Mt. Kinpu

Mt. Kinpu (金峰山) is a 2,599m peak on the border of Yamanashi and Nagano Prefectures. One of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, with the towering Gojo-iwa at the summit as its symbol. Long known as a mountain of worship, views of the Southern Alps and the Yatsugatake Range can be enjoyed from the ridge. Autumn foliage and winter rime ice are also magnificent.

From Nirasaki Station on the JR Chuo Main Line, access Mizugaki Sanso by bus, or from Enzan Station to Odarumi Pass by bus.

*Timetable last checked: July 1, 2026

The trailheads are two: Mizugaki Sanso and Odarumi Pass. Depending on the season, you can access by bus from Nirasaki Station or Enzan Station. The bus to Odarumi Pass requires advance reservation.

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] JR Nirasaki Station → Mizugaki Sanso
2. [Outbound] JR Enzan Station → Odarumi Pass
3. [Return] Mizugaki Sanso → JR Nirasaki Station
4. [Return] Odarumi Pass → JR Enzan Station

1. [Outbound] JR Nirasaki Station → Mizugaki Sanso

From JR Nirasaki Station, take the Nirasaki Mizugaki Line (Mizugaki route) bus and get off at the terminus, Mizugaki Sanso.

Operating period: daily from April 4 to November 23, 2026
Travel time: about 1 hour 15 minutes
Fare: ¥2,500

Bus TimetableJR Nirasaki Station → Mizugaki Sanso Bus Timetable

Reference:
Yamanashi Kyohoku Kotsu — Nirasaki Mizugaki Line Timetable
NAVITIME (Nirasaki → Mizugaki Sanso)

2. [Outbound] JR Enzan Station → Odarumi Pass

From JR Enzan Station, board the reservation-only Eiwa Kotsu “Yakeyama Pass, Odarumi Pass (Mt. Kinpu) Line”. A transfer is made en route at the Yanagidaira bus stop.

Operating period: Sat/Sun/holidays from May 30 to November 8, 2026
Travel time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Fare: ¥3,000

Reservation is required via the web or phone to use this service.
Details: Odarumi Pass (Mt. Kinpu) Tour application guide

Bus TimetableJR Enzan Station → Odarumi Pass Bus Timetable

3. [Return] Mizugaki Sanso → JR Nirasaki Station

From Mizugaki Sanso, take the Nirasaki Mizugaki Line (Mizugaki route) bus and get off at the terminus, JR Nirasaki Station.

Operating period: daily from April 4 to November 23, 2026
Travel time: about 1 hour 15 minutes
Fare: ¥2,500

Bus TimetableMizugaki Sanso → JR Nirasaki Station Bus Timetable

Reference:
Yamanashi Kyohoku Kotsu — Nirasaki Mizugaki Line Timetable /
NAVITIME (Mizugaki Sanso → Nirasaki)

4. [Return] Odarumi Pass → JR Enzan Station

From the Odarumi Pass bus stop, board the reservation-only Eiwa Kotsu “Yakeyama Pass, Odarumi Pass (Mt. Kinpu) Line”. A transfer is made en route at the Yanagidaira bus stop.

Operating period: Sat/Sun/holidays from May 30 to November 8, 2026
Travel time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Fare: ¥3,000

Reservation is required via the web or phone to use this service.
Details: Odarumi Pass (Mt. Kinpu) Tour application guide

Bus TimetableOdarumi Pass → JR Enzan Station Bus Timetable

Kinpusan Hiking Routes, Difficulty and Best Season

Kinpusan (Mt. Kinpu) is a 2,599 m peak at the heart of the Okuchichibu mountains, famous for the giant Gojo-iwa rock on its summit and its sweeping views. This section sums up the main routes, how demanding they are, and the best time to climb.

Main routes

• Odarumi Pass route (shortest, beginner-friendly): from Odarumi Pass (about 2,360 m), the highest point reachable by road, the trail crosses Asahidake to the summit. About 8.1 km, roughly 575 m of cumulative ascent and about 4 hours round trip. The small elevation gain lets you reach the top in a relatively short time.
• Mizugaki-sanso route (more demanding): the classic approach from the Mizugaki-sanso lodge via the Fujimidaira hut and Dainichi-iwa. About 7 to 8 hours round trip, intermediate level.
• Traverse (Mizugaki-sanso → summit → Odarumi Pass): about 9.3 km, roughly 1,301 m of cumulative ascent and about 5 hours 30 minutes on the trail. A rewarding traverse linking the two trailheads, descending to Odarumi Pass.

Difficulty and stamina: from Odarumi Pass the climb is short and manageable even for beginners, while the Mizugaki-sanso side is long and far more strenuous. The summit area is a rocky ridge above the tree line, with a few chain and rock sections to negotiate. The ridge is windy with big swings in temperature, so bring wind and cold protection.

Best season: as an alpine peak, June to October is the window. Rhododendrons bloom around June and the autumn colours peak from late September into early October. The forest road and bus to Odarumi Pass close in winter, so a snow-season climb calls for experience and proper gear.

Highlights: the towering Gojo-iwa rock on the summit and the huge panorama taking in the Southern Alps, the Yatsugatake range and Mount Fuji, plus the granite-and-pine ridge so typical of Okuchichibu. The Kinpu-sanso and Odarumi-goya huts lie along the way.