Mt. Izumikatsuragi

Mt. Izumikatsuragi (和泉葛城山, Izumikatsuragisan, 858 m) is a mountain on the border of Kishiwada and Kaizuka in Osaka Prefecture and Kinokawa in Wakayama Prefecture, and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. A principal peak of the Izumi Mountains, its northern summit slope holds a primeval beech forest at the southern limit of the species, designated a National Natural Monument in 1923. The summit enshrines the Hachidai-Ryūō (Eight Great Dragon Kings) shrines, and from the observation deck just to the west there is a 360-degree panorama from the Osaka Plain, Osaka Bay and Awaji Island to the Kinokawa River and Mt. Kōya. Reached by bus from Kishiwada Station on the Nankai Main Line to the Tonohara trailhead, it is a popular year-round hike.
The nearest station is Kishiwada Station (Nankai Main Line); the Tonohara trailhead is about a 50-minute bus ride away.

Mt. Izumikatsuragi is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. Access is from Kishiwada Station on the Nankai Main Line via the Nankai Wing Bus Nanbu Katsuragi Line to its terminus, Tonohara. From Tonohara, climb the trail to the summit and return the same way — the clearest route by public transport. A traverse down to Sobura on the Kaizuka side is also possible, but the bus system changes there, so mind your return connection.

*Timetable last checked: October 5, 2026

1. [Outbound] Kishiwada Station → Tonohara (Katsuragi Line bus)
2. [Hike] Tonohara → Mt. Izumikatsuragi summit (beech forest & observation deck)
3. [Return] Tonohara → Kishiwada Station / descent to Sobura
4. Recommended plans & area info

1. [Outbound] Kishiwada Station → Tonohara (Katsuragi Line bus)

From the east exit of Kishiwada Station on the Nankai Main Line, take the Nankai Wing Bus Nanbu Katsuragi Line to its terminus, the Tonohara bus stop (about 50 minutes) — this is the trailhead. The daytime services run every day, and on weekdays there is also an early 06:53 departure. Services are infrequent, so choose your bus by working back from your intended start time. The fare is about 560 yen one way.

Reference: NAVITIME — Kishiwada Station → Tonohara (Katsuragi Line)

2. [Hike] Tonohara → Mt. Izumikatsuragi summit (beech forest & observation deck)

From the Tonohara bus stop, follow the paved forest road onto the Tonohara trail. The well-maintained path leads up to the National Natural Monument beech forest just below the summit. From Tonohara to the summit is a standard time of about 2 hours. At the top stand the Hachidai-Ryūō shrines (the Osaka-side shrine is Takaogami Shrine), and about 200 m further west a circular observation deck offers a panorama over the Osaka Plain, Osaka Bay and Awaji Island, and south to the Kinokawa River and Mt. Kōya. The route is beginner-to-intermediate with few hazards and is especially popular in the autumn foliage season.

Reference: Kishiwada City — Mt. Izumikatsuragi

3. [Return] Tonohara → Kishiwada Station / descent to Sobura

For an out-and-back, descend to Tonohara and take the Katsuragi Line bus back to Kishiwada Station. Services are limited, so check the times in advance to match your descent. You can also traverse down to Sobura on the Kaizuka side, from where the Kaizuka community “Harmony Bus” runs to Mizuma-Kannon Station on the Mizuma Railway (note that the bus system changes, so plan the connection).

Reference: NAVITIME — Tonohara → Kishiwada Station (Katsuragi Line)

4. Recommended plans & area info

Day-trip out-and-back: Kishiwada Station 10:00 → Tonohara 10:50 → summit (about 4 hours round trip, exploring the observation deck and beech forest) → Tonohara 15:01 → Kishiwada Station 15:51.
Traverse plan: climb from Tonohara and descend to Sobura, then take the Harmony Bus to Mizuma-Kannon Station. Allow plenty of time for the connection and do not miss the last bus.

Featured image: KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0