Mt. Kurai (位山, 1,529 m) in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
Long revered as a sacred mountain of Hida-Takayama, it is the object of worship of the Hida-Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine. Along the trail are fields of giant rocks (Mitarashi-iwa, Tatami-iwa, Kagami-iwa and others) and the inner shrine “Ama-no-Iwato.” The usual route, a loop over the summit from the Michi-no-Eki Mondeus Hida-Kuraiyama roadside station, is a beginner-to-intermediate course of about 12 km and 5 hours 30 minutes of walking.
The nearest station is Hida-Ichinomiya on the JR Takayama Main Line. From there you reach the Mondeus Hida-Kuraiyama trailhead by taxi.
The trailhead is the Michi-no-Eki Mondeus Hida-Kuraiyama roadside station (about 1,000 m elevation), with parking and toilets. The route runs Mondeus → Kuraiyama nature trail (giant rocks) → summit (1,529 m) → down the Danadaira forest road → Mondeus, a loop of about 12 km and 5 hours 30 minutes. Just below the summit is “Ama-no-Iwato,” the inner shrine of the Hida-Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine. There are toilets at Mondeus, the Kuraiyama summit and the end of the Danadaira forest road (composting toilets).
The season is May to November (in winter you can also enjoy snowshoeing). The area is home to Asian black bears, with frequent sightings, so be sure to take precautions such as a bear bell. There are no shops on the mountain, so prepare water and food.
How to access the trailhead
1. [Outbound & Return] Hida-Ichinomiya Station → Michi-no-Eki Mondeus Hida-Kuraiyama
Get off at Hida-Ichinomiya Station on the JR Takayama Main Line (about 7 minutes from Takayama Station); the Mondeus Hida-Kuraiyama trailhead is about 10 minutes by taxi.
There is no regular bus directly to the Mondeus Hida-Kuraiyama roadside station, so a taxi from Hida-Ichinomiya Station (or Takayama Station) is the realistic option. Booking a return pick-up to match your descent time is recommended.
– Santo Taxi 0577-32-2323
– Shinko Taxi 0577-32-1700
– Hato Taxi 0577-32-0246
Source: [Hida-Ichinomiya Tourism Association, Mt. Kurai] / [Takayama City, Mt. Kurai climbing]
Route and safety notes
Route: Michi-no-Eki Mondeus Hida-Kuraiyama → Kuraiyama nature trail (giant rocks) → summit → Danadaira forest road → Mondeus. A loop of about 12 km and 5 hours 30 minutes of walking, beginner-to-intermediate, on a well-maintained trail.
Giant rocks and power spots: along the trail are giant rocks such as Mitarashi-iwa, Tatami-iwa, Kadachi-iwa, Shiritate-iwa, Kagami-iwa and Mitama-iwa, the inner shrine “Ama-no-Iwato,” and a spring called “Ama-no-Izumi.”
Bears: the area is home to Asian black bears with frequent sightings. Always take precautions such as a bear bell and bear spray, and avoid going alone.
Gear and season: the season is May to November. There are no shops on the mountain, so carry water, food and rain gear, and submit a climbing plan.
In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Santo Taxi (pick-up / descent contact) 0577-32-2323
Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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