Mt Kintoki

Mt Kintoki (Japanese: 金時山) rises on the northern rim of the Hakone caldera, a compact and well-known peak whose open summit, views and legends make it one of the most beloved mountains in Kanagawa. It is not a high peak by regional standards, yet its position just outside the volcanic bowl of Hakone gives it a commanding vantage point over the entire region. From the top, Mt Fuji (富士山) appears in perfect symmetry to the northwest, while the Hakone mountains curve around in a great green arc below.

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Topographically, Kintoki is a classic outer‑rim peak with steep forested slopes rising to a broad, grassy summit crowned with boulders. The mountain’s geology is tied to the ancient eruptions that shaped Hakone, but erosion has softened its contours, leaving a rounded summit. The views are famously generous with Fuji dominating one side, the Ashigara Plain stretching out the other, and the ridges of Hakone in the background.

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The hike is straightforward and popular, especially from the Kintoki‑yama trailhead near the Ashigara Pass. The path climbs steadily through cedar and broadleaf forest, gaining height quickly before breaking out onto the upper ridge. As you ascend, glimpses of Fuji appear through the trees, growing larger and clearer until the summit meadow opens beneath the sky. The final approach is gentle, and the summit itself is a lively place with tourists and visitors to the small teahouse associated with the legend of Kintarō, the folk hero said to have trained on these slopes.

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I climbed Kintoki by the classic route, but after summiting escaped the crowds by heading out along the ridge towards Mt Myojin to the east. This was an excellent diversion with commanding views over the town below, but with far fewer people.

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