Hike of a Sacred Mountain, Mt. Togakushi; Round Trip from the Togakushi-jinja Shrine Okusha

From the Togakushi Okusha Entrance bus stop, follow the straight and level course of the shrine approach. After passing through the Zuishinmon gate, you will be on a path lined with towering Japanese cedar trees some 400 year of age. These trees have been officially designated as natural monuments.

After hiking the path for about 40 minutes from the bus stop, you will arrive at Togakushi-jinja Shrine Okusha, which is the oldest of the many Togakushi Shrine buildings scattered around the area. From here, you will begin a difficult section of the route, as the course turns into a rocky slope.

Hike up a steep slope through a forested area for about an hour and 10 minutes, then traverse the slope through an overhanging rock on the right hand side to arrive at Hyakken-nagaya. Continue on past a miniature shrine and climb up the long segment of rocky slope fitted with chains.

Once you have climbed the Munatsuki-iwa rock, you will arrive at a ridge known as “Arino-towatari,” which is the most difficult part of the route. Care and concentration are needed when negotiating this ridge of only a few dozen centimeters in width. There is also an alternative path equipped with chains below and to the right.

From Hyakken-nagaya, it takes about an hour and 10 minutes to reach the main ridge, Happonirami. From here, continue along the ridge to reach the peak of Mt. Togakushi.

For the return journey, follow the same route in reverse.