Mt Takatsuka

Mt Takatsuka (Japanese: 高塚山) sits deep in the southern reaches of the South Alps, a remote and seldom‑visited peak that feels far wilder than its modest fame as one of sanbyakumeizan* might suggest. Access is from Shizuoka Prefecture, but hikers must walk a long and steep forest road that has been closed to vehicles due to repeated rockfalls. By the time you reach the true trailhead, you already feel far from the world and any mobile signal.

 

The climb itself is demanding and the trail sometimes passes through areas of rock collapse, which are common in this region. The route pushes through thick bamboo grass, sometimes waist‑high, and sections of the trail are poorly maintained or faint enough to require careful attention. It is a mountain that insists on patience and preparedness. The rewards, however, are undeniable. Mt. Fuji can be seen in the east and the other mountains of the South Alps unfold in rugged layers to the north. The remoteness gives the views a freshness you don’t find on more popular climbs. Other peaks such as Yamainudan and Mt Sobatsubo can be enjoyed on the way to Mt Takatsuka.

 

This region is best avoided in summer, when leeches thrive. Even in cooler seasons, hikers must stay alert: the forests here are home to black bears, and the solitude means you may be the only person on the mountain. When I hiked Mt. Takatsuka in May, I met almost nobody all day. The silence was profound, the bamboo grass brushing against my legs, the trail rising and falling through deep forest. By the time I returned battered, scratched and exhausted to my car I felt I had completed a small expedition.

 

Mt. Takatsuka is not a mountain for casual visitors. It is remote, strenuous, and at times unforgiving. But for those willing to take on its challenges, it offers a rare experience: a quiet, demanding peak in the far south of the Alps, where the views are superb and the sense of isolation is complete.

​

* 300 famous mountains of Japan

​

(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)