Mt. Takagawa (976m) — Station-to-Summit Fuji Views on the Shūrei Fugaku Trail
Walk directly from JR Hatsukari Station to one of the finest Mt. Fuji viewpoints in the region. Part of the Shūrei Fugaku Twelve Scenic Peaks, with an optional ridge traverse to Ōtsuki Station.
Nearest Station
🚉 Hatsukari Station
JR Chuo Line (about 1h 40min from Shinjuku)
Duration
⏱ About 4 hours (traverse)
Distance
📏 About 8.5km
Elevation
⛰ 976m
Best Season
Spring, Autumn, Winter
Trail Overview
Mt. Takagawa (高川山, 976m) straddles the border of Ōtsuki and Tsuru cities in Yamanashi Prefecture. Designated as Peak No. 11 of the Shūrei Fugaku Twelve Scenic Peaks — a curated list of the best Mt. Fuji viewpoints around Ōtsuki — the summit offers an unobstructed panorama of Mt. Fuji from base to peak, with no ridges blocking the view.
The trailhead is a 20-minute walk from JR Hatsukari Station, reachable in about 1 hour 40 minutes from Shinjuku by local train. What makes this hike especially appealing is the option to traverse the ridge to Ōtsuki Station, creating a satisfying station-to-station walk with no backtracking. It’s an excellent next step for hikers who have done Mt. Takao or Mt. Jinba and want something with a bit more bite.
Recommended Routes
Route A: Hatsukari Station — Mt. Takagawa (Out-and-Back)
The simplest option. Follow the trail from Hatsukari Station to the summit and return the same way. At the fork partway up, you can choose the Otoko-zaka (steep route with chains) or the Onna-zaka (gentler bypass) — the latter is recommended for most hikers.
Route B: Hatsukari Station → Mt. Takagawa → Mt. Musubi → Ōtsuki Station (Traverse)
The highlight route. From the summit, follow the ridgeline west over Mt. Musubi and descend to Ōtsuki Station. A true station-to-station traverse — no need to worry about return transport.
Course Time
Route A (Out-and-Back)
| Section | Duration |
|---|---|
| Hatsukari Station → Trailhead | 20 min |
| Trailhead → Otoko-zaka/Onna-zaka fork | 50 min |
| Fork → Mt. Takagawa Summit (via Onna-zaka) | 25 min |
| One way total | About 1 hr 35 min |
| Round trip (with breaks) | About 3 hr 30 min |
Tip: Otoko-zaka is a steep scramble with chain assists. Unless you enjoy exposed rocky terrain, take the Onna-zaka. Avoid descending via Otoko-zaka — it’s slippery going down.
Route B (Traverse to Ōtsuki Station)
| Section | Duration |
|---|---|
| Hatsukari Station → Trailhead | 20 min |
| Trailhead → Mt. Takagawa Summit | 1 hr 15 min |
| Mt. Takagawa Summit → Mt. Musubi | 1 hr 30 min |
| Mt. Musubi → Ōtsuki Station | 30 min |
| Total | About 3 hr 35 min (excluding breaks) |
Tip: The traverse flows best from Hatsukari to Ōtsuki — it’s mostly downhill after the summit. Going the opposite direction means ending with a steep climb.
Route Details
Hatsukari Station → Trailhead
Exit Hatsukari Station and head south along the tracks. Cross Route 20 (Kōshū-kaidō) and walk through a quiet residential area until you see the trailhead sign. The path is well marked throughout.
Trailhead → Otoko-zaka/Onna-zaka Fork
The trail climbs through cedar forest in steady switchbacks. The gradient increases until you reach the Otoko-zaka/Onna-zaka junction. Otoko-zaka (“men’s slope”) involves chain-assisted rock scrambling. Onna-zaka (“women’s slope”) takes a slightly longer but safer path — recommended for most hikers.
Fork → Mt. Takagawa Summit
Completing the Onna-zaka brings you onto the ridge, and the summit appears shortly after. The top is a 360-degree panoramic viewpoint. Front and center is Mt. Fuji in all its glory, flanked by Mt. Mitsutōge, Mt. Goshōtai, the Dōshi Mountains, and on clear days, the Southern Alps in the distance.
