Goshogake Nature Trail

The Goshogake Nature Trail is a 2 km circular boardwalk that loops through one of the most volcanically active accessible zones in Tohoku, on the Akita-side slopes behind Goshogake Onsen ryokan. The trail passes Oyunuma pond (a 80-degree milky-blue thermal pond), miniature mud volcanoes that bubble continuously, and dozens of hissing sulfur vents that color the rocks yellow and white. The full loop takes 60 to 90 minutes; signage describes the geothermal features in English and Japanese. Closed November through April.