Mount Monbetsu is located in Date, Hokkaido. Known to locals as Higashiyama, this mountain isn't particularly tall, standing at an elevation of 715 meters. However, on a clear day, it offers a panoramic view of the beautiful nature of the Nishi-Iburi region, including Mount Yotei and Lake Toya, making it a great mountain for beginners to discover the joy of hiking. It is also famous for its colonies of Shirane-aoi (Glaucidium palmatum), attracting many hikers from both within and outside of Hokkaido. It's even said that Date City's good weather is thanks to Mount Monbetsu and other mountains blocking the rain clouds, quietly watching over the lives of Date's citizens. Until recently, the hiking trails on Mount Monbetsu were maintained by the "Date Walking Ski Association." However, with many elderly members, continuing the maintenance work became more difficult each year. To address this, they used social media to call for more people to help maintain their local mountain. As a result, an impressive 50 participants gathered for the trail maintenance on July 26, 2020. This time, we interviewed Mr. Masaaki Horaguchi of the Date Walking Ski Association, who has been maintaining the Mount Monbetsu trails for many years, and Mr. Ryutaro Kurihara, who used social media to rally many people to join.

Mr. Masaaki Horaguchi (right)
While running a bookstore in Date City, he has been involved in maintaining the hiking trails of Mount Monbetsu for over a decade. "I head out to nearby mountains depending on my work, the weather, and my mood for the day. Occasional 'mountain bathing' (instead of forest bathing) may tire my muscles, but it soothes my soul."

Mr. Ryutaro Kurihara (left)
He works in local migration support and community revitalization. "It's my eighth year living in this town. I've gradually made more friends and have come to enjoy the positive 'open spaces' of this region. Getting involved with the younger generation in trail maintenance is one of those things."

-How did you first get into mountains? Mr. Horaguchi: My first encounter with mountains was when I joined my high school's mountaineering club because I wanted to try tent camping. Lately, I've been sticking to nearby mountains, but I especially climb Mount Monbetsu throughout the seasons for its wonderful alpine plants and the stunning view from the summit. Mr. Kurihara: I started mountain climbing in my working years at the invitation of a senior colleague, and I enjoyed making friends of all ages in the mountains. After returning to Date, I initially started climbing Mount Monbetsu for trail running. In the Kanto region, I had to take a train just to get to a mountain, but here, I can run from my house to the trailhead and enjoy the mountain right away, which is incredibly valuable. Things like climbing the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains is fun, but when I climb a familiar local mountain, it's interesting to see everyday scenery from a different perspective. You can see what's on the other side of the mountain. -This time, there was a noticeable number of younger participants who don't usually join. How did that come about? Mr. Kurihara: For about two years, I had been hearing that it was becoming difficult due to the aging of the members. There's a culture in surfing of "keeping our own beaches clean," and I thought it would be more interesting if more people got involved with their local mountain, so I put out a call on social media. It was great to see so many people join this year and everyone enjoying the work. Mr. Horaguchi: Because we were so used to it, we didn't notice how much the trail was eroding. But Mr. Wada (from the Hokkaido Shimbun Date Branch), who had just been assigned here last year, recognized the urgency and wrote a major article about it. Also, Mr. Kurihara called out to many people, and that's how we got such a large group. I was amazed by the power of social media. Looking back, I wonder if there has ever been an opportunity for people from their 20s to their 80s to gather and work up a sweat together. I think the biggest takeaway is that it became a great opportunity for multiple generations to come together. -What are your future prospects? Mr. Horaguchi: This is a mountain where everyone, from children to the elderly, can enjoy a magnificent view and 'mountain bathing'—not just forest bathing—with just a little effort. I want to share the charm of our local Mount Monbetsu with all citizens. Regarding maintenance, I hope to continue creating opportunities for multiple generations to work up a sweat together, in cooperation with Mr. Kurihara and many others. Mr. Kurihara: Everyone enjoys the mountains in their own way, and I think it's best to enjoy them freely. Lately, it seems mountain bikers have been coming too, so we are thinking about how to coexist so that accidents with hikers don't happen. My ideal is for people who usually enjoy the mountains separately to gather for trail maintenance, regardless of generation or status, and interact from time to time, creating those kinds of connections. This initiative is a wonderful project that shows how local trail maintenance can also lead to community building. I also helped with the trail maintenance as a participant, and I had a great time along the way, learning various things from a junior colleague who knows more about mountains than I do, and hearing stories about the town I never knew from a senior member. I can't say the steep section from the trailhead to the 3rd station wasn't tough, though... The Mount Monbetsu trail maintenance is scheduled to take place again this July. Whether you're a first-time hiker or a regular, why not consider joining in? (This article is a re-edited version of the feature "The Widening Circle of Mount Monbetsu Trail Maintenance" published in "Speech balloon #3" on November 1, 2020.)