How difficult is hiking Mount Kinpu?

Mount Kinpu is considered a moderate level hiking trail, ranked #36 out of 123 mountains in Yamanashi in terms of difficulty. The trail features a fair share of incline, decline, and straight areas with both dirt paths and fenced sections. While it's suitable for hikers with reasonable fitness levels, the 2.5-hour ascent from Odarumi Mountain Hut requires proper preparation and hiking experience. The terrain becomes rockier as you approach the summit, transitioning from forest paths to areas composed of large rocks and stones.

What is the best time to visit Mount Kinpu?

The optimal hiking season for Mount Kinpu is from July to October, during summer and autumn. Snow typically remains on the mountain until May and begins falling again at the end of October. The most challenging period for hiking is mid-June to mid-July due to the highest rainfall amounts. Weather conditions can change rapidly at this elevation, so checking forecasts and preparing for various conditions is essential regardless of season.

How do I get to Mount Kinpu from Tokyo?

The journey requires multiple transportation connections. Take the JR Chuo Line from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku Station (approximately 15 minutes), then transfer to the JR Chuo Line limited express to Nirasaki Station (approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes). From Nirasaki Station, take a bus bound for Masutomi Hot Spring (增富温泉), then transfer to a bus bound for Mizugakisansou (瑞牆山荘) to reach the trailhead. The total travel time from Tokyo is typically 3-4 hours depending on connections.

What can I expect to see at the summit?

The summit of Mount Kinpu offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and valleys, including views of Mount Fuji on clear days. The most distinctive feature is the Gojoiwa rock formation - uniquely shaped granite rocks that create one of Japan's most recognizable mountain summits. As you approach the top, the forest landscape clears to reveal a wide rocky area, and there's a small shrine at the summit. The dramatic transition from lush forest to the stark, impressive rock formations makes for a memorable hiking experience and excellent photography opportunities.

Nagano

Mount Kinpu, Nagano

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Mount Kinpu stands as one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains and represents the main peak of the Okuchichibu Range in the Kantō Mountains. At 2599 m tall, it is the second highest peak of the Okuchichibu Mountains, strategically positioned on the border between Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures within Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park.

The mountain holds profound spiritual significance as a Shinto sacred site, crowned by the sacred Gojoiwa rock, a Shinto holy site, on its top. These unique shaped granite rocks gathered at the summit, which is called Gojoiwa, create one of Japan's most distinctive mountain summits and serve as both a natural landmark and religious focal point.

Mount Kinpu offers exceptional hiking experiences suitable for both experienced mountaineers and ambitious beginners. The summit provides a sensational 360° view of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Starting from the Odarumi Mountain Hut (odarumi yamagoya), the hiking trail takes about 2.5 hours to the top, featuring diverse terrain that includes both dirt paths and fenced areas through lush forests, rocky paths, even bigger boulders.

The mountain serves as an excellent base for exploring multiple peaks, with Fujimidaira-goya (富士見平小屋), a camping ground with a beautiful little mountain hut located 50 minutes from the trailhead start. This is a very popular area with many hikers as it is the main base for climbing both Mount Kinpu and Mount Mizigaki. The trail system allows visitors to experience a rich array of changing scenery as they ascend through different elevation zones.

Access to Mount Kinpu requires multiple transportation connections from major cities. Take the JR Chuo Line from Tokyo Station and you will arrive at Shinjuku Station in approximately 15 minutes. From Shinjuku Station transfer to the JR Chuo Line limited express and you will arrive at Nirasaki Station in between approximately an hour and 40 minutes.

From Nirasaki Station, first take a bus bound for Masutomi Hot Spring (増富温泉). Second take a bus bound for Mizugakisansou (瑞牆山荘) to reach the trailhead. Backpacking is allowed on Mount Kinpu, though you should always double check if a permit is required. The mountain requires no admission fees, making it accessible to all visitors who can arrange transportation to the trailheads.

The area

Address

Mount Kinpu, Kawahake, Kawakami, Minamisaku District, Nagano 384-1401, Japan

What other travelers are saying about Mount Kinpu, Nagano

One of the most prettiest hike you can do within a single day from Tokyo (but wake up early!). If you have a car go to Oodarumi Touge Parking Station area or wake up early and take a taxi from JR Enzan Station to this parking place (takes about 1 hour so bring some cash or friends! the price was over 10,000 JPY). The trail starts from the parking area through Asahi Mountain. The hike is medium level with some steep areas and rocks to climb or go down, but the experience and the view makes up for it. The view from the top is incredible, very dynamic and impressive landscape with huge rocks and wild nature. Make sure to bring food and cash with you (some taxi companies or shops only take cash). Also plan well with extra time since bus and train is limited on the countryside and you may need to call for a taxi on the way back as I did. Bring cash, comfortable shoes, water, food and a hiking app like Yamap.

Nearby attractions to see

Karuizawa New Art Museum

Jinchokan Moriya Historical Museum, Chino

Higashikagawa City Museum of History and Folklore

Nearby attractions to see

Karuizawa New Art Museum

Jinchokan Moriya Historical Museum, Chino

Higashikagawa City Museum of History and Folklore

Frequently Asked Questions

Mt. Kinpu is the high mountaine of the altitude 2599 m at the western end of the Oku-Chichibu mountain range. A great view without obstructions from its top beyond the forest limit is really wonderful. People who love mountain landscapes in Japan shall climb this mountain once at all. If it is from Oodarumi Pass it is possible to make a round - trip with climbing half a day. If the weather is fine, you can walk with a hiking mood but because it is a mountain road that exceeds 2000 m in altitude, clothing and equipment to prepare for sudden weather change are essential. Also, because it is on the ridgeline, there is no water field on the way. Oodarumi Pass with an average altitude of 2365 m with paved woodland roads and parking lots. There is only an altitude difference of only 234 m from here to 2599 m of Mt. Kinpu. However, the mountain climbing road is not flat as it has Mt. Asahi-dake, Mt. Tstuzan up / down on the way. Also, there are few observation paths in the forest of Shirabiso etc. There is a place where the forest opened in the vicinity of the top of Mt. Asahi-dake, and the view of Mt. Fuji and Mt. Kinpu from here is wonderful. Mt. Tetuzan has no view in the forest. Then, we go beyond the forest limit and open up our prospects, we arrive at Mt. Kinpu. On the summit of Mt. Kinpu, we can see Gojo-iwa rock in front, Mt. Fuji on the left, Southern Alps from the back of the Gojo-iwa rock to the right, Hoo (phenix) three mountains, Mt. Kai-Komagatake, In addition, in the back right in the Central Alps, Mt. Ontake, Mt. Norikura, right in front of Mt. Yatsugatake, Mt. Mizugaki, far from right, there are Northern Alps, Mt. Yari (spear), Mt. Hodaka, hidden in far far back, there are Usiro-takeyama mountains, Mt. Hakuba (white horse), Mt. Asama in the right hand, etc., etc. You can see the main mountains located in the central part of the Japanese archipelago. Again, if a person who loves mountain landscapes in Japan, it is the mountain that want you to climb once.

Hank Hogawa

Dec 28, 2018