Nanazugatake

Nanazugatake (693 m) lies in Yogo, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, and is one of the 100 famous mountains of Kansai—a satoyama of the Kohoku (northern Lake Biwa) region.
Its neat conical shape has earned it the local name “Nyū-Fuji,” and its name is said to come from the way it gathers seven ridges from the surrounding districts such as Kaminyū and Suganami. A Kannon hall of Sairin-ji Temple stands on the summit, and about five minutes down the western slope lies “Ruri-ike,” a pond steeped in legend—the mountain has long been revered. Beech forest also remains on its mid-slopes. By public transport, take a reservation-based Yogo community bus or a taxi from JR Kinomoto Station on the Hokuriku Main Line to Kaminyū, where the trailhead is.

The trailhead is at the Nyū Shrine / Yanokami Bridge area in Kaminyū. The standard route is Kaminyū trailhead → ridge path → Nanazugatake (Kannon hall): about 1 hour 30 minutes up and about 3 hours round trip, with roughly 520 m of elevation gain over about 4 km—a satoyama walk with real substance despite the modest 693 m height. A traverse descending to Suganami is also walked.
The season runs from spring to early winter (April to early December). The trail to the summit hall is well trodden, but it is slippery in the leaf-fall season and after rain; carry a bear bell, as bears live in the area. There is snow in winter. Check the latest trail and bus conditions before you go.

*Information last verified: June 14, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Round trip] Kinomoto Station ⇄ Kaminyū (trailhead)

1. [Round trip] Kinomoto Station ⇄ Kaminyū (trailhead)

The base is Kinomoto Station on the JR Hokuriku Main Line. To reach Kaminyū, where the trailhead is, take the reservation-based “Yogo community bus (Nyū line)” or a taxi.

① Yogo community bus (Nyū line, reservation-based)
A locally run reservation-based Yogo community bus (Nyū line) serves Kaminyū from Kinomoto Station. It runs mainly on weekdays and generally requires a reservation by the day before. Because services are limited, always confirm the operating days, times, reservation method and fare in advance with the Yogo bus operator or Nagahama City.

② Taxi (on weekends/holidays or when no reservation)
When the bus does not run on weekends and holidays, or when you cannot book it, take a taxi from Kinomoto Station to Kaminyū. Ika Kōtsū, just outside the East Exit of Kinomoto Station (☎0749-82-2135), reaches Kaminyū in about 20 minutes over roughly 12 km for about ¥4,500. Booking the pick-up for your descent in advance is reassuring.

By car: There is parking for a few cars at the Kaminyū trailhead (near Yanokami Bridge), about 20 minutes from the Kinomoto IC on the Hokuriku Expressway.

Reference: [Nagahama City (public transport / Yogo bus)]

Climbing route and safety notes

Route: Kaminyū trailhead (Nyū Shrine / Yanokami Bridge area) → ridge path → Nanazugatake (693 m, Kannon hall). About 1 hour 30 minutes up and about 3 hours round trip, with roughly 520 m of gain over about 4 km. From the Sairin-ji Kannon hall at the summit you can see the mountains of Kohoku, and about five minutes down to the west lies the legendary “Ruri-ike” pond. A traverse trail descends to Suganami.

Trail and season: The trail is well trodden as an approach to the summit hall, but the steep slopes are slippery in the leaf-fall season and after rain, and the path is faint in places, so carry a map/GPS. The mid-slope beech forest is beautiful in fresh green and autumn colour, but bears live in the area, so carry a bear bell. There is snow in winter (December–March), and watch for leeches in summer. The season runs from April to early December.

Gear and emergencies: Carry rain gear, warm clothing, water, food and a map/GPS. In an accident, call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Nagahama City Hall 0749-65-6500 / Kinomoto Police Station 0749-82-0110

Photo by 運動会プロテインパワー / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0