Mt. Sasagogangaharasuriyama (ささごがんがはらすりやま, 1,358m) on the Otsuki / Koshu City border, Yamanashi, is the 4th-rank peak of the Shurei Fugaku Twelve Views (paired with Mt. Takigoyama). Located directly above the Sasago Tunnel, the summit offers panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, Mt. Mitsutoge, and the Southern Alps.
Accessible by walking from JR Chuo Line Sasago Station. Intermediate ★★★・distance ~10 km・elevation gain 750 m・action time ~7 hours (day hike). Options are the Sasago Stn → Yatate-no-Sugi → Sasago Pass → summit route or the Kai-Yamato Stn → Mt. Obosan → Mt. Yonezawa → Mt. Sasagogangaharasuriyama → Sasago Stn traverse.
Access to the trailhead
- [Outbound] Tokyo / Osaka → Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line Limited Express Kaiji)
- [Outbound / Return] Otsuki Stn ⇔ Sasago Stn / Kai-Yamato Stn (JR Chuo Line local)
- Sasago Pass course, Obosan traverse, suggested plans
Course time (Sasago Stn → Sasago Pass → summit round trip, day hike, Intermediate, ~7 hours)
Sasago Stn (610 m) → (0:30) → Oiwake → (1:30) → Yatate-no-Sugi → (1:30) → Sasago Pass (1,096 m) → (1:30) → Mt. Sasagogangaharasuriyama summit (1,358 m) → descent (2:00) → Sasago Stn
1. [Outbound] Tokyo / Osaka → Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line Limited Express Kaiji)
Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Main Line / Fujikyu Railway) is the gateway for Mt. Sasagogangaharasuriyama. From Shinjuku, JR Chuo Line Limited Express Kaiji ~1 hr 5 min・¥3,500 (reserved), or JR Chuo Line local ~1 hr 30 min・¥1,520. From Tokyo Station via Chuo Line local ~1 hr 50 min. From Osaka via Shinkansen ~4 hr・¥14,000. From overseas, Haneda Airport → Shinjuku is convenient. Sasago / Kai-Yamato Stations are local-only; transfer at Otsuki.
JR / Shinkansen reference :
Shinjuku Stn → Otsuki Stn : JR Chuo Line Limited Express Kaiji ~1 hr 5 min・¥3,500 (reserved)
Shinjuku Stn → Otsuki Stn : JR Chuo Line local ~1 hr 30 min・¥1,520
Tokyo Stn → Otsuki Stn : JR Chuo Line ~1 hr 50 min
Osaka Stn → Otsuki Stn : JR Shinkansen route ~4 hr・¥14,000
Reference : JR East ｜ Otsuki Tourism — Mt. Sasagogangaharasuriyama
Contact : JR Otsuki Station ☎0554-22-0029
2. [Outbound / Return] Otsuki Stn ⇔ Sasago Stn / Kai-Yamato Stn (JR Chuo Line local)
Sasago Station (610 m, JR Chuo Line local-only) is the trailhead base; Kai-Yamato Station (660 m, JR Chuo Line local-only) is the Obosan traverse base. Otsuki → Sasago ~8 min・¥240, Otsuki → Kai-Yamato ~16 min・¥330; service approx. every 30-60 min. Private car: roadside parking near Sasago Station (few spaces), or Sasago Pass parking (few spaces, roadside free). Limited Express Kaiji / Azusa bypass Sasago / Kai-Yamato Stations.
Operating period : Year-round, JR Chuo Line local
Travel time : Otsuki Stn → Sasago ~8 min・Kai-Yamato ~16 min
Fare : Sasago ¥240, Kai-Yamato ¥330
Frequency : approx. every 30-60 min
Otsuki Stn → Sasago / Kai-Yamato Stn (JR Chuo Line local, morning hiker excerpt)
| Otsuki Stn dep | Sasago Stn arr | Kai-Yamato Stn arr |
|---|---|---|
| 5:55 (early) | 6:03 | 6:11 |
| 6:35 | 6:43 | 6:51 |
| 7:25 | 7:33 | 7:41 |
| 8:18 | 8:26 | 8:34 |
Sasago / Kai-Yamato Stn → Otsuki Stn (JR Chuo Line local, return, descent excerpt)
| Kai-Yamato Stn dep | Sasago Stn dep | Otsuki Stn arr |
|---|---|---|
| 14:47 | 14:55 | 15:03 |
| 15:47 | 15:55 | 16:03 |
| 16:47 | 16:55 | 17:03 |
Note : JR Chuo Line local timetables should always be pre-confirmed at the JR East official site. Limited Express Kaiji / Azusa bypass Sasago / Kai-Yamato Stations (transfer to local at Otsuki required). After descent, “Tenku-no-Yu” near Otsuki Station or Koshu City onsens (when doing traverse) are recommended.
