Mt. Hinokizuka

Mt. Hinokizuka (桧塚, 1,402 m) is a mountain on the border of Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture and Nara Prefecture, and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. In the northern Daikō range, its neighbour just west, Hinokizuka-Okumine (1,420 m), is the high point of the area. The grasslands stretching from Myōjindaira and the natural beech forest are beautiful, and it is famed for rime ice and autumn colour. It is usually reached by traversing on from Myōjindaira and Mt. Myōjin, making it a long intermediate-to-advanced mountain.
The nearest station is Haibara on the Kintetsu Osaka Line; the trailhead (Ōmata / Ōmata forest road) is reached by Nara Kotsu bus, car or taxi.

Mt. Hinokizuka is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. Access is by Nara Kotsu bus bound for “Ōmata” from Kintetsu Haibara Station to the terminus, then up the Ōmata forest road to Myōjindaira and on over Mt. Myōjin and Hinokizuka-Okumine to Hinokizuka. As buses are few and may pause seasonally, combining with a car or taxi is realistic. With a long day, ample fitness and an early start are needed.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Haibara Station → Ōmata (Nara Kotsu bus / taxi)
2. [Climb] Ōmata → Myōjindaira → Hinokizuka-Okumine → Hinokizuka
3. [Return] Descent → Haibara Station
4. Recommended plans & area info

1. [Outbound] Haibara Station → Ōmata (Nara Kotsu bus / taxi)

The base is Haibara Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line. From in front of the station, take the Nara Kotsu bus (toward “Ōmata” in Higashiyoshino) to Ōmata, then walk the Ōmata forest road to the Myōjindaira trailhead. As buses are few and may pause seasonally, always check operation, and use a taxi from Haibara Station or a car when there is none. By car, use the parking along the Ōmata forest road.

Reference: YAMAP — Hinokizuka

2. [Climb] Ōmata → Myōjindaira → Hinokizuka-Okumine → Hinokizuka

From the end of the Ōmata forest road, climb the streamside to the grassy Myōjindaira (about 2 hours from the trailhead). Follow the ridge toward Mt. Myōjin and over Hinokizuka-Okumine (1,420 m) to Hinokizuka (1,402 m). It is about 2 hours one way from Myōjindaira to Hinokizuka, a long course of about 7–8 hours round trip overall. The beech forest and grassy ridge are beautiful, and it is a noted rime-ice spot in winter. With a long day, stream crossings and steep climbs, carry a topo map and GPS, have ample fitness, and start early.

Reference: Yamakei Online — Hinokizuka

3. [Return] Descent → Haibara Station

Descend the way you came to Ōmata. With a long day, plan to be down before dark and return to Haibara Station by Nara Kotsu bus, taxi or car. The last bus is early, so check a service that fits your descent time, and book a taxi if there is none. From Haibara Station, return toward Osaka (Tsuruhashi / Ōsaka-Uehommachi) and Nagoya on the Kintetsu Osaka Line.

Reference: Kintetsu Railway — stations & timetables

4. Recommended plans & area info

Day-trip plan (intermediate–advanced): Haibara Station → (bus / taxi) Ōmata → Myōjindaira → Mt. Myōjin → Hinokizuka-Okumine → Hinokizuka → return (about 7–8 hours). Fresh green, autumn colour and winter rime ice are the highlights.
Planning points: a long day, so start early; carry a topo map, GPS, spare food and warm clothing, and arrange the bus and a taxi in advance. Be ready to turn back at Myōjindaira if the weather worsens.

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