Kagikake Pass (Oyama Observatory), Kofu

Kagikake Pass, also known as Oyama Observatory, sits at an elevation of approximately 910 meters along Tottori Prefectural Route 45 in the border area between Kofu Town in Hino District and Daisen Town in Saihaku District, Tottori Prefecture. The pass name originates from an old custom where pilgrims visiting Daisen Temple and traders attending cattle markets would hang hook-shaped twigs on trees, praying for safe travel and good fortune. Another tradition links the name to a coming-of-age ritual where 13-year-old boys would offer hook-shaped branches to stone Buddhist statues during their pilgrimage to Mount Daisen.

The pass serves as the highest point on the Daisen Loop Road that circles Mount Daisen, offering what is considered one of Mount Daisen's premier scenic viewpoints. The andesite rock typical of lava dome volcanoes like Mount Daisen cracks easily, creating features like the long rock wall between the mountain's north and south flanks. The southern face displays numerous landslide scars and ravines, including three major erosion channels known as Ichi-no-sawa, Ni-no-sawa, and San-no-sawa, formed by massive landslides that create the appearance of three giant rivers flowing down the mountainside.

Visitors experience dramatic views of Mount Daisen's rugged southern wall rising behind a carpet of vibrant beech forest. The contrast between exposed rocky surfaces and surrounding vegetation creates particularly striking scenery during autumn, when colorful foliage appears in two peak periods: seven-colored leaves in late October and late-autumn colors in mid-November, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually. The Daisen Parkway passes through the area, showcasing one of western Japan's largest beech forests. Spring and summer offer fresh green landscapes, while winter occasionally provides the rare combination of autumn colors with fresh snow on the summit.`

The observatory features a parking area with public restrooms and an observation deck directly adjacent to the roadside. Kagikake Pass takes approximately 50 minutes to reach from Yonago Airport by car. The site is accessible only by private vehicle, as no public transportation serves this mountain location. The winding mountain road approaches from both the Hino side and the Hiruzen Highland direction. During peak autumn viewing season, the parking area fills quickly, though additional roadside spaces accommodate overflow. The nearby Kidanizawa mountain stream lies just five minutes away by car, offering forest walking trails.