Mt. Iwadono

Mt. Iwadono (Iwadonoyama, 岩殿山, 634 m) is a rocky peak in Ōtsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Selected as the eighth of the Twelve Scenic Views of Mt. Fuji from Mt. Hidaka (Shūrei Fugaku Jūnikei), it also encompasses the Sengoku-era “Iwadono Castle Ruins”. Known for being the same height as Tokyo Skytree, the views over Mt. Fuji and the Katsura River valley, together with chain sections and rocky ridges, deliver a remarkably satisfying “rock hike” despite the low elevation.
From JR Chūō Main Line Ōtsuki Station, all trailheads are reachable on foot (15 min minimum).

Iwadono is listed in the Twelve Scenic Views of Mt. Fuji, the New 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamanashi, the 100 Famous Mountains of Kōshin’etsu, and the 300 Famous Japanese Mountains. All access is on foot from JR Chūō Main Line Ōtsuki Station, with limited-express service from Shinjuku taking about 1 hour 5 minutes.

*Timetable last checked: May 17, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Ōtsuki Station → Hatakura trailhead (north route)
2. [Outbound] Ōtsuki Station → Asari trailhead (Chigo-otoshi loop start)
3. [Return] Descent → Ōtsuki Station
4. Recommended plans and trail-area info

1. [Outbound] Ōtsuki Station → Hatakura trailhead (north route)

From the north exit of JR Ōtsuki Station, walk north along National Route 139 to Hatakura trailhead in about 25 minutes (1.7 km). From the trailhead, a stepped forest path reaches the summit in another 45 minutes. This is the shortest option with the least elevation gain (round trip 2.5 hours), best for beginners or short itineraries.

2. [Outbound] Ōtsuki Station → Asari trailhead (Chigo-otoshi loop start)

From Ōtsuki Station, walk northwest along National Route 20 for about 25 minutes (1.6 km) to the trailhead in the Asari hamlet. This is the start of a loop course that passes the 100-meter Chigo-otoshi cliff, then Kabuto-iwa, before reaching the summit. Chains, ropes and ladders are continuous, so beginners should use the northern Hatakura route. Time: Asari trailhead → Chigo-otoshi → summit, about 2 h 20 min.

Reference: Ōtsuki City Tourism — Mt. Iwadono

3. [Return] Descent → Ōtsuki Station

If you descended via Hatakura, retrace your steps to reach Ōtsuki Station in about 25 minutes on foot. If you started from Asari, complete the loop down to the Asari hamlet via the Chigo-otoshi viewpoint, or descend through Hatakura after a summit round trip. Every option converges on Ōtsuki Station.

The downstream (Tokyo-bound) frequency mirrors the inbound: limited-express service runs into the early evening, with the last local train operating in the late evening.

Reference: Yahoo! Transit

4. Recommended plans and trail-area info

Beginner / short plan: Ōtsuki Station → Hatakura trailhead → summit round trip (about 2.5 hours total, no chain sections). Best when you want the Mt. Fuji view alone.
Intermediate loop plan: Ōtsuki Station → Asari trailhead → Chigo-otoshi → Kabuto-iwa → summit → Hatakura trailhead → Ōtsuki Station (about 4 hours, includes chain sections and the cliff ridge). For those who want to enjoy the rock playground feel.

Photo by Saigen Jiro