Mt. Takagawa Summit → Mt. Musubi (Traverse Route)
The ridge trail heads west through a series of gentle ups and downs. Along the way, look for the point where the Linear Shinkansen (maglev) test track comes into view below — a uniquely Japanese sight. The route ends at Mt. Musubi (463m) before descending into residential streets.
Mt. Musubi → Ōtsuki Station
From Mt. Musubi, follow the path down through a residential area to Ōtsuki Station. Convenience stores and restaurants are nearby, making resupply easy after the hike.
Highlights
Unobstructed Mt. Fuji Panorama (Year-Round)
As Peak No. 11 of the Shūrei Fugaku Twelve Scenic Peaks, the Fuji view here is exceptional. With no foreground ridges to block the sight line, you see the mountain from its broad base to its snow-capped peak. Winter offers the clearest conditions, but any sunny day delivers.
🌸 Spring (March–May)
- Fresh green canopy along the trail makes for pleasant walking
- Cherry blossoms near Hatsukari Station add to the experience
🍁 Autumn (October–December)
- Vibrant autumn foliage along the ridgeline
- Increasingly clear skies sharpen the Fuji views
❄️ Winter (December–February)
- The best season for Fuji photography — snow-capped peak against crisp blue skies
- Low temperatures mean excellent visibility, with distant mountain ranges coming into view
Summit Facilities
There are no teahouses or shops at the summit. Bring all food and water with you. The summit has a spacious grassy area with benches — a comfortable spot for a packed lunch with a world-class view.
Convenience Store and Shop Information
A Lawson convenience store is located about 100m from Hatsukari Station along Route 20 (Kōshū-kaidō). Stock up on onigiri, bread, and drinks here. There are no shops or vending machines anywhere on the mountain, so purchase everything before you start.
Restroom Information
| Location | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hatsukari Station | Restroom inside the station. Use before departing |
| Near the trailhead | Portable toilet available |
| Mt. Takagawa Summit | No restroom |
| Mt. Musubi to Ōtsuki Station | No restroom on the mountain. Available at Ōtsuki Station |
Note: There are no restrooms on the mountain itself. Make sure to go before you start hiking. Bring tissue paper just in case.
Access Information
- Nearest Station: JR Chuo Line, Hatsukari Station (about 1h 40min from Shinjuku by local train)
- Limited Express option: Take the Kaiji or Azusa express from Shinjuku to Ōtsuki Station (about 1 hour), then transfer to a local train for one stop
- Hatsukari Station: Unmanned station. IC cards (Suica/PASMO) accepted
- Parking: Limited free parking spaces near Hatsukari Station (fills up quickly on weekends)
- For the traverse: You finish at Ōtsuki Station, so buy a one-way ticket to Hatsukari and a separate ticket home from Ōtsuki (or just tap your IC card)
Packing Checklist
- ✅ Hiking boots (rocky terrain and steep sections — sneakers won’t cut it)
- ✅ Water (1L+ recommended; no resupply on the mountain)
- ✅ Lunch and snacks (no summit shop — you must bring everything)
- ✅ Rain gear (weather can change quickly on the ridge)
- ✅ Tissue paper (limited restroom facilities)
- ⬜ Trekking poles (useful for the traverse descent)
- ⬜ Microspikes/chain crampons (essential if there’s snow in winter)
- ⬜ Warm layers (the summit is exposed and windy in winter)
Important Notes
- ⚠️ Otoko-zaka involves chain-assisted scrambling on steep rock. Take the Onna-zaka if you’re unsure
- ⚠️ There are no restrooms, shops, or water sources on the mountain. Prepare everything before departure
- ⚠️ Snow is possible from December to February, especially near the summit. Carry microspikes during winter months
- ⚠️ Hatsukari Station is unmanned — charge your IC card or buy tickets before arriving
After the Hike
- Near Ōtsuki Station (traverse route): Several restaurants near the station. Soak tired legs at Yukari-no-Yu (Ōtsuki City Welfare Center)
- Near Hatsukari Station (out-and-back): Grab a drink at the Lawson, or take the train one stop to Ōtsuki for more dining options
Related Trails
- Mt. Iwadono — Castle Ruins with a Stunning Fuji View — Another Shūrei Fugaku peak in the Ōtsuki area, combining rock scrambles, castle ruins, and Fuji views
- Mt. Jinba — Beyond Takao for the Adventurous — A popular peak in the Okutakao range with a spacious summit and 360-degree views, similar in spirit to Takagawa