Mt. Hakkyo

Mt. Hakkyo (八経ヶ岳, 1,915 m), in Tenkawa, Nara, is the highest peak of the Omine range and the highest in the whole Kinki region, one of the 100 Famous Kansai Mountains. It is also called Mt. Hakken or Mt. Bukkyo.
It stands on the World Heritage Omine-Okugake pilgrim trail and is usually climbed together with neighbouring Mt. Misen. On the ridge between Mt. Misen and Mt. Hakkyo is a colony of the Oyama-renge (a magnolia, a natural monument), which flowers white in early July. The standard is a one-night, two-day trip from the Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance over Mt. Misen to Mt. Hakkyo, staying at the Misen hut. By public transport you reach the trailhead by bus from Shimoichiguchi Station to Amagawa-Kawai, then by taxi.

The base is the trailhead at the Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance (about 1,100 m); from the Okugake-michi junction you climb over Mt. Misen to Mt. Hakkyo. It is about 3 hours 30 minutes up and 3 hours down, and a one-night, two-day trip with a night at the Misen hut is reassuring. The first part is a steep ridge climb over tree roots, and on the Misen–Hakkyo ridge there is a deer fence gate protecting the Oyama-renge (always close it behind you).
At Mt. Misen is the Misen hut (about 1,876 m, reservations only, tel 090-2223-1332, open late April to mid-November in 2026, with a campsite), used as a base. The season is May to October, with the Oyama-renge at its best in early July. In winter there is snow and ice, requiring full gear and experience. The Omine-Okugake traverse from Mt. Hakkyo to Mt. Shaka is outside the scope of this article.

*Information last checked: June 15, 2026

How to access the trailhead

1. [Outbound] Shimoichiguchi Station → Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance (bus + taxi)
2. [Return] Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance → Shimoichiguchi Station (taxi + bus)

1. [Outbound] Shimoichiguchi Station → Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance (bus + taxi)

To reach the trailhead, the Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance, take a Nara Kotsu bus from Shimoichiguchi Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line to Amagawa-Kawai (about 54 minutes), then transfer to a taxi (about 40 minutes). For Amagawa-Kawai, use the Shimoichi-Tenkawa line (toward Chuan-zumi) or the Dorogawa line (toward Dorogawa Onsen). As there is no public bus between Amagawa-Kawai and the Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance, book a Tenkawa village taxi in advance. Shimoichiguchi Station is about 50 minutes from Osaka-Abenobashi Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line.

Bus (outbound): Shimoichiguchi Station → Amagawa-Kawai (Nara Kotsu, Shimoichi-Tenkawa line)

Taxi: from Amagawa-Kawai to the Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance is about 40 minutes by taxi. As services are few, sharing with other hikers is economical. By car: there is a (paid) car park at the Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance, and one at the Misen trailhead too (the Misen car park, 1,000 yen a day, 50–60 spaces). Check the latest service, times and fares with Nara Kotsu.

Reference: [Nara Kotsu — route buses]

2. [Return] Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance → Shimoichiguchi Station (taxi + bus)

After descending, take a taxi from the Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance back to Amagawa-Kawai, then a Nara Kotsu bus to Shimoichiguchi Station. Arrange and book your return taxi time on the way out, as the signal is weak at the trailhead. The table below shows departures from Amagawa-Kawai toward Shimoichiguchi Station; descend with time to spare for the last bus.

Bus (return): Amagawa-Kawai → Shimoichiguchi Station (Nara Kotsu)

Reference: [Nara Kotsu — route buses]

Route and safety notes

Route (from the Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance via Mt. Misen): Gyojagaeri Tunnel West Entrance → Okugake-michi junction (about 1 h) → Benten-no-Mori → Shobo-no-Shukuato (about 1 h) → Misen hut / Mt. Misen (about 1 h 30 m) → Mt. Hakkyo, 1,915 m (about 40 m). It is about 3 hours 30 minutes up and 3 hours down. A day trip is possible, but a night at the Misen hut lets you enjoy the Oyama-renge and the ridge at dawn and dusk.

Huts: at Mt. Misen the Misen hut (about 1,876 m, reservations only, tel 090-2223-1332, late April to mid-November in 2026, 8,500 yen with two meals and others, 6,000 yen without meals, campsite 500 yen per person, water 100 yen per litre). There is no shop or vending machine on the mountain, so bring water and food.

Oyama-renge: on the Misen–Hakkyo ridge is a colony of the natural monument Oyama-renge, protected by a deer fence. Always close the gate after passing through. The best time is early July.

Highest in Kinki and the Omine-Okugake trail: Mt. Hakkyo is the highest peak in the Kinki region and lies on the World Heritage Omine-Okugake trail. The traverse toward Mt. Shaka and Zenki is a long route for the fit; this article covers the out-and-back via Mt. Misen.

Season and gear: the season is May to October (Oyama-renge in early July). Watch the steep early climb, tree roots and mud after rain. In winter there is snow and ice, requiring full gear and experience. Carry rain gear, warm clothing, a headlamp and plenty of water.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
Check the latest with the Nara prefectural police.

Photo by A photographer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0