Mt. Mishotai

Mt. Mishotai (御正体山) is a 1,681m peak on the border of Tsuru City and Doshi Village in Yamanashi Prefecture — the highest peak of the Doshi Mountains. Selected as one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains and the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamanashi, the quiet hike through beech virgin forest is enjoyable. A view of Mt. Fuji can be gained from near the summit.
Mt. Mishotai is reached by taking the Fujikyu Bus (Doshi-Tsuru Line) from Tsurushi Station on the Fujikyuko Line to the Dosaka-Suido bus stop, but the service runs only on weekends and holidays and is infrequent. Against a course time of about 6.5 hours, a same-day round trip by bus alone is not possible, so plan on combining a taxi from Tsurushi Station or staying overnight.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Fujikyu Tsurushi Station → Dosakasuido bus stop

From Tsurushi Station, take the Fujikyu Bus “Doshi-Tsuru Line” and get off at the Dosakasuido bus stop.

Operating period: Sat/Sun/holidays only from April – December 5 (excluding August)
Travel time: 30 minutes
Fare: ¥650

*This bus runs only on weekends and holidays. The last outbound departs Tsurushi Station at 9:15 (arriving Dosaka-Suido 9:45), and the last return leaves Mishotai-iriguchi at 15:22. With a course time of about 6.5 hours you cannot get back down in time for this last bus, so a same-day round trip by bus alone is not possible. For a day hike, use a taxi from Tsurushi Station (please confirm the time and fare in advance), or plan on a hut/tent stay or a night nearby beforehand.

Bus TimetableTsurushi Station → Dosakasuido Bus Timetable

Reference: [Fujikyu Yamanashi Bus]

2. [Return] Mishotai-Iriguchi bus stop → Tsurushi Station

From the Mishotai-Iriguchi bus stop, take the Fujikyu Bus “Doshi-Tsuru Line (bound for Tsurushi Station)” and get off at Tsurushi Station.

Operating period: Sat/Sun/holidays only
Travel time: 28 minutes
Fare: ¥380

Bus TimetableMishotai-Iriguchi bus stop → Tsurushi Station Bus Timetable

Reference: [Fujikyu Yamanashi Bus]

Mt. Mishotai Hiking Routes, Difficulty & Best Season

Mt. Mishotai is the highest peak of the Dōshi mountains, a quiet mountain whose upper slopes are covered in beautiful old-growth beech and Mongolian oak forest. The main trailheads are all poorly served by public transport, and a round trip takes around six hours, so a day hike calls for an early start and solid fitness.

Main routes

• Dosaka Pass (Dosaka Tunnel) route (from the Dosaka-suido bus stop): about 10.6 km / elevation gain about 1,041 m / time about 6 hours 20 minutes / difficulty: intermediate. This is the standard out-and-back route matching the bus access between Tsurushi Station and Dosaka-suido described in this article.
• Yamabushi Pass route (from the Yamabushi-toge bus stop): about 10 km / elevation gain about 966 m / time about 6 hours / difficulty: moderate. A ridge walk over Okunodake, Nakanodake and Maenodake, a little shorter than the Dosaka Pass route, though you should check public transport to this trailhead separately.
• There is also a long ridge traverse for strong hikers from the direction of Mt. Ishiwari to Mt. Mishotai, but check the map carefully in advance as it takes considerably longer.

Difficulty & fitness
With a large elevation gain and around six hours of walking, this is an intermediate-level mountain. As noted above, buses to the trailhead are infrequent and a day trip cannot be completed by bus alone, so plan on combining it with a taxi or an overnight stay.

Best season
The fresh greenery of early summer (May–June) through the autumn foliage (October–November) offers the best walking conditions. In winter (December–March), snow and ice make light crampons and similar gear necessary.

Highlights
A quiet walk through beautiful old-growth beech and oak forest is the main appeal. There are viewpoints along the route where Mt. Fuji can be seen up close, though the forest near the summit itself limits the view. The summit enshrines Goshotai Gongen, adding a touch of quiet solemnity fitting for the highest peak of the Dōshi mountains.

Photo by Wikipedia