Mt. Tonodake, Beginning at Okura Ridge (Round Trip)

The Okura trailhead is about a 10-minute walk along a paved road from the Hadano Visitor Center at the Okura bus stop. The pavement eventually gives way to a mountain trail which branches in two at Kannon Chaya (Japanese Soba restaurant and wagashi confectioner).

Either trail will bring you to Komadome Chaya mountain hut. From there it's a steep hike with an elevation gain of about 300 meters up occasional wooden stairs. Between Komadome Chaya and Horiyama-no-Ie mountain hut, the trail is relatively flat with a view of Omote Ridge opening on the right. From Horiyama-no-Ie you ascend a boardwalk, and where the path diverges at Tenjin Ridge (Tenjin-one), it levels out briefly before turning to a steep slope that leads on to Hanatate Sanso mountain hut. Ascending a scree slope, you pass through a wooded area and then go up a boardwalk along a slope with earthworks to prevent landslides.

From the wooden trail at Hanatate with its fine view, you descend briefly, heading towards Kinhiyashi hiking back up the wooden stairs, you reach the summit of Mt. Tonodake with a spectacular 360-degree view. You can often spot deer here, which some Japanese people consider pests because they sometimes damage certain crops. The mountain-top Sonbutsu Sanso mountain hut sells souvenirs and light meals, and there's a toilet to the side of the building. To return, just retrace your steps back the way you came.