Mt. Kamihiruzen

Mt. Kamihiruzen (上蒜山, 1,202 m) in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
It is the highest of the Three Hiruzen Peaks — Shimohiruzen, Nakahiruzen and Kamihiruzen — and the trio, collectively called “Hiruzen,” is also listed among the New 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. Gentle grassland and bamboo-grass ridges give wide, pastoral views toward Mt. Daisen.
From JR Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station, take the Maniwa community bus “Maniwakun” (Hiruzen–Kuze route) to the Yufunakuchi stop.

The main trailhead is the Kamihiruzen trailhead (the former Kamihiruzen ski area at Yurihara, approx. 560 m elevation). From the Yufunakuchi bus stop it is about 3 km along the prefectural road (roughly a 45-minute walk) to the trailhead, where there is a car park and toilets.
From the 2nd station the trail follows a ridge; beyond Yari-ga-mine (the 8th station) a sweeping view of Mt. Daisen opens up, leading to the summit of Kamihiruzen (1,202 m). The ascent takes about 2 hours 30 minutes with an elevation gain of roughly 640 m (beginner–intermediate). It is about 1 hour on to Nakahiruzen, and the full traverse of all three peaks takes about 5 hours 30 minutes.
The hiking season runs from May to November. Public transport is sparse, so — as noted below — staying overnight plus a taxi is the practical option.

*Timetable last checked: June 1, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station → Yufunakuchi
2. [Return] Yufunakuchi → Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station

1. [Outbound] Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station → Yufunakuchi

From JR Kishin Line Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station, take the Maniwa community bus “Maniwakun” (Hiruzen–Kuze route) and alight at Yufunakuchi.
Ride time: approx. 76 min
Fare: ¥200 (flat fare), daily service
From the Yufunakuchi bus stop, the Kamihiruzen trailhead is about 3 km along the prefectural road (roughly a 45-minute walk).
※Even the first bus reaches Yufunakuchi at 8:27, and with the 45-minute walk you only start climbing mid-morning; return buses are also infrequent and rides are a long 76–90 minutes. Staying overnight on the Hiruzen plateau plus a taxi is the practical choice (see “After the hike & notes” below).

Bus TimetableChūgoku-Katsuyama Station to Yufunakuchi

Source: [Maniwa City community bus “Maniwakun”]

2. [Return] Yufunakuchi → Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station

From the Kamihiruzen trailhead it is about a 45-minute walk to the Yufunakuchi bus stop. Take the “Maniwakun” (Hiruzen–Kuze route) and alight at JR Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station.
Ride time: approx. 90 min
Fare: ¥200 (flat fare), daily service

Bus TimetableYufunakuchi to Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station

Source: [Maniwa City community bus “Maniwakun”]

After the hike & notes

Stay overnight + taxi (recommended): “Maniwakun” is a flat-fare ¥200 community bus for local residents, with few services and long rides, so the practical plan is to stay overnight on the Hiruzen plateau and reach the trailhead from your lodging by taxi (about 10 min) or on foot (about 45 min). A direct taxi from Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station is about 30 km / 40 min, roughly ¥8,000–9,000 (confirm the exact fare when booking).
・Hiruzen Taxi 0867-66-5570
・Fukumoto Taxi (near Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station) 0867-44-3175
・Maniwa Tourism Bureau 0867-45-7111

Traverse: It is about 1 hour from Kamihiruzen to Nakahiruzen, and the full traverse of all three Hiruzen peaks takes about 5 hours 30 minutes. If you traverse, check access on the descent side (Inugasen Pass, Nakahiruzen trailhead, etc.) in advance.

In an emergency: Call 110 (police) or 119 (fire). Watch for bears and pit vipers, and avoid hiking alone.
・Maniwa Police Station 0867-44-6110
・Maniwa City Community Safety Division 0867-42-1017

Photo by Koda6029 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0