Mt. Arashima

Mt. Arashima (荒島岳, 1,524m) is an independent peak rising in Ono City, Fukui Prefecture. Its well-balanced form earned it the nickname “Ono Fuji” — and as the only peak in Fukui Prefecture among the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains (#88), it carries special status. The Kadohara Course (standard and most popular) climbs through a former ski slope → beech virgin forest → Shakunage-daira → Mochigakabe (chain section) → grassy ridge — intermediate ★★★, about 7 hours round-trip. From the summit you gain a 360° panorama of Mt. Haku, the Northern Alps, and the Noh range; it is popular for rhododendrons in early summer and autumn foliage.

*Timetable last checked: May 17, 2026

1. [Outbound] Fukui Station → Kadohara Station (JR Etsumi-hoku Line)

From Fukui Station, take the JR Etsumi-hoku Line (Kuzuryu Line) to Kadohara Station — about 1 hour 10 minutes, ¥1,110 (including Hapi Line Fukui connection fare). Because service is very limited (5–7 trains/day), climbers typically use the early-morning train around 6:00 or around 7:30. From Kadohara Station to the trailhead is about a 10-minute walk. By private car, the Kadohara Trailhead is about 1 hour 10 minutes from the Hokuriku Expressway Fukui IC, with a free parking lot (about 30 spaces, toilets open through late November).

Service information:
Route: JR Etsumi-hoku Line (Kuzuryu Line, Fukui → Echizen-Ono → Kadohara → Kuzuryu-ko)
Travel time: Fukui Station → Kadohara Station about 1 hour 10 minutes
Fare: Fukui → Kadohara ¥1,110 (Hapi Line Fukui + JR Etsumi-hoku Line connection fare)
Service frequency: 5–7 trains/day only — early morning + midday + evening, weekend/holiday schedules vary

Fukui Station → Kadohara Station (JR Etsumi-hoku Line, climber-focused excerpt, weekday reference)

Reference: JR West — Kadohara Station Timetable | Ono City Official
Inquiries: JR West Customer Center ☎0570-00-2486 / Ono City Hall ☎0779-66-1111

2. [Return] Kadohara Station → Fukui Station (JR Etsumi-hoku Line)

After descent, the return from Kadohara Station to Fukui Station is the same JR Etsumi-hoku Line — about 1 hour 10 minutes, ¥1,110. Evening trains are very limited (around ~16:00 / ~18:00); missing the last train makes overnight stay difficult. Descent plans must be made working back from the last train. After descent, soak off the sweat at a hot spring in Ono City (e.g., “Attakando,” near Echizen-Ono Station, day-use bathing around ¥600) before heading home.

Travel time: Kadohara Station → Fukui Station about 1 hour 10 minutes
Fare: ¥1,110 (one way, connection fare)
Last-train reference: depart around ~18:00 (please confirm in advance)

Kadohara Station → Fukui Station (JR Etsumi-hoku Line, return, weekday reference)

Reference: JR West — Kadohara Station Timetable
Inquiries: JR West Customer Center ☎0570-00-2486

3. Mt. Arashima — climbing overview, routes, recommended plans, emergency contacts

About Mt. Arashima
An independent 1,524m peak rising in Ono City, Fukui Prefecture — #88 in Fukada Kyuya’s “100 Famous Japanese Mountains” (the only one in Fukui). Its well-balanced form earned it the nickname “Ono Fuji.” Adjacent to Haku-san National Park, the summit offers fine views of Mt. Haku, the Northern Alps, and Mt. Nogo-Hakusan, with spectacular rhododendrons in early summer (May–June) and autumn foliage in October. Locally, three main routes are known: the Kadohara, Sabiraki, and Nakande routes.

Trail overview (3 main routes)

• Kadohara Course (intermediate, about 7 hours, most popular): 10-minute walk from JR Kadohara Station to the trailhead → former ski slope → Shakunage-daira → Mochigakabe → summit. 1,200m elevation gain, beech forest, fine views.
• Sabiraki Course (intermediate, about 5.5 hours, car-access only): private car required; shorter than Kadohara.
• Nakande Course (advanced, about 8 hours, long traverse): long distance from the Ono Basin side; for fit climbers.

Climbing season and seasonal information: The standard window is May to early November. Residual snow lingers until mid-May; rhododendrons in June; autumn foliage in October; winter (December–April) has deep snow and is for experienced climbers only.

Mountain huts and hot springs
– Kadohara Trailhead: parking lot (about 30 spaces, free) and toilets (open through late November)
– Emergency hut: emergency shelter just below the Mt. Arashima summit (basic, emergency use only)
– Attakando (near Echizen-Ono Station, day-use bathing ¥600): recommended post-descent hot spring
– Ono City lodging: a pre- or post-climb stay gives margin to the plan

Cautions
– JR Etsumi-hoku Line very limited service: 5–7 trains/day; missing the last train makes overnight stay difficult
– Mochigakabe chain section: slippery in rain — proceed carefully
– No water sources: carry at least 2L
– Bear sightings reported: carry a bear bell, submit a climbing plan
– Residual snow until mid-May: consider carrying crampons
– Parking and toilets close after late November: winter climbing for experienced climbers only

Emergency and inquiry contacts

• Ono City Hall, Commerce & Tourism Promotion Division: ☎0779-66-1111
• Ono Police Station (climbing plan / mountain rescue): ☎0779-65-0110
• JR West Customer Center: ☎0570-00-2486

Recommended plans

• Day-hike on the Kadohara Course out-and-back (recommended, JR access): Fukui Station 6:00 → Kadohara Station 7:10 → trailhead 7:20 → Shakunage-daira 10:00 → summit 11:30 → descent → Kadohara Station 15:30 → Fukui Station 16:40.
• 2 days, 1 night — stay in Ono City + climb the next day (for fit climbers): Day 1, Fukui Station → stay in Ono City (around Echizen-Ono Station). Day 2, early-morning private car or first train → climb → Attakando hot spring → return.

Reference: Ono City Official Tourism | Hokuriku Tourist Information

Photo by Σ64 (Wikimedia Commons)