大台ヶ原
Odaigahara
Elevation: 1695m
Prefecture
Mie
Distance
7.5 km
Elevation Change
➚ 400m ➘ 400m
Time
3-4 Hours
Difficulty
2/5
Accommodation
Mountain Huts
Overview
Odaigahara is a mountain located on the border of Nara and Mie prefectures which is easily accessible by car, with the main peak only 45mins from the parking lot. It's a popular place for stargazing and an easy way for inexperienced people to enjoy some hiking above 1500 meters, with beautiful views over the Omine Mountain Range, which includes Hakkyo and Mt. Omine. Odaigahara is one of the Hyakumeizan, with the main trail forming an easy but enjoyable loop starting from the car park. For those seeking a longer and more challenging hike, you can head towards (or come from) the Osugidani Valley, which features a beautiful emerald-blue river and a nice mountain hut.
Access
Car: If you're using a car you can park next to the trailhead which is located here.
The drive will take around 3 hours from Kyoto and Osaka.
Train and Bus: For public transport, there is a bus that will take you to the Odaigahara parking lot from April to November. You will first need to reach Yamato-Yagi station and catch the bus from there. Alternatively, some websites state there is also a bus from Yamato-Kamichi station, however, I could not confirm this info using Google Maps. Either way, travel time is about 4 hours and motion sickness pills may be wise for this bus.
Sleeping
There are 2 options for sleeping on the mountain, you can stay at the Kokoro Tojikan mountain lodge, or you can sleep in your car. Car camping is quite popular on Odaigahara, but if your prefer a proper bed then the Kokoro Tojikan lodge offers both shared and private rooms.
Maps
GPS map: outdooractive.com
Trail Description
The trail can be completed in either direction and includes a beautiful beech forest with some nice viewpoints. If you're car camping for the night, a good tip if you want to avoid crowds for the sunrise is to aim for the non-sunrise viewpoint which is the cliff located at the southern end of the loop. Why? Because watching the actual sun rising is a common misconception about the value of a sunrise, the beauty of the sunrise isn't simply to see the sun, it's to see the colours of the sky changing with an incredible landscape. Moreover, the view at the cliff is also considered to be superior to the view at the peak, so combine that with an absence of people and you have the perfect experience watching the morning light stretching across the Omine mountain range. The trail itself is well maintained and suitable for all skill and fitness levels.
Elevation Profile
Weather and Seasons
Useful links
Spring, summer, and autumn are the best times for this hike, with the leaves becoming vibrant and green around June. Summer can be hot, but the top will be 10 degrees cooler than the cities. Winter hiking is possible if you have experience with snow. The buses only run from April to November.
Gallery
Difficulty: 2/5
Hiking Distance: 7.5 km
Time: 3-4 hours
Elev. gain: 400m
Prefecture: Mie
