Mt. Hikosan (英彦山, 1,199 m) straddles the border between Soeda in Fukuoka Prefecture and Nakatsu in Ōita Prefecture, and is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
It has three peaks — Kitadake (1,192 m), Nakadake (1,188 m, site of the Hikosan-jingū upper shrine) and Minamidake (1,199 m, the highest point) — and, together with Mt. Yahiko and Mt. Seppiko, is counted among the Three Hiko Mountains. It has long been a center of Shugendō mountain asceticism.
From Hikosan Station on the JR Hitahikosan Line BRT “Hikoboshi Line,” take the Soeda town bus to the Kane-no-torii stop.
The main trailhead is the Kane-no-torii (an Important Cultural Property bronze torii gate, the start of the main pilgrimage route). From the Kane-no-torii the route passes the Hōhei-den hall (about 20 min) and the Chūgū mid-shrine (about 30 min) to reach the Hikosan-jingū upper shrine on Nakadake (about 40 min), a climb of about 1 hour 30 minutes. From Nakadake it is about 15 minutes more to Minamidake, the highest point. You can also ride the Hikosan Slope Car (Hana to Kami stations) up to near the Hōhei-den.
The hiking season runs from April to November, and the autumn foliage is especially fine.
※Due to repairs of the upper shrine, the ridge traverse linking Kitadake, Nakadake and Minamidake has been closed since August 2022 (to reopen in stages as work progresses). The pilgrimage route up to the Nakadake upper shrine remains open. Check the latest restrictions with Soeda Town or Hikosan-jingū.
How to access the trailheads
1. [Outbound] Hikosan Station → Kane-no-torii
From Hikosan Station (BRT Hikoboshi Line), take the Soeda town bus “Hikosan Course” and alight at Kane-no-torii.
Ride time: approx. 12 min
Fare: ¥200 (adult)
Hikosan Station connects to the BRT Hikoboshi Line (toward Soeda and Hita stations). The main pilgrimage route starts here at the Kane-no-torii.
Bus TimetableHikosan Station to Kane-no-torii
| Hikosan Sta. dep. | Kane-no-torii arr. |
|---|---|
| 8:15 | 8:27 |
| 9:30 | 9:42 |
| 11:00 | 11:12 |
| 15:10 | 15:22 |
| Hikosan Sta. dep. | Kane-no-torii arr. |
|---|---|
| 9:30 | 9:42 |
| 11:00 | 11:12 |
| 13:20 | 13:32 |
| 15:10 | 15:22 |
Source: [Soeda town bus (Soeda transit guide)]
2. [Return] Kane-no-torii → Hikosan Station
From Kane-no-torii, take the Soeda town bus “Hikosan Course” and alight at BRT Hikosan Station.
Ride time: approx. 12 min
Fare: ¥200 (adult)
Hikosan Station connects to the BRT Hikoboshi Line (toward Soeda and Hita stations).
Bus TimetableKane-no-torii to Hikosan Station
| Kane-no-torii dep. | Hikosan Sta. arr. |
|---|---|
| 8:49 | 9:15 |
| 10:23 | 10:35 |
| 11:53 | 12:05 |
| 14:45 | 14:57 |
| 16:03 | 16:15 |
| Kane-no-torii dep. | Hikosan Sta. arr. |
|---|---|
| 10:23 | 10:35 |
| 11:53 | 12:05 |
| 14:45 | 14:57 |
| 16:03 | 16:15 |
Source: [Soeda town bus (Soeda transit guide)]
After the hike & notes
Hikosan Slope Car: It runs from Hana station near the Kane-no-torii up to Kami station, taking you close to the Hōhei-den without walking (check operating hours and fares on the official site). It is handy if you want to shorten the walk.
Trail closure: Due to repairs of the upper shrine, the ridge traverse linking Kitadake, Nakadake and Minamidake has been closed since August 2022 (reopening in stages). The pilgrimage route up to the Nakadake upper shrine is open. For the Onisugi and Tamaya-jinja routes and other conditions, check with Soeda Town or Hikosan-jingū.
In an emergency: Call 110 (police) or 119 (fire).
・Tagawa Police Station 0947-42-0110
・Soeda Town Office 0947-82-1231 / Commerce & Tourism Section 0947-82-1236
Photo by Pontafon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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