Hidden Wonders | Riding the 'Lift to the Sky' at Amihari Onsen

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Drawn by the poetic name "Lift to the Sky" (Tenku no Lift), I decided to visit a resort hotel in Iwate. Kyukamura Iwate-Amihari Onsen sits on the southern slope of Mt Iwate (2,038 meters), within Towada-Hachimantai National Park. The "Lift to the Sky" refers to three ski lifts that operate in summer and fall, from June 1 to November 3.

My goal was to join the early morning walking event through Sky Hill (Tenku-no-Oka) and Amihari Forest, which starts daily at 6:30 AM. The view from Sky Hill, more than 800 meters above sea level, was once cherished by poet and children's author Kenji Miyazawa.

*The resort offers onsen, three lifts, and panoramic views. (Courtesy of Kyukamura Iwate-Amihari Onsen)*

Journey to the Resort

I visited Kyukamura Iwate Amihari Onsen on June 21. Leaving Morioka City by car at 5 AM, I headed west on National Route 46. After turning onto Prefectural Route 219 and passing Koiwai Farm, I drove north. The trip took less than an hour.

The walk begins with a five-minute ride on the No 1 lift, which stretches 370 meters. It carries you from the hot spring area at 770 meters up to Sky Hill. From there, participants enjoy the view, then descend through Amihari Forest to return to the onsen. The full route takes about an hour.

A Guided Tour in the Mist

Unfortunately, light rain led to the event being canceled for safety. This was my last chance before my article deadline to see the view. Thankfully, Ryutaro Nakamura, the resort's sales manager, kindly offered to guide me along the course anyway.

*The resort's No 1 lift. (Courtesy of Kyukamura Iwate-Amihari Onsen)*

I rode the lift just before 7 AM. Before these lifts existed, skiers had to carry their skis up the steep slope on foot. As we walked, Nakamura explained the route in detail — from the mist-covered Sky Hill down through the quiet forest.

"On clear days, you can sometimes see Mt Chokai on the border of Akita and Yamagata," he said. "We often get a sea of clouds over the Shizukuishi Basin in the morning."

He also shared that the name "Amihari" — which literally means "stretch or set up a net" — comes from nets once used to protect the hot spring's source.

A New Name

The resort renamed the lift from "Amihari Onsen Scenic Lift" to "Lift to the Sky" in 2024. The change was intended to attract a wider range of visitors, not just mountain climbers heading to Mt Iwate. The walking event was designed as a gentle hiking experience to appeal to a broader audience.

On a later visit, I finally saw the breathtaking sea of clouds stretching across the Shizukuishi Basin from Sky Hill. Since July, visitors have also been able to enjoy a gentle one-hour hike from the No 1 lift, where clusters of alpine flowers like Veratrum and Habenaria are in bloom.

Amihari Onsen offers five different bathing options. There's Senjo-no-Yu, a mixed-gender outdoor bath. Yakushi-no-Yu is an open-air bath for day visitors. The Shikaoi Foot Bath offers a quick, relaxing soak. Inside the main building, you'll find two indoor baths: Daishaku-no-Yu and Hakusen-no-Yu. I soaked in Daishaku-no-Yu and relished my first open-air bath in a long time.

*View from Terrace & Dining Iwatesan. (Courtesy of Kyukamura Iwate-Amihari Onsen)*

The main building also features Terrace & Dining Iwatesan, where guests can enjoy both the scenery and local cuisine. The Lift to the Sky also connects to Mt Mitsuishi (1,466 meters), known for having the earliest fall foliage on Honshu. As the leaves begin to turn in mid-September, I'll be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast — hoping to return on a clear day.

Getting to Kyukamura Iwate-Amihari Onsen

About an hour's drive from JR Morioka Station. The "Lift to the Sky" refers to Lifts No 1 through 3 at the resort's ski area. Lift No 1 operates from June. All three lifts run during the autumn foliage season (September 20 to October 13, except from October 6 to 10). The morning walk is free for overnight guests. Day visitors can join for ¥800 (about $5 USD) for a one-way ride. A round trip on Lift No 1 costs ¥1,200. Riding all three lifts round-trip costs ¥2,100.