Mt Amari &
Mt Sentoboshi

Mt Amari (Japanese: 甘利山) and Mt Sentoboshi (千頭星山) sit at the northern edge of the South Alps, close enough to Nirasaki to feel accessible yet remote enough to retain a quiet, old‑mountain atmosphere. They are both included in the Yamanashi hyakumeizan*, but they offer very different experiences. One is open and famous for its flowers, the other deep in the forest.

 

Mt Amari is the more famous of the two, known especially for its azaleas and its superb views of Mt Fuji. The mountain is only a short walk from the car park, but reaching that car park requires driving up a long, steep forest road that winds high above Nirasaki. Once there, the hike is gentle: meadows, open slopes, and a broad summit area where Fuji rises perfectly framed. The area is popular, with a campsite and accommodation facilities nearby, yet it still retains a relaxed, high‑plateau charm. In July, when I visited, the trails were surprisingly quiet, and the flowers were blooming across the grassy ridges.

 

Mt Sentoboshi lies deeper in the mountains, farther up a steep wooded slope past Mt Oku-Amari. The climb is more strenuous, and the atmosphere changes quickly with the forest closing in, the path narrowing and the sense of solitude increasing. The summit is completely wooded and offers no views, but the satisfaction comes from the climb itself and from the contrast with Amari’s openness. For those who want to extend the day, it’s also possible to make a diversion to Mt Gosho, where the views open again toward Mt Ho’o and the rugged heart of the South Alps.

 

My July visit to both mountains felt like a perfect balance: a moderately strenuous hike with moments of beauty, especially the views of Mt Fuji from Amari’s summit meadows. Together, the two peaks show how varied even the lesser‑known corners of the South Alps can be, including flower fields, deep forests, hidden ridges and quiet paths that reward anyone willing to explore beyond the famous giants.

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* Yamanashi prefecture's 100 famous mountains

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