Nose-Myōkensan

Nose-Myōkensan (能勢妙見山, about 660 m) is a mountain on the border of Nose, Toyono District (Osaka) and Kawanishi (Hyōgo), and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. At the summit stands the Nichiren-sect sacred site Nose-Myōkensan (Myōken-dō), long revered in the worship of the North Star. Close to Osaka yet rich in satoyama nature, with several well-kept trails, it is a mountain popular with beginners.
The nearest station is Myōkenguchi on the Nose Dentetsu Myōken Line; since the former Myōken-no-mori cable car closed in December 2023, the climb is now done on foot from the station.

Nose-Myōkensan is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. Access is on foot from Myōkenguchi Station on the Nose Dentetsu Myōken Line. The Myōken-no-mori cable car and lift closed in December 2023, and the bus to the foot of the mountain was discontinued in spring 2024 (replaced by a shared taxi), so public-transport access is a walk from Myōkenguchi Station.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Myōkenguchi Station → trailhead (on foot)
2. [Climb] Myōkenguchi Station → Uesugi ridge → Nose-Myōkensan
3. [Return] Descent → Myōkenguchi Station
4. Recommended plans & area info

1. [Outbound] Myōkenguchi Station → trailhead (on foot)

The base is Myōkenguchi Station, the terminus of the Nose Dentetsu Myōken Line. A trail leads directly from Myōkenguchi Station, so the trailhead is reached on foot (there are shops and parking by the station). The mountainside cable car from Kurokawa once carried hikers partway up, but the cable car and lift closed in December 2023. The Hankyu bus (Myōkenguchi–Nose line) to the foot of the mountain was also discontinued in spring 2024 and replaced by a shared taxi, so ordinary hikers now climb on foot from Myōkenguchi Station.

Reference: Noseden — Myōken-no-mori closure notice

2. [Climb] Myōkenguchi Station → Uesugi ridge → Nose-Myōkensan

The classic route climbs the Uesugi ridge course from Myōkenguchi Station to the summit, taking about 1.5–2 hours up from the station. A loop descending the Shintakimichi or Ōdōgoe course is also popular. The summit area is the precinct of Nose-Myōkensan, with beech woods, a viewing plaza and the “Seirei” hall; on a clear day there are views of the Osaka plain and the Rokkō mountains. It is a well-kept satoyama route, easy for beginners, but there are many junctions, so carry a map.

Reference: Noseden Hiking — Myōkensan courses

3. [Return] Descent → Myōkenguchi Station

Descend via the Shintakimichi or Ōdōgoe course back to Myōkenguchi Station. With no cable car, the descent is also on foot, so allow about 1.5–2 hours. From Myōkenguchi Station, take the Nose Dentetsu to Kawanishi-Noseguchi and transfer to the Hankyu line for Osaka (Umeda). Plan with margin before dusk.

Reference: Nose Dentetsu

4. Recommended plans & area info

Loop plan: Myōkenguchi Station → Uesugi ridge → Nose-Myōkensan (summit) → Shintakimichi course → Myōkenguchi Station (about 3–4 hours). A day trip reachable by train alone from the Osaka area, especially fine in fresh green and autumn foliage.
Note: with the cable car gone, the whole trip is now on foot. Even a low mountain is hot in summer, so carry plenty of water, and watch the many junctions with a map.

KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0