Kuju Mountain Range: Mt. Kuju and Mt. Nakadake Circuit

Ascending the stone paved slope from Makinoto-toge Pass, you'll pass two observation decks before arriving at Mt. Kutsukake (Kutsukake-yama) in about 30 minutes.

You’ll gradually ascend a broad ridge and arrive at the turn off for Ogigahana (Ohgigahara) about 45 minutes out from Mt. Kutsukake. Proceed to the left following the narrow trail through a shrub zone, and in about 30 minutes you will arrive at Mt. Hossho (Hosshoh-zan) with its bleak volcanic landscape.

After a roughly 30-minute descent, you'll arrive at the col at Kuju-wakare with its Kuju-san shelter (Kuju-san Hinan-goya). From the col you'll ascend through scree towards the ridgeline of the outer rim, and in about 40 minutes you'll arrive at the rubble summit of Mt. Kuju, the main peak of the Kuju Mountain Range.

From there you'll descend to the east. Ascending once again will bring you to Mt. Inaboshi (Inaboshi-yama) in about 40 minutes. From there you descend to the col at Higashi Senrigahama and then hike up another roughly 30 minutes to the highest peak of the Kuju Mountain Range, Mt. Nakadake.

Blue and ethereal, Miike Pond will be visible below. Descend and walk about half-way around with the pond on the right and continue the loop by traversing the right-hand slope of the outer rim. Descending to the right where the trail splits will bring you back to Kuju-wakare. It’s about an hour from Mt. Nakadake.

For the return route, passing around Mt. Hossho will bring you back to the turnoff for Ogigahana. To get back to the Makinoto-toge Pass, descend via the same trail you hiked up on.