Mt. Kentoku

Mt. Kentoku (乾徳山) is a 2,031m peak in Yamanashi Prefecture. From the trailhead, as elevation rises, the scenery changes from forest belt to grassland to rocky ridge; the chain section at Hoiwa just below the summit offers thrilling rock-climbing with a strong sense of exposure, and the sense of achievement is exceptional. From the summit, views of Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps unfold.
From Enzan Station or Yamanashi-shi Station on the JR Chuo Main Line, access the Mt. Kentoku Trailhead by local bus. One of the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamanashi.

*Timetable last checked: May 30, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Enzan Station → Mt. Kentoku Trailhead
2. [Outbound] Yamanashi-shi Station → Mt. Kentoku Trailhead
3. [Return] Mt. Kentoku Trailhead → Enzan Station
4. [Return] Mt. Kentoku Trailhead → Yamanashi-shi Station

1. [Outbound] Enzan Station → Mt. Kentoku Trailhead

From JR Chuo Line Enzan Station, take the Yamanashi Kotsu Bus “Kubodaira / Nishizawa Keikoku Line” and get off at Mt. Kentoku Trailhead.
Travel time: about 32 minutes
Fare: ¥810

Operating period: late April to late November, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (daily during Golden Week, the summer holidays and the autumn-foliage season)
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from late April to late November (daily operation during Golden Week, summer holidays, and autumn-foliage season)

Bus TimetableEnzan Station to Mt. Kentoku Trailhead bus stop

Reference: [Yamanashi Kotsu]

2. [Outbound] Yamanashi-shi Station → Mt. Kentoku Trailhead

From JR Chuo Line Yamanashi-shi Station, take the Yamanashi Shimin Bus “Nishizawa Keikoku Line” and get off at Mt. Kentoku Trailhead.
Travel time: about 32 minutes
Fare: ¥400
Operating days: daily (except January 1 and 2)

Bus TimetableYamanashi-shi Station to Mt. Kentoku Trailhead bus stop

Reference: [Yamanashi Shimin Bus]

3. [Return] Mt. Kentoku Trailhead → Enzan Station

From Mt. Kentoku Trailhead, take the Yamanashi Kotsu Bus “Kubodaira / Nishizawa Keikoku Line” and get off at Enzan Station.
Travel time: about 32 minutes
Fare: ¥810

Operating period: late April to late November, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (daily during Golden Week, the summer holidays and the autumn-foliage season)
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from late April to late November (daily operation during Golden Week, summer holidays, and autumn-foliage season)

Bus TimetableMt. Kentoku Trailhead bus stop to Enzan Station

Reference: [Yamanashi Kotsu]

4. [Return] Mt. Kentoku Trailhead → Yamanashi-shi Station

From Mt. Kentoku Trailhead, take the Yamanashi Shimin Bus “Nishizawa Keikoku Line” and get off at Yamanashi-shi Station.
Travel time: about 32 minutes
Fare: ¥400

Bus TimetableMt. Kentoku Trailhead bus stop to Yamanashi-shi Station

Reference: [Yamanashi Shimin Bus]

Kentokusan Hiking Routes, Difficulty and Best Season

Kentokusan is a 2,031 m peak in Yamanashi with wonderfully varied terrain, shifting from larch forest to grassland and finally rock. Its trademark is the long chained rock face just below the summit, Hōgan-iwa, and the trail opens out onto views of Mount Fuji and the Southern Alps. This section sums up the main routes, how demanding they are and the best time to climb.

Main routes

• Loop from Tokuwa (the classic): starting at Tokuwa, the trail passes the Ginshosui and Kinshosui springs, climbs through Ogidaira to the summit and returns as a loop. About 10.3 km, roughly 1,200 m of cumulative ascent and about 7 hours 15 minutes on the trail, technical grade C. A rewarding intermediate-to-advanced route.
• The chained rock “Hōgan-iwa” below the summit: just under the top is a long, near-vertical chained face known as Hōgan-iwa, the exposed signature of Kentokusan. If you would rather not tackle it, there is a bypass path on the left.

Difficulty and stamina: with its long distance and large cumulative ascent, this is a route for intermediate-to-advanced hikers. The chained section below the summit is exposed and calls for extra care in the rain or when crowded (a bypass exists). The Ginshosui and Kinshosui springs are on the way, but it is wise to carry plenty of water.

Best season: late April to November is the window, and the fresh green of spring and the autumn colours are especially beautiful. The chains become slippery when wet, so move carefully in the rain or just after it.

Highlights: a richly varied trail that shifts from larch forest to the grassland of Ogidaira and the rocky summit area, plus the sweeping view of Mount Fuji and the Southern Alps. The thrill of the trademark Hōgan-iwa chains is part of the appeal too.