Mt. Iwawaki
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Mt. Iwawaki (岩湧山) is an 897m peak in Kawachi-Nagano City, Osaka Prefecture.
One of the New 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, the attractions are the susuki (pampas grass) grassland spreading over the entire summit and the grand view of the Osaka Plain and Osaka Bay. Katakuri flowers also bloom in spring. It is especially busy with hikers during the late-October susuki viewing season.
The popular route takes the bus from Kawachi-Nagano Station to the Takihata Dam bus stop and traverses to Kimitoge Station.
⚠ There are 2 bus routes to Takihata Dam, with different operating companies and fares (as of 2026-03-28)
- Hino / Takihata Community Bus (operated by Kawachi-Nagano City, entrusted to Nankai Bus): multiple runs on both weekdays and weekends/holidays, departing from in front of Kawachi-Nagano Station Platform 6. For fare details, please check Kawachi-Nagano City official.
- Nankai Bus Route 400 (Takamuko Line, 1 run on weekends/holidays only): in front of Kawachi-Nagano Station 8:30 → Takihata Dam Site 9:00, fare ¥510, departs from Platform 7.
* Schedule revisions were implemented on 2025-10-01 and 2026-03-28. Please always check the latest times on Nankai Bus official (2026-03-28 revised) and Kawachi-Nagano City official community bus.
Trail closure information: Mt. Iwawaki “Inishie no Michi” (around the 2nd parking lot ~ Shikisaikan stairs) remains under long-term closure due to falling rocks and fallen trees (Kawachi-Nagano City official).
When accessing Mt. Iwawaki by train and bus, the common route is to take the bus from Kawachi-Nagano Station to the Takihata Dam bus stop, then descend via Mt. Iwawaki to Kimitoge Station.
The Takihata Dam bus stop departure / arrival timetable and Mt. Iwawaki map are as follows.
*Timetable last checked: May 17, 2026
Access status
Closedthe Sugikodachi-no-michi trail in Iwawaki-no-Morithe whole Sugikodachi-no-michi trail
The Sugikodachi-no-michi trail is closed because of fallen trees (Kawachinagano City, updated 5 February 2026). This trail and the Inishie-no-michi described in the article below are the only two in Iwawaki-no-Mori with a closure notice (checked 2 August 2026).
Alternative: the Iwawaki-no-michi, Kyuzaka-no-michi and other trails with no closure notice
Based on the Kawachinagano City (Iwawaki-no-Mori Shikisaikan) of 5 February 2026; we checked the content ourselves on 2 August 2026. On 15 August 2026 we also re-confirmed automatically that the same restriction was still listed at the source. Source
ClosedIwawaki-san: Kyūzaka and Inishie trailsThe two main summit trails from the Shikisaikan visitor centre
Due to hazardous-tree felling, the Kyūzaka and Inishie trails will be closed from Monday 17 to Friday 21 August 2026 (the period may shift with the weather). If you plan a weekday climb in this window, check trail availability with the Shikisaikan centre (0721-63-5986). Separately, the Sugikodachi trail remains closed.
Alternative: Weekends (15–16 and 22–23 August) are not affected. For weekday climbs, phone the Shikisaikan centre in advance.
Based on the Kawachinagano City, Iwawaki Forest Shikisaikan centre of 21 July 2026; we checked the content ourselves on 13 August 2026. On 15 August 2026 we also re-confirmed automatically that the same restriction was still listed at the source. Source
Hiking Course Details — Mt. Iwawaki
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Map & Recommended Route — Mt. Iwawaki
Mt. Iwawaki — Reference Hiking Times
| Segment | Distance | Ascent/Descent | Forward | Reverse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takihata Dam Bus Stop → Toilet | 0.4 km | +8 m / −11 m | 0:10 | 0:10 |
| Toilet → Kakizako | 0.9 km | +204 m / −27 m | 0:40 | 0:35 |
| Kakizako → Steel Tower | 1.7 km | +313 m / −4 m | 1:00 | 0:55 |
| Steel Tower → Mt. Iwawaki | 1.3 km | +136 m / −4 m | 0:35 | 0:30 |
| Mt. Iwawaki → Toilet | 0.1 km | +0 m / −15 m | 0:05 | 0:05 |
| Toilet → Iwaki Trail Junction | 1.0 km | +25 m / −110 m | 0:25 | 0:30 |
| Iwaki Trail Junction → Amidayama-mae Junction | 1.0 km | +34 m / −49 m | 0:20 | 0:20 |
| Amidayama-mae Junction → Mt. Iwawaki 3rd Station | 1.5 km | +6 m / −127 m | 0:30 | 0:35 |
| Mt. Iwawaki 3rd Station → Koegataki Junction | 1.0 km | +0 m / −288 m | 0:45 | 0:45 |
| Koegataki Junction → Kimitoge Sta. | 2.0 km | +22 m / −169 m | 0:40 | 0:45 |
| Total | 10.9 km | +747 m / −805 m | 5:05 | 5:15 |
1. [Outbound] Kawachi-Nagano Station → Takihata Dam
From Kawachi-Nagano Station on the Nankai Koya Line, board the Nankai Bus bound for Takihata Dam and get off at the terminus, Takihata Dam bus stop
Travel time: about 48 minutes
Fare: ¥560
Bus TimetableFrom Kawachi-Nagano Station to Takihata Dam
| Kawachi-Nagano Station | Takihata Dam |
|---|---|
| 9:04 | 9:52 |
| 11:02 | 11:50 |
| 12:30 | 13:18 |
| 13:21 | 14:09 |
| 15:21 | 16:09 |
| 16:21 | 17:06 |
| 17:17 | 18:02 |
| 18:16 | 19:04 |
| 20:00 | 20:45 |
| 21:38 | 22:23 |
Reference: [Nankai Bus official]
2. [Return] Takihata Dam → Kawachi-Nagano Station
From the Takihata Dam bus stop, board the Nankai Bus bound for Kawachi-Nagano Station and get off at the terminus.
Travel time: about 48 minutes
Fare: ¥560
Bus TimetableFrom Takihata Dam to Kawachi-Nagano Station
| Takihata Dam | Kawachi-Nagano Station |
|---|---|
| 6:02 | 6:47 |
| 6:43 | 7:28 |
| 7:27 | 8:12 |
| 8:07 | 8:52 |
| 10:03 | 10:51 |
| 12:00 | 12:48 |
| 13:25 | 14:13 |
| 14:19 | 15:07 |
| 16:19 | 17:07 |
| 17:13 | 17:58 |
| 19:08 | 19:53 |
Reference: [Nankai Bus official]
Photo bywikipedia
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