Hello everyone! With the end of winter, the days are getting warmer and warmer, so you may be going outside more often. For those of you who want to get some exercise after a long winter, here is some information on hiking in Yamanashi! It takes 2 hours from the center of Tokyo! Please check out the Ishiwari Shrine hiking course at Lake Yamanaka!
- What is Ishiwari-jinja Shrine?Basic Information
- Access and Transportation Information to Lake Yamanakako
- Route and Notes
- Impressions of the actual climb
- Summary
Hiking in Yamanashi – What is Ishiwari-jinja Shrine?Basic Information
Ishiwari Shrine is located on the north side of Lake Yamanaka. Unlike ordinary shrines, however, visitors must hike up a hiking trail to visit the shrine.
Are you familiar with the legend of Ama-no-Iwato in Japanese mythology? There are places all over Japan where the legend of “Ama-no-Iwato” is handed down. One of them is the Ishiwari Shrine in Yamanakako-mura, Yamanashi Prefecture. is not a nationally famous place for its traditions, but its appearance is breathtaking.
The first half-hour climb up the stone stairs is quite strenuous, but it is understandable if you consider that this is also the site of a shrine.
The huge rock is cracked, and the rock itself is a shrine.
There is no entrance or parking fee, but the parking lot at the starting point has space for about 15 cars, so we recommend getting there early during the climbing season! The Ishiwari Shrine Trail is a hiking trail that connects to the surrounding mountains, so climbers can also climb to Oshino Village. The turnover rate of the parking lot is not very high, so please be careful when parking on weekends and holidays.
Access and Transportation Information to Lake Yamanakako
There are two main ways to access Lake Yamanakako. From the Tokyo area, take the Chuo Expressway to Kawaguchiko, and then take the Fujigoko Road (toll) or a public road, which takes about 30 minutes from Kawaguchiko.
From Kanagawa or Kansai area, Yamanakako can be accessed from Gotemba via the Fuji-Goko Road (toll road) or ordinary roads.
The Ishiwari Shrine parking lot is located on the northeast side of Lake Yamanaka, about a 10-minute drive from the lake. The location is a little unpopular, but the road is paved, so you will not get lost if you use Google Maps to find your way around.
There is a bus stop along the lakeside, so it is also accessible by bus, but it is a bit far, so it is better to access the Ohirayama hiking course from the bus stop along the lakeside and then go to Ishiwari Shrine from the top of the mountain.
As for traffic information in Yamanakako, it is quite smooth in the early morning, so you do not need to use the Fuji-Goko Highway (toll road), but during the daytime, especially on weekends and holidays, the public road is quite crowded, so it is difficult to get from Kawaguchiko to Yamanakako in 30 minutes.However, it is difficult to reach Yamanakako in 30 minutes.
Route and Notes
Now let me explain the next part of the climbing route!
The YMAP hiking app will give you a rough idea of the time required, but when I actually climbed the mountain, it took me about 2 hours and 30 minutes to climb up and down, so it is a relatively beginner-friendly hiking course.
However, it is necessary to climb steep stone steps for about 30 minutes from the starting point, so a certain level of physical strength is required. It is not only physical fitness, but it will also damage your leg and back muscles.
The route is a loop course, so it is not a monotonous hike up and down, and is recommended for first-timers.
From the start of the parking lot, you will climb stone steps, which will take about 30 minutes. After 10 minutes of gentle ascent, the Ishiwari Shrine, which is the destination of this visit, is located.
From Ishiwari Shrine, there is a 20-minute uphill hiking course. At the top of the mountain, there is a view point where climbers can take a rest. From here, it is possible to go on a circular course or descend to a route that leads to a hiking trail to a different mountain, such as Mt.
To get to the Cycle Route, take the route to the neighboring Mt. The route from the summit is a bit confusing, but many climbers take this route, so you should not have much trouble finding your way around.
The descent route (circuit route) from the summit starts out on a steep slope with a rope, so if you are unsure about your footing, use the rope to get down safely. After descending the steep slope, the course continues along a flat ridge to some extent. Depending on the temperature, it was a pleasant walk in early spring.
Walking along the ridge, we came to a junction between the summit course and a circuitous route to Mt. The descent route of the circuit course takes you down through the forest and finally along a mountain stream (note that there is a branch here as well).(Note that there is a branch here as well.) You will be forced to cross the river, but there is not much water and you can cross by jumping over rocks.
After crossing the stream, there is a roadway, and if you continue along the road, you can return to the parking lot where you started.(about 10 minutes).
Hiking in Yamanashi
Having actually hiked the Ishiwari Shrine hiking trail, I have to say that the Ishiwari Shrine is a sight to behold. I was amazed at the huge rock that has been cracked open, but I was also amazed at the people who built the shrine in the mountains so long ago. Tables and chairs are placed nearby for rest and refreshments.
Fuji can be seen from the viewpoint at the top of the mountain, so early morning clear skies may be recommended during the summer season.
I think it is possible to climb the mountain in winter as well, but the area of Yamanakako has the lowest temperature and snowfall in the Fuji Five Lakes region, so we need to be careful about snow accumulation and icy road surfaces. I would like to come back in winter.
The trail is fairly well maintained, so it is unlikely that you will get lost, but be careful of bears and other wildlife during the summer and fall seasons. Be sure to bring bear spray or bear bells.
The hiking course has many slopes, so shoes with good grip and firmness are recommended.
summary
In this article, we introduced the Ishiwari Shrine hiking course located at Lake Yamanakako, at the foot of Mt!This is a timed course that even beginners can easily climb and enjoy the special hiking experience of having a shrine on top of the mountain, so I recommend it!Also, please check this article for information on sightseeing in the nearby Kawaguchiko area!
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