Aomori: A ‘swallowtail butterfly of light’

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:04 JST, June 22, 2021

MUTSU, Aomori — The observation deck near the top of the 878-meter Mt. Kamafuse, the highest peak on Shimokita Peninsula, opened on June 4 after being closed for six months. The famous night view of Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture, stretches out from the Kamafuse observation deck.

Located 785 meters above sea level, the observation deck offers a panoramic view of the ax-shaped terrain of the peninsula. On a clear day, it provides a view of Hokkaido and the Hakkoda mountain range in Aomori Prefecture in the distance.

The lights of Mutsu are called a “swallowtail butterfly of light” because they look like a butterfly with its wings spread, and the night view has been selected as one of the 100 best night views in Japan.

“The best viewing time is within the hour after sunset,” a city official said. “I hope people will come and enjoy the view while practicing social distancing.”

The observation deck will be open to the public for free from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. until Nov. 3.