Mt. Shiraga

Mt. Shiraga (Shiragatake, 722 m) in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyōgo Prefecture, is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai and is also called “Tamba Fuji” for its elegant shape.
Just below the summit is a rocky ridge, and the top gives an almost 360-degree view over the mountains of Tamba and the Sasayama Basin. It is joined by a continuous ridge to neighbouring Mt. Matsuo (Mt. Kōsenji, 687 m), and the loop over both peaks is popular; the loop from JR Furuichi Station takes about 5 hours. It is a station-side mountain you can climb on foot from Furuichi Station on the JR Fukuchiyama Line.

Typically you walk from Furuichi Station to the trailhead toward Sumiyama, cross the rocky ridge to stand on the summit of Mt. Shiraga, and loop round toward Mt. Matsuo and Bunpō-ji.
On Mt. Matsuo are historic remains such as the Kōsenji ruins and a mountain castle site. The rock just below the summit of Mt. Shiraga has chains, so take care after rain or when crowded. The best seasons are spring to autumn with fresh greenery and autumn colour, but the view in the clear air of winter is also fine. You can also do a round trip of Mt. Shiraga only from Furuichi Station, but this article describes the loop linking Mt. Matsuo.

*Information last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound & return] Furuichi Station → Mt. Shiraga and Mt. Matsuo (loop)

1. [Outbound & return] Furuichi Station → Mt. Shiraga and Mt. Matsuo (loop)

By public transport, walk from Furuichi Station on the JR Fukuchiyama Line to the trailhead toward Sumiyama, do the loop over Mt. Shiraga and Mt. Matsuo, and return to Furuichi Station (the loop takes about 5 hours). From the station to the trailhead you walk on village roads, so check the route on a map as you go; by car, use the hikers’ car park at Sumiyama. Furuichi Station is reached on the JR Fukuchiyama Line from Osaka and Fukuchiyama, and is one stop before Sasayamaguchi Station. As it is a loop back to Furuichi Station, it is easy to plan by either car or train.

Reference: [Tamba-Sasayama Tourism Association]

Photo by 松岡明芳