Total Walking Time: 4.5 to 6 hours
Located in Izunokuni in the Izu Peninsula, uou can see some of the best views of Mt. Fuji on Mt. Joyama, Mt. Katsuragiyama and Mt. Hottanjoyama. The hike is a pleasant long walk along the mountain range that connects these three peaks. The course is mostly easy and along a well-trodden trails, with add-on options including a walk in the park, a relaxing ropeway ride, and a really steep scramble up (and down) an unmarked trail, depending on what you fancy your hikes to be like.
Tip: If you do not wish to pack food for your hike, there is an option of stopping for a quick lunch at Mt. Katsuragiyama. There is a cafeteria serving hot food and vending machines at the Panorama Park. There is also the option of taking the ropeway from Mt. Katsuragiyama down the mountain.
I started from the central part of the Izu Peninsula, near the spa town of Shuzenji, heading westward toward the coast of western Izu. For this hike, I recommend starting from Ohito station and completing the journey at Mito, a coastal town along the Uchiura Bay. It is possible to complete this trail in reverse but this means you’d be walking with your back to Mt. Fuji and might miss out on seeing some really good views.
The course is easy to moderate and accessible year-round. For the most part, this trail is well-trodden with hikers, and it’s mostly well-maintained and very clearly marked with signs. There is a section of the trail which is a little more challenging, but it’s optional. A walking stick could be helpful but not essential. Bring a hat, gloves, flashlight, snacks and water, mosquito repellent in summer. A shirt for a spring or autumn hike, your lightest and most effective sweat-wicking clothing and a sweat towel in summer (it gets very hot and humid), and a light jacket or windbreaker in winter.
Access:
From Mishima Station, take the privately-run Izu-Hakone train from Mishima Station (along the Tokaido line). Ohito station is two stops away from the last station, which is Shuzenji station. There are lockers at the station, but if you follow the recommended itinerary, you won’t be heading back to Ohito Station. Alternatively, you could opt to leave your bags at Numazu Station in the morning before going to Mishima Station to transfer to the Izu-Hakone train to Ohito.
Useful Japanese:
| Numazu Station | Numazu-eki | 沼津駅 |
| Mishima Station | Mishima-eki | 三島駅 |
| Izu-Hakone Railway | Izu-Hakone Tetsudo | 伊豆箱根鉄道 |
| Izu-Nagaoka Station | Izu-Nagaoka eki | 伊豆長岡駅 |
| Nirayama Station | Nirayama-eki | 韮山駅 |
| Ohito Station | Ohito-eki | 大仁駅 |
| Shuzenji Station | Shuzenji-eki | 修善寺 |
| Kano River | Kanogawa | 狩野川 |
| Mt. Joyama | Joyama | 城山 |
| Joyama Pass | Joyama-touge | 城山峠 |
| Rindo Pass (Forest Trail Pass) | Rindo-touge | 林道峠 |
| Mt. Katsuragiyama | Katsuragiyama | 葛城山 |
| Katsuragiyama Pass | Katsuragiyama-touge | 葛木山峠 |
| Panorama Park | パノラマパーク | |
| Masuyamadera Temple | Masuyama-dera | 益山寺 |
| Mt. Hottanjoyama | Hottanjoyama | 発端丈山 |
| Nagahama Trailhead | Nagahama-touge | 長浜峠 |
| Mito Town | Mito | 三津 |
| Uchiura Bay | Uchiura-wan | 内浦湾 |
| Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces | Nirayama hansharo | 韮山反射炉 |
| Strawberry Picking | Ichigo-gari | 苺狩り |
Mt. Joyama to Mt. Katsuragiyama to Mt. Hottanjoyama Part 2
In the Shadow of Fuji 