Mt. Sekirozan — A Forest Trail Through Mystical Boulders

Trail Overview

Mt. Sekirozan (石老山, Sekiro-zan, 694m) is located in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is listed among the Kanto Hyakumeizan (100 Famous Mountains of Kanto). The mountain’s defining feature is a spectacular series of massive boulders and rock formations lining the trail — moss-covered stones shaped over tens of millions of years that create an almost mystical atmosphere.

Partway up the mountain sits Kenkyo-ji Temple, a historic Buddhist temple founded by the monk Genkai. The summit offers sweeping views of Lake Sagami below, with the Tanzawa Mountains and Mt. Fuji on the horizon.

Note that summer (May–October) is leech season in this area, so spring, autumn, and winter are the recommended hiking seasons. Despite being just 7 minutes by bus from JR Sagamiko Station, the mountain sees far fewer hikers than nearby Mt. Takao or Mt. Jinba, making it a hidden gem for those seeking a quieter trail experience.

Recommended Route: Kenkyo-ji → Daimyojin Loop

The most popular route takes you up through the boulder formations and Kenkyo-ji Temple to the summit, then loops back via the Daimyojin Observatory.

Course Time

Section	Duration
Sekirozan-iriguchi Bus Stop → Trailhead (by Sagamiko Hospital)	20 min
Trailhead → Kenkyo-ji Temple (boulder formations)	20 min
Kenkyo-ji → Yugodaira Observatory	30 min
Yugodaira Observatory → Mt. Sekirozan Summit	40 min
Summit → Daimyojin Observatory	50 min
Daimyojin Observatory → Sagamiko MORIMORI-mae Bus Stop	35 min
Total (loop)	About 3 hrs 15 min (excl. breaks; ~4 hrs with breaks)

Tip: Go up via the Kenkyo-ji route to enjoy the boulder formations while you’re fresh, then descend through the Daimyojin Observatory route to complete an efficient loop covering all highlights.

Elevation Profile

Sagamiko Station (200m) → Sekirozan-iriguchi Bus Stop (210m) → Trailhead (250m) → Kenkyo-ji Temple (350m) → Yugodaira Observatory (520m) → Mt. Sekirozan Summit (694m) → Daimyojin Observatory (550m) → Sagamiko MORIMORI-mae (200m)

The ascent covers about 450m of elevation gain over approximately 2 hours. The trail to Kenkyo-ji is a gentle climb through the boulder formations, then steepens on the approach to the summit. The descent via the Daimyojin route includes some loose gravel sections where trekking poles are helpful.

Highlights

🪨 Boulder Formations (Year-round)

The star attraction of Mt. Sekirozan. Between the trailhead and Kenkyo-ji Temple, a continuous procession of enormous conglomerate boulders — eroded over millions of years — lines the trail:

• Byobu-iwa (Screen Rock) — a sheer rock face resembling a folding screen
• Nio-iwa (Guardian Rock) — a massive boulder resembling a temple guardian statue
• Komadate-iwa (Horse-rest Rock) — legendary resting place of a Kyoto princess and her steed
• Yoshino-iwa (Benkei’s Strength-test Rock) — features a fist-shaped indent in the stone
• Yogo-iwa (Thunder Rock) — the largest boulder on the mountain at roughly 22m tall, towering behind Iizuna Gongen Shrine

Informational signboards at each rock explain their names and associated legends.

🌸 Spring (March–May)

• Cherry blossom avenue along the Sakura-michi route
• Vivid contrast of fresh green foliage and mossy boulders
• Wildflower spotting season

🍁 Autumn (October–November)

• Brilliant Japanese maple foliage around Kenkyo-ji Temple
• Peak colors from mid to late November
• Stunning combination of autumn leaves and ancient boulders

❄️ Winter (December–February)

• Leafless trees open up panoramic views
• Crisp winter days offer the clearest views of Mt. Fuji
• Peaceful, uncrowded hiking

Summit Dining & Nearby Facilities

The summit has an open area facing southwest with benches for resting, but no teahouses or vendors — bring your own lunch and snacks.

