Mt. Takahatayama (高畑山)

Mt. Takahatayama (たかはたやま, 982m) on the Otsuki / Uenohara City border, Yamanashi, is the 9th-rank peak of the Shurei Fugaku Twelve Views (paired with Mt. Kuratakeyama). Known as a Momotaro legend mountain (same tradition as nearby Mt. Kukiyama), with stunning Mt. Fuji views.

The standard route is the Torisawa Stn → Mt. Takahatayama → Mt. Tenjin → Mt. Kuratakeyama → Yanagawa Stn dual-peak traverse. Beginner-Intermediate ★★★・distance ~10 km・elevation gain 600 m・action time ~5 hr 30 min (day hike). Walking access from JR Chuo Line stations; the classic plan covers the Mt. Kuratakeyama paired conquest.

*Timetable last checked: 2026年05月22日

Access to the trailhead

1. [Outbound] Tokyo / Osaka → Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line Limited Express Kaiji)
2. [Outbound / Return] Otsuki Stn ⇔ Torisawa Stn / Yanagawa Stn (JR Chuo Line local)
3. Traverse course, Kuratake link, suggested plans

Course time (Torisawa Stn → Mt. Takahata → Mt. Kuratake → Yanagawa Stn traverse, day hike, Beginner-Intermediate, ~5 hr 30 min)

Torisawa Stn (330 m) → (0:30) → trailhead → (2:00) → Mt. Takahatayama summit (982 m) → (1:00) → Mt. Tenjin → (0:30) → Anaji Pass → (0:30) → Mt. Kuratakeyama summit (990 m) → (1:00) → Yanagawa Stn (280 m)

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. Takahatayama. 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. At Otsuki, transfer to local; alight at Torisawa (uphill direction ~4 min・¥210) or Yanagawa (~7 min・¥230).

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. Kuratake / Takahata
Contact : JR Otsuki Station ☎0554-22-0029

2. [Outbound / Return] Otsuki Stn ⇔ Torisawa Stn / Yanagawa Stn (JR Chuo Line local)

Torisawa Station (330 m, Mt. Takahatayama trailhead start, JR Chuo Line local-only) and Yanagawa Station (280 m, Mt. Kuratakeyama descent point, JR Chuo Line local-only) are both walking-accessible to trailheads. Otsuki → Torisawa ~4 min・¥210, Otsuki → Yanagawa ~7 min・¥230; service approx. every 30-60 min. Limited Express Kaiji / Azusa bypass Torisawa / Yanagawa Stations; transfer to local at Otsuki required.

Operating period : Year-round, JR Chuo Line local
Travel time : Otsuki Stn → Torisawa ~4 min・Yanagawa ~7 min
Fare : Torisawa ¥210, Yanagawa ¥230
Frequency : approx. every 30-60 min

Otsuki Stn → Torisawa / Yanagawa Stn (JR Chuo Line local, morning hiker excerpt)

Torisawa / Yanagawa Stn → Otsuki Stn (JR Chuo Line local, return, descent excerpt)

Note : JR Chuo Line local timetables should always be pre-confirmed at the JR East official site. Limited Express Kaiji / Azusa bypass Torisawa / Yanagawa (transfer to local at Otsuki required). After descent, “Tenku-no-Yu” near Otsuki Station or Uenohara City bath facilities (when descending at Yanagawa) are recommended.

Reference : JR East Chuo Line timetable ｜ Mt. Takahata / Kuratake traverse guide
Contact : JR Otsuki Station ☎0554-22-0029 / Otsuki Tourism Association ☎0554-22-2942

3. Traverse course, Kuratake link, suggested plans

About Mt. Takahatayama
At 982 m on the Otsuki / Uenohara City border, Yamanashi. Selected as the 9th-rank peak of Otsuki City’s Shurei Fugaku Twelve Views (paired with Mt. Kuratakeyama), and one of the 100 Famous Yamanashi Mountains. The adjacent Mt. Kuratakeyama (990 m) forms the dual-peak traverse — the classic plan. Known as a Momotaro legend mountain (same tradition as nearby Mt. Kukiyama), said to be where Momotaro was raised. Summit views: Mt. Fuji, Mt. Mitsutoge, the Doshi range.

Trail overview (2 main courses)

• Torisawa → Mt. Takahata → Mt. Kuratake → Yanagawa traverse (standard, Beginner-Intermediate, ~5 hr 30 min): Torisawa Stn → Mt. Takahata → Mt. Tenjin → Anaji Pass → Mt. Kuratake → Yanagawa Stn; dual-peak set conquest
• Yanagawa → Mt. Kuratake → Mt. Takahata → Torisawa reverse traverse (Beginner-Intermediate, ~5 hr 30 min): Reverse direction same course time

Mountain huts / hot springs (2026 information)
– No huts on the trail: Day-hike basis
– Roadside parking near Torisawa / Yanagawa Stations: Limited
– Water source (around Anaji Pass): Possibly seasonally dry, supplemental
– “Tenku-no-Yu” near Otsuki Station: Drop-in bath

Climbing season / flora: Year-round possible (winter with light crampons). May-June: mitsuba-tsutsuji, fresh greens; October-November: autumn colors. Winter (Dec-Feb) has snow / ice; light crampons recommended.

Cautions
– Local transfer required at Otsuki: Limited Express bypasses Torisawa / Yanagawa
– Dual-peak traverse is standard: Mt. Kuratakeyama link is the classic route
– Limited water sources: Anaji Pass area only, carry at least 1 L
– Momotaro legend signs: On summit / trail, story can be confirmed
– Winter ice caution: Light crampons recommended

Emergency contacts / inquiries

• Otsuki City Office (Tourism Association): ☎0554-22-2942 / Uenohara City Office: ☎0554-62-3111
• Otsuki Police (climbing notification / mountain rescue): ☎0554-22-0110
• JR Otsuki Station: ☎0554-22-0029

Suggested plans (Torisawa → Mt. Takahata → Mt. Kuratake → Yanagawa traverse, day hike, recommended, standard)

• Day-hike dual-peak traverse (recommended, Beginner-Intermediate, 9th-rank complete conquest): Shinjuku 7:00 → Otsuki Stn 8:30 → Torisawa Stn 8:34 → trailhead 9:00 → Mt. Takahata 11:00 (Mt. Fuji panorama) → Mt. Tenjin 12:00 → Mt. Kuratake 13:00 → Yanagawa Stn 14:00 → Otsuki Stn 14:30 → return
• Mt. Takahata out-and-back (Beginner, simple): Torisawa Stn → Mt. Takahata round trip → Torisawa Stn (~4 hr)

Reference : Otsuki Tourism — Mt. Kuratake / Takahata ｜ Mt. Takahata / Kuratake traverse guide

Photo by Guilhem Vellut