Mt. Mitsubadake

Mt. Mitsubadake (ミツバ岳, 834 m) is a mountain in Yamakita, Ashigarakami District, Kanagawa Prefecture, and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kantō. Its official name is Mt. Ōdayama, and it rises on the northern shore of Lake Tanzawa at the front of the West Tanzawa range. From late March to early April its slopes fill with yellow blossoms of mitsumata (oriental paperbush), famous for framing Mt. Fuji in the background. The wooded summit has limited views, but you can glimpse Mt. Fuji through the paperbush flowers.
The nearest station is Shin-Matsuda on the Odakyū Odawara Line; take a bus to Asaseiriguchi and climb from Takitsubo Bridge.

Mt. Mitsubadake is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kantō. From the north exit of Shin-Matsuda Station, a Fujikyu Mobility bus takes you to Asaseiriguchi, from where you walk along the prefectural road to the Takitsubo Bridge trailhead. The mountain is private land where entry is tolerated by the goodwill of the landowner; parts of the trail are unmaintained, so hike at your own responsibility.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Shin-Matsuda Station → Asaseiriguchi → Takitsubo Bridge → Mitsubadake
2. [Return] Mitsubadake → Takitsubo Bridge → Asaseiriguchi → Shin-Matsuda Station
3. Recommended plans & area info

1. [Outbound] Shin-Matsuda Station → Asaseiriguchi → Takitsubo Bridge → Mitsubadake

From the bus stop at the north exit of Shin-Matsuda Station (Odakyū Odawara Line), board a Fujikyu Mobility bus bound for the West Tanzawa Visitor Center (route Matsu-62) and get off at Asaseiriguchi. Buses that terminate at Yamakita Station do not reach Asaseiriguchi, so be sure to take a West Tanzawa Visitor Center service. From Asaseiriguchi, turn right at the junction, pass through a tunnel, and follow Prefectural Route 729 along Lake Tanzawa for about 2 km (40 minutes) to reach Takitsubo Bridge. The trailhead is just on the right after crossing the bridge (signposted — easy to miss). Climb the steep planted forest and pass through the paperbush groves to the summit: about 1 hour 40 minutes from Asaseiriguchi.

Ride time: about 51 minutes
Fare: about ¥900 one way (round-trip tickets ¥1,620 are sold at the Shin-Matsuda Station counter)

Bus TimetableShin-Matsuda Station → Asaseiriguchi

Reference: Fujikyu Mobility — Matsuda/Yamakita/Odawara area buses

2. [Return] Mitsubadake → Takitsubo Bridge → Asaseiriguchi → Shin-Matsuda Station

To descend, retrace your steps and walk back from Takitsubo Bridge to the Asaseiriguchi bus stop (about 1 hour 20 minutes downhill plus the 40-minute road walk). From Asaseiriguchi, take a Fujikyu Mobility bus back to Shin-Matsuda Station. Services are infrequent and especially limited in the morning, so check the times in advance to match your descent. There are no shops or vending machines on the mountain, so prepare food and water near Shin-Matsuda Station.

Ride time: about 49 minutes
Fare: about ¥900 one way

Bus TimetableAsaseiriguchi → Shin-Matsuda Station

Reference: Fujikyu Mobility — Matsuda/Yamakita/Odawara area buses

3. Recommended plans & area info

Day-trip out-and-back: Asaseiriguchi → Takitsubo Bridge → Mitsubadake (about 3 hours 20 minutes round trip plus the road walk). The best time is late March to early April when the mitsumata is in bloom.
Traverse (for experienced hikers): The loop north over Mt. Yozuku-Gongen back to Asaseiriguchi is an unofficial (dashed-line) route with indistinct sections. It suits experienced hikers comfortable with a map, compass and route-finding.