Mt. Nantai
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Mt. Nantai (男体山) is a 2,486m peak in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture.
From the shore of Lake Chuzenji, it climbs a steep 1,200m elevation gain in one stretch to the summit, where a sweeping panorama of Lake Chuzenji below, Senjogahara, and the Nikko mountain range unfolds. The mountain itself is the sacred body (御神体) of Nikko Futarasan Shrine, and the shrine’s inner sanctuary (Okumiya) stands at the summit.
From JR Nikko Station or Tobu Nikko Station, take a bus to Chuzenji Onsen and start the climb from Futarasan Shrine Chugushi.
It is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, and is also selected for the 100 Famous Mountains of Kanto, the 100 Famous Mountains of Tochigi, and the 100 Mountains with First-Order Triangulation Points.
The trailhead at Futarasan Shrine Chugushi is accessible by bus from Tobu Nikko Station.
Climbing Mt. Nantai is treated as a religious ascent (tohai) of Futarasan Shrine; on entering, you must submit a climbing plan at the shrine and pay an entry offering (¥1,000).
Entry offering: ¥1,000
Open climbing period: April 25 – November 11 each year (no entry outside this period)
Reception hours: 6:00 – noon
(Sources: Nikko Futarasan Shrine / Nikko Travel Navi)
- [Outbound] JR / Tobu Nikko Station → Futarasan Shrine Chugushi
- [Return] Futarasan Shrine Chugushi → Tobu / JR Nikko Station
Hiking Course Details — Mt. Nantai
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Map & Recommended Route — Mt. Nantai
Mt. Nantai — Reference Hiking Times
| Segment | Distance | Ascent/Descent | Forward | Reverse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Futara-san Shrine bus stop → Toilet | 0.1 km | +8 m / −0 m | 0:00 | 0:00 |
| Toilet → 3th Station | 0.8 km | +271 m / −0 m | 0:40 | 0:35 |
| 3th Station → 4th Station | 1.2 km | +119 m / −0 m | 0:30 | 0:25 |
| 4th Station → 8th station Takio Shrine | 1.0 km | +545 m / −0 m | 1:20 | 1:45 |
| 8th station Takio Shrine → Summit | 0.9 km | +260 m / −0 m | 0:45 | 0:40 |
| Total | 3.9 km | +1204 m / −0 m | 3:25 | 3:25 |
*Timetable last checked: July 3, 2026
1. [Outbound] JR / Tobu Nikko Station → Futarasan Shrine Chugushi
From the bus rotary in front of JR or Tobu Nikko Station, take the Tobu Bus Nikko “Yumoto Onsen-bound” service and get off at “Futarasan Shrine Chugushi” (二荒山神社中宮祠).
Travel time: 53 minutes
Fare: ¥1,400
| Dep. Tobu Nikko Stn. | Arr. Futarasan Chuguji |
|---|---|
| 06:09 | 07:02 |
| 06:55 | 07:48 |
| 07:53 | 08:46 |
| 08:45 | 09:38 |
| 09:05 | 09:58 |
| 09:45 | 10:38 |
| 10:05 | 10:58 |
| 10:43 | 11:36 |
| 11:10 | 12:03 |
| 11:40 | 12:33 |
| 12:15 | 13:08 |
| 12:45 | 13:38 |
| 13:13 | 14:06 |
| 13:35 | 14:28 |
| 14:13 | 15:06 |
| 14:33 | 15:26 |
| 15:13 | 16:06 |
| 15:38 | 16:31 |
| 16:30 | 17:23 |
| 17:05 | 17:58 |
| 18:05 | 18:58 |
Climbing period: April 25 – November 11 every year. Closed (November 12 – April 24) — no climbing allowed.
(Source: Nikko Futarasan Shrine)
Reference: [NAVITIME]
2. [Return] Futarasan Shrine Chugushi → Tobu Nikko Station
From the Futarasan Shrine Chugushi bus stop, take the Tobu Bus Nikko “Nikko Station-bound” service.
Travel time: 50 minutes
Fare: ¥1,400
| Dep. Futarasan Chuguji | Arr. Tobu Nikko Stn. |
|---|---|
| 07:54 | 08:41 |
| 08:54 | 09:41 |
| 09:49 | 10:36 |
| 10:49 | 11:36 |
| 11:09 | 11:56 |
| 11:49 | 12:36 |
| 12:29 | 13:16 |
| 13:04 | 13:51 |
| 13:24 | 14:11 |
| 13:59 | 14:46 |
| 14:19 | 15:06 |
| 14:49 | 15:36 |
| 15:19 | 16:06 |
| 15:39 | 16:26 |
| 16:17 | 17:04 |
| 16:24 | 17:11 |
| 17:09 | 17:56 |
| 17:36 | 18:23 |
| 18:16 | 19:03 |
| 18:51 | 19:38 |
| 19:51 | 20:38 |
Reference: [NAVITIME]
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