Hiking Mt. Ashigara: from Tokyo
By YiPin Wu, (University of Tokyo, Japan)
If you’re looking for a day trip from Tokyo that actually gets you into nature, Mt. Ashigara is one to put on the list. It’s about two hours from central Tokyo, the hike is doable, and on a clear day you get one of the best views of Mt. Fuji you can find.
Getting There
Take the Odakyu Line to Odawara Station, then head to the east exit to catch a bus to the Kintoki-tozanguchi stop, which is about 50 minutes on the bus. One thing to note: buses aren’t that frequent, so check the timetable before you go.
The Trail
Mt. Kintoki sits at 1,212 metres on the border of Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures, inside Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The trail from Kintoki-tozanguchi starts through cedar forest and is well-marked the whole way, so getting lost isn’t really a concern.
It took us around 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the summit. I’ll be honest:) as someone who was pretty new to hiking, it was a bit tiring. My legs were kinda burning on the way up and there were definitely moments where I questioned my life choices. But since the route isn’t too long, when you feel like you genuinely can’t go any further, you’re probably almost there. There are ropes to help you up the trickier bits and the terrain gets rockier as you climb, but it’s short enough that you can just put your head down and get it done.
On shoes: I wore regular running shoes and managed fine, but hiking shoes would be better!
Before you start climbing, stop at the Kintoki Shrine near the trailhead. It’s dedicated to Kintaro, a boy from Japanese folklore who supposedly grew up in these mountains with superhuman strength. A bit further up, you’ll come across a giant boulder that’s said to have been split in half by Kintaro with an axe. It’s a fun story to have in your head on the way up.
The Summit
The views at the top make the effort completely worth it. On a clear day you get an unobstructed view of Mt. Fuji, one of the best you can get without actually climbing it. There’s a teahouse at the summit where you can grab food and drinks, but like me, you could also just pick something up from a convenience store before you head up. Either way, bring cash — card isn’t always accepted at the teahouse.
After the Hike — Onsen
Legs tired and body done? The Hakone area is full of onsen (hot spring baths), and after a hike like this, soaking in one feels incredibly well-deserved. It’s the perfect way to end the day before heading back to Tokyo.