Mt. Sanbe

Mt. Sanbe (三瓶山) is a 1,126m volcano in Oda City, Shimane Prefecture, one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
Around the main peak, Osanbe (1,126m), peaks such as Mesanbe, Kosanbe, and Magosanbe enclose a crater basin called Muro-no-uchi; gentle grasslands and wide views are its charm. Part of Daisen-Oki National Park, it can be enjoyed even by beginners, with a sightseeing chairlift available from Higashi-no-hara.
From JR Oda-shi Station, access Sanbe Onsen and Higashi-no-hara by Iwami Kotsu Bus “Sanbe Line.”

The main trailheads are Sanbe Onsen (Himenoga-ike course) and Higashi-no-hara (sightseeing chairlift).
From the Himenoga-ike trailhead to the Osanbe summit takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. From Higashi-no-hara you can ride the chairlift (operating April–November) up to Mt. Ōhira and traverse the crater rim to Osanbe. A circuit including the crater basin (Muro-no-uchi) takes roughly 3–5 hours.
*Note: This is a grassland mountain with good views, but watch for strong winds and sudden weather changes.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Oda-shi Station → Sanbe Onsen
2. [Outbound] Oda-shi Station → Higashi-no-hara
3. [Return] Sanbe Onsen → Oda-shi Station
4. [Return] Higashi-no-hara → Oda-shi Station

1.[Outbound] Oda-shi Station → Sanbe Onsen

From JR Oda-shi Station, take the Iwami Kotsu Bus “Sanbe Line” and get off at Sanbe Onsen.
Travel time: about 43 minutes
Fare: about ¥960
*The ● mark means no service on Sat/Sun/holidays. In winter (Jan 1 – end of Feb) the Sanbe Onsen – Sanbe Youth Center section runs a reduced schedule.

Bus TimetableOda-shi Station to Sanbe Onsen

Reference: [GoGo Sanbe (Iwami Kotsu Sanbe Line)]

2.[Outbound] Oda-shi Station → Higashi-no-hara

From JR Oda-shi Station, take the Iwami Kotsu Bus “Sanbe Line” (bound for the Sanbe Youth Center) and get off at Higashi-no-hara.
Travel time: about 50 minutes
Fare: about ¥1,060
*The ● mark means no service on Sat/Sun/holidays.

Bus TimetableOda-shi Station to Higashi-no-hara

Reference: [GoGo Sanbe (Iwami Kotsu Sanbe Line)]

3.[Return] Sanbe Onsen → Oda-shi Station

From Sanbe Onsen, take the Iwami Kotsu Bus “Sanbe Line” and get off at JR Oda-shi Station.
Travel time: about 43 minutes
Fare: about ¥960
*The ● mark means no service on Sat/Sun/holidays.

Bus TimetableSanbe Onsen to Oda-shi Station

Reference: [GoGo Sanbe (Iwami Kotsu Sanbe Line)]

4.[Return] Higashi-no-hara → Oda-shi Station

From Higashi-no-hara, take the Iwami Kotsu Bus “Sanbe Line” and get off at JR Oda-shi Station.
Travel time: about 50 minutes
Fare: about ¥1,060
*The ● mark means no service on Sat/Sun/holidays.

Bus TimetableHigashi-no-hara to Oda-shi Station

Reference: [GoGo Sanbe (Iwami Kotsu Sanbe Line)]

Photo by Reggaeman / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0