Mt. Washi

Mt. Washi (Washigatake, 1671 m) straddles Gujo City and Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture in the Hida Highlands, and is one of Japan’s 300 Famous Mountains and the 100 Mountains of Gifu.
An old Quaternary volcano, its kumazasa-clad summit looks out to Mt. Haku and the Northern Alps. The name comes from a legend in which Fujiwara no Yoriyasu slew a giant eagle (washi), and its western slopes hold the Washigatake ski resort, a golf course and the Washigatake hot spring — a resort mountain. The main climb is the Kuwagatani route behind the Washigatake Kogen Hotel: about 2 hours up via Ippuku-daira and about 3 hours round trip — an easy outing, rated at the gentlest level on Gifu’s mountain grading.
Public transport to the trailhead is scarce, so access it by taxi from Gujo-Hachiman or Takasu, or by private car.

Besides the Kuwagatani route (from the Washigatake Kogen Hotel side), Mt. Washi can be climbed up the Isshiki River from Shokawa, or from the Tateishi campsite to the north. This article focuses on the Kuwagatani route, the most popular and best signposted. The season is late May to early November, after the snow has melted; outside it, snow and forest-road closure make the route unsuitable for general hikers.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

Getting to the trailhead

1. [Outbound & Return] Gujo-Hachiman / Takasu → Washigatake Kogen (Kuwagatani trailhead)

1. [Outbound & Return] Gujo-Hachiman / Takasu → Washigatake Kogen (Kuwagatani trailhead)

There is no regular bus to the Washigatake Kogen (Kuwagatani route) trailhead. Reach the Takasu IC / Hirugano Kogen area from Gujo-Hachiman Station on the Nagaragawa Railway or by highway bus from Nagoya, then take a taxi or private car to the Washigatake Kogen Hotel. The Kuwagatani forest road runs about 3.5 km of unpaved track from the hotel to the trailhead (its end), so park at the hotel and walk, or use the roadside spaces.
From Nagoya it is about 2 hours by car on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway to the Takasu IC. Book a taxi in advance with operators around Gujo-Hachiman Station or Takasu. After descending you can bathe at the Washigatake hot spring.

Reference: [Washigatake Kogen (ski resort & hotel)] / [Gujo-Hachiman Tourism Association]

Climbing routes and trail times

Route 1: Kuwagatani route (main, about 3 hours round trip)
Kuwagatani trailhead (behind the Washigatake Kogen Hotel, at the end of the Kuwagatani forest road) → Ippuku-daira (about 1 hour) → summit of Mt. Washi (1671 m, about 1 hour from Ippuku-daira). About 2 hours up and 1 hour down, roughly 3 hours round trip. Beyond Ippuku-daira a steep log staircase continues, but the route is well signposted and there is little risk of losing the way. The summit is clad in kumazasa, with a view of Mt. Haku, the Northern Alps and Mt. Dainichi.

Route 2: Isshiki River and Tateishi routes
There are also routes up the Isshiki River from Shokawa and from the Tateishi campsite to the north. The Isshiki route is rich in nature but longer, and together with the Tateishi route is for fitter hikers. Both see fewer climbers than the Kuwagatani route, so carry a map and compass (GPS).

Bases and lodging

Washigatake Kogen Hotel / Washigatake hot spring (western slope): a resort facility next to the trailhead, a base for the night before or after and for a bath on the way down. Check opening periods and lodging on the official website or by phone.

There are no mountain huts or water sources on the trail. The Kuwagatani route is a day trip with no staffed huts or clear water sources en route, so carry the water and food you need. Use the toilet at Washigatake Kogen beforehand.

Tateishi campsite: at the northern trailhead, usable for camping or staying the night before.

Hazards, gear and best season

Difficulty: the Kuwagatani route is at the gentlest level on Gifu’s mountain grading, with no chains or difficult sections, and even beginners can do the roughly 3-hour round trip. The steep log staircase above Ippuku-daira is slippery in the rain, though.

Forest-road access: the Kuwagatani forest road is unpaved and rough — take care with low-clearance cars. Allow time if walking the roughly 3.5 km from the hotel to the trailhead.

Bears and season: this is a Hida Highlands mountain in bear country. Carry a bell or radio. The summit kumazasa means many insects in summer.

Season and gear: the season is late May to early November, after the snow has melted (the fresh green and autumn colours are most comfortable); outside it, snow and forest-road closure make it unsuitable for general hikers. Carry rain gear, warm layers, a headlamp and plenty of water and food, and file a climbing plan.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire and rescue).
– Gujo Police Station 0575-67-0110

Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0