Mt. Shichimen

Mt. Shichimen (七面山, 1,989 m), in Yamanashi Prefecture (Hayakawa and Minobu towns), is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
A long-revered sacred mountain of Nichiren Buddhism, it is famous for the sunrise over Mt. Fuji seen through the gate of Keishin-in, the temple lodge near the summit. The main pilgrimage trail (Omotesandō, Hagoromo to Keishin-in) is about 50 chō long with around 1,300 m of ascent. The usual way is an overnight at the Keishin-in lodge (two days); a day trip is difficult.
The nearest station is Minobu on the JR Minobu Line. From there you reach the Shichimensan trailhead by the Hayakawa Town shuttle bus.

The trailhead is Hagoromo, the entrance to the main pilgrimage trail. Get off at the Shichimensan trailhead bus stop (Sumise) and walk about 40 minutes along the Haruki River to Hagoromo (or about 10 minutes by taxi). From Hagoromo, climb the 50 chō of the main trail, reaching Keishin-in (about 1,700 m) in around 3.5 to 4 hours. The standard plan is to stay at Keishin-in and, the next morning, make the round trip from there to the summit (1,989 m), about 40 minutes.
Keishin-in offers lodging with two meals for ¥6,500 (admission included), by phone reservation (0556-45-2551), with morning and evening services and vegetarian temple cuisine. The season is late April to November (winter brings snow and ice — full gear required). There are stone markers and rest spots along the trail but no reliable shops, so bring water and food. Do not approach the Nanaitagare, the large landslide scar on the north side of the summit.

*Information last checked: June 3, 2026

How to access the trailhead

1. [Outbound] Minobu Station → Shichimensan trailhead
2. [Return] Shichimensan trailhead → Minobu Station

1. [Outbound] Minobu Station → Shichimensan trailhead

From Minobu Station on the JR Minobu Line, take the Hayakawa Town shuttle bus (toward Narada Onsen) and get off at the Shichimensan trailhead (Sumise).
Ride time: about 47 min / Fare: ¥600 (a hiking backpack carried aboard costs an extra ¥200 as hand baggage)
To climb to Keishin-in the same day, allow about 3.5 to 4 hours on the trail, so the buses up to the 13:45 departure are realistic (evening buses do not allow same-day arrival). From the Sumise bus stop, it is about a 40-minute walk to the Hagoromo trailhead entrance.

Bus TimetableMinobu Station to Shichimensan trailhead (Hayakawa Town shuttle bus)

Source: [Hayakawa Town shuttle bus (April 2024 revision)]

2. [Return] Shichimensan trailhead → Minobu Station

After descending, take the Hayakawa Town shuttle bus (toward Minobu Station) from the Shichimensan trailhead (Sumise) and get off at JR Minobu Station.
Ride time: about 47 min / Fare: ¥600
Allow about 40 minutes to walk from Hagoromo to the Sumise bus stop, so plan your descent with time to spare.

Bus TimetableShichimensan trailhead to Minobu Station (Hayakawa Town shuttle bus)

Source: [Hayakawa Town shuttle bus (April 2024 revision)]

Route, lodge and safety notes

Route: Hagoromo (trail entrance) → 50 chō of the main trail → Keishin-in (overnight) → next morning the summit → descend the same way. About 3.5 to 4 hours from Hagoromo to Keishin-in, and about 40 minutes round trip from Keishin-in to the summit. With a large ascent, a day trip is difficult, so an overnight at Keishin-in is assumed.

Lodge (Keishin-in): ¥6,500 with two meals (admission included), by phone reservation (0556-45-2551), with morning and evening services and vegetarian cuisine. The sunrise over Mt. Fuji through its gate is famous.

Nanaitagare: on the north side of the summit is a large, still-collapsing landslide scar called Nanaitagare. Never approach the edge of this scar.

Gear and season: the season is late April to November. Winter brings snow and ice, making light-gear climbing dangerous. There are no reliable shops, so carry water, food, rain gear and warm clothing, and submit a climbing plan.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Keishin-in (lodge / inquiries) 0556-45-2551

Photo by Sakaori / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0