Mt. Yokoyamadake

Mt. Yokoyamadake (横山岳, 1,132 m) is a mountain in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. In the northern Ibuki mountains, it is known as a mountain of flowers — Anemone (nirinsō), iwauchiwa and more in spring — and along the Shiratani main stream a series of waterfalls (Kyō-no-taki, Gochōshi-no-taki) tumble down. From the summit there are views of Lake Biwa and toward Mt. Haku and the Northern Alps. It is an intermediate course with streamside walking and steep climbs.
The nearest stations are Kinomoto and Yogo on the JR Hokuriku Main Line; the trailhead (Shiratani) is reached by Kokoku bus, taxi or car.

Mt. Yokoyamadake is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. Access is by Kokoku bus (Takayama line) from JR Kinomoto Station to “Sugino”, then via the Amitani forest road to the Shiratani trailhead. As buses are few, combining with a taxi or car is realistic. It is an intermediate route with streamside walking and steep climbs, noted for waterfalls and spring flowers.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Kinomoto Station → Sugino / Shiratani trailhead (Kokoku bus / taxi)
2. [Climb] Shiratani trailhead → Yokoyamadake (Shiratani main-stream course)
3. [Return] Descent → Kinomoto Station
4. Recommended plans & area info

1. [Outbound] Kinomoto Station → Sugino / Shiratani trailhead (Kokoku bus / taxi)

The base is Kinomoto Station (JR Hokuriku Main Line; or Yogo Station). From the station, take the Kokoku bus Takayama line toward “Sugino”, then go from Sugino village via the Amitani forest road to the Shiratani trailhead. As buses are few, check operation and, when there is none, a taxi from Kinomoto Station or a car is realistic. By car, use the parking at the Shiratani trailhead.

Reference: Yamakei Online — Yokoyamadake

2. [Climb] Shiratani trailhead → Yokoyamadake (Shiratani main-stream course)

The classic Shiratani main-stream course climbs along the stream from the Shiratani trailhead past Kyō-no-taki and Gochōshi-no-taki falls, then up a steep section to the summit of Yokoyamadake (1,132 m). A loop descending the east ridge is also popular, for about 5–6 hours in all. In spring, anemones, iwauchiwa and katakuri bloom, and with the waterfalls it is a rewarding intermediate course. There are stream crossings, steep climbs and rope sections, so watch your footing, especially after rain.

Reference: YAMAP — Yokoyamadake

3. [Return] Descent → Kinomoto Station

Descend to the Shiratani trailhead (or to the Sugino side on a loop) and return to Kinomoto Station by Kokoku bus, taxi or car. The last bus is early, so check a service that fits your descent time, and book a taxi if there is none. From Kinomoto Station, return toward Maibara, Kyoto and Osaka on the JR Hokuriku Main Line.

Reference: JR Odekake Net — stations & timetables

4. Recommended plans & area info

Loop plan: Kinomoto Station → (bus / taxi) Shiratani trailhead → Kyō-no-taki → Gochōshi-no-taki → Yokoyamadake → east ridge → Sugino → (bus / taxi) Kinomoto Station (about 5–6 hours). The spring flower season (April–May) is especially recommended.
Note: there are stream crossings, steep climbs and rope sections; beware high water and slipping after rain. With few buses, plan carefully.

Alpsdake / CC BY-SA 4.0