Mt. Takamikurayama

Mt. Takamikurayama (高御位山, 304 m) stands on the border of Takasago and Kakogawa, Hyogo Prefecture, and is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. Nicknamed “Harima Fuji,” its chain of rocky ridges is loved as the Harima Alps. Low though it is, the views from the rocky crest are superb, reaching the Seto Inland Sea, the Akashi Strait, and Awaji Island.
It is an easily accessible, popular mountain that can be climbed on foot from Sone or Hoden stations on the JR Sanyo Main Line.

Mt. Takamikurayama is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. From Sone Station on the JR Sanyo Main Line, it is about a 10-minute walk to the Mamezaki trailhead, from where you follow the rocky ridge to Takamikurayama. Traversing on to descend at Hoden Station, the “Harima Alps traverse” (about 10 km, around 5 hours) is the classic route. The charm is that you can enjoy it on foot from station to station without a bus or taxi. For a shorter walk, an out-and-back from the Narui trailhead is also popular.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Sone Station → Mamezaki trailhead (on foot) → Takamikurayama
2. [Return] Takamikurayama → Hoden Station (traverse descent, on foot)
3. Recommended plan & area info

1. [Outbound] Sone Station → Mamezaki trailhead (on foot) → Takamikurayama

Alight at Sone Station on the JR Sanyo Main Line and walk about 10 minutes northeast to the Mamezaki trailhead. From here you take to the bare-rock ridge, crossing rocky peaks such as Takanosu-yama on the way to Takamikurayama. The rocky crest opens up wide views over the Seto Inland Sea, the Akashi Strait, and Awaji Island. It is about a 10-minute walk from Sone Station to the Mamezaki trailhead, and about 2 hours 20 minutes from the Mamezaki trailhead to the summit of Takamikurayama (from Hoden Station it is about a 60-minute walk to the trailhead). The rock continues, so wear non-slip shoes. The Takamikura Shrine sits on the summit.

Reference: Yamakei Online — Takamikurayama

2. [Return] Takamikurayama → Hoden Station (traverse descent, on foot)

To descend, traverse the rocky crest westward and drop toward Hoden Station via the Nagao/Kitayama area (about 2 hours 30 minutes from the summit to the station). The Harima Alps traverse from Sone to Hoden is about 10 km and around 5 hours. For a shorter walk, you can return the way you came to Sone Station or descend to the Narui trailhead. There are no shops or clear water sources on the mountain, so prepare food and water around the stations.

Reference: YAMAP — Takamikurayama & Harima Alps trail map

3. Recommended plan & area info

Traverse plan: Sone Station → Mamezaki trailhead → Takamikurayama → Hoden Station (about 10 km, around 5 hours). It is the classic course for savouring the rocky-ridge views.
Best season: as a low mountain it can be enjoyed year-round, but fresh greenery (April–May) and the clear days of autumn (October–November) are most comfortable. Summer is hot with little shade, so take heat precautions and plenty of water. The rock is slippery in rain, and the rocky ridge needs care in strong wind.

Photo by mt / CC BY-SA 3.0