Mount Tokusenjo

Mount Tokusenjo (Tokusenjo-san), a 711 m peak in Kesennuma City, is an easy climb even for beginners, taking Approx. 40 minutes from the trailhead to the summit. A mountain stream runs near the trail, and wildflowers like gentians and violets bloom nearby, making it popular for hiking and picnics.

This mountain’s biggest draw is its azaleas, best seen from mid to late May. Around the mid-slope, Approx. 500,000 yama-azaleas and renge-azaleas grow in clusters across a vast 50-hectare area, on a scale said to be among the largest in Japan. Azaleas also bloom near the trailhead, so even visitors who aren’t confident in their stamina can still enjoy azalea viewing.

A top recommendation is the First Observatory, about 15 minutes from the trailhead. The view of azaleas in full bloom filling your entire field of vision is truly breathtaking. On the “Azalea Road” beyond the Second Observatory, giant azaleas taller than a person bloom like a tunnel. The summit offers a 360-degree panorama, with a striking contrast between the deep-crimson mountainside and the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean in the distance. On weekends during the blooming season, extra buses also run from in front of Kesennuma Station, stopping at two locations in the city before heading to Mount Tokusenjo.