Mt. Nabewari, Beginning at Okura (Round Trip) / Tanzawa hiking, Kanagawa

A signpost at the Okura bus stop points you down a paved path to the trailhead. From there you walk for a little while along a well-maintained forestry road. There are a number of places where you cross wooden footbridges over tumbling streams. After a time there's another signpost, and the trail splits. Following the trail to the left brings you to a spot called Mizuhizawa Toshoten with lots of plastic bottles filled with water. The main mountain trail is steep and rugged and starts once you pass on from there.

You gradually go deeper into the forest as you hike and the trail narrows as you ascend wooden steps. The landscape gradually changes and brightens as the tree cover opens up when you approach the summit. You'll get a great view of Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) from there on clear days. You'll also find Nabewari Sanso where you can try their popular specialty, Nabeyaki Udon noodles.

To return, just retrace your steps back the way you came.