Mt. Kongo (Kongo-zan) is located on the border of Osaka and Nara prefectures in Japan’s Kansai Region. The mountain is said to have be visited by En no Ozunu who founded Shugendo, an ascetic faith native to Japan and based on mountain worship. There are many temples and shrines as well as historical relics around the mountain.
With its spectacular view of Osaka Bay and easy access via public transportation, Mt. Kongo is very popular with mountain aficionados in the Kansai Region. The mountain has a unique system of recording the number of times people visit via stamp cards, leading many people to revisit the mountain top regularly.
The route introduced here begins with the Fushimi Rindo forest road with its many cryptomeria and other tall trees and concludes with the Chihaya Hondo trail where you will see a large number of stone Buddha statues.
Hike up Mt. Kongo, a Sacred Mountain and Place of Shugendo Devotion
-
- Duration
- 1Day / 3.5Hours
- Highest Point
- 1112m
- Elevation Gain
- 601m
-
- Skill Level
- Fitness Level
- Gear Level
From the Chihaya Ropeway Mae bus stop, walk along the concrete forest path alongside a stream and cross the bridge. Then hike up a steep slope through cryptomeria and go through the ropeway (currently not in service, as of November 2019) to reach a steep slope called Nenbutsuzaka, with a fence on the right side. After about an hour and ten minutes, you will arrive at the Fushimi-toge Pass.
As you continue northwest along the ridge, you will see toilets and a campground to your left. Hike up to the observation platform ahead. Then, continue hiking up through beech trees until you reach Ichinotorii in about 30 minutes from the Fushimi-toge. From here you can hike to the Mt. Yushutsu (Yushutsu-dake) peak and back in about 15 minutes.
From Ichinotorii, walk through a tree-lined path flanked by rows of giant cryptomeria variously known as Nio-sugi (two heavenly kings cedar), and the Meoto-sugi (the husband and wife cedar). Then, hike up a sloping path lined with stone lanterns and within about 20 minutes, you will arrive at the mountaintop park.
For the return hike, head southwest down the Chihaya Hondo trail. There are many stone statues along the ridgeline path which is fitted with steps. You will notice movie characters scattered among the statues, providing an additional source of interest.
Continue on past Chihaya-jo Castle ruins and descend the stone steps. About an hour after departing the mountaintop park, you will arrive at the Mt. Kongo trailhead.
Gallery
Other Info
Chihaya-jo Castle was the site of a battle where the famed 14th century feudal lord, Kusunoki Masashige, successfully repelled a siege, helping to end the reign of the Kamakura Shogunate. You can see remnants of this period even today.
Season:All year around
Notes
The actual highest point on Mt. Kongo is Mt. Katsuragi (Katsuragi-dake) (1125 m). However, this area lies on sacred ground (a holy place where kami divinities are believed to dwell) within the precinct of Katsuragi–jinja Shrine, a shrine beneath the summit on the Nara side. For this reason, visitors may not hike up Mt. Katsuragi, and the mountaintop park (1081 m) is counted as the high point in its place.
Route Map
Elevation Map
Spec
- Duration
- 1Day / 3.5Hours
- Highest Point
- 1112m(Mt. Yushutsu)
- Elevation Gain
- 601m
- Horizontal Distance
- 6.6Km
- Skill Level
- Fitness Level
- Gear Level
On the Trail
- Sleeping
- -----
- Eating
Shop at the summit
- Hot-Springs
Book & Spa uguisu
