Mt. Akasaka

Mt. Akasaka (赤坂山, Akasakayama, 824 m) is a mountain on the border of Makino in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture and Mihama in Fukui Prefecture, and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. Part of the Nosaka Mountains, it is a popular viewpoint peak forming the northern section of the Takashima Trail. The summit opens to a 360-degree panorama, with Lake Biwa below and the mountains of Wakasa to the north. One of the 100 Famous Flower Mountains, it is known for spring dogtooth violets, beech woods and the strange rock “Myōō-no-hage.” From JR Makino Station, a bus reaches Makino Highland for a day hike.
The nearest station is Makino Station (JR Kosei Line); a Takashima community bus reaches Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa (the trailhead) in about 13 minutes.

Mt. Akasaka is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. Access is from Makino Station on the JR Kosei Line by Takashima community bus (Makino Highland Line) to Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa. The bus stop is the trailhead itself, and you can do an out-and-back to Mt. Akasaka from Makino Highland or a loop traversing via Awagara-goe to Mt. Ōtani and Mt. Mikuni. Services are few, so check the times to fit your hike.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Makino Station → Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa (community bus)
2. [Hike] Makino Highland → Mt. Akasaka summit
3. [Return] Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa → Makino Station
4. Recommended plans & area info

1. [Outbound] Makino Station → Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa (community bus)

From Makino Station on the JR Kosei Line, take the Takashima community bus (Makino Highland Line, via Terakubo) to its terminus, Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa (about 13 minutes, fare 220 yen). The trailhead for Mt. Akasaka is behind the Makino Highland campground beyond the bus stop. Services are limited, with an additional morning run by a different routing in the 9 o’clock hour; check the latest schedule and work back from your descent for the return bus.

Reference: NAVITIME — Makino Station → Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa

2. [Hike] Makino Highland → Mt. Akasaka summit

From the trailhead at Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa, climb beside the ski slope and go via Buna-no-kidaira to Awagara-goe on the ridge. A short final climb reaches the summit of Mt. Akasaka (824 m). The out-and-back from Makino Highland to Mt. Akasaka is about 7.9 km, with around 694 m of cumulative ascent and a course time of about 4 hours 20 minutes. Highlights are the strange rock “Myōō-no-hage” just below the summit and the views of Lake Biwa from the ridge. It is a well-maintained beginner-to-intermediate route, enjoyable year-round with spring dogtooth violets, early-summer greenery and autumn foliage.

Reference: YAMAP — Makino Highland Onsen / Mt. Akasaka out-and-back

3. [Return] Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa → Makino Station

After descending, take the Takashima community bus from the Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa stop back to Makino Station (about 18 minutes). The day-use hot spring “Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa” is right there, so a soak while waiting for the bus is recommended. Return services are also few, so allow time on your descent.

Reference: NAVITIME — Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa → Makino Station

4. Recommended plans & area info

Day out-and-back: Makino Station 10:00 → Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa 10:13 → out-and-back to Mt. Akasaka (about 4 hours 20 minutes) → Sarasa 16:21 → Makino Station 16:39, with a hot spring afterwards.
Traverse plan: from Mt. Akasaka via Awagara-goe to Mt. Ōtani or Mt. Mikuni, enjoying the grassland and panoramic ridge of the Takashima Trail. By car, the car park in front of Makino Highland Onsen Sarasa is the base.

Relief map: GSI Japan