After Your Hike

• Sagamiko Onsen Ururi (adjacent to Sagamiko MORIMORI) — a day-use hot spring facility right by the MORIMORI-mae bus stop, perfect for a soak before catching your return bus. Admission: ¥950 weekdays / ¥1,100 weekends. On-site restaurant available

Toilet Information

• Near trailhead: Toilets available inside Sagamiko Hospital (use before starting your hike)
• Summit: No toilets
• Descent exit: Toilets inside the Sagamiko MORIMORI facility (during business hours)
• Sagamiko Station: Toilets available inside the station

Food & Dining Near Sagamiko Station

There are no shops on the mountain, so pick up your lunch near the station before heading out. After your hike, the retro Showa-era eateries around the station make a great reward.

🍙 Before Your Hike — Packed Lunch & Snacks

• FamilyMart Sagamiko-cho — the only convenience store near the station. Stock up on onigiri, sandwiches, and drinks here
• Yumezukuri Pan Kobo (bakery) — local bakery known for handmade custard cream bread, around ¥100 per item

🍽️ After Your Hike — Station-Area Restaurants

Kadoya Shokudo (1 min walk from station)

• Established 1936. Famous for smelt fry (wakasagi) and home-style Japanese set meals
• Lunch ~¥999 / Closed: Tuesday
• Takeout available (call 1 hour ahead)

Ikariya Restaurant “Demitasu” (1 min walk from station)

• Yoshoku (Japanese-Western fusion): hamburger steak, katsu curry, handmade pizza
• Lunch ¥1,000–1,999 / Closed: Thursday
• Charming retro building with a souvenir shop on the ground floor

Coffee & Lunch SAGAMI (directly in front of station)

• Classic kissaten (traditional cafe) since 1964. Napolitan spaghetti, curry, sandwiches
• Lunch + drink set from ¥700 — excellent value
• Opens at 10:00. Morning set (drink + fresh fruit) ¥600

Taiwan Ryori Korakuen (4 min walk from station)

• Generous portions of ramen, fried rice, and stir-fry dishes
• Ramen set from ¥680 / About 70 seats

🍲 Local Specialty

• Sagami Dam Curry — the area’s signature dish inspired by Sagami Dam: rice shaped like the dam wall with curry as the reservoir. Try it at Tomoshibi Kissa Aoringo (Sagamiko Exchange Center, 2F) for just ¥500 (closed Monday)

Tip: Many station-area restaurants are closed on Tuesdays or Thursdays, so check ahead if hiking on a weekday.

Access Information

• Nearest Station: JR Chuo Line, Sagamiko Station (about 60 min from Shinjuku)
• Bus: Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu “Ko-21” line bound for Mikegi (三ヶ木), about 7 min, alight at “Sekirozan-iriguchi”
• Return Bus: From “Sagamiko MORIMORI-mae” (formerly “Pleasure Forest-mae”) back to Sagamiko Station (about 11 min)
• Fare: ¥240 adult / ¥120 child (PASMO, Suica, and contactless payment accepted)
• On Foot: Sagamiko Station to Sekirozan-iriguchi is walkable in about 40–50 min (approx. 3km)
• Parking: Limited spaces near Sagamiko Hospital

IC Card Tip: If you have a Suica or PASMO card, you can use it on both the JR train and the local bus — no need to buy separate tickets.

🚌 Outbound Bus: Sagamiko Station → Sekirozan-iriguchi

Weekday and weekend/holiday schedules are different. Saturday, Sunday, and national holiday timetables are the same — with more frequent morning service than weekdays.

