Mt. Kogo

Mt. Kogo (古光山, 953 m), on the border of Soni and Mitsue in Nara, is a peak of the Murō volcanic group and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai.
It stands at the southern end of the ridge running south from the susuki-grass-famous Soni Kogen plateau and Mt. Kuroso, and despite its low elevation it is a tough rocky peak with crags, steep slopes and a succession of ropes and chains. To the northeast is Mt. Ushiro-Kogo (892 m), and a loop from Taroji over Mt. Ushiro-Kogo and the Ōtōge pass to Mt. Kogo is popular. By public transport you reach Taroji from Kintetsu Nabari Station by Mie Kotsu bus and climb from there.

The base is the Taroji bus stop (about 400 m). A loop over Mt. Ushiro-Kogo (892 m) → the Fukatawa saddle → the Ōtōge pass to the south and north peaks of Mt. Kogo is usual, taking about 3 to 4 hours. From the Ōtōge a steep climb through cedar plantation leads up, and the summit area has crags, narrow ridges and rope/chain sections. There is also a short plan driving up to the Ōtōge and climbing Mt. Kogo and back.
It is a low mountain but steep with many rope sections, taking more effort and care than it looks. There are no toilets or shops on the mountain; use the toilets at Soni Kogen (around the Okame-no-yu and the visitor centre). The best seasons are the fresh green of May–June and the susuki grass of late September to early November at Soni Kogen. After rain or in leaf-fall season the ropes and steep slopes are slippery, and there can be snow and ice in winter.

*Information last checked: June 15, 2026

Access to the trailhead (Taroji)

1. [Outbound] Nabari Station → Taroji
2. [Return] Taroji → Nabari Station

1. [Outbound] Nabari Station → Taroji

From the west exit of Kintetsu Osaka Line Nabari Station, take the Mie Kotsu Soni-Kaochidani Line bus (route 21, bound for Yamagasu-nishi via Taroji) and get off at Taroji (officially Taroji-kominkan-mae; about 37 min, ¥940). From Taroji follow the Shioi-gawa stream to the Mt. Ushiro-Kogo or Ōtōge trailhead. In the autumn susuki-grass season (typically Oct 1–Nov 30) extra buses direct to Soni Kogen (route 20) also run, mainly on weekends and holidays. Services are infrequent, so check the return times too.

Bus timetable ①: Nabari Station → Taroji (Mie Kotsu, outbound)

By car: use the (paid) Soni Kogen car park or the parking space at the Ōtōge. For Mt. Kogo alone, the Ōtōge is the shortest start.

Reference: [Mie Kotsu]

2. [Return] Taroji → Nabari Station

After descending, take the Mie Kotsu bus bound for Nabari Station from the Taroji bus stop (about 37 min, ¥940). Services are infrequent, so check the bus times in advance to match your descent. In the busy autumn season buses starting from Soni Kogen are also available.

Bus timetable ②: Taroji → Nabari Station (Mie Kotsu, return)

Reference: [Mie Kotsu]

Route and safety notes

Loop route (from Taroji): Taroji bus stop → Mt. Ushiro-Kogo (892 m) → Fukatawa saddle → Ōtōge → Mt. Kogo south peak → north peak → Ōtōge → Shioi → Taroji. About 3 to 4 hours. For Mt. Kogo alone there is a short out-and-back from the Ōtōge to the south peak.

Crags and rope sections: from the Ōtōge to just below the Mt. Kogo south peak is a steep climb through cedar plantation. The summit area has a run of crags and narrow ridges, with steep slopes fitted with ropes and chains to climb and descend. Low as it is, there is a risk of slips and falls, so move carefully using three points of contact. The descent of Mt. Ushiro-Kogo is also steep and roped.

Toilets and water: there are no toilets, shops or water on the mountain. Use the toilets and buy food at Soni Kogen (around the Okame-no-yu and visitor centre), and carry enough drinking water.

Weather and gear: the elevation is low, but with many crags and steep slopes, wear hiking boots and carry gloves, rain gear and a map. After rain or in leaf-fall season the rope sections are slippery. The best seasons are the fresh green of May–June and the susuki grass of late September to early November; it is hot in summer and can have snow and ice in winter.

In an emergency: call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue). The Nara Prefectural Police cover this range. Check the latest trail information with Soni village tourism before setting out.

Photo by Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0