Mt. Jizō (地蔵岳, 2,764 m), straddling Nirasaki and Minami-Alps cities in Yamanashi, is one of the 300 Famous Japanese Mountains and the northern peak of the Hōō Sanzan (Mt. Jizō, Mt. Kannon and Mt. Yakushi), a granite range.
Its great highlight is the huge rock pillar several tens of metres high, the “Obelisk”, that rises on the summit and marks out the Hōō range even from the Kōfu Basin and the windows of the Chūō Main Line. The usual route climbs Dondoko-sawa from Aoki Onsen, passes the Hōō Hut and tops out on Mt. Jizō, a demanding intermediate-to-advanced course. By public transport you reach Aoki Onsen from Nirasaki Station on a summer-season climbing bus or by taxi.
The trailhead is Aoki Onsen (Nirasaki City; about 1,100 m elevation); from here you climb along Dondoko-sawa past four waterfalls — Nanshōjin, Hōō, Shiraito and Goshiki — to the Hōō Hut, then continue via the Sai-no-Kawara sandy basin to Mt. Jizō. The gain from Aoki Onsen to Mt. Jizō is about 1,660 m; a fit hiker can do it in a day, but an overnight at the Hōō Hut (a one-night, two-day plan) is the usual and safer choice.
Dondoko-sawa is a steep climb beside the falls, where route-finding needs care in high water or fog. If you prefer a ridge, the route from Gozaishi Onsen via Mt. Tsubakuro has a clearer path than the stream. The Hōō Hut (reservations only, tel 0551-27-2466) was rebuilt in 2024 and is open. The season is early July to early October, when the white sand and creeping pine of the ridge and the view of the Obelisk are at their finest.
How to access the trailhead
- [Outbound] Nirasaki Station → Aoki Onsen (trailhead)
- [Return] Aoki Onsen (trailhead) → Nirasaki Station
1. [Outbound] Nirasaki Station → Aoki Onsen (trailhead)
The base is JR Chūō Main Line Nirasaki Station; from the station-front rotary take the summer-only “Hōō Sanzan climbing bus” (Kayagatake Kankō Bus) and get off at Aoki Onsen. In 2026 this bus runs only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from June 20 to October 12, by reservation only (deadline the day before, capacity 18; tel 0551-25-6262), and does not run on weekdays or outside the season. On weekdays and outside the season, reach Aoki Onsen by taxi (see below).
Bus timetable ①: Nirasaki Station → Aoki Onsen (Hōō Sanzan climbing bus, outbound)
| Nirasaki Station dep. | Aoki Onsen arr. |
|---|---|
| 7:10 | 8:00 |
| 9:10 | 10:00 |
Taxi: on weekdays and outside the season, take a taxi from Nirasaki Station to Aoki Onsen (about 21 km, about 45 minutes, roughly 8,500 yen). Nirasaki Taxi tel 0120-69-2235, Kai Taxi tel 0120-280-255; sharing among hikers is cheaper. By car: Aoki Onsen has a paid car park (800 yen/day); about 40 minutes from the Nirasaki IC on the Chūō Expressway, with a gravel forest road near the end.
Reference: [Hōō Hut — Access (climbing-bus times)]
2. [Return] Aoki Onsen (trailhead) → Nirasaki Station
After descending, take the Hōō Sanzan climbing bus bound for Nirasaki Station from Aoki Onsen (Aoki Onsen dep. → Nirasaki Station arr., about 50 minutes). The return bus too runs only on Sat/Sun/holidays, with the last service leaving Aoki Onsen at 15:45; miss it and you will need a taxi (by reservation). The long descent from Mt. Jizō takes time, so keep ample margin for the last bus.
Bus timetable ②: Aoki Onsen → Nirasaki Station (Hōō Sanzan climbing bus, return)
| Aoki Onsen dep. | Nirasaki Station arr. |
|---|---|
| 13:45 | 14:35 |
| 15:45 | 16:35 |
Taxi: outside the season or on weekdays, call a taxi at Aoki Onsen (reserve in advance, as the signal is weak). Nirasaki Taxi tel 0120-69-2235 and others.
Reference: [Hōō Hut — Access (climbing-bus times)]
Route and safety notes
Route: Aoki Onsen → Dondoko-sawa (four waterfalls) → Hōō Hut → Sai-no-Kawara → Mt. Jizō (Obelisk). It is about 5–6 hours up from Aoki Onsen to the Hōō Hut and about 1 hour more from the hut to Mt. Jizō. With about 1,660 m of gain, a one-night, two-day stay at the Hōō Hut is usual (a day trip is possible for the fit). A loop descending via Gozaishi Onsen (Tsubakuro ridge) is also popular.
Access and buses: from Nirasaki Station take the Hōō Sanzan climbing bus (outbound Nirasaki Station dep. 7:10 → Aoki Onsen arr. 8:00). It runs Sat/Sun/holidays only, by reservation; on weekdays and outside the season use a taxi.
The Obelisk: the trail reaches the base of the giant summit pillar, but the top requires rock-climbing skill and has seen fall accidents, so general hikers should stop at the base. The surrounding white sand (Sai-no-Kawara) is slippery.
Dondoko-sawa: a steep climb beside the falls; take care over route-finding in high water or fog. Check the latest trail conditions with the Hōō Hut (tel 0551-27-2466).
Season and gear: the season is early July to early October. The ridge above the treeline is exposed to wind, rain, lightning and cold, so carry a map and compass (GPS), rain gear and warm clothing. This is bear country, so carry a bear bell.
In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Nirasaki City Hall 0551-22-1111 / Nirasaki Police Station 0551-22-0110
Photo by Koda6029 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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