Mt. Higashi-Tokonoosan

Mt. Higashi-Tokonoosan (東床尾山, 839.1 m) is a mountain on the border of Toyooka and Asago in Hyōgo Prefecture, and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. The highest peak of the Tokonoo range, within the Izushi-Itoi Prefectural Natural Park, its summit gives views of the Tajima mountains and toward the Sea of Japan. At its foot stands the national natural monument “Itoi Great Katsura”, said to be around 2,000 years old and famed for fresh green and autumn foliage.
Public transport to the trailheads (Itoi Great Katsura and two others) is scarce, so access is by car or taxi from JR Toyooka or Wadayama Station on the San’in Main Line.

Mt. Higashi-Tokonoosan is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. There is no bus to the Itoi Valley (Itoi Great Katsura) trailhead, so a taxi or car from JR Toyooka or Wadayama Station is assumed. It is only about 30 minutes from the Great Katsura to the summit, so it pairs well with a valley stroll.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Toyooka / Wadayama Station → Itoi Great Katsura (taxi / car)
2. [Climb] Itoi Great Katsura → Higashi-Tokonoosan
3. [Return] Descent → station
4. Recommended plans & area info

1. [Outbound] Toyooka / Wadayama Station → Itoi Great Katsura (taxi / car)

The bases are Toyooka Station (JR San’in Main Line) or Wadayama Station (JR San’in Main Line / Bantan Line). The trailhead at the Itoi Valley (Itoi Great Katsura) has no bus, so a taxi or car is assumed. By car, use the Itoi Great Katsura parking and take the forest road to the trailhead. The valley road is narrow, so drive and park with care.

Reference: Yamakei Online — Higashi-Tokonoosan

2. [Climb] Itoi Great Katsura → Higashi-Tokonoosan

The classic route climbs the streamside trail from the Itoi Great Katsura, reaching the summit in about 1 to 1.5 hours (about 30 minutes from the upper trailhead above the Great Katsura). On gaining the main ridge of the Tokonoo range the view opens, and from the summit of Higashi-Tokonoosan (839.1 m) there are views of the Tajima ranges and toward the Sea of Japan. A loop traversing to Mt. Nishi-Tokonoosan is also possible. The path is well-trodden, but the streamside is slippery after rain and there are crossings, so watch your footing.

Reference: YAMAP — Higashi-Tokonoosan

3. [Return] Descent → station

Descend to the Itoi Great Katsura and take a taxi or your car to Toyooka or Wadayama Station. If using a taxi, book it in advance for your descent time. From the stations, return toward Himeji, Kyoto and Osaka on the JR San’in Main Line or Bantan Line. A stroll around the Izushi castle town on the way down is also recommended.

Reference: JR Odekake Net — stations & timetables

4. Recommended plans & area info

Day-trip plan: Toyooka / Wadayama Station → (taxi) Itoi Great Katsura → Higashi-Tokonoosan → return (about 2–3 hours). Combined with a visit to the Great Katsura at the foot, it makes a half-day outing. Especially fine in fresh green and autumn foliage.
Note: with scarce public transport, a booked taxi or a car is assumed. The streamside and crossings are slippery after rain.

As6022014 / CC BY-SA 3.0