I finally climbed one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains that I’ve wanted to tackle for a while: Mount Tanzawa (1,567 m). I wasn’t planning on writing a post about this hike, since it’s quite popular and has been covered extensively online. However, since most of the posts focus on the so-called “Stupid” Okura Trail, which is very monotonous, I feel I have something to add! Don’t hike Mount Tanzawa via the Okura Trail unless you love stairs and consider hiking a purely physical challenge. Instead, take the Yabitsu Pass Trail—here’s why!
What's in this blog post?
> Why should you climb Mount Tanzawa?
Located in Kanagawa Prefecture, very close to Tokyo, Mount Tanzawa, one of the peaks in the Tanzawa Mountains range, sits right in front of our old buddy, Mount Fuji. When the weather’s good, the view from the top is just unbeatable. Since the trailhead is only two hours from Tokyo by local train and bus for just 1,200 JPY (8 USD), the question is: how can you not hike this mountain if you live in Tokyo and love mountains?
If you’re looking for a hike with great views of Mt. Fuji and easy access from Tokyo, this might be the perfect choice for you. Oh, and did I mention that the mountain hut at the top of Mt. Tanzawa is famous for its amazing food? As if the view of Fuji wasn’t enticing enough!
Welcome to Tanzawa Mountains!
> Hiking Mount Tanzawa: Trails
There are several trails leading to Mount Tanzawa. Below, I have described two of the most popular routes that are easily accessible by public transport.
>> The Stupid Okura Trail
From Okura to the top of Mount Tanzawa – Distance: 9,4 km | Elevation Gain: 1530m up and 270m down
The trail starts at Okura, at an elevation of 290 m. This is a shorter, steeper trail with a greater elevation gain than the route (described below) via Yabitsu Pass. The path mainly winds through the forest.
Since the climb is quite difficult and monotonous, mainly due to the endless stairs, this trail is often called baka (バカ) in Japanese, which means “stupid”. Said that, it is the most popular trail among hikers and the route most extensively covered online. I have read several blogs and talked to people who have climbed the Okura trail, and they all agree that hiking this trail means nothing more than… suffering.
This is probably the most popular trail because it is slightly easier to get to the trailhead- the bus ride is shorter and there are more buses. Or maybe… people just like to suffer! 😉
>> Be Smart And Hike From Yabitsu Pass
From Yabitsu Pass to the top of Mount Tanzawa – Distance: 10 km | Elevation gain: 1,350 up and 560 down
The trail starting at Yabitsu Pass, in Japanese Yabitsu Toge or ヤビツ峠, is more varied, offers better views and has significantly fewer stairs. It starts higher (which is why the bus ride is longer) at Yabitsu Pass (761 m), which makes the climb less demanding. The trail is less steep because it is slightly longer and has more ascents and descents. As you climb the ridge, you reach several peaks – Ninoto (1,144 m), Sannoto (1,205 m), Karasuo (1,136 m), Gyoja (1,180 m) and Shindainichi (1,340 m), which gives you a sense of satisfaction, which makes the hike more enjoyable and therefore easier.
During the hike, you can often enjoy open spaces and views; you’ll see Mount Fuji earlier and enjoy it longer than on the Okura Trail—of course, provided the weather is good, which applies to any trail. The terrain is quite varied; you start the hike in the forest, and the vegetation changes significantly at higher elevations. Although there are a few sections with chains, they are not too difficult. However, with snow and ice on the trail, it can be a bit more challenging.
Source from: Best Hike Japan
the hiking trail from Yabitsu pass is very beautiful & varied
> Getting to The Trailhead of Mount Tanzawa
Okura Trail - if you really have to 🙂
- Shinjuku > Shibusawa: 1 h 10 min Odakyu Line Rapid Express train
- Shibusawa > Okura Bus Stop: 15 min on bus No. 2
Take the Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu bus No. 02 from Shibusawa Station on the Odakyu Line and get off at the last stop. The bus runs about 30 times a day, usually two per hour, but four times per hour on weekend mornings [from Wikipedia].
When you enter your trip into Google Maps, you can check the updated departure times.
Yabitsu Pass Trail - the smart solution
- Shinjuku Station > Hadano Station: 1 h 5 min via Odakyu Line Rapid Express train
- Hadano Station > Yabitsu Pass Bus Stop: 50 min on bus No. 21
Take bus No.21 from bus stop number 4 at the north exit of Hadano Station on the Odakyu Odawara Line. Get off at the last stop. There are only two buses on weekdays and five on weekends and holidays [from Wikipedia].
The bus ride to Yabitsu Pass is longer than the ride to Okura, as it takes you nearly 500 metres higher.
When you enter your trip into Google Maps, you can check the updated departure times.
