Mt. Ōborayama

Mt. Ōborayama (大洞山, 1,013 m) is a mountain in Misugi, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. A shield volcano of the Murō volcanic group made of two peaks — Odake (1,013 m) and Medake (985 m) — it is traversed mid-slope by the Tōkai Nature Trail. Known for its moss-covered stone-paved path and the cherry blossoms of Mitake, it is also lovely in fresh green and autumn foliage. The city-run “Skyland Ōbora” sits midway, and the route is easy enough for beginner-to-intermediate hikers.
The nearest station is Ise-Okitsu on the JR Meishō Line; the trailhead is reached by taxi or a local community bus.

Mt. Ōborayama is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. Access is by taxi (about 15 min) from Ise-Okitsu Station on the JR Meishō Line to the trailhead (Skyland Ōbora / Mitake), or by a Tsu City community bus (Misugi area, very few services). As both the Meishō Line and the community bus run infrequently, always check times for both directions in advance.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Ise-Okitsu Station → trailhead (taxi / community bus)
2. [Climb] Mitake / Skyland Ōbora → Medake → Odake (loop)
3. [Return] Trailhead → Ise-Okitsu Station
4. Recommended plans & area info

1. [Outbound] Ise-Okitsu Station → trailhead (taxi / community bus)

The base is Ise-Okitsu Station, the terminus of the JR Meishō Line. The trailhead toward Mitake / Skyland Ōbora is about 15 minutes by taxi, or reachable by a Tsu City community bus (Misugi area), but both the Meishō Line and the community bus run very infrequently, so always check the latest times. By car, take national route 368 from the Hisai IC on the Ise Expressway to the parking at Mitake or Skyland Ōbora. Expect crowds during the Mitake cherry-blossom season.

Reference: Yamakei Online — Ōborayama

2. [Climb] Mitake / Skyland Ōbora → Medake → Odake (loop)

The trailhead is at Mitake, or at Skyland Ōbora midway up. The classic loop climbs the moss-covered stone-paved Tōkai Nature Trail and links the two peaks, Medake (985 m) → Odake (1,013 m). From Odake there are views of the Nunobiki hills and the Soni mountains. Starting from Skyland Ōbora it is about 2–3 hours, easy enough for beginner-to-intermediate hikers. You can also traverse to neighbouring Mt. Amagatake. The stone paving is slippery after rain, so take care.

Reference: YAMAP — Ōborayama & Amagatake

3. [Return] Trailhead → Ise-Okitsu Station

Descend back to the trailhead and take a taxi or the Misugi community bus to Ise-Okitsu Station. The last services on both the Meishō Line and the community bus are early, so check a service that fits your descent time in advance, and book a taxi if there is none. From Ise-Okitsu, take the Meishō Line to Matsusaka and transfer to the Kintetsu line for Osaka and Nagoya.

Reference: JR Odekake Net — stations & timetables

4. Recommended plans & area info

Loop plan: Ise-Okitsu Station → (taxi) Skyland Ōbora → Medake → Odake → stone-paved trail → Skyland Ōbora → (taxi) Ise-Okitsu Station (about 2–3 hours). The Mitake cherry blossoms (early April), fresh green and autumn foliage are the highlights.
Note: with few Meishō Line and community-bus services, plan back from the return service. The mossy stone paving is slippery after rain.

Alpsdake / CC BY-SA 3.0