Weekday Schedule (15 departures/day)

Departs Sagamiko Sta.	Notes
7:20	Early start
8:22	Recommended — comfortable morning departure
9:01
9:32	Last practical morning bus
10:25	Afternoon buses continue hourly (11:29, 12:29, 13:47, 14:25, 15:40, 16:38, 17:36, 18:49, 19:38, 20:37)

First bus: 7:20 / Last bus: 20:37

Weekend & Holiday Schedule (17 departures/day)

Departs Sagamiko Sta.	Notes
7:30	Early start
8:00	Recommended — best for an early morning hike
8:37
9:00
9:31
10:00	Last practical morning bus
10:58	Afternoon buses continue hourly (11:52, 12:40, 13:12, 14:07, 15:15, 16:12, 17:11, 18:12, 19:07, 20:14)

First bus: 7:30 / Last bus: 20:14 (note: later start and earlier last bus than weekdays)

🚌 Return Bus: Sagamiko MORIMORI-mae → Sagamiko Station

Travel time is approximately 8–11 minutes.

Weekday Schedule (all 16 departures)

Departs MORIMORI-mae	Notes
7:02
7:51
8:33
8:58
10:03
11:12
12:12
13:23	Early finish
14:22
15:22	Recommended — typical finish time
16:17	Safe margin before sunset
17:08	Getting dark in winter
18:22
19:22
20:12
21:10	Last bus

First bus: 7:02 / Last bus: 21:10

Weekend & Holiday Schedule (all 18 departures)

Departs MORIMORI-mae	Notes
7:12
7:35
8:07
8:33
9:07
9:34
10:37
11:32
12:22
12:47
13:43	Early finish
14:48
15:45	Recommended — typical finish time
16:42	Safe margin before sunset
17:44	Getting dark in winter
18:47
19:50
20:47	Last bus (~20 min earlier than weekdays)

First bus: 7:12 / Last bus: 20:47

⚠️ Bus schedules are subject to change. Always verify the latest timetable on the Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu website or NAVITIME before your trip.

Important Notices

• ⚠️ Slippery trails: The approach trail from the trailhead to Kenkyo-ji is paved with moss-covered stones and can be very slippery, especially after rain. Hiking boots are strongly recommended
• ⚠️ Leeches: This is Tanzawa-area territory — mountain leeches (yamabiru) are active from May through October. Carry leech repellent spray or salt
• ⚠️ No water sources: There are no water points on the trail; bring at least 1 liter
• ⚠️ Limited bus service: Roughly 1 bus per hour on weekdays (slightly more on weekends). Weekday and weekend schedules are different — check return bus times in advance. The last weekend bus is earlier (20:47) than weekdays (21:10)
• ⚠️ Trail closures: Sections may be closed for construction. Check the latest information on the official “Burari Sagamiko” website before your visit

Packing Checklist

• ✅ Hiking boots (essential — rocky, slippery terrain)
• ✅ Water (1L+ recommended, no shops at summit)
• ✅ Packed lunch and trail snacks (no teahouses on the mountain)
• ✅ Towel
• ✅ Rain gear
• ✅ Leech repellent spray (May–October)
• ⬜ Trekking poles (helpful on the gravelly descent)

Combination Hikes

The Sekirozan area offers additional hiking opportunities to extend your day.

Sekirozan + Mt. Arashi (~+1 hour)

After descending, take the bus back to Sagamiko Station and hike Mt. Arashi (406m) on the opposite side of the station. It offers stunning views over Lake Sagami and takes only about 1 hour round-trip — a perfect add-on to Sekirozan.

Lake Sagami Lakeside Walk (~+2 hours)

After your hike, stroll along the Lake Sagami waterfront promenade. Consider soaking at Sagamiko Onsen Ururi first, then walking the lakeside path to enjoy the seasonal scenery.

Related Articles

• Mt. Jinba — One Step Beyond Mt. Takao — Another intermediate hike in the Sagamiko area with a panoramic summit
• Mt. Takao — The Classic Beginner’s Hike — The perfect first hike in Japan, just 50 min from Shinjuku
• Mt. Iwadono — A Castle Ruin Hike With Stunning Views — Another JR Chuo Line gem with chain sections and Mt. Fuji views
• JR Chuo Line Green Car Guide — Travel in comfort to Sagamiko Station
• Suica IC Card Guide — One card for trains and buses across Japan