Volunteer group members enter a Mt. Apoi trail, with one of them holding a warning sign for climbers, in Samani, Hokkaido.
17:33 JST, May 1, 2024
SAMANI, Hokkaido – The climbing season started on April 13 at Mount Apoi in Hidaka Sanmyaku-Erimo Quasi-National Park in Samani, Hokkaido.
Mount Apoi, with a height of 810 meters, has a relatively low summit among the steep Hidaka Mountains. It is a popular location because there are about 80 alpine plant species growing wild, of which about 20 are endemic to the area.
The park will be designated as a national park this summer. According to the city’s trade, industry and tourism department, Mount Apoi attracts more than 7,000 climbers every year.
The city expects the number of climbers to increase further after the area is fully designated as a national park.
On the opening day, a prayer service was held in front of the Mount Apoi Geopark Visitor Center, where officials from Samani, Urakawa Police Station and others prayed for safety during the climbing season.
“I hope many people will visit the area as it becomes a national park,” Samani Mayor Teruaki Araki said.
Climbers from both inside and outside Hokkaido make their way to the top to admire the beautiful Japanese hyacinth blossoms and other plants.
A group of volunteers placed a brush to remove mud from shoes and warning signs at the start of a mountain trail to prevent invasive plant species from entering the area.
