Mt. Mizugaki Hiking Guide: Granite Spires and a Hyakumeizan Summit from Mizugaki Sansō

This guide is based on Hokuto City's official course guides, the Hokuto City Tourism Association and Yamanashi Kyōhoku Kōtsū (bus), checked October 24, 2026. Forest-road and bus information changes, so check the official pages before you go.

Introduction

Mt. Mizugaki (瑞牆山, Mizugaki-yama, 2,230 m) is a granite peak at the western end of the Okuchichibu range in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, and one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains (Nihon Hyakumeizan). Hokuto City describes it as a rocky mountain that looks like something from an ink-wash painting. Spires such as Ō-yasuri-iwa surround the summit, and on a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, the Yatsugatake range and Mt. Kinpu.

From the trailhead at Mizugaki Sansō the summit is about 720 m higher, so it is a realistic day hike. The upper half, however, is a rocky path with ladders and chains. In Yamanashi Prefecture's mountain grading it is rated technical difficulty C. Whether this mountain suits you depends less on stamina than on whether you can climb up and down rock confidently.

Key facts

Time, elevation difference, grade and seasons are from Hokuto City's course guide.

Autumn 2026: when and how to go

Hokuto City lists the best season as early May to mid-October. From late October, the autumn colours come with cold mornings, short days and the risk of icy rock. The city warns that the rocks near the summit can freeze and become slippery depending on the season.

• November 23, 2026: the last day of the regular bus season from Nirasaki Station. After that you need a car or taxi to reach the trailhead.
• Late November onward: Hokuto City treats this as the snow season. Do not climb with ordinary three-season gear.

The route, section by section

Section times below are from the Hokuto City Tourism Association.

Mizugaki Sansō → Fujimidaira Hut (about 50 min up)

From the parking area near Mizugaki Sansō, a gentle path climbs through forest. There is nothing to scramble yet, so use it to warm up.

Fujimidaira Hut stands at the junction for Mt. Mizugaki, Mt. Kinpu and Mt. Ogawa, with a large campsite in front.

Fujimidaira Hut → Momotarō-iwa (about 30 min)

Past the hut, leave the Mt. Kinpu trail and turn left toward Mt. Mizugaki. The path is flat for a while, then goes downhill. On the way back this becomes an uphill, so keep some energy for the descent.

After a flat spot good for a rest, you reach Momotarō-iwa, a huge boulder split in two. From the wooden ladder beside it, the trail becomes noticeably steeper.

Momotarō-iwa → summit (about 1 h 30 min)

This is the heart of the climb: a steep path weaving between big rocks, with chains in places where you need your hands. Ō-yasuri-iwa, a giant spire rising above the forest, is the classic Mizugaki view.

Once you reach the open viewpoint where the trail from Fudō-taki joins, the summit is about 5 minutes away (Hokuto City).

Summit (2,230 m)

The summit is on top of a big rock. The tourism association notes it may make people with a fear of heights feel uneasy. On a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji, Mt. Kinpu with its Gojō-iwa rock, the Yatsugatake range and Mt. Kaikoma.

The standard descent is the way you came. Rock is generally harder to descend than to climb, so face in on ladders and chains and keep three points of contact.

How hard are the rocks and chains?

In Yamanashi Prefecture's grading, technical difficulty C means "ladders and chain sections, and in places snow or stream crossings; places where a mistake can lead to a fall." It requires map-reading skills and the physical ability to pass ladders and chains.

The tourism association also calls it "a good course for beginners to practise chain sections." That assumes you are already comfortable using your hands on rock. If you have never scrambled with both hands, or if descending steep ground scares you, go first with an experienced partner.

Getting there

By bus

Yamanashi Kyōhoku Kōtsū runs the Kayagatake Mizugaki Den'en Bus (Nirasaki–Mizugaki line) from stop 2 at Nirasaki Station (JR Chūō Line) to the terminus at Mizugaki Sansō. Hokuto City gives the ride as about 1 hour 10 minutes. In 2026 it runs every day from April 4 to November 23. Check the timetable and fares on the bus company's site, which has separate PDFs for weekdays, weekends and holidays, and special days.

The bus company also lists a mountain taxi from Nirasaki Station (Sankyō Taxi, reservation required), including a 9-seat jumbo taxi.

By car

From Sudama IC on the Chūō Expressway, take Prefectural Road 23 (Masutomi Radium Line) past Masutomi Onsen to Mizugaki Sansō. Hokuto City lists a free parking area north of Mizugaki Sansō (40 cars), about 35 minutes from the IC; the tourism association describes a free prefectural parking area near Mizugaki Sansō with space for 100 cars.

The last stretch is a prefectural forest road (Hondani–Kamase). Check Yamanashi Prefecture's forest-road restriction page before you go.

Other routes and combining with Mt. Kinpu

From Mizugaki-yama Shizen Kōen (via Fudō-taki)

A trail also climbs from Mizugaki-yama Shizen Kōen on the north side, passing Fudō-taki waterfall. Check Hokuto City's separate course guide for this route. The tourism association notes that you can make a loop via Fudō-taki.

Two days with Mt. Kinpu

Fujimidaira Hut is also the junction for Mt. Kinpu (2,599 m). The tourism association suggests staying a night and extending to Mt. Kinpu or Mt. Ogawa. See our Mt. Kinpu hiking guide.

Extra gear for late autumn

• A warm layer and a windproof rain jacket
• Gloves that work on rock and chains
• A headlamp, since slow progress on rock pushes your descent toward sunset
• A bear bell

Yamanashi Prefectural Police explain how to submit a climbing plan, including through the Compass online system.

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References

• Mt. Mizugaki, Mizugaki Sansō route course guide | Hokuto City
• Mt. Mizugaki, Shizen Kōen route course guide | Hokuto City
• Mt. Mizugaki | Hokuto City Tourism Association
• Mountain grading (PDF) | Yamanashi Prefecture
• Kayagatake Mizugaki Den'en Bus | Yamanashi Kyōhoku Kōtsū
• 2026 operating calendar | Yamanashi Kyōhoku Kōtsū
• Hondani–Kamase forest road restrictions | Yamanashi Prefecture
• How to submit a climbing plan | Yamanashi Prefectural Police