have lots of video and will also be posting on Youtube which I will link later.