Mt. Mikamiyama

Mt. Mikamiyama (432 m) is in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, and is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai.
Its neat conical shape has earned it the nickname “Omi-Fuji,” a beloved foothill mountain standing east of Lake Biwa, with views of the lake and the Hiei and Hira ranges from the summit. It is close to Yasu Station on the JR Biwako Line and can be climbed in half a day.
For public transport, you reach the trailhead at Mikami Shrine from JR Yasu Station by bus (Konan-Yasu Line) or on foot.

The trailhead is Mikami Shrine (Okami-jinja, about 120 m). On the Mikami Shrine side there are a Front Trail and a Back Trail, usually combined into a loop. It is about 40 minutes from the trailhead to the summit; climbing the Front Trail past the Myoken-do remains, the “Wariiwa” rock, and a viewpoint, then descending the Back Trail, makes a day-hike loop of roughly 2–3 hours including breaks. There are rocky steps, so wear sturdy shoes. When climbing the Front or Back Trail on the Mikami Shrine side, a 500-yen offering (hatsuho-ryo) per adult is requested.
There is also a Karyoku Park route from the Omi-Fuji Karyoku Park side. Though a low mountain, watch for heat and insects in summer and ice in winter, and carry water and snacks; you can stock up near Yasu Station or Mikami Shrine.

*Information last checked: June 14, 2026

How to access the trailhead

1. [Outbound] Yasu Station → Mikami Shrine (trailhead)
2. [Return] Mikami Shrine → Yasu Station

1. [Outbound] Yasu Station → Mikami Shrine (trailhead)

From the south exit of Yasu Station on the JR Biwako Line, take the Shiga Bus “Konan-Yasu Line (bound for Kitayamadai)” and get off at Mikami Shrine; the Front Trail trailhead is right there. You can also walk from Yasu Station to Mikami Shrine in about 35 minutes.

Ride time: about 6 minutes
Fare: varies by section
Service: roughly one bus per hour (some departures differ on weekdays vs. weekends/holidays)

The table below lists representative departures from Yasu Station. There are also early-morning and evening buses; check the day’s service officially.

Bus TimetableYasu Station → Mikami Shrine (Konan-Yasu Line)

Reference: Yasu City – local bus timetables (Konan-Yasu Line)

2. [Return] Mikami Shrine → Yasu Station

After your descent, take the Shiga Bus “Konan-Yasu Line (bound for Yasu Station)” from Mikami Shrine and get off at Yasu Station. You can also walk back to Yasu Station (about 35 minutes).

Ride time: about 6 minutes
Fare: varies by section
Service: roughly one bus per hour

The table below lists representative departures from Mikami Shrine. There are also afternoon and evening buses; check the day’s service, including the last bus, officially.

Bus TimetableMikami Shrine → Yasu Station (Konan-Yasu Line)

Reference: Yasu City – local bus timetables (Konan-Yasu Line)

Climbing route and safety notes

Route: the loop Mikami Shrine (trailhead) → Myoken-do remains → Wariiwa → viewpoint → Mt. Mikamiyama summit (432 m) → Back Trail → Mikami Shrine. It is about 40 minutes from the trailhead to the summit, and the loop is a day hike of roughly 2–3 hours including breaks. The Front Trail features the “Wariiwa,” a split in the rock, and a viewpoint overlooking Lake Biwa. Taking the Back Trail down adds variety.

Low-mountain notes: Although low, the trail has rocky sections, exposed rock, and steep steps that are slippery after rain, so wear sturdy shoes. Watch for heat and insects in summer and ice in winter, and drink water often. On the Front and Back Trails on the Mikami Shrine side, a 500-yen offering (hatsuho-ryo) per adult is requested.

Water, facilities, season: There is no water source on the mountain, so prepare water and snacks near Yasu Station or Mikami Shrine. Toilets are near Mikami Shrine. The climbing season is year-round, but in the height of summer an early start is best. There is also a Karyoku Park route from the Omi-Fuji Karyoku Park side.

Gear and emergencies: Carry sturdy shoes, rain gear, drinks, and a hat. In an emergency call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Moriyama Police Station 077-583-0110

Photo by Haruno Akiha / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0