> Hiking Mount Tanzawa: Mountain Huts
These are the two most popular huts in the Tanzawa Mountains:
- Miyama Hut (みやま山荘) on Mount Tanzawa (1,567 m): Miyama Hut Location | Miyama Hut Website
- Sonbutu Sanso (尊仏山荘) on Mount Tonodake (1,491 m): Sonbutu Sanso Website | Sonbutu Sanso Location
Both lodges are small and cosy, so be sure to book in advance, as they fill up quickly on weekends. In front of both of them, the view of Mount Fuji is incredible in good weather. Miyama Hut is particularly famous for its elaborate meals—by mountain standards!
If you’re staying at Sonbutu Sanso, be sure to hike the last section to Mt. Tanzawa in the morning, when you’re more likely to get clear skies and gorgeous views of Fuji.
Sonbutu Sanso on the top of Mount Tonodake
Miyama Hut on Mount Tanzawa
Before reaching Mt. Tonodake, we unexpectedly came across another lodge that hasn’t been mentioned much online. This could be a great option if the other huts are fully booked. It’s located about 1 km before the summit of Mt. Tonodake and about 100 metres lower in elevation. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates!
- Kinomata Hut (丹沢 木ノ又小屋) below Mount Tonodake (~`1,390 m): Kinomata Hut Location | Facebook – Kinomata | Kinomata Hut Website
Kinomata Hut is where we stopped for a coffee on the way down
> Hiking Time
Hiking Mount Tanzawa will probably take you between 5 to 7 hours, including breaks. We started at 10 AM at Yabitsu Pass, took plenty of breaks along the way, and reached the summit at 4:45 PM. We were the last guests and the only foreigners to reach the hut, as all the Japanese hikers arrived before us. If you are a fast hiker, you definitely will take less time than us!
From Yabitsu Pass, initially the path leads along a paved road to the trailhead in the forest. Going forward the path is never too steep and always quite pleasant. After reading about the monotonous Okura Trail, I had low expectations for the Yabitsu Trail, which I loved so much! It’s so good to have low expectations sometimes.
If you are short on time and looking for a short day hike, you can just go to Mount Sannoto (1,205m), which offers great views of Mount Fuji in good weather (~3.6 km (one way) from Yabitsu Pass, 600 m up and 170 m down).
Why it took us so much time to go up and go down: breaks, chatting & having fun!
> 5 Tips for Mount Tanzawa Hike
- Take the Yabitsu Pass Trail for the best views and a more enjoyable, more varied route. Consider taking the Okura Trail to descend. There are more buses leaving from Okura, so this may even be a more convenient option.
- Book a mountain hut and split the hike over 2 days. It’s long and strenuous, and the best views of Mt. Fuji are at sunrise and sunset – you can’t miss them!
- The trail is open year-round, but try to avoid the summer months. It can be very hot and humid then, and the trail is often full of leeches. Be careful when hiking in winter, there might be snow and ice.
- Always check the weather forecast before your hike and cancel if the weather is bad. It’s really not worth the risk! Mountain Forecast for Mount Tanzawa
- Bring plenty of snacks and water! If you decide to refill your water at the spring near Tonodake Hut, keep in mind that it requires a 120m descent and a climb back up. Although the sign to the spring says it’s only 300m, it doesn’t mention that it’s all stairs! The water is delicious and free, but if you’re really tired or short on time, you might want to consider buying water at the hut!
Early morning at the top of Mount Tanzawa—this is why it’s worth spending the night in the hut!
HIKING MOUNT TANZAWA MAP
I hope you enjoyed my article! If so, please leave a comment – it always puts a smile on my face and motivates me to continue sharing my hiking adventures! And if you need more information, don’t hesitate to ask!
If you enjoyed this little Mount Tanzawa hiking guide and are looking for more hikes with amazing views of Mount Fuji, you might also enjoy these other hiking stories on my blog:
A 2-3 day hike, more challenging than Mount Tanzawa: CLIMBING MOUNT KITA – JAPAN’ SECOND HIGHEST PEAK
A one-day hike, less challenging than Mount Tanzawa: MOUNT TAKAO TO MOUNT JINBA TRAVERSE – AN EASY HIKE FROM TOKYO
It’s so useful! Amazing blog, Betiful Worl! 💚
Hey Kinga! It’s always so nice to receive here a comment – thank you so much <3 Hope you will hike Mt. Tanzawa one day! Ganbatte! ps. there is also a Polish version o.O ;p
Hey Kinga! It’s always so nice to receive here a comment – thank you so much <3 Hope you will hike Mt. Tanzawa one day! Ganbatte! ps. there is also a Polish version o.O
Love this article!! I was planning on going on a revenge hike to Mt. Tanzawa by going to our original route Nabewariyama for the udon but this route sounds fun too!!! Thanks!!!
Hi Marie! Thanks for your comment and for reading my blog! I’m really glad you found it useful! Good luck with your hiking adventure!