Mt. Sajikigatake

Mt. Sajikigatake (桟敷ヶ岳, 895.9 m) is a mountain in Kita Ward, Kyoto, and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. It is the highest peak of Kita Ward and lies in the headwaters of the Kamo River. Its name is said to come from a legend that Prince Koretaka built a viewing stand (sajiki) here to look toward the capital. Starting from Kumogahata, a village of Kitayama cedar, a quiet walk leads over the Yakushi Pass to the summit.
The Iwayabashi trailhead in Kumogahata is reached by the Kumogahata “Mokumoku-go” bus from Kitaoji Station.

Mt. Sajikigatake is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. The trailhead is Iwayabashi in Kumogahata; from the bus stop in front of Kitaoji Station on the Karasuma subway line, take the Kumogahata “Mokumoku-go” bus (a jumbo taxi, two round trips daily) to Iwayabashi (about 30 minutes). From Iwayabashi it is about 2 hours to the summit via the Yakushi Pass. Services are infrequent, so plan both legs around the timetable.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Kitaoji Station → Kumogahata Iwayabashi (Mokumoku-go) → Sajikigatake
2. [Return] Sajikigatake → Kumogahata Iwayabashi → Kitaoji Station (Mokumoku-go)
3. Recommended plan & area info

1. [Outbound] Kitaoji Station → Kumogahata Iwayabashi (Mokumoku-go) → Sajikigatake

From the bus stop in front of Kitaoji Station on the Karasuma subway line, take the Kumogahata “Mokumoku-go” bus and alight at the terminus, Kumogahata Iwayabashi (about 30 minutes). From Iwayabashi, follow the forest road onto the trail and continue over the Yakushi Pass along the ridge to the summit of Sajikigatake in about 2 hours. The summit is a quiet, tree-ringed top looking out over the Kitayama cedar hills. Mokumoku-go is a 9-seat jumbo taxi; when full, a follow-up vehicle is dispatched.

Ride time: about 30 minutes
Fare: ¥700 (Kitaoji Station – Kumogahata)

Bus TimetableKitaoji Station → Kumogahata Iwayabashi

Reference: Kyoto City — Kumogahata Mokumoku-go timetable

2. [Return] Sajikigatake → Kumogahata Iwayabashi → Kitaoji Station (Mokumoku-go)

To descend, retrace the route to Iwayabashi and take Mokumoku-go back to Kitaoji Station. As services are few, plan your descent for the Iwayabashi 14:20 departure on weekdays or 15:10 on weekends and holidays (the morning Mokumoku-go gives ample time for a day trip). There are no shops or vending machines on the mountain, so prepare food and water around Kitaoji Station.

Ride time: about 30 minutes
Fare: ¥700 (Kumogahata – Kitaoji Station)

Bus TimetableKumogahata Iwayabashi → Kitaoji Station

Reference: Kyoto City — Kumogahata Mokumoku-go timetable

3. Recommended plan & area info

Day-trip plan: Kitaoji Station dep. 8:40 → Kumogahata Iwayabashi arr. 9:10 → Sajikigatake via the Yakushi Pass (about 2 hours) → descend the same way → Iwayabashi dep. 14:20 (weekdays) / 15:10 (weekends & holidays) → Kitaoji Station. A loop taking in the Sofudani Pass or the Nabekuro Pass is also enjoyable.
Best season: fresh greenery (April–May) and autumn colour (November) are ideal. With its Kitayama cedar plantations and natural forest, the trail stays relatively cool even in summer; in winter, watch for snow and ice.

Photo by At by At / CC BY-SA 3.0