(十二湖) Juniko (Twelve Lakes)

Just stumbled on this while looking for a place to go to in Tohoku, and figured, why not go?

Budget: JPY4,740 (~USD46)

• JPY4,000. One day's worth allocated with JR East's Welcome Rail Pass 
• JPY740. Bus, Juniko Station < > Oku Juniko Parking Lot (JPY370 one way)

Hike Date / Difficulty

• Target: 2020
• Map (source):

When to Go

For 2020, bus only runs from July 3 until November 30, which is a restriction. This will likely change depending on the covid restriction. 

Special Notes

• Weather check.
• Access. Having a car opens doors, but I don't have a car so those doors remain closed to me. For those who rely on public transportation, access is as follows:
• Train, Akita Station to Juniko Station, with a transfer at Higashi Noshiro Station. Juniko Station can also be accessed via Aomori through Hirosaki Station. 
• Bus, Juniko Station (十二湖) to Okujuniko Parking Lot (奥十二湖駐車場), 15 minutes, 370 one way.

Train schedule, Juniko Station < > Higashi Noshiro (transit for Akita Station)

Bus schedule, Juniko Station < > Oku-Juniko Parking Lot ( 奥十二湖駐車場)

• Nihon Canyon  (google maps pin) is part of the entire loop, and is 2.2 kms (40 minutes) walk from Juniko Station. 

Itinerary

• 06:15am. Train, Akita Station to Juniko Station. Transfer needed at Higashi-Noshiro at 07:11am. 
• 08:44am. ETA: Juniko Station. Start walking to Nihon Canyon
• 09:20am. Bus, Juniko Station to Oku-Juniko Parking Lot.
• 09:35am. ETA: Oku-Juniko Parking Lot.
• Explore the area. 
• 10:50am. Bus, Oku-Juniko Parking Lot to Juniko Station.
• 11:05am. ETA: Juniko Station.
• 11:27am. Train, Juniko Station to Akita Station.
• 01:27pm. Akita Station. 

OR

• 08:20am. Train, Akita Station to Juniko Station.
• 10:35am. Bus, Juniko Station to Oku-Juniko. 
• 10:50am. ETA: Oku-Juniko.
• Explore the area.
• 02:15pm. Bus, Oku-Juniko Parking Lot to Juniko Staiton.
• 02:30pm. ETA: Juniko Station.
• 03:09pm. Train, Juniko Station to Akita Station.