A mystical mountain whose color changes several times a day
Mt. Tsukuba has been called the “purple mountain” since it changes color several times a day, whether it is indigo in the morning, green in the afternoon and purple at sunset. The mountain has two peaks labeled as male and female and it has been worshiped since ancient times as a place where a deity has resided. It has up to 1000 species of plant life along with many insects and wild birds so it is a treasure box of nature. Mt. Tsukuba has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, and with its beautiful appearance as a distinct peak rising from the Kanto Plain, it has made for an interesting contrast with Mt. Fuji bringing about the phrase of “Fuji of the West and Tsukuba of the East”.
Enjoy going up the mountain easily by cable car and ropeway
The course starting from Mt. Tsukuba Shrine and heading up to the summit is used by everyone from genuine climbers to families so a wide variety of people can enjoy the climbing trails and hiking courses. The courses are all connected and with the climbing and descending parts separated, people can enjoy some good variation. Visitors can head up the male peak by cable car while the female peak can be ascended by ropeway so even beginners can rest easy. Also at the 800m mark, people can traverse between the two peaks.
Events throughout the whole year
There is a spreading plum forest halfway up Mt. Tsukuba that measures 4.5ha where the Plum Festival is held every year from late February for a month. There is Tenpo Azumaya, which has been chosen as one of the Top 100 Views of Mount Fuji in the Kanto, from where you can view Japan’s most famous mountain while surrounded by white and pink blooms. Every weekend from October to March, the ropeway operates at night for an event called Stardust Cruising. At the station on the summit, 10,000 LED lights illuminate the area, and with the nightscape of Tsukuba City below and the starry night sky above, you can be totally enveloped in romantic light.