13.2 km · mountain loop · bath by the station
A hike and a bath.
Climb from Joganji temple to the top of Mt Shiroyama, walk out to Shitodo Cave, where Minamoto no Yoritomo is said to have hidden after losing a battle, and come down past Gosho Shrine. Then soak at Hotel Shiroyama by the station and have an early steak dinner.
- One day
- A full day on the trail
- 10 stops
Best for
Fit adults in proper hiking shoes, happy with steep, uneven trail and about six hours outdoors.Budget
About ¥5,000–¥10,000 per person for food and water, the day bath and dinner.The route
Over the mountain and back to the station.
The loop is 13.2 km with 582 m between its highest and lowest points. The official walking time is just under four hours; this plan gives it five and a half, with time for the temple, the cave and lunch.
- 07:45–08:151Coffee and supplies at the station
- 08:25–08:45Joganji temple
- 08:45–09:502Up to the top of Shiroyama
- 09:50–11:403Out to Shitodo Cave and back
- 11:40–12:20Lunch at the summit
- 12:20–13:454Down past Gosho Shrine
- 13:45–13:55Back to the station
- 14:10–16:155A soak at Hotel Shiroyama
- 17:00–18:30Steak at Aiyu
- 18:30–18:45Walk back to the station
Shiroyama: hike, soak and dinner
Start early, walk the loop in the direction on the official map, and be back at the station by early afternoon.
107:45–08:15
Coffee and supplies at the station
NewDays by the ticket gate opens at 6:00. Buy breakfast, lunch, snacks and all your water here: there's nowhere to buy food on the trail and no drinking water. Take at least 1.5 litres, and 2 litres or more when it's warm.
Walk · 8min · About 700 mRoads to the temple; from there, follow the official trail map.Directions ↗
08:25–08:45
Joganji temple
Walk under the railway at Shirohori to the temple of the Doi clan, the samurai family who ruled Yugawara. See their graves, the Shichikidō hall and the huge old juniper, a national natural monument.
208:45–09:50
Up to the top of Shiroyama
Climb past Sengen Shrine to the picnic ground at the end of the Miyashita forest road, the only toilet on the mountain, then on to the summit (about 564 m) and the remains of Doi Castle.
309:50–11:40
Out to Shitodo Cave and back
Follow the trail from the summit to Tsubakidai and down to Shitodo Cave, where the story goes that Minamoto no Yoritomo hid after his defeat at Ishibashiyama. It's about 45 minutes out and 45 back to the summit.
11:40–12:20
Lunch at the summit
Eat the lunch you brought from the station. Take all your rubbish home.
412:20–13:45
Down past Gosho Shrine
Walk back to the picnic ground and down the Miyashita forest road to Gosho Shrine, the town's main shrine, with its huge camphor tree.
Walk · 10min · The last stretch10 minutes on foot.Directions ↗
13:45–13:55
Back to the station
Ten minutes' walk from the shrine brings you back where you started.
Walk · 3min · About 220 m3 minutes from the station.Directions ↗
514:10–16:15
A soak at Hotel Shiroyama
A day bath right by the station, so there's no need to go back up the valley. Entry includes a yukata and bath towel; bring a small washcloth.
Walk · 15min · About 1 km12–15 minutes on foot.Directions ↗
17:00–18:30
Steak at Aiyu
An early teppan steak dinner near the town hall. Dinner starts at 17:00; it's closed on Thursdays and one Wednesday a month.
Walk · 12min · About 900 m12 minutes on foot.Directions ↗
18:30–18:45
Walk back to the station
A 12-minute walk to your train.
Good to know
Before you set off.
Weather and turning back
Don't go in heavy rain, thunder, snow or ice, thick fog or extreme heat, or right after a typhoon. If you haven't reached the summit by about 10:30, skip the cave; it saves an hour and a half. Stay on signed trails, and carry a headlamp anyway.
What to bring
Hiking shoes with grip, the official trail map saved offline, a charged phone and battery pack, a rain jacket, layers, sun protection, a small first-aid kit, lunch, snacks and plenty of water. Use the toilet at the station before you start.
If you get lost
The trail is quiet and phone signal comes and goes. Walk with a friend if you can. If you lose the trail, stop and go back to the last place you were sure of. For rescue call 110; for injuries call 119.
Wildlife
You may meet monkeys, wild boar, snakes or bees. Don't approach or feed them, and walk calmly away from bees.
Bags and access
Bring a small daypack only; leave bigger bags in a station locker. The trail isn't suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.