Reference : JR East Chuo Line timetable ｜ Yamanashi Hiking — Mt. Sasagogangaharasuriyama
Contact : JR Otsuki Station ☎0554-22-0029 / Otsuki Tourism Association ☎0554-22-2942
3. Sasago Pass course, Obosan traverse, suggested plans
About Mt. Sasagogangaharasuriyama
At 1,358 m on the Otsuki / Koshu City border, Yamanashi. Selected as the 4th-rank peak of Otsuki City’s Shurei Fugaku Twelve Views (paired with Mt. Takigoyama), and one of the 100 Famous Yamanashi Mountains. Located directly above the Sasago Tunnel, the summit overlooks Mt. Fuji, Mt. Mitsutoge, the Southern Alps, and the Daibosatsu Range. Historical landmarks along the trail include the 1,000-year-old Yatate-no-Sugi cedar, Emperor Meiji stele, and Migawari Ryōmen Jizō statue.
Trail overview (2 main courses)
- Sasago Stn → Sasago Pass course (standard, Intermediate, ~7 hr): Sasago Stn → Oiwake → Shinden → Yatate-no-Sugi → Sasago tunnel → Sasago Pass → summit round trip; many historical landmarks
- Kai-Yamato Stn → Mt. Obosan traverse (Intermediate, ~7-8 hr): Kai-Yamato Stn → Mt. Obosan → Mt. Yonezawa → Mt. Sasagogangaharasuriyama → Sasago Pass → Sasago Stn; for fit hikers
Mountain huts / hot springs (2026 information)
– No huts on the trail: Day-hike basis
– Roadside parking near Sasago Station: Few spaces
– Sasago Pass parking: Few spaces, roadside free
– “Tenku-no-Yu” near Otsuki Station: Drop-in bath
– Koshu City onsens (traverse descent): Sagashio-kosen, etc.
Climbing season / flora: Year-round possible (winter with light crampons). April-May: mitsuba-tsutsuji, fresh greens; October-November: autumn colors. Winter (Dec-Feb) has snow / ice but climbing possible with light crampons.
Cautions
– Local transfer required at Otsuki: Limited Express bypasses Sasago / Kai-Yamato
– Steep climbs and many undulations: Intermediate level, for those wanting a solid hike
– Slippery after rain: Proper gear required
– Water only at trailhead stream: Carry at least 1.5 L
– Many historical landmarks: Yatate-no-Sugi, Emperor Meiji stele, etc. — allow viewing time
Emergency contacts / inquiries
- Otsuki City Office (Tourism Association): ☎0554-22-2942 / Koshu City Office: ☎0553-32-2111
- Otsuki Police (climbing notification / mountain rescue): ☎0554-22-0110
- JR Otsuki Station: ☎0554-22-0029
Suggested plans (Sasago Stn → Sasago Pass → summit round trip, day hike, recommended, standard)
- Day hike (recommended, Intermediate): Shinjuku 6:14 → Otsuki Stn 7:50 → Sasago Stn 7:58 → Oiwake 8:30 → Yatate-no-Sugi 10:00 → Sasago Pass 11:30 → summit 13:00 (Mt. Fuji panorama) → Sasago Stn 15:55 → Otsuki Stn 16:03 → return
- Obosan traverse (fit, Intermediate): Kai-Yamato Stn → Mt. Obosan → Mt. Yonezawa → Mt. Sasagogangaharasuriyama → Sasago Pass → Sasago Stn (~8 hr)
Reference : Otsuki Tourism — Mt. Sasagogangaharasuriyama ｜ Yamanashi Hiking — Mt. Sasagogangaharasuriyama
Photo by Oda230
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