Mt. Iwaonupuri, standing at 1116 meters, is part of the Niseko mountain range and is an active volcano with two craters at its summit, which is barren of vegetation.
You can reach the trailhead at Goshiki Onsen by car or bus, where two parking areas are available.
About Iwaonupuri
To the north of Mt. Iwaonupuri flows the Sulfur River. In the past, there was a sulfur mining site along this river, which is no longer in operation.
The sulfur mine existed since the late Edo period, but it began full-scale operations during the Meiji period when the demand for sulfur, used in matches, increased.
During its peak in the Taisho period, about 200 people lived there. However, the mine was closed in 1944 (Showa 19), and now, firebricks scattered around the area are remnants of the past.
In 2009, the site was selected as part of the “Heritage of Industrial Modernization” by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
You can get route and condition information at the Goshiki Onsen Information Center, which is closed from October 30, 2017, and will reopen on June 1, 2018.
Summer trekking is suitable for families and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. However, if you plan to climb in winter, you must be well-prepared for winter mountain conditions. It is not recommended for beginners.
There is also a short hiking course where you can enjoy beautiful scenery in just 30 minutes.
You can walk on a wooden footpath.
After walking for 15-20 minutes, you will reach the entrance of Mt. Iwaonupuri and the registration box.
This marks the turning point for a short hike. If you decide to go further, you will need trekking shoes and additional climbing equipment.
From here, continue to the top of the mountain.
When you see this sign, take the left path to Onuma (大沼) and the right path to Mt. Iwaonupuri.
Onuma pond
You can see the Information Center on the left and Goshiki Onsen on the right below.
After trekking, a visit to Goshiki Onsen will truly make you happy!
Access
From JR Niseko station
Take a Niseko bus to Goshiki Onsen.
Map
Course time
Up : 1h20min
- Entrance – Onuma-Iwaonupuri fork : 40min
- Onuma-Iwaonupuri fork – top : 40min
Down : 50min
- top – Onuma-Iwaonupuri fork : 20min
- Onuma-Iwaonupuri fork – Entrance : 30min
