Mt. Taro (太郎山)

Mt. Taro (太郎山) is a 2,368m independent peak rising at the center of Oku-Nikko in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. Counted as one of the Nikko Sanzan (Three Mountains of Nikko) alongside Mt. Nantai and Mt. Nyoho, the summit offers a grand panorama of Senjogahara, Lake Chuzenji, and even Mt. Hiuchi and Mt. Sukai. The main routes are a loop from Kotoku Onsen (Kotoku Pasture), and the route attached via Shizu Forest Road from Sanbonmatsu (or Akanuma) on the Senjogahara side. The balance of steep climbs through the forest belt and the open feeling along the ridge is the attraction.

• Best season: June – October (caution for residual snow and mud in June, and first snow from October onward).
• Technical/physical level: General trail (few rock walls / chain sections). Course time 6–8 hours, intermediate level.
• Representative course example: Kotoku Onsen (Astoria Hotel) — Kotoku Pasture — Mt. Taro — (Sannobushi-yama junction) — Sanno-toge — Kotoku Onsen (loop).
• Access key points: Enter Nikko by train and use the Tobu Bus Nikko “JR/Tobu Nikko Station → Yumoto Onsen” route. Get off midway at Sanbonmatsu or Kotoku Onsen / Nikko Astoria Hotel.

Timetable last checked: May 17, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Going] JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station → Kotoku Onsen / Nikko Astoria Hotel
2. [Going] JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station → Sanbonmatsu
3. [Return] Sanbonmatsu → JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station
4. [Return] Kotoku Onsen / Nikko Astoria Hotel → JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station

3. [Going] JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station → Kotoku Onsen / Nikko Astoria Hotel

From JR Nikko Station or Tobu Nikko Station, board the Tobu Bus Nikko “toward Yumoto Onsen” and get off at Kotoku Onsen / Nikko Astoria Hotel.

Operating period: summer schedule (April 1 – November 30, 2026) / winter schedule has different routes and frequency.
Travel time: about 1 hour 20 minutes (varies with traffic conditions)
Fare: ¥1,900

Bus TimetableJR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station → Kotoku Onsen / Nikko Astoria Hotel bus stop Bus Timetable

Reference: [Tobu Bus Online]

4. [Going] JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station → Sanbonmatsu bus stop

From JR Nikko Line Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station, board the Tobu Bus “bound for Yumoto Onsen” and get off at the Sanbonmatsu bus stop.
Operating period: summer schedule (April 1 – November 30, 2026) / winter schedule has different routes and frequency.
Travel time: about 1 hour 6 minutes (varies with traffic conditions)
Fare: ¥1,750

Bus TimetableJR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station → Sanbonmatsu bus stop Bus Timetable

Reference: [NAVITIME]

1. Sanbonmatsu bus stop → JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station

From the Sanbonmatsu bus stop, board the Tobu Bus Nikko “bound for JR Nikko Station” bus.

Operating period: summer schedule (April 1 – November 30, 2026) / winter schedule has different routes and frequency.
Travel time: about 1 hour 6 minutes (varies with traffic conditions)
Fare: ¥1,750

Bus TimetableSanbonmatsu bus stop → JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station Bus Timetable

Reference: [NAVITIME]

2. [Return] Kotoku Onsen / Nikko Astoria Hotel bus stop → JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station

From the Kotoku Onsen / Nikko Astoria Hotel bus stop, board the Tobu Bus Nikko “bound for JR Nikko Station” bus.

Operating period: summer schedule (April 1 – November 30, 2026) / winter schedule has different routes and frequency.
Travel time: about 1 hour 20 minutes (varies with traffic conditions)
Fare: ¥1,900

Bus TimetableKotoku Onsen / Nikko Astoria Hotel bus stop → JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station Bus Timetable

Reference: [Tobu Bus Online]

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