When you visit western Japan and want to go one day hiking in the nature, I recommend Mt. Daisen 大山 in Daisen Oki National Park 大山隠岐国立公園.
The National Park consists of some areas. I introduce you to Daisen area.
- Summary of the Hiking Route
- Information
- Daisen National Park Center 大山ナショナルパークセンター
- Natsuyama Mountain Trail Entrance 夏山登山口
- 6th Station Shelter Hut 六合目避難小屋
- Summit Shelter 大山頂上避難小屋
- Top of Mt. Daisen (Misen) 大山 (弥山) 頂上
- 6th Station Shelter Hut 六合目避難小屋
- Motodani 元谷
- Ogamiyama Shrine Okunomiya 大神山神社奥宮
- Daisenji Temple 大山寺
- Hot spring Gouen-yuin 豪円湯院
Summary of the Hiking Route
Mt. Daisen Mountain Climbing Course 大山登山コース
This trail is well maintained and for beginner hikers but steep. (770m, 2526ft → 1709m, 5606ft above sea level)
The entire round trip of the path is 7.4km (4.6miles) long, which will require 5 hours 40 minutes of hiking.
Route
- Daisen National Park Center 大山ナショナルパークセンター
- 6th Station Shelter Hut 六合目避難小屋
- Top of Mt. Daisen (Misen) 大山 (弥山) 頂上
- 6th Station Shelter Hut 六合目避難小屋
- Motodani 元谷
- Ogamiyama Shrine Okunomiya 大神神社奥宮
- Daisen National Park Center 大山ナショナルパークセンター
Please check out this Japanese hiking map.
https://tottoridaisen.web.fc2.com/map/Japanese/pdf/J-11.pdf
Map of The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan 国土地理院の地図
Information
Useful websites
In many situations, the names of the mountain and its highest peak are the same in Japan. However, the name of Mt. Daisen 大山 and its highest peak is not the same. There are two main peaks, whose names are Mt. Misen 弥山 (1709m 5606ft) and Mt. Kengamine 剣ヶ峰 (1729m 5673ft). Nowadays, The top of Mt. Daisen and Mt. Misen are the same meanings.
* This blog doesn't cover Mt, Kengamine.
Daisen National Park Center 大山ナショナルパークセンター
Parking Lots
There are several parking lots around this area but I recommend Prefectural Daisen Parking Lot (Kenritsu Daisen Chushajo 県立大山駐車場) beside Daisen National Park Center 大山ナショナルパークセンター.
At the center, you can get useful information, use clean bathrooms. There are public bus stop, a hot spring, an outdoor equipment store and restaurants nearby.
Daisen Information Center 大山情報館 was renamed Daisen National Park Center 大山ナショナルパークセンター.
(Information is mainly in Japanese.)
大山ツアーデスク
Daisen Tour Desk
Natsuyama Mountain Trail Entrance 夏山登山口
There are 2 entrances for hiking. (770m, 2526ft above sea level)
When you walk from the parking lot above this is the nearest entrance.
This is another entrance near Shimoyama Camping Site (Parking Lot) 下山キャンプ場 (駐車場).
This is popular hiking place.
6th Station Shelter Hut 六合目避難小屋
It is a small shelter.
After you walk you to the 6 station you will see the panoramic view.
Do not step outside of the boardwalk!
Summit Shelter 大山頂上避難小屋
There is no camping site in the mountain. Camping is not permitted.
(The menu is as of September 2016.)
Drink and Food
- アイスビール Cold Beer 800 yen
- ビール Beer 600 yen
- ホットコーヒー Hot Coffee 300 yen
- Non-alcoholic beverages 550 or 600 yen
- ヌードル (カップヌードル) Cup Noodles 500 yen
- チョコレート Chocolate 300 yen
Souvenirs of the summit of Mt. Daisen
- 山頂てぬぐい Japanese Towel 1000 yen (Maybe, the blue cloth in the photo above)
- バッジ Badge
Top of Mt. Daisen (Misen) 大山 (弥山) 頂上
You can see a great view if it is a fine day.
1710.6m 1709m 5606ft
The ridges around Mt. Kengamine 剣ヶ峰 are too dangerous to walk!!!
I went hiking on weekend. There were lots of hikers.
You need to bring water for cooking because there is no water supply in the mountain.
Broken old shelter
Keep out for revegetation
6th Station Shelter Hut 六合目避難小屋
Motodani 元谷
There is Motodani Shelter 元谷避難小屋 and bathroom beside the valley.
Ogamiyama Shrine Okunomiya 大神山神社奥宮
Website (in Japanese)
This shrine is surrounded by thick Japanese cedars.
It is quite larger size than usual ones!
Daisenji Temple 大山寺
Website (in Japanese)
Admission is 300 yen but I think this temple is worth seeing.
Hot spring Gouen-yuin 豪円湯院
Hot spring Daisen Hinokamidake Onsen Goenyuin 大山火の神岳温泉 豪円湯院
After hiking it is a good idea to stop by this hot spring. 380 390 yen
(You can bring your towel or use a rental bath towel for 200 ? yen.)
Website (in Japanese)
Photos were taken in 2016.
Recommended Backpackers in Tottori 鳥取
Other hiking places in Japan