[Trekking with a kid] Tsuta-nana-numa was one of the trails around Towada Lake in Aomori Prefecture (Tohoku region) that seemed easy for a kid to navigate. Indeed, it turned out to be a great trail for our toddler, with its gentle slopes and the soft sunlight filtering through the trees.
How kind-friendly for Tsuta-nana-numa?
Route we took: Tsuta Onsen > Tsutanuma Pond > Kagaminuma Pond > Naganuma Pond > Back to Tsuta Onsen
Time required: 2 hours 30 min, including a break
Kid’s age: 1 year and 8 months
Walking pace of the kid: One-fourth of an adult’s pace
Distance walked by the kid: One-forth of the total trail length
Easiness for kids: ★★★★☆
Mood of the kid on the day: ★★★★☆
Hitting the trail from Tsuta Onsen
We set off on trail called “Numa Meguri no Komichi,” which takes an adult 1.5 hours to walk.
As soon as we departed, our son asked his dad for the baby carrier. Our motto is ”do not force him to walk if he is not in the mood,” so we put him in the carrier and started trekking at our own pace.
The trail was bathed in gentle sunlight, which filtered through the beech trees. Our son seemed to be in a good mood, and kept talking while on his dad’s back.
The 10-minute walk took us to the first pond, Ashinuma Pond. The trees surrounding the pond had just started turning yellow and red.
Trekking on foot from Tsutanuma Pond
After visiting Tsutanuma Pond, our son was eager to walk on his own. Once we set him down, he continued steadily along the trail. The height of the steps was perfect for a toddler, and he enjoyed climbing them, as if they were some sort of playground equipment made by nature.
After a 15- to 20-minute walk, we reached Kagaminuma Pond. The quiet surface of the pond reflected the beautiful early autumn leaves.
Discovering birds and insects in the forest
The final stretch of the trail after Kagaminuma Pond follows a gentle downhill slope. We took our time, collecting twigs along the path, spotting birds perched in the trees, and observing insects crawling on the leaves.
The trek was a delightful experience for both us and our son. Once we returned to Tustanuma Onsen and settled into the car, our son drifted off into a peaceful nap.
