Mt. Yahazudake

Mt. Yahazudake (矢筈岳, 811 m) stands in Hidakagawa, Wakayama Prefecture, and is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. A sharp twin-peaked mountain named after the “yahazu,” the nock of an arrow, its ridge near the summit looks out over the mountains of Kii and even the sea. At its foot hangs the Washi-no-kawa Falls, one of “Kii’s famous waters,” and the stream-side approach makes it a beautiful, quiet mountain.
Public transport to the trailhead is limited, so access by car or taxi is realistic.

Mt. Yahazudake is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kansai. The trailhead is around the Washi-no-kawa Falls in Tajiri, Hidakagawa. By car, use the hikers’ parking near the falls (a few spaces; the road is narrow and a light car is recommended). From there, walk the stream-side forest road about 30 minutes to the trailhead, then climb via stairways, rocky sections, and a sharp narrow ridge to the summit (about 4–5 hours round trip from the parking). By public transport you change buses from Dojoji Station on the JR Kinokuni Line, but services are few, so a car or taxi is realistic.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Dojoji Station → Washi-no-kawa Falls trailhead (car/taxi) → Yahazudake
2. [Return] Yahazudake → Washi-no-kawa Falls trailhead → Dojoji Station
3. Recommended plan & area info

1. [Outbound] Dojoji Station → Washi-no-kawa Falls trailhead (car/taxi) → Yahazudake

The starting point is around the Washi-no-kawa Falls in Tajiri, Hidakagawa. By car, drive in to the hikers’ parking near the falls (a few spaces; the road is narrow and a light car is recommended), then walk the stream-side forest road about 30 minutes to the trailhead. From here climb the stairway path, cross a large rocky section, and emerge onto a sharp narrow ridge to reach the summit of Yahazudake. The ridge opens up views of the mountains of Kii and the sea. It is about 4–5 hours round trip from the parking. The forest road and area around the falls are narrow, so drive with care.

Reference: Yamakei Online — Yahazudake

2. [Return] Yahazudake → Washi-no-kawa Falls trailhead → Dojoji Station

To descend, carefully come down the narrow ridge and rocky sections, then follow the stream-side forest road back to the Washi-no-kawa Falls parking. Afterwards, drive or take a taxi toward Dojoji Station and the Gobo area. The forest-road section is long and the roads around the falls are narrow, so plan with enough margin to descend before dark. There are no shops or clear water sources on the mountain, so prepare plenty of food and water in advance.

Reference: YAMAP — Yahazudake (Wakayama)

3. Recommended plan & area info

Out-and-back plan: Washi-no-kawa Falls parking → trailhead → Yahazudake (about 4–5 hours round trip). Many combine it with a visit to the Washi-no-kawa Falls. There are rocky sections and a narrow ridge, so wear non-slip shoes and walk carefully.
Best season: fresh greenery (April–May) and autumn colour (November) are ideal. The stream and the falls make it a beautiful area. The rock and narrow ridge are slippery in rain, and take care along the stream when water is high.

Relief map: GSI Japan