Mt. Iwaonupuri is a part of the Niseko-Annupuri volcanic mountains. Although it has an altitude of only 1,116 m, the panoramic view from the summit is famous among hikers. It is also popular for its relatively easy access. As it takes only one hour to the summit, it is recommended for beginners. There is a steep ascending slope just after the starting point, but the rest of the way is almost flat. You can give yourself over to natural wonder and enjoy viewing nameless ponds or a community of cowberry on your way. In about 30 minutes, the summit will come in sight. From there, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mt. Annupuri in front, the rural landscape of the town of Kucchan to the left below, Weiss Ski Resort and Niseko O-numa Pond. The best season is the fall, when leaves turn blazing red and bright gold to weave out a magnificent landscape. In winter, a lot of skiers come to enjoy ski-trekking.

Mt. Tanzawa with an altitude of 1567 m is on the border of Sagamihara City, Kiyokawa-mura in Aiko-gun and Yamakita-cho in Ashigara-Kami-gun in Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a part of the Tanzawa Shumyaku (the great ridge) and a part of Tanzawa-Oyama Quasi-National Park. Being close to Tokyo metropolitan area, Mt. Tanzawa is thronged with hikers all through the year.

It is said that “Mt. Tanzawa” on the list of “Japan’s 100 Fine Mountains” includes not only Mt. Tanzawa but also other mountains rising in the central part of the Tanzawa mountain range, which used to be generically called “Tanzawa-san.” However, in the Meiji period (1868-1912), when a land survey was conducted, the triangulation point was placed at this mountain peak and the mountain was tentatively named Mt. Tanzawa. In time, people began to call this mountain alone “Mt. Tanzawa.”

The mountain is covered with the flowers of Yamazakura (Prunus jamasakura), Mitsuba-tsutsuji (Rhododendron dilatatum), Yamatsutsuji (Rhododendrom　obtusum) and Shiroyashio (Rhododendron quinquefolium) in spring, Gakuutsugi (Hydrangea scandens), Japanese dogwood, Kobaikeisou (Veratrum stamineum), Yamayuri (Lilium auratumand) and lespedeza in the early summer, and autumn leaves in fall.