Traditional Trail Opening Ceremony At Mt Yotei

12 June, 2017 Matt Kaiser

Ever wonder what a traditional mountain trail opening ceremony is like? Take a look!

Mt Yotei Opening Ceremony Lake Hangetsu Start Kutchan Town June 2017 Spring 1 Ceremony Alter

A close look at the ceremony alter.

This past Saturday, Mt Yotei's hiking trails were officially opened for the season. Kutchan Town held an official ceremony at the Lake Hangetsu trail head in honour of the occasion. The ceremony is held every year and is conducted in the hopes of ensuring a safe and successful hiking season. Each year a special alter is erected and two Shinto priests will lead a short prayer and offer Japanese sake to the mountain.

Take a look at some of the photos from this year's ceremony. It was a slightly rainy affair, but that didn't stop a surprising number of participants from crowding under the event tents.

Mt Yotei Opening Ceremony Lake Hangetsu Start Kutchan Town June 2017 Spring 4 Shinto Priests Alter

The two priests standing beside the ceremony alter.

Mt Yotei Opening Ceremony Lake Hangetsu Start Kutchan Town June 2017 Spring 2 Shinto Priests
Mt Yotei Opening Ceremony Lake Hangetsu Start Kutchan Town June 2017 Spring 9 Priests Bowing To Alter
Mt Yotei Opening Ceremony Lake Hangetsu Start Kutchan Town June 2017 Spring 5
Mt Yotei Opening Ceremony Lake Hangetsu Start Kutchan Town June 2017 Spring 11 Offerings
Mt Yotei Opening Ceremony Lake Hangetsu Start Kutchan Town June 2017 Spring 7 Crowd
Mt Yotei Opening Ceremony Lake Hangetsu Start Kutchan Town June 2017 Spring 10 Taiko Drum

There are only a few thin white lines left, so it won't be long before the last of the snow melts atop Mt Yotei. For many, one visit to Niseko is enough to turn a hike up Mt Yotei into a bucket-list item. Take a look at what is coming this summer below:

Mt Yotei 3
Mt Yotei Crater
Mt Yotei 5

With views like that, who wouldn't want to try and make the climb?

Matt Kaiser
Matt Kaiser

Originally from Canada, Matt first came to Hokkaido in the summer of 2012. Living in the northern reaches of Hokkaido, he gradually moved south until he arrived here in the Niseko area in the fall of 2015. His involvement with Experience Niseko began just before it's official online launch in June 2016. Now the international editor for both the print and digital editions, he spends his time exploring the Niseko area for more exciting stories to share